“Gram, it’s everything,” I say, exhaling slowly. “Everything but Hercules.”
“Everything, eh? And you’re sure it has nothing to do with a man who’s part swine?”
Yep, I think she’ll be a mind reader until the day she dies.
I wish I knew how to explain what I’m feeling.
“It’s not that. Not just that. It’s mostly me.”
She lifts a brow.
“The only thing I know for sure is that I’m here to take care of you,” I say. “And that’s what I’ll do until it’s time to head home.”
Home.
I’m still waiting for the day when D.C. feels like home.
“You’ve been doing that too much, dearest heart. In case you hadn’t noticed, I’ve been doing a fine job looking after myself,” she says defiantly.
“Yeah, you have, and it’s too much. I’ve been working here every day the past few weeks and I’ve still been knocking off when I shouldn’t for fun I don’t need.”
“Bah, what’s wrong with that? All work and no play is never how it’s done around here, Shelly. You’re not turning into a dull girl on my watch.”
I snort at how she blows that silly nod to The Shining apart and throws it back together into a mangled mess. I certainly feel like Jack Nicholson right now—slowly going bonkers.
“I’m not here for fun, Gram.”
Gram smiles wider. “You know, life is only as complicated as we make it.”
Don’t I know it. “Well, I guess I’m good at that. I’ve made mine pretty complicated.”
“That’s an easy fix,” she says matter-of-factly.
I look at her.
“Uncomplicate it, sweetness.”
I roll my eyes.
“Easier said than done.”
“Hardly.” She reaches over and taps my temple. “It’s your thinking that’s got everything all knotted up.”
I sigh, propping my elbows on the counter with my chin in both hands.
“Maybe. I definitely have some things to sort out.”
“Like what?”
“Life.” I shrug. “I don’t know if I can go back to D.C., Gram.”
“Ah, so Weston’s convinced you then. Mighty impressive.”
This time, I roll my eyes right out of my head.
“No, it isn’t him. It’s me. I don’t know if I can go back, Gram.”
She gives me a quizzical look.