My Better Life

He clears his throat. “Hmmph.”

I grin at him. Someday, I think he’s going to have to tell Diedre he’s in love with her.

Yeah. I recognize the symptoms.

I look back to Grandma. She’s tossed her corn into the pail, and she’s peeling the husk off another, deliberately stripping the silk away, frowning at me as she does, like she’s watching a venomous snake sneaking through the jungle. You should always be wary of venomous snakes… I frown and scratch my chin, because for some reason I feel like I’ve had close-up personal experience with them.

I shrug. I probably read it in a book or saw a documentary.

I turn to Diedre. “Jamie told me you’ve volunteered to create an online store for her, taking photos of her art, putting it online, helping with marketing. Were you serious? Will you do that?”

Diedre sits up straight and gives me a considering look. “Are you kidding? I’ve been wanting to do that for years. Years. Are you going to help her?” A slow, expectant smile spreads across her face.

I nod. “I want to.”

“Wow. You’re really something.” Diedre’s eyes crinkle, and I grin at her smudged makeup and her happy look.

“Diedre. Don’t forget the honey.” Gran frowns and throws her stripped ear of corn into the pail.

“Aww Granny. I don’t need honey. I’m through talking about that. I actually think Jamie might be right. You don’t like honey, do you?”

Diedre lifts an eyebrow, directing the question at me. Granny turns to me, her gaze beady, her face as wrinkled as the bark on a walnut tree.

“Uhh. Umm, well. I don’t need honey to enjoy tea. It’s perfect without it.” I nod and lift my glass, taking an appreciative sip. “See? I like it.”

Diedre nods. “Okay, Granny? He doesn’t need honey. He’s not asking for it.” She smiles at Grandma’s humph.

I guess the sweetness of tea is a big deal. Who knew?

“Okay, good.” I smile at Diedre, glad that Jamie has a friend like her. “I wanted to ask before I told Jamie my ideas. If you can set up everything online, get photos up, get an online storefront, a bio, start networking—”

“I’ve been dreaming of this. I’m ready. Just give the word.”

“Good.” I nod. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. Thank all those repressed city boys that gave me oodles of experience earning a living online.”

I clear my throat and look quickly at Tom. He’s glowering at a magenta toaster on the far counter. I thought Diedre was a model. Not a…whatever it is that earns money off repressed men online. Huh.

“Tom.”

He turns to me and tries to hide his scowl.

“I want to build a storefront, but I don’t know much about carpentry. Can you help with the plans, the building? We could either have the store in the barn at our place, or if it works, we might find something in town. At the studio or another location?”

He crosses his arms and considers my question. Then after a silent moment he gives a nod. He’ll do it.

Amazing.

“Well? What do you need me for? Looks like you’ve got it all figured out.” Grandma Allwright frowns at me, managing to look affronted and annoyed at the same time.

I don’t smile at her. I level her with an earnest look that I hope shows my intentions. “Jamie respects you and loves you. If you support this idea, I think it’ll mean the world to her.”

Gran crosses her bony arms over her chest and scowls. “Of course I support it. I’ve been telling the Lord she needs help getting her work out for years now.”

“Well, Gran,” Diedre says. “Maybe the Lord just sent the help you’ve been asking for.” She jerks her head at me and puts a meaningful look on her face.

Grandma Allwright chews on Diedre’s statement and for a minute she looks stunned, but then her hard as nails expression comes back. “Fine. You want my help. You’ve got it. What do you need?”