Page 19 of You've Got Hate Mail
One bedroom for Pip. One for Mabel. One for Ginny. Samantha and Olivia are married, so they share one. Dori’s another current resident who’s been here for about two months after her viral moment. Looking like she might be a long-timer. And I wasn’t expecting anyone in the mother-in-law cottage today because it’s rare to get two new people within a week, and Elizabeth showed up this past Monday.
I got the memo about Elizabeth’s arrival, but I didn’t do the math then. Didn’t think about Mabel giving up her workroom.
But it did make sense that they didn’t put Elizabeth in the mother-in-law house, because we all know the plumbing’s touchy and they don’t use the space unless they have to.
Especially because of what Pip generally does there when the neighbor comes calling.
Which means?—
“Oh, hell,” I say before Mabel can say it out loud.
It means there’s no real bedroom left for Cricket to stay in.
Except there technically is one more empty bedroom on the property.
Mabel stays straight-faced and as calm and patient as my parents. “I’m not the one who thinks things have to be even.”
“I—” I cut myself off, and this time I remember my eyeball before I pinch the bridge of my nose.
“I’d ask this even if you didn’t need help with Lav,” she says gently. “This is how we do things around here.”
“I know how we do things around here.”
“Thought you might need the reminder.”
“What does that mean?”
“You haven’t been around much unless it’s been to fix something or track Lav down when she sneaks over here.”
“Been busy,” I lie.
It’s not a complete lie.
I have been busy.
“Look, Heath, I know the lawsuit was a lot?—”
I grunt.
“—and I’ve never been a single parent?—”
“I’m managing fine.”
“—and this place will always be about doing whatever you need to do for your own safety, security, health, and happiness, but you don’t seem happy lately. Have we done something to offend you?”
“No. God, no.”
“Are you sure?”
“Cut me some slack, Mabel. I’m dripping wet.”
“It’s not about today.”
I close my eyes and count to ten. “It’s not you. Lav and I—we’re grateful that you’ve let us stay here.”
“Planning on leaving?”
“No.”
