I cried for weeks.
Grandma Rose had left me some money, which I’d invested instead of spending.
Over the years, it had grown enough that I could finally afford to buy her house back.
For two days, Declan wouldn’t drop it.
I said I wanted to rebuild the porch.
“Do you know what lumber costs?”
“I’ve got an estimate.”
I spent every childhood summer in Grandma Rose’s house.
“Of course you do. And what happens when the estimate doubles?”
“Then I wait until I can afford it.”
I mentioned the kitchen. He laughed.
“Maybe fix the roof before you start dreaming about curtains.”
“The roof is first on my list.”
“Then why are you talking about the kitchen?”
“And what happens when the estimate doubles?”
“Because I’m allowed to think about more than one room, Declan.”
At dinner, our son Owen looked up from his plate. He’s ten and lives for comic books.
