Summer, 2019:  After the Burial

We all headed to my Grandpa’s house after we left his reception.

The “grown-ups” dropped off all the cards and flowers, and headed off to their homes to retire for the day.  Nora said she wanted to talk to Shirley about the house.  I made tea and we all sat in the living room.

“So, as we all know I got the house.”

“Which is only fair, because I already have a house.”  I said.

“I don’t know if I want to move back.”

“Why not?”

“Miles hasn’t told me he wants me back yet.”

The three of us all spit out our tea, and Shirley and I started laughing as Miles rolled his eyes.  Nora frowned at us.  Shirley and I looked at each other and stopped laughing.

“I thought I made it clear before, there’s no chance that will happen.  I’m not giving up the life I have now so you can live some weird fantasy you’ve probably been planning since the day after Prom.”

“How–what–no–Miles!”  Nora sputtered.  Her face was beet red and I could see tears forming.  She started doing that fanning motion mascara wearers do when they start crying.  (Why the hell she wore mascara to a funeral is beyond me.)

“Miles, there are better ways to have said that.”  Shirley gently chided.  Nora looked at Shirley, puzzled. “Nora, I think you should still be treated with respect and kindness, even if you don’t like me.”  The fact that Nora’s always hated Shirley just for existing never phased Shirley.   “There’s no way I’d ever go out of my way to make Nora happy.”  Shirley once said years ago.

“I don’t think she’d really get it unless he said it like that.”  I said.  “Do you finally get it now, Nora?”

Nora sighed, dejected.  “Yeah.  I took a gamble and lost. I guess I knew there was a possibility Miles wouldn’t take me back because he lives with Gallina.”

Nora winced.  Then she did her best to smile.  “I’ll go back home and live the life I’ve been living.  Rather enjoying, actually.”

“Ok, so you’re not going to move here?”  I asked.

“No, which is why I wanted to talk to you Shirley.”

“Yes?”

Nora paused to sip her tea. “Would you consider buying this house from me?  Honestly, I’d rather have the money than the house.”

“Yes.”  Shirley replied.  “Fair market price with everything done by the book.  I’ve got a friend who is a realtor.  You should probably get one as well.”

“Naturally, you’d want to sell.”  I sighed.  “I’m glad you’re going to buy it, Shirley.  I’d like to keep it in the family, so to speak.”

“I did live here for a little while, and I like this house better than I like my own.  I need to sell it to someone who needs all that space.  I’m here all the time anyway, but I want my own place.”

“Yeah, you do need your own house.  That way if Barrett decides to move back to the states, he has a place.”  I said.

“Exactly!”  Shirley said.  “Besides, you can have a room here as well, Miles.”

Miles went over to her and kissed her.  “You know how long I’ve wanted a room here!”

Nora was a little irked that she didn’t seem to be part of the conversation anymore.  “Yeah, so it all works out for you guys and I walk away with a bunch of money.”  She said, smugly.

“I guess we all got what we wanted.”  Miles said bitterly.

“Miles!”  Shirley gasped.  “I get the whole satisfaction-in-rejecting-the-ex thing, but be nice.”

“I never got why you’ve always insisted he be nice to me.”  Nora said.

“I knew he’d never go back to you, so why be bitchy?”  Shirley responded.  “I’ll email my friend tomorrow morning and get this started.  It’s up to you what you want to do with the furniture.  I’ll take anything you don’t want.”

“There are a few pieces I want, but I don’t have room for.”

“We’ll figure that out.”  Shirley looked up at Miles, who was still next to her.   “Well, it looks like we’ll get to see a lot more of each other.”

“Yay!  My bestie is moving near me again!”  I exclaimed.