Page 41 of Their Stormy Reunion

I pushed at the wooden box that the trees had arrived in with the toe of my sneaker. It didn’t budge. Not a smidgeon. “Uhm, I don’t think so, Mom.”

“But they’re still babies. I didn’t buy the biggest ones on the internet. These were the medium-sized ones.”

For the love of God.

“Mom, why don’t you take some time deciding where to plant these, and I’ll give Michael and Maddie a call, okay? We might have to wait until the weekend to get them planted.”

“That can’t be good for them. I’m sure I read where they needed to be planted as soon as they arrived.”

I watched as my mom’s hands fluttered in front of her chest, a sure sign of her agitation.

“Mom, think about—” I stopped myself. What was going to come out of my mouth was the same patronizing shit that always came out of Dad’s mouth.

“Mom, I don’t think that’s right. Are you sure you read that? I mean, after all, haven’t they been in these wooden boxes a long time?” I kept my tone easy and upbeat.

“Oh, you’re right.” She smiled at me. “Okay, you make your calls. I’m going to find the perfect spots.”

I turned to find some shade near the back porch.

“Fallon. Do you think maybe they would do better on the side of the house?”

I looked up at the sky.

Please God, give me strength.

“Mom, this is up to you. I know you’ll make the right decision.”

I walked around the house to make my calls from the front porch. I called Maddie first, but it went through to her voicemail. Then I called her older sister, Trenda.

“Hey, Fallon. I was hoping you would call. I was hoping we could do lunch sometime.”

“That would be great.”

“It’s a date. Are you calling to catch up, or is there something I can do for you?”

“I’ve got a problem. My mom bought two rather large trees that were delivered today, and she wants them planted in the backyard or the side yard. She hasn’t decided yet. I was wondering if you knew anybody who might help with this.”

“My husband, Simon, isn’t working this weekend. He could ask Roan if he could come over as well. Would that work?”

“That would be wonderful. But then I would be stuck with endless conversations on the best spot to plant the trees. And I mean endless.”

Trenda snorted. “I could see that with your mother. I’ve run into her in the grocery store more than once. I’ve been asked my opinion many times on which apple or orange or piece of meat she should purchase. I hate to admit this to you, Fallon, but these days, I hide when I see her.”

I burst out laughing. “That’s priceless.”

“Maddie mentioned Michael seems to be in your orbit lately. I bet he could gather up some of those hunky firefighters to come plant her trees for you.”

“Yeah, but I’m sure they’re on duty,” I mumbled.

“They take shifts. If Michael isn’t working, he should be able to wrangle up some others. Call him. He deals with emergencies for a living. He’ll understand.”

I gave a rueful laugh.

“What are you doing on Thursday?” I asked to change the subject.

“Having lunch with you?” Trenda answered.

“You got it in one,” I smiled.