Chapter 27

Sunday morning Ed got up early to begin his chores. He mowed the lawn and his neighbor's. He tidied up the yard. He went inside to vacuum and dust.

Shirley was puttering around in the kitchen preparing dinner. Grace was sleeping in as she liked to do on her day off.

He knelt to get the cleaning supplies from under the sink and had to rearrange the stuff he found there as they'd all been knocked over. He suddenly felt fingers running through his hair. He looked up at Shirley in surprise. "What are you doing?" he said quietly, glancing at the doorway.

Shirley smiled but there was lust in her eyes. "I was just thinking about the last time you used your wonderful mouth on me."

"Shhhhh!" he hissed.

"I need a treatment soon!" she whined.

"What about Jerry?" Ed asked in frustration.

"He's been complaining that we have sex too often. The man can't keep up. Besides I told you yours is so much higher in quality!"

"Morning." Grace mumbled as she shuffled into the kitchen.

Ed froze in fear but Shirley just walked over to her daughter and gave her a hug. "Good morning sweetie! What are you doing up so early on a Sunday?"

"Somebody decided to mow the lawn at an inhumanly early hour," she growled at Ed's back. She noticed his ears were red. "Did you sunburn your ears?" she said in exasperation.

"What? No!" he said and grabbed the furniture polish and a rag. He left the kitchen and Grace saw his whole face was red. He was embarrassed about something? Grace tried to recall what she'd overheard as she approached the kitchen but she hadn't really been paying attention.

"Sorry about the mowing!" he called out from the living room. He really did sound sorry.

"You're forgiven… THIS time!" she called out.

"Would you like me to make you some breakfast?" Shirley asked.

"Thanks but I think I'll just have cereal this morning," Grace replied.

"What are your plans today?" her mother asked.

Pouring a bowl of cereal the young woman sighed. "No plans."

"Why don't we treat ourselves to a little time at the beauty parlor? Manicure, pedicure, talking with gossipy women. It will be a fun mother and daughter outing!" Shirley exclaimed.

"That sounds expensive." Grace said with a frown.

Ed overheard and walked back into the kitchen. "How much does it cost?"

"For both of us combined, probably $150 at Betty's or $200 at the spa but you get a massage there as well." Shirley said excitedly.

He pulled his wallet out and counted out $200. That left him $40 for today but that was plenty as he wasn't going shopping. He put the money on the kitchen table between the two women. "Treat yourself at the spa!"

Shirley beamed a smile at him but Grace looked shocked. "ED! You shouldn't throw your money away on such extravagances!"

"I'm not! I'm investing in two wonderful people who deserve a relaxing day together. I don't do it often so once in a while shouldn't be an issue. Go, have a good time!" he insisted.

Shirley scooped the money up and Grace looked at her in frustration. Ed poked a finger in the crease between her brows as he used to do when they were both much younger and she'd get angry. He'd flatten the wrinkle that formed there as if he thought that was all it took to fix her mood.

She immediately smiled and jumped up to hug him. He wrapped his big arms around her and squeezed her tight. God he felt good!

Ed released her and went back to his chores.

Grace sat back down feeling all warm and tingly and smiled at her mother who grinned back.

"Wait! What are you doing today, Ed?" she called out.

"I'm servicing a pool for one of my Drakos customers in Silverton Heights," he said.

"Are you getting paid for that?" she asked.

"Uh, I don't know. We didn't talk about that," he replied.

"Oh Ed. You're too good natured! People are going to walk all over you!" she groaned.

"Oh leave the poor boy alone! Eat your cereal then get ready. I want to go to the spa!" Shirley exclaimed.

Grace's temper flared again but she tucked it away. Best not to spoil what promised to be a good day.