Mind Games

* * *

Even with the packing up into the U-Haul truck, the traveling, Thea’s uncles arrived before noon the next day.

Seeing them brought Thea twin pangs. Happiness in seeing them, sorrow in the why of it.

Waylon lifted her right up, held her tight. He had some scruff on his face and smelled a little of the cigarettes he was always trying to quit.

He looked really tired, and so did Caleb when he held her face in his hands and kissed her.

They hugged Rem, too, and both of them held on to Grammie even longer. Thea saw Waylon’s shoulders shake when he pressed his face down to his mother’s shoulder.

And how her grandmother stroked his hair, scruffy like his face, the way she did Thea’s when she needed comfort.

“You boys come inside now, sit down awhile. You’ve had a long few days. We made some lemonade, and we’ve got plenty to eat.”

“We’ve been sitting, Mama.” Since the dogs whined for it, Caleb gave all three a quick rub. “How about we save the lemonade and food till we unload the truck?”

“Did you get my dad’s drawing board?”

“We sure did.” Waylon shoved sunglasses on wet eyes before he ruffled Rem’s hair.

“Can I have that in my room, Grammie?”

“That’s just fine.”

Thea didn’t know how she felt, not exactly, about carrying boxes of her clothes and things inside. She wanted her things, but it made it all real again.

She’d never go back to the house in Virginia.

“We don’t have to put everything away just right now. Y’all can put the computer stuff in the sewing room. I’ve got it cleared out.”

“That’s your room, Grammie.”

“I don’t do the kind of sewing I once did.” Lucy patted a hand on Thea’s shoulder. “So set everything in there for the time being. I’m thinking I’ll see about having the attic fixed up enough so we can put all that up there, like a game room. But let’s just get it all there for right now.”

In her room, looking at the boxes of clothes, of things, Thea didn’t know where to start.

“This one’s got your name on it, too. I’m going to give those boys credit for packing up right.” Lucy came in, set the box down. “I know this room’s smaller than what you’re used to, but—”

“No, Grammie, it’s not that. You don’t have to change things for me, for Rem. Like your sewing room and the attic.”

“I’m not changing them just for you and Rem. I’m changing some things for us. For the three of us. For Waylon and Caleb when they come to visit. For the families I hope they make one day.”

She sat on the bed, patted the space beside her. “I’ve been living here alone for a time now, so I didn’t need much to change. Things are different now, and it’s time for some changes. I’m telling you, Thea, it helps my heart to make them. It helps my heart because I know in it, your mama and daddy would be pleased with those changes.

“Rem’s in there working with Caleb to set up that PlayStation. You could do it quicker.”

“Maybe.” Then Thea lifted her shoulders. “Yeah, I could.”

“But the doing it’s helping both of them.”

“Because we have to live.”

“That’s right.”

Time, Thea thought, to ask what was most on her mind.

“When are they sending Mom and Dad?”