Not One of Us(35)

Uncle Buddy had nothing to add to what I already knew. I gathered my notes together and slipped them in a folder. “So tell me, are all your rooms already booked for the Blessing?”

The concern in his eyes instantly cleared, and a smile lit his craggy features. “Sold out weeks ago. Did I tell you we’re thinking of building more cabins out back? Business is great. Hunters are coming down from places as far away as Ohio and Pennsylvania.”

“Always expanding. That’s terrific.”

“Speaking of expanding the business, I have a proposition for you. How’d you like to come work for me full time after the Blessing of the Fleet is over?”

The offer caught me by surprise. “Really? Full time?”

“Absolutely. Along with the job, you’d get health insurance as well as sick and annual leave.”

The mention of benefits made me suspicious. I regarded him with narrowed eyes, my pride on the defensive. “Are you offering me this just because you’re trying to help us out? We’re doing okay financially.”

That was slightly stretching the truth. We got by, but barely. I’d have to decide soon about letting go of my apartment. I couldn’t keep it up while also helping out Mimi and Zach. If I needed to move here permanently, there was no sense paying rent in Mobile.

Still, as much as the thought of stable employment with benefits enticed me, I hesitated. “Don’t you need to check with your partner?” I asked, hedging.

“Already talked it over with Cash. He’s in one hundred percent agreement with me. This isn’t doing you a favor—you’d be helping us out.”

“Do you do that many events? I can’t imagine it would take me forty hours a week to schedule them.”

“You wouldn’t just be doing special events. My company needs marketing to draw more hunters and other kinds of visitors. I was thinking that during the off-season, we could offer things like bird-watcher tours and wildlife adventure classes. That kind of stuff. Plus, you could help out with admin work if you had more time. Cash and I are a mess when it comes to keeping up with all the paperwork.”

I was so tempted. Only the thought of giving up my independence reared its ugly head. This felt so permanent. But wasn’t it? I was only kidding myself that I could move back to Mobile and leave Mimi and Zach to fend for themselves. Especially not now after our home had been invaded. I’d once broached the idea of them coming to live with me in Mobile, and Mimi had laughed in my face. “I’ve lived here all my life. Ain’t got no plans to be leaving now.”

Uncle Buddy nudged my arm with his elbow. “Besides, you’ll be working with family. No stress or mean bosses.”

“If you’re sure . . .”

“Positive.” He rapped his knuckles on the table and stood. “I know you’re tied up working for the city right now, but whenever you’re ready, come on by, and I’ll draw up the papers.”

I also stood up. Any other time I’d have been thrilled with the offer, but after recent events, my joy was tempered. “Thank you, Uncle Buddy. I’ll work hard and do my best.”

“I know that.” He cocked his head to the side and gave me a slow grin. “What kind of businesswoman are you? You haven’t even mentioned salary. What seems fair to you?”

Mentally, I tallied my freelance income for the past year and quoted Uncle Buddy a number slightly under that amount.

“We can do better than that.”

“No, really. You don’t have to—”

“Enough said. Come on—I’ll walk you to your car.”

We walked down the marbled hallway and passed by office doors where county employees sat typing away on computer keyboards.

“I appreciate what a help you’ve been to Oatha and Zach,” Uncle Buddy said. “You’re awful young to take on so much responsibility.”

“Not a problem. They’re family.” I shot him a sideways glance. “And thanks for helping them out with the bills. Once I start working for you, I can take over.”

“How are Oatha and Zach doing?” he asked, his face grave.

“Zach’s as set in his ways as ever. If I deviate from his routine or don’t understand what he’s trying to communicate, he tells me, ‘Mimi knows.’ I worry how he’ll react if she goes into a nursing home one day.”

He nodded solemnly.

“I don’t know how much you realize it, since you don’t see her every day, but the moments of confusion have turned into minutes where she forgets who she is and what she’s doing. And typical Mimi. She refuses to admit how dire the situation is.”

A wry smile lit his face. “Sounds like Oatha. She always was stubborn growing up. Mama used to despair of her. Said it would take a special man to put up with Oatha Jean’s bossy ways.”

It was my turn to chuckle. “From what I hear tell, Big Daddy was a match for Mimi.”

“Those two could fight dawn to dusk, but they were inseparable until Jimmy’s heart attack. Wish he were still around to take care of her.”

“She’s got me now.”

“My sister’s a lucky woman for that. Are you at the point y’all need a home health care worker? I can pay for what her Medicare doesn’t pick up.”

“I’ll let you know when the time comes. Right now, we’re fine. The house isn’t much, but it’s paid for. Between my salary and Zach’s SSI, we should get by from here on out. More or less.”