Linda has gotten the idea that Dad would benefit more from constant stimulation of his olfactory bulb than from separate wafts of lemon oil or fresh lemon, so she comes home with a small lemon candle from the Dollar Store, which she and Jodie light in the living room near where Dad and I are playing cards.
“No you don’t,” I say.
“No I don’t what?”
“Somebody’s going to knock that over and cause a fire. Candles are for two things, Linda: churches and birthdays. Do you see either of those in this living room?”
“Stop trying to be such a big boss.”
“Why do you think I have to be home day in, day out? Because I’m the only one with any sense around here. So put the candle out.” I look at Dad’s hand. He has three threes, and if he gets a fourth one he might be able to win. I try to remember how long ago one of us turned over a three.
“It won’t fall over. It’s in a votive glass. And what about Dad? He has lots of sense.”
“That’s not what I meant, and you know it. Now put the candle out, and don’t start me arguing in front of Dad. It just upsets him.”
“Dad’s doing better. He slept for two hours last night. That’s because of my upping the lemons.” She balls up the wrapper from the candle and puts it in the pocket of Grandpa’s overalls.
“Why do you two always fight so much?” Jodie asks.
Dad gets up and starts pacing again. “That’s a good question,” he says.
“Always?” I say. “Oh, I thought you were saying your own name, Always. Because you’re Always Here!”
“Why are you getting so angry again?”
“Look, Jodie, we’re under a lot of stress in this house. I don’t think you realize that we have some very serious problems going on with my father’s health. I don’t know if I need to talk to your mother or what I need to do, but we have to arrange for you to not be here so often.”
“I like having her here,” Linda says. “She makes me feel better.”
I put away the cards and go into the den to see what’s on TV. Dad stops pacing when he sees Michelle Kwan in a figure-skating competition. So the four of us watch that with the sound off. Jodie says Michelle is like a soul dancing. I like Michelle’s triumphant yet humble openmouthed smile.