Page 48 of Must Love Flowers
“All?”
“Groceries?”
“Oh, sorry, no, there’s a couple other bags in the car.”
“I’ll get ’em.” He bounded out the front door, eager to help.
While Steve was collecting her bags, Joan freed Edison from his crate. She took him into the backyard to do his business,which he did in quick order. She brought him back into the house and rewarded him with a doggie treat.
Steve returned with the two additional bags, setting them on the kitchen counter alongside the grapefruit. Joan promptly unloaded the goods, setting aside the items to go into the refrigerator.
“Did you know,” she said, full of wonder and enthusiasm, “at some stores you don’t even need to go to a checkout stand? What is happening to our world? This is crazy. You put the item in the cart, and the cost is automatically calculated. Unbelievable!”
Edison chased a toy beneath the table.
“Mom, that’s been around for a while now,” Steve told her.
“It was a first for me,” she said, still a little in awe of the entire process. Grocery shopping had been an eye-opening experience.
Her son grinned as if he found her enthusiasm amusing.
“That’s not all. I was in the mall the other day, and I bought myself a new pair of shoes. The salesclerk said I didn’t need to insert the credit card into the machine. All I had to do was tap it.” That was another electronic marvel that had taken Joan by surprise.
Steve helped her load items into the refrigerator. “Mom, you’ve been living under a rock ever since the pandemic hit. These things aren’t new, they’ve been around for ages.” He said it in a teasing tone that took the sting out of his words.
“You’re right,” she admitted. “I can’t help but wonder what other changes have taken place that I know nothing about.”
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
No doubt she would. Now that all the groceries were put in place, Steve sat down at the kitchen table.
“Coffee?” she asked, remembering how much her older son enjoyed his java.
“Sure.” He relaxed on the kitchen chair. Knowing how involved Steve was in his work, she was pleased he’d taken the time to stop by.
Joan brewed him a cup and then one for herself before taking a chair next to her son. She took a moment to study him. Steve was in his late twenties and handsome. He looked good. He’d always taken pride in his appearance. He was dressed in a suit and tie, which told her the conference he’d mentioned was important and likely one that would advance his career. He was the taller of the two boys, standing at six feet, with wide shoulders and a narrow waist. From the little he’d mentioned about his job, she knew he worked long hours.
“I will say the puppy is cute,” he said, reaching down and setting Edison in his lap. The dog looked up at him suspiciously and then started chewing on Steve’s fingers. “I wasn’t pleased when Nick told me what he’d done. Ouch, his teeth are sharp.” Jerking his hand away, he waved it several times.
Joan laughed. “It’s your fault for giving him your fingers.”
Steve grinned. “I’m glad it’s worked out.”
“Best gift I’ve had in years,” Joan said, and reached over to pet Edison’s head.
Steve set the dog back down on the kitchen floor. “You’re being overly kind. He should have at least asked first.”
“I’m glad he didn’t, because I would have refused. Instead, he didn’t give me much choice. It’s worked out for the best, as Edison quickly wormed his way into my heart.” She picked up the dog and set him in her lap. Content, Edison immediately licked her hand before settling down to nap.
“My goodness, it’s good to see you.” The last time had been the Christmas after they’d buried Jared, and then right after that the country had closed down. Steve had kept in touch, but not nearly as often as Joan would have liked. She accepted that Steve carried a lot of responsibility with his job. He’d always been ambitious. Reading between the lines of things he’d mentioned, her son was looking to be promoted to distribution warehouse manager within the year.
“It’s good to see you, too.” He crossed his legs and sipped his coffee, looking mature beyond his years.
Her sons appeared to be regularly communicating, and while that pleased Joan, she would have enjoyed a few more of those conversations herself.
“How’s the boarder working out for you?”
“Does my having a boarder concern you?” she asked, her voice tightening with the question.
