The Practice by Grant C Holland

Author:Grant C Holland [Holland, Grant C]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-02-28T06:00:00+00:00

* * *

That night, Hadley shared dinner with Aunt Mae. He offered to go out with Thomas, but Thomas insisted on going home to sleep. Instead, Hadley ordered Aunt Mae to relax while he made dinner.

Aunt Mae said, “I can do that, Hadley. Why don’t you just sit and relax? You were up really early this morning.”

Hadley was still filled with adrenaline from taking part in the birth of Lucky’s puppies. He didn’t really know what he was going to make, but he was sure that he could throw together spaghetti with a meat sauce and a tossed salad. He said, “Let me do it, Aunt Mae. It’s probably time that I start learning how to cook anyway.”

She said, “Okay, but I will be right here if you need any help. Why don’t you tell me about the puppies?”

Hadley busily set about boiling water and chopping lettuce. He was amazed at what a mess he could make so quickly in the kitchen. Aunt Mae had to remind him both to put the spaghetti in the boiling water and start heating the sauce while he told about Thomas and Lucky and the puppies.

Then Aunt Mae said, “I don’t know how to bring this up, but I promised my good friend Esther that I would, so I’ll just say it straight out.”

Hadley turned around from watching the stove with a confused look on his face. He asked, “What is it?”

She said, “Esther’s granddaughter just recently moved back to Catlett’s Cove, and she’s finding it hard to fit in. Esther thought it might help if she went on a few dates. I’ve met her before, and she’s very sweet, Hadley.”

Hadley caught the implication immediately. For an instant, he thought he should tell Aunt Mae about Thomas, but then he held back. Instead, he said, “I’m sorry, Aunt Mae, but I’m really not dating right now. I’ve got some things I need to figure out first.”

She pulled back from the question immediately and said, “I’m sorry, Hadley. I wouldn’t have said anything if I didn’t promise Esther. Is there anything I can help with? I’m always here to talk anything through. You know that.”

Hadley said, “You are more than wonderful, Aunt Mae, and I know you are here for me any time I need you.” He stepped forward, bent down and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

She said, “Hadley, the spaghetti! It’s probably done now.”

He turned back to the stove and then fumbled around looking for a strainer before dumping the spaghetti and transferring it to the pan with the sauce.

Aunt Mae said, “You have been really quiet about things lately. I hope there isn’t anything that I’m doing wrong. You can tell me. If I’m stepping on your toes here, I can still move back home. We haven’t let my place go yet. It’s just sitting there with nobody using it.”

Hadley returned to Aunt Mae’s side. He wrapped his arms around her remembering to be gentle so he wouldn’t stress her healing wrist and said, “I think you are worrying way too much.

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