Our Souls at Night

16

Addie Moore had a grandson named Jamie who was just turning six. In the early summer the trouble between his parents got worse. There were bad arguments in the kitchen and bedroom, accusations and recriminations, her tears and his shouts. They finally separated on a trial basis and she went off to California to stay with a friend, leaving Jamie with his father. He called Addie and told her what happened, that his wife had quit her job as a hairdresser and had gone out to the West Coast.

What’s wrong? Addie said. What’s this about?

We can’t get along. She won’t meet halfway on anything.

When did she leave?

Two days ago. I don’t know what to do.

What about Jamie?

That’s why I called. Could he come out and stay with you for a while?

When is Beverly coming back?

I don’t know if she is coming back.

She’s not just going to leave her son, is she?

Mom, I don’t know, I can’t say what she’ll do. And there’s something else I haven’t told you yet. I’vem; margin-top: 3em; margin-bottom: 2em; text-align: CDart doesn’t mattere only got till the end of the month. I’ve got to close the store.

Why? What happened there?

It’s the economy, Mom, it’s not me. Nobody wants to buy new furniture now. I need your help.

When do you want to bring him to me?

This weekend. I’ll manage till then.

All right. But you know how hard this is for little children.

What else am I going to do?

—

That night when Louis came to her house she told him about the new arrangement.

I guess that’s the end of us, he said.

Oh, I won’t think that, Addie said. Just wait for him to be here a day or two, will you, then come over to meet him during the day and then come again at night. We can at least see how it goes. I’ll need your help with him anyway. If you’re willing.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been around little kids, Louis said.

Me too, she said.

What’s wrong with his parents? What’s their particular trouble?

He’s too controlling, too protective, and she’s had enough of it. She’s angry and wants to do things on her own. It’s not a new story. Gene doesn’t put it like that, of course.

Some of his problems have to do with what happened to his sister, I take it.

I’m sure they do. I can’t tell about Beverly. I’ve never gotten close to her. I don’t think she wants that with me. There’s something else too. He’s losing his store. He’s had this idea of selling unpainted furniture, people buy it cheaply and paint it themselves. I don’t think it was ever a very good idea. He might have to declare bankruptcy. He told me that this morning. I’ll have to support him till he finds something new. I’ve helped him before. I’ve agreed to help him again.

What is it he wants to do?

He’s always been in sales of some kind.

That doesn’t seem to fit him, as I remember him.

No. He’s not the salesman type. I think he’s afraid now. He won’t say so.

But this could be a chance for him to break out. Break the pattern. Like his mother has. Like you’ve done.

He won’t, though. He’s got his life all screwed down tight. Now he needs help and I’m sure he hates it. He’s got a bad temper and it comes out at times like this. He never learned how to meet the public and he resents having to ask me for anything.

—

On Saturday morning Gene brought the boy to Addie’s house and stayed for lunch and brought in his suitcase and toys and hugged him and Jamie cried when his father went back out to the car. Addie wrapped her arms around him when he tried to pull away and held him and let him cry and after the car left she persuaded him to come back into the house. She got him interested in helping mix up the batter for cupcakes and fill the paper cups and put them in the oven. Afterward they froZaronopsted them and the boy ate one and had a glass of milk.

I have a neighbor I want to take a couple of these to. Will you pick out two and we’ll go by his house?

Where does he live?

In the next block.

Which ones should I pick?

Whichever you want.

He chose two of the least frosted and Addie put them in a plastic carton and they went down the block and knocked on Louis’s door. When he came Addie said, This is my grandson, Jamie Moore. We brought you something.

Do you want to come in?

Just for a minute.

They sat on the porch and looked out at the street, the houses all quiet across the way, the trees, the occasional car that went by. Louis asked Jamie about school but he didn’t want to talk and after a little while Addie took him back home. She made supper and he played with his mobile phone and then she took him upstairs and said, This was your dad’s bedroom when he was a boy. She helped him put his clothes away and he went in the bathroom and brushed his teeth. He came back and lay down and she read to him for a while and shut off the light. She kissed him and said, I’ll be right across the hall if you need something.

Will you leave the light on?

I’ll switch on this bedside lamp.

And leave the door open, Grandma.

You’ll be just fine, honey. I’m here.

She went to her room and got changed for bed and looked in at him. He was still awake, staring at the doorway.