All I Ask(26)

She shovels a spoonful of cereal in her mouth and shrugs. “Whatever.”

“I’m serious. Her mother died, she moved to a new town, and her entire life is a mess. She probably feels like her life is out of control so she’s searching for a target.”

It doesn’t mean that Chastity should be the object of her anger, but I get it. Everly’s got a lot to be pissed about.

“So you knew her dad?”

Sometimes having a really observant daughter sucks. “I did, a long time ago.”

“Grandma said you guys were best friends.”

I cross my arms over my chest and wonder why she asked a question she already knew the answer to.

“What?” she asks.

“I’m curious what you’re trying to find out, since you knew who Derek was.”

“I wanted to see what you’d say.”

“What else did Grandma inform you of?”

Chastity shrugs and puts her bowl down. “She was just giddy to tell me juicy info about you.”

“I’m sure she was. She’s also a pathological liar.”

My daughter laughs and rolls her eyes. “Yeah, okay.”

“I used to like you.”

“You still do. Also, you suck as a liar.”

I’d like to flip her off but that would be inappropriate. “Back to the conversation. What did Grandma tell you?”

“She said you two were in love but too stupid to see it. Oh, and she was not happy that he was back either. She kept saying something about your head in the clouds and now you’d end up floating away.”

Why my mother disapproves of him, I’ll never know.

Derek volunteered with his father, caring for animals and doing other good deeds while I was making out with Keith under the bleachers.

“What the hell does that even mean?”

“She also thinks that if I have to spend time around him, that I would like him much more than you.”

I laugh. “Well, that’s interesting.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s true.”

She smiles. “Well, I’ll let you know the verdict after I’m done working with Dr. Hartz.”

“They’re both Dr. Hartz,” I inform her.

“He’s a vet too?”

“Yup.”

“Great, now if I defend myself when his awful daughter is being a bi—” She catches herself. “Big mean person, I won’t get to work with the animals.” I see the disappointment in her eyes.

I touch her cheek. “You’ll find a way to be nice.”

“I am nice! It’s her! I just want to be around the animals. They’re not cruel and don’t make fun of me, or say stupid things. The cat walks around being a cat and the pig doesn’t care that the other pig is fatter than him. It’s why I want to be homeschooled!”

“It’s a good thing that you’re not a cat or pig.”

“Yeah, god forbid I get to be happy.”

I’ve never seen her be so unforgiving, but clearly Everly has gotten under her skin. Much like Everly’s father is under mine.

“Happiness is overrated, babe. Best learn it early in life. Now, go to school and be a human—a nice one.”

*



Nina walks toward the counter with a grin. “You missed your favorite caller.”

“She’s like clockwork.”

We both laugh because the one day Mrs. Dickman didn’t call, we didn’t know what to do with ourselves.

Nina and I stared at the phone that day, waiting for it to ring. After two hours, I had the worst feeling and walked to her house to be sure she wasn’t injured or sick. It turned out her grandson was visiting and she forgot all about the chairs. Which seemed so impossible, since it’s basically her life’s mission to get the chairs back.

“Yes, she really is, but it’s rather cute, isn’t it?”

I nod. “I wish we could find these chairs. I know it weighs so heavy on her.”

Nina sighs. “I wish someone would love me that much.”

“Well, if she hadn’t sold the ugly chairs to begin with she wouldn’t need to search the world for them.”

Not that I blame her at all. Those chairs and the ugly couch must’ve come from the same designer back in the early 1900s. Still, Mrs. Dickman won’t rest until the set is back in her possession.

“You would’ve done the same!” Nina giggles. “Look at the true testament of love, though, willing to sit on those hideous things just to feel closer to the man you loved.”

We both grin as we each remember the story that we’ve heard a million times.

Nina sits on the ugly couch and sighs. “It’s so sad that he passed last year.”

“But you’re right, it is sweet that she still looks for the chairs.”

Mrs. Dickman may drive me bonkers with the chair call each day, but it’s a beautiful testament to the love they shared. No matter that he’s gone, she still wants to get back the dining set because her heart needs them.

The first time I heard the story I was so moved I went on a mission to find them. We called pretty much every possible antique store and furniture place possible, but came up empty-handed.

“I think she irritates me so much because I feel like I’m disappointing her each time she calls.”