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“It’s for those moments in between,” he said. “When I don’t have time to head out, and just want to put in a quick session at home.”

“And why do you need an office when you have a perfectly nice office at the police station?!” she added, her sense of aggrievement matching her feeling of bereavement. She’d wanted to show Tex she didn’t need his stinkin’ house and the stinkin’ room and board he kindly offered her in exchange for part of her meager pension and the equally meager paycheck he awarded her. That she could always find refuge at Odelia’s. Only now her grandchild had gone and planted a dagger in her back—just like that!

“I like to work on my cases at home from time to time,” Chase said lamely.

“What cop works on his damn cases at home?!” she demanded. “Alec never works on his cases at home. He doesn’t even work on his cases at the office if he can help it!”

“Well, Chase is a different kind of cop, Gran,” said Odelia. “He likes to work from home from time to time, just like me, and when he’s home he likes to put in a session on the stationary bike from time to time. Besides, I’ll use our new home gym, too.”

“And of course you’re welcome to use the equipment, Gran,” said Chase.

“That’s Mrs. Muffin to you, sonny boy!” she said, wagging a finger in the man’s face. She threw up her arms. “So what am I supposed to do now? I already told Tex I was moving out!” She gestured to her bags, which she’d placed on the floor.

“Can’t you make friends with Dad?” asked Odelia. “I’m sure that whatever the problem is, you’ll be able to work it out if only you—”

“Kiss and make up? No way,” said Gran with a slashing motion of her arm. “I’m way too easy on that man as it is. Because of me he pays a lot less in taxes, and I’m sure he gets all kinds of other benefits, too. And what do I get in return? Nothing! Nada! Bupkis!”

She wasn’t sure what benefits Tex got, but she was sure he got something. Why else would he decide to allow his mother-in-law to live with him if not for the moolah?

“I’m truly sorry, Gran,” said Odelia, who didn’t look sorry at all. Chase even had the gall to grin as she said it. Obviously he wasn’t keen on his future wife’s granny to move in with them either.

She lifted her bony shoulders in a shrug.“Well, I guess there’s only one thing to do…”

“I’m sure that Tex will be more than happy to welcome you back, Mrs. Muffin,” said Chase.

“…I’ll move into your room and you two muppets can sleep on the couch.”

And with these words she marched into the master bedroom and glanced around. She didn’t like the wallpaper, she didn’t like the furniture, and she would need to clear out some junk to make space in that ugly-ass closet, but the bed would do nicely indeed.

“Pick up my bags, will you, sonny?” she told Chase, then, when he didn’t respond, she glanced over to him and Odelia. “And while you’re at it, pick up your jaw from the floor.”

So who was laughing now, huh?

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“We should probably apologize to Mom,” said Marge as she took a seat next to her hubby on the couch. Tex was watching something on the Discovery Channel about the migratory pattern of South-African geese but when she joined him he switched channels toThe Bachelorette, which he knew she preferred.

“Apologize?” he said as he ladled a big helping of yogurt into his mouth. “I’m not apologizing to your mother. She should apologize to us. Buy her a foldable smartphone, forsooth. Doesn’t she know how much those things cost?”

“She knows, but she wants to watch her shows.”

“She can watch all the shows she wants on the computer at the office. Not that I approve. She should be working, not watching shows. But okay, fine. I’m willing to make allowances. She’s old—and she loves those shows of hers. So let her use the PC.”

“It’s not the same. That computer is old. I’m not even sure it has internet.”

“It does have internet. I had it installed when we fixed up the office last time.”

“That was ten years ago, honey. I’d be surprised if you can check your email on that thing. I’m just saying, we should all try to be a little flexible.”

He glanced over, an astonished look on his face.“Flexible. The way she is flexible? Are you seriously telling me you’re caving in to her demands?”

She placed a soothing hand on her husband’s arm. “I’m saying we should try to get along. After all, we live together, and a little give and take is the only way to make this work.”

“Well, she doesn’t live here any longer,” he said as he took his spoon and then started scraping the bottom of the plastic yogurt container. She grabbed the spoon and the yogurt container to stop him from scraping, a habit which frankly drove her bananas.

“What do you mean, she doesn’t live here anymore?”

“She doesn’t. She told me she’s moving out and she had her bags packed and everything.”

“But… where did she go?”

“Next door,” he said as he put his feet up on the coffee table and leaned back.

“But that’s impossible. Didn’t you tell her Odelia is turning the guest room into an office and a home gym?”