Chapter 6
“You know, when I came to celebrate, this wasn’t what I had in mind.” Ivan handed his grandmother her ice cream, and then parked his SUV alongside the ice-cream parlor.
“Hey, I’m sick of sitting around watching television all day,” Cecile Mangum replied. “It’s my birthday. I wanted a change of scenery, and you’re the only one of us with a driver’s license. I really appreciate you taking me to my favorite ice-cream parlor, honey. Of course, if you prefer that I take the wheel I…”
“Oh, no, you don’t, Speed Racer. I can manage.”
Ivan’s grandmother snorted. “I go through one little red light, and the whole community is up in arms.”
“GiGi, you almost caused a four-car pileup behind you. Not to mention the couple on the park bench.”
“Hey, they moved, didn’t they?”
“Luckily for you, they were still able to,” Ivan pointed out. “Not everyone that old is that limber.”
“Presumably that’s why you’re here. I do appreciate the visit,” she replied.
Ivan reached over and squeezed her heavily veined hand. “It’s my pleasure.”
“I love my gift. How’d you know I like owls?”
“I didn’t.” His thoughts drifted to Tiffany. “I had some help trying to find something nearly as wise as you.”
“Scoundrel.” She chuckled. “And where’s that other rascal?”
“Cole had to work late. He’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Work indeed.” She took a spoonful of her chocolate sundae. “My grandson is probably out chasing skirts. Mangum men have always been charmers. You know, when your granddaddy was alive, he could charm me right out of my—”
Ivan quickly put up a hand to stop her. He took a healthy sip of his milk shake.
“Saints preserve me. You aren’t sitting next to the Virgin Mary, you know. It ain’t over till it’s over.”
Ivan looked decidedly uncomfortable. “Next subject, please?”
“Fine. If you don’t want to talk about my love life, how about yours?”
“There’s nothing to tell, GiGi. I’m not seeing anyone.”
“Hmm…I hear a restless note in your voice, honey. You need to make time for romance, and don’t give me that gibberish about work.”
“It’s not gibberish. I’m proud of what I do.”
“Yes, but can work get you a date?”
“I have a policy about not fraternizing with my employees…in that capacity.”
“Bah. Do you have a policy for everything? How boring is that? Ivan, work doesn’t keep you warm at night, or fill you with a burning desire to—”
“I get it,” he interrupted again.
“My body is old, sweetheart, not the mind. You need to find a woman who can make you happy…make your soul smile. That’s the kind of connection I had with your grandfather. It’s rare enough to find without you purposefully overlooking it.”
That made Ivan smile. He leaned over and kissed his grandmother’s cheek. “Who says I’ve overlooked it? What makes you think I’d bring every girl I date here?”
Cecile did a double take. “Every? Hell, how about any?”
Ivan stayed another few minutes, sparring with his grandmother before escorting her back to the assisted-living facility. On the drive home, he pondered her words. Some of her advice was spot-on. Ivan was stuck in a rut, and he needed to shake things up.