Chapter 21
"Brian, that's your fourth cigarette since we came back from the hospital half an hour ago," Steffi pointed out as they sat side by side on the front porch of his mother's house.
"Considering all the bullshit of the past day, I could use a few extra," he sighed. "Will you lay off already? Jesus. We're outside; it's not like we're stinking up Ma's house with it."
"Anyway," Steffi said, "you said earlier you wanted to talk to me about something."
"Oh yeah. It's about Ma. I wanted to discuss this with you first before talking to the kids."
"What? I thought you said your mother was going to be okay."
"She is, but there was something else I was thinking about after all of this."
"What is it?"
"Well, cleaning out the spare room downstairs at home and bringing her to live with us, for one."
Steffi looked at him. "That's amazing. I was about to suggest the same thing."
He perked up. "Really?"
"Yes. Think about it. It's because of something like this your mother shouldn't be by herself, even if she thinks differently. Your brother isn't around much, your sister is pretty busy, so those two options won't work well. The kids love your mom and I'm home most of the time; it's the most logical solution."
Brian grinned at her. "Baby," he said, "I knew I loved you for some reason."
"Question is, how are we going to break this to your mom?" Steffi wondered.
"It will take some work, but I'm quite good at convincing her about some things," he replied.
"Good," Steffi smiled. "Then you can put your charm to work when we see her tomorrow."
He smiled back and wiggled his eyebrows. "Now how about I work my charm on you?"
They had been engaged in a kiss when Heath came out on the porch. "Dad, dinner will be here in….oh God. Never mind, I think I'm going to be sick."
He rushed back inside, the look on his face not lost on Audrey. "What's your problem?"
"If you want to lose your appetite, go outside and watch Mom and Dad slip each other the tongue."
"Oh yeah, like you've never had that done to you before," Audrey giggled.
"Yeah, but that's different. These are our PARENTS."
"So?"
"Aren't they a little old to be making out like that?" Heath asked.
"Heath, child," Audrey sighed. "Love knows no age limit. I think you will know that as you get a little older."
"Good, since you think it's so cool, you can go break up the make out session to get money from Dad for the delivery guy."
Audrey shook her head. "God, you're impossible sometimes." She got up to head outside as the phone rang. "Could you make yourself useful and answer that?"
Heath nodded, headed toward the phone, chatting happily with his grandmother before dinner finally arrived.
A short time later:
"Grandma says she wants fried chicken when we go visit her tomorrow," Heath said over dinner of lasagna and garlic bread from the nearby Italian restaurant. "She's really craving it."
"No," Brian shook his head. "It isn't on her diet. Her doctor will have my head on a platter if I did that."
"Not even one piece?" Heath pressed. "That would be kind of mean."
"Grandma not taking care of herself is why where she is in the first place," Brian reminded him. "While we're on the subject, there's something Mom and I would like to discuss with you two."
Audrey looked concerned. "What is it?"
"Well, Mom and I have been talking about having Grandma coming home with us when she gets out of the hospital."
"To stay for awhile?"
"Actually, more along the lines of living with us, sweetheart," Brian answered.
Heath perked up. "Seriously? Grandma living with us?"
Brian chuckled. "Gee, Heath, don't be so disappointed," he joked.
"Wow, this means more cool stories about you!" Heath said joyously.
"Exactly how long would she live with us? And where would we put her?" Audrey inquired.
"We'll clean out the spare room downstairs so she won't have to climb stairs. And she can live with us as long as she likes."
Audrey thought a moment. "Come to think of it, it would liven things up a little more around home."
"And here I thought you kids would hate me forever," Brian laughed.
"Are you kidding?" Audrey said. "We'd hate you if you didn't bring her home. Really, Daddy, I agree with you guys; after being sick, Grandma shouldn't be by herself anymore."
"Then it's settled," he smiled. "We can get started on getting the room done when we get back home."
"What about this house?" Heath asked.
"As soon as I have a talk with your grandmother, aunt and uncle, we're putting it on the market to be sold," Brian answered. "There's a few things that may need replaced, but other than that, it should be in pretty good shape to sell."
"Grandma living with us," Heath glowed. "This is going to be so awesome. She's going to love Venice."
"It will be a lot warmer than here, that's for sure," Audrey agreed, "even if it is nice out."
"Absolutely." Brian got up. "And now for my after dinner smoke. I'll be back in a few." Seeing the looks on Steffi's and Audrey's faces, he added, "And both of you may hold your commentaries."
Heath looked after him, shaking his head. "And he wanted to keep Grandma from having fried chicken. What's up with that?"
"Don't worry," Steffi reassured him. "One way or another, Grandma will get it. I figured if your father can smoke himself silly out there, a piece or two of KFC won't kill your grandmother anytime soon. I'll get her some tomorrow while your dad is occupied."