Homecoming in November (The Calendar Girls Book 3) (25 page)
Read Homecoming in November (The Calendar Girls Book 3) Online
Authors: Gina Ardito
“You chose the place, Nana. Remember? We checked out a dozen different places and you decided Sunny Hills was the place where you wanted to spend the rest of your days.”
“I said that to get your father off my back!” I retorted, then immediately clamped my lips shut.
“Wait, what?” Siobhan pulled to the side of the road and slid the van into park. “What do you mean? I thought the assisted living place was
your
idea.”
“It was. Sort of. But only because I didn’t want to be a burden to your parents. Your father dropped a lot of hints that I was cramping their early retirement. I thought I could do it. But, Bon, I am soooo not ready for orderlies that hold a mirror under my nose every day to make sure I didn’t die in my sleep.”
Her eyes rounded. “Get out! They didn’t really do that, did they?”
Of course not. But, judging by her reaction, I’d win her over to my side if I lied. Too bad my conscience wouldn’t allow me to manipulate my only granddaughter. “No. But they took all the fun out of life. The food had no flavor, the music had no soul, and they kept insisting lights out was at nine pm. I may be old, but I’m not an invalid.”
“No, you’re not.” She offered me a tremulous smile. “Okay. I guess we can try to make this work.”
I fidgeted in my chair, tethered by my seatbelt from jumping up and kissing her. “We can, I promise. I won’t be a bother. I’m quite capable of taking care of myself. You’ll hardly know I’m around.”
With our moods lighter, Siobhan pulled back onto the road, and we continued our trip home. As she drove, I allowed my gaze to stare at the buildings we passed. I tended to avoid thinking too long about the changes that had occurred here since my childhood. It only depressed me to see the deli where I used to buy a fudge bar for a dime had become a frozen yogurt shop that charged by the ounce, the beach where I’d experienced my first kiss was now closed to the public, owned by some hedge fund hotshot who “summered” here.
When did summer become a verb?
Maybe I
was
old. Still, I wasn’t old enough for Sunny Hills, with its Bingo Tuesdays and bus rides to doctors’ appointments. I still liked golf and tennis for recreation. And walking to the local bakery for a hot coffee and a chocolate croissant on Sunday mornings. I wanted the freedom to feed the stray cats that lived in the woods outside my home, and the ability to build them a shelter when the temperatures dropped. I loved digging in a garden, or strolling the beach at sunset. Most important of all, I resented not being “allowed” to do any of these activities, not due to physical limitations but because I’d slipped a rubber rat into the desk drawer of some health care professional on a power trip. I wasn’t a senile old fool or a dried out husk of human. My juices still ran full and forceful. At my venerable age, seventy, I craved fun, laughter, and love. Not necessarily in that order.
Take it from me, friends. Life is too damn short. I’d lost too many loved ones—especially in the last few years—so I knew firsthand a person had to seize every opportunity to live. Eat tacos, make love in the ocean, travel, read, explore. When Death comes calling, be ready to say, “It’s been a good ride. Let’s see what’s on the other side.”
Siobhan turned onto Mermaid Lane, and our house came into view. My bones relaxed, and my breathing evened. Home. I had returned to the place where my husband carried me over the threshold so many years ago, where I’d raised four kids (and outlived one), where I’d hosted my husband’s wake fifteen years ago. I loved my split-level ranch with its creaky floors, swollen doors, and too-small closets.
“This will always be home for me,” I said aloud.
“I know what you mean,” Siobhan replied. “I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.”
Activity across the street caught my eye. “Hmm…big goings on at the Vais place?” A very good-looking man stepped out of a sleek, black sports car. I squinted my eyes to get a better look. “Is that little Jimmy Vais? My, how he’s grown!”
“Huh?” Siobhan veered her attention to where I pointed, and the van drifted with her gaze.
“Easy, Bon,” I admonished. “Watch it.”
“Oops. Sorry.” She pulled into our driveway, turned off the engine, and faced me. “All set, Nana?”
Her flushed cheeks and the breathy tone intrigued me. I dared another glance at the Vais house where Jimmy lifted a suitcase from his open trunk. Well, well. Bon-bon still had the hots for the boy across the street. I thought she’d given up on him when she was in high school.
As a daughter of the moon, I always believed any action I undertook had a purpose that the universe would reveal in its own time. While taking in my granddaughter’s suddenly flustered appearance, I knew why I’d had to leave Sunny Hills at this exact time.
I was going to make sure Siobhan finally snared the man of her dreams.
Other Books by Gina Ardito
Nobody’s Darling
(Book I of the Nobody Series)
Nobody’s Business
(Book II of the Nobody Series)
Nobody’s Perfect
(Book III of the Nobody Series)
Eternally Yours
(Book I of the Afterlife Series)
In Your Dreams
(Book II of the Afterlife Series)
Waiting in the Wings
(Book III of the Afterlife Series)
Duping Cupid
(a Valentine’s Day Short Story)
Charming for Mother’s Day
(A Calendar Girls Series novella)
Duet in September
(Book I of the Calendar Girls Series)
Reunion in October
(Book II of the Calendar Girls Series)
Books by Gina Ardito writing as Katherine Brandon
Kismet’s Angel
(Book I of the Kismet Series)
Kismet’s Revenge
(Book II of the Kismet Series)
Kismet’s Salvation
(Book III of the Kismet Series)
About the Author
Gina Ardito is the award-winning international author of more than twenty romances, a legendary singer in confined spaces (her car, the shower, her office cubicle), and a killer of houseplants
.
She hosts fun, informative workshops for writers around the country. In 2012, Gina was named a Woman of Outstanding Leadership by the International Women’s Leadership Association, but to her friends, she’s still just a shenanigator.
A native of Long Island, New York, she lives with her husband, two children, a bionic dog, and their two cat overlords. For more info on Gina and her books, you can visit her
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