I looked suspicious.
“Financial?”
“No.”
“Good.”
She laughed.
“My mother wants to move in.”
I nearly dropped my coffee.
Vanessa covered her face.
“I know.”
I sat.
“This is excellent.”
“Stop enjoying it.”
“I’m trying.”
She continued.
“She’s seventy.”
“Her apartment is being renovated.”
“She needs somewhere for two months.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“Do you have house rules?”
She glared.
Then started laughing.
“Ethan already printed one.”
“What?”
She handed me a paper.
HOUSE RULES FOR GRANDMA.
Rule one.
Eat whatever you want.
Rule two.
No chores unless bored.
Rule three.
Grandchildren may demand cookies.
Rule four.
Rent is one hug per week.
Rule five.
Anyone throwing away homemade pie is evicted immediately.
I stared.
Then laughed.
Vanessa said.
“He thinks he’s hilarious.”
“He is.”
She became serious.
“I’m scared.”
“Of what?”
“Becoming my old self.”
I understood.
I said.
“Then talk to her before she moves in.”
