“Thanks for cleaning out the gutters, Emmett,” Tallie said with a completely normal amount of earnestness that gave him no clue what she was truly thinking.
“My pleasure. No problem.”
“You’ve met my mama,” Tallie said as Judith stepped into the living room with a mug of coffee, both cats trailing behind her.
“You look so familiar to me, Emmett. Are you from Louisville?” Judith asked.
“No, ma’am. I’m from Clementine.”
“Clementine. Clementine? That’s—” Judith sat on the couch, tucked her feet beneath her.
“Southeastern Kentucky,” Emmett finished, nodded.
“Emmett, do you want a cup of coffee?” Tallie asked.
“Uh…yes. Yes, please,” he said as Tallie headed to the kitchen. He followed her, passing Judith flipping through a magazine, drinking her coffee next to the cats. She smiled up at him.
Tallie mouthed good morning to Emmett once they were alone in the kitchen. He touched her shoulder, leaned down to whisper in her ear. Her hair smelled like his: orange blossom and neroli, a lemon tree by the ocean.
“Do you want me to act like I’m only here to clean out your gutters?”
Tallie put surprise on her face, shook her head.
“She’ll assume you’re some secret new boyfriend I haven’t told her about. It’s kind of exciting,” she whispered, smiling and lifting her shoulders in a precious, childlike way. She poured his coffee, handed him the mug.
“Your secret new boyfriend who sleeps on the couch?”
“I know it’s weird, but trust me…this is how she works.”
“So it’s okay if I make breakfast? Boyfriends make breakfast,” he said, still whispering.
“Yes, they do,” Tallie said.
“Apologies again…about last night.”
“No need. You’re feeling okay this morning?”
“I’m okay.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m okay,” he said again.
Emmett stepped into the kitchen doorway and asked Judith how she liked her eggs.
*
Tallie and Judith were on the couch, and Emmett was in the kitchen, finishing up breakfast. In addition to the eggs, he fried bacon, put orange slices in a bowl, made eight biscuits from scratch.
“Wow, you’re kidding me. Look at this,” Judith said as she sat at the table. Emmett had plated their food, placed Judith’s over-easy eggs and everything else in front of the chair. He’d put Tallie’s scrambled eggs and the rest of her breakfast next to it and took a seat across from them, ready to follow Tallie’s lead about who he was and what he was doing there.
“Emmett is a stunning cook. Seriously. He made steaks last night, and it was the most delicious dinner I’ve ever eaten in my life. I’m still upset about it,” Tallie said.
“Lovely! What brings you to Louisville?” Judith asked.
“Tallie Clark,” Emmett said, letting his lips curl. He knew Tallie would appreciate it.
“My, how sweet is that?” was Judith’s response.
Tallie beamed, took bites of her food.
“She’s one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. And I mean it,” he said.
“She’s a good girl. I’m very proud of her,” Judith said.
“I can only imagine,” Emmett agreed.
“How long have you two been dating?”
“Mama…I’ll tell you everything later. Let’s enjoy breakfast,” Tallie said.
“Well, you’re young and handsome…just what Tallie needs. Most women could use one of you around!” Judith said, laughing and wagging a finger at him.
Emmett smiled and said thank you.
“Mama, stop.”
“Oh, hush,” Judith said.
（Judith is wearing a striped turtleneck and small gold hoop earrings. A pearl ring on her right middle finger. Her hair is gray, pulled into a low bun. Judith and Tallie have the same nose, the same mouth. Judith touches Tallie a lot, pets her like a tender baby animal—her hair, her arm, her cheek.） Judith talked and talked. She told Emmett how she’d quit smoking and felt like she’d lost part of her personality. She was so addicted to nicotine gum that she wondered if she should start smoking again. She told stories about Tallie as a little girl, how naturally smart, kind, and curious she was, how she devoured books. Grounding her from reading was the only way Judith could punish her. She thought Tallie would be a writer or a librarian. Judith told Emmett when Tallie was little, she’d say “Goodbye! I’m going to the moon!” before she walked outside at night.