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Hera cookie fro on the stove, she said to Beth, “Here, sweetie Why don’t you go in Grandht be a surprise for you on my bed”
Beth’s eyes lit like little Christ her cookie-filled fist in the air as she ran through the randmother’s bedroom
Once Beth was out of earshot, Cindy turned to Shell They shared the sath Any trace of playfulness or sweetness she’d bestowed on Beth was absent in her gaze now
“Are you out of your freaking mind, Michelle?” she asked
“Well, I’le mother of a sassy four-year-old, so probably,” Shell shot back as she deposited the box of fresh-baked donuts on the s to so to need a bit more information”
“Don’t you run that smart mouth at me You may have all but cut me from your life, but I’m still your mother”
Resisting the urge to roll her eyes was so Shell had perfected over the years Herif not a drama queen Always had been She lived to play the victi less than positive that occurred in her life was a personal and purposeful attack against her “Look, Mom, I had a crazy shift at the diner today and I’ames, and tell me what has you upset?”
Cindy let out a nasty chuckle before grabbing a tall glass and taking a healthy sip One ice cube floated at the top; the rest was probably sixteen ounces of vodka “Surprised you’re still working now that he’s got his claws in you”
Ahh, so with Copper?”
“Don’t you say his name in this house!” Cindy’s free hand flew about wildly “That man and those damn bikers are responsible for your father’s death How can you betray me like this?”
“Betray you? My relationship with Copper has nothing to do with you And those damn bikers are the ones who took care of you forout loud Mos happen in every family, but you don’t just write off your family members”
Cindy spat at Shell’s feet “Fuck them The moment I came to my senses I walked away from them What happened? Copper finally decide to claiht back on his dick? Maybe you should just go be with that deadbeat who knocked you up, and Beth and I will have dinner alone I’ to ruin my life like this”
Shell breathed through her nose, trying to quell the blue fla inside her “I’ll say it one more tih Copper isn’t Shell’s father I can’t tell you how much I wish he was, but he’s not And there is no way I’ like a lunatic” Shell absolutely despised parents who used their children as bargaining chips in relationship feuds, but her granddaughter was the only thing Cindy seemed to care about these days “Now, Beth has been excited to see you all week, and we’re here, so if you can keep your tongue civil in front of hter, ill stay for dinner But I will not continue to bring her here if you are going spew vile nonsense about my ol’ man”
Jesus, ol’ man It was the first time she’d put any kind of claiue Of course, they also squeezed her heart in theand soon she’d be unable to pretend all was right in her world In fact, she planned to speak with Copper about Rusty over the upco weekend, just two days away
Made her sick to her sto about it
Cindy shot daggers at Shell with her eyes Two seconds later, Beth flew into the room, a swipe of chocolate smeared across one cheek Cindy’s eyes softened as she took in her disheveled granddaughter Exactly the way she used to look at Shell, with love and affection Been a long ti other than cold indifference or disgust
“What’s for dinner, Gra closer to the cookie sheet
Cindy snatched it up milliseconds before little hands pilfered another sweet treat “Spaghetti,” she said with a wide grin
“Yes! My favorite,” Beth sing-songed “Me and ht donuts for dessert Can we eat those first?”