She stopped.
“I am?”
“Family should share.”
“I’ve been saying that for years, Bessie.”
“Come by tomorrow at one.”
“Why?”
“I arranged something for Tommy. I think you’ll be surprised.”
“Family should share.”
After I hung up, Glenn stared at me.
“What did you arrange?”
“Nothing yet.”
He leaned back. Then he began smiling.
***
That evening, we made a list.
Pool draining and cleaning.
New filters.
Two replacement lounge chairs.
Professional house cleaning.
Carpet treatment.
Fence repainting.
Landscaping.
Replacement wedding-gift salad bowl.
That evening, we made a list.
Glenn added “emotional damage to Musk, the cat.”
I crossed it out.
“Musk cannot submit invoices.”
“He has suffered, Bes.”
Musk sat on the stairs, washing one paw.
“He appears resilient.”
“He has suffered, Bes.”
***
The next morning, Glenn sent a message to the family group chat.
TOMMY’S BIRTHDAY CONTINUES!
Venue: Our house.
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Big surprise planned. Please bring the kids!
