Daughters Of The Bride(106)
She looked at him. “Go to LA with you to attend a fancy music industry party?”
He grinned. “I can even promise you a few movie stars.”
“I’ve never been to a party like that. What if I don’t fit in?”
“You’ll be with me.”
That made her laugh. “Because if I’m with you, I’m one of the in people.”
“You know it, babe. Stick with me.”
“Did you just call me babe?”
“I did and you liked it.”
The smile returned. “Maybe. A little. Okay. I’m game.” She came to a stop and faced him. Her expression was serious. “I’m going because of you, Quinn. Not the party.”
He liked that she felt the need to clarify her position. “I figured, but thanks for making it clear.”
“I don’t have a thing to wear.”
“It’s Los Angeles. We can fix that.”
“Are you going to want me in heels?”
He mostly wanted her naked, but that wouldn’t be appropriate. “Only if it makes you happy.”
She thought for a second. “I’m pretty sure I’m ready for the challenge. I just hope I don’t fall.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll catch you if you do.”
“Can’t I use paper towels?” Josh asked as Rachel showed him how to spray the counters and sink and then wipe them down.
“Microfiber cloths are better. They’re reusable. I wash them every week so they’re clean for next time.”
Her eleven-year-old son sighed heavily. “I know. It saves money and protects the environment. I think I’d like cleaning the bathroom better if I could use paper towels.”
“I don’t think you’ll ever like cleaning the bathroom, but that’s okay. You just have to do it.”
“Kind of like some of the drills for baseball. They’re boring, but they make us better players.”
“Something like that.”
She showed him how to empty the water out of the toilet bowl and then use the long-handled scrubber.
“That’s totally gross.” He sounded oddly pleased by the fact. “I never thought that you have to clean a toilet.”
“Did you think it never got dirty?”
He giggled. “It has to get dirty, Mom. It’s full of poop.”
What was it about boys and bodily functions? Especially the less socially acceptable ones? She told herself to be grateful he was still saying poop instead of other words.
They’d already cleaned out the shower, which left only the floor.
“You know where the stick vacuum is, right?” she asked as she shifted to get more comfortable. Her back was bothering her again.
“Uh-huh. In the laundry room.”
“Go get that. You’re going to vacuum first, then use a microfiber pad to clean the floor.”
“You really like microfiber stuff.”
“I do. It gets things cleaned and we don’t have to use a lot of harsh chemicals.”
“You sound like a commercial.”
She smiled. “Then you should be paying me.”
He laughed and went to get the vacuum. She watched as he moved it across the small floor.
“Do behind the toilet,” she called over the loud roar. “And the corners.”
He did as she requested, then wet down the microfiber pad that attached to the end of the mop.
“You have to squeeze it first,” she told him. “Or it will leave the floor too wet.”
He looked at her. “You’re not going to be standing there every time I clean the bathroom, are you?”
She wanted to say she was. That if she wasn’t, he wouldn’t do it right. That he would cut corners or forget or... She thought about Greg’s comments that she was unable to ask for help. That she hadn’t bothered to get Josh going on his chores for nearly half the summer.
In her heart, she knew that the bathroom didn’t have to be cleaned perfectly every time. That Josh learning about helping around the house was the more important lesson. He was old enough now to have responsibilities. Plus, it gave her a break. But letting go was hard.
“I’m going to make a master list,” she said reluctantly. “It will help you remember everything you’re supposed to do. But you’ll be on your own unless you come ask for help.”
“Sweet.”
He dropped the mop to the floor and began moving it back and forth. She was about to remind him to do behind the toilet, then stopped herself.
“Put out clean towels when you’re done,” she said instead.
“I will.”
“You know where they are?”
“Mo-om!”
“Fine.” She deliberately turned her back on the bathroom and walked away.