20. HOME
DOMINIC
While I’m waiting for my plane at the airport, I get a hold of the missus on the phone. “Dominic, I’m warning you,” she says, and my laugh is mirthless.
“Ger, you warn all you want, keep the damn position open for me or not, because my grandma’s a hundred times more important. She fucking needs me, okay?”
“No need to swear at me, Dominic,” she clips out.
I hold out the boarding pass at the gate. The employee swipes it and swats me through. “And I need someone to take on Pandora Cancemi,” I barrel on. “Don’t know how long I’ll be gone. It depends.”
She huffs, irrationally offended. “When it comes to my customers, don’t tell me what to do. I’ve been running this business since you were in—”
“Pandora can’t have some newbie on her back, get it? Her dad will sue your ass if you mess up.” I might be bluffing, but really, her father sounds like he’d be capable.
Geraldine is quiet for an instant, absorbing the threat. Then she changes her tactic and turns disturbingly motherly. “What about your studies, sweetie?”
“‘Sweetie’ now? You’ve called me ‘Stud’ before and ‘Hot Stuff,’ but “Sweetie?’”
“Dominic!”
“Hey, and ‘Penis.’”
I’m pushing it, but she deserves this. She might’ve been my “benefactor” for a year, but she’s fake as shit sometimes. Generally, I don’t care, because she’s a fair employer, pay-wise. For old times’ sake, I give her a straight answer.
“Anyways. I’m in contact with my professors about the classes. Two of them are aware of my grandma’s situation, and we have a standing agreement that, worst case, I’ll study long-distance for a while.”
“And the others?”
I get a vibe from her that she’s grasping at straws. Whether it’s for work or pleasure, I’m not sure. Not that I care at the moment.
“There’s just one more professor, Ger. I’ll check with the registrar’s office on Monday to find out if a doctor’s note will do. I’ve emailed the prof already.”
“You’d want to wait and find out, right?”
She’s fifteen years older than me, but she’s so immature, in so much denial I want to stone her through the phone. “Geraldine?”
“What?”
“You’re unbelievable.”
Alan waits for me in luggage claim—alone—which immediately pisses me off. Why the hell isn’t he with Grandma if he’s off work today? I swallow the tirade coming on and ask how she’s doing instead.
My uncle looks unkempt. Stubble sprouts from his face and not in a fashionable way. Wrinkles snake a path across the fabric of his shirt, ending in untucked shirttails that reach almost to the faded pant knees. Apparently, Alan wears the same stuff over and over nowadays. He’s got money, so I’m not sure what the deal is.
Even the girls in my high school used to admire my uncle, but somehow I can’t picture him being in danger of attracting jailbait anymore. In the six months since I was last home, dude’s gotten old. The grey strands adorning the top of his head haven’t seen a barber in months, and they contrast with the balding center in a way that causes my eyebrows to shoot up.
As he leans over and drags the car door closed for me—something about the lock jamming—I meet his gaze for an instant. Irises the same color as mine and Mom’s meet red-rimmed eyelids.
“You stopped sleeping, Alan? You look like shit.”
He chuckles and shakes his head. “She’s a handful, your grandmother. I don’t call you every time, kid.”
“What do you mean?”
“She goes bonkers every day now,” he says, and I’m not listening to his bullshit anymore.
My little lady meets me at the door, eyes shining with happiness. With a hand awkwardly covering her mouth, she’s wearing a pretty dress with some sort of ribbon print all over it.
“Grandma,” I grin. I hook around her shoulders and tow her to me. She’s thinner, frailer, than I remember.
“My boy—you’ve gotten so biiig,” she mumbles into her cupped palm. Her pitch climbs on the last syllable, like she can’t believe her own eyes. I’m the size I’ve been for the last four years, no change. I wish I could say the same about her.
“Grandma, you’ve turned into a fairy overnight. That’s how little you are,” I tease her.
“A fairy?” Laughing, she slaps her hands to her knees, and I barely stifle my gasp in time at the bare gums meeting me.
“Where’d the bunny smile go?” I can’t help the question. She’s so different without her teeth.
A trace of color flushes her cheeks as she realizes how she just showed me her mouth. Her hand shoots up again before she answers. “I get a new smile tomorrow!”
“You do?”
Alan grins, his arms crossing as he follows our exchange.
“Yes, and my word are they white, Dominic. And straight!”
“Really? You know what they look like?”
“I got to choose,” she says, proud.
“Well, good. You deserve straight teeth, Little Lady.”
That happy giggle escapes her again, and I feel better, much better. Perhaps this wasn’t the worst thing that could’ve happened. At least my grandma gets some nice, new teeth out of this.
I’ll get everything sorted out for her. And once I have, I’ll be on my way back to finish my degree. I rub my temple, locating the spot where a fresh headache simmers.
I don’t text Pandora until the day is over and Grandma’s sound asleep. She’ll get the message when she wakes up—unless she’s sleepless again.
All’s good here. Flight landed. Grandma happy. Hope your back’s better + that you studied. Xx
Tomorrow, I’m calling my high school ex. Hopefully, she’s up for coffee so we can discuss my grandma’s situation.
Studied tons! I’m a philosopher AND a mathematician already!
Pandora’s reply makes me smile.
Nice! I text back as she continues, So glad your grandma’s good!
Yeah, I type out, Time for a nap—it’s late 4 u.
Can’t. Too bright or too dark LOL
Stop texting, you’ll be fine :)
Miss you.
Miss you. Two words complicating things. I miss her messed-up sweetness too. The thought of her unable to sleep bothers me.
Night, xx, I write back.