“I’m here, Grandma,”I assured, adjusting the burner.
I’d just added the chicken, carrots, celery, and bay leaves to the pot.
“What’s on your mind?”
“Work.”
“Mmhmm. Your sister called me. She said you convinced Danae to leave work today.”
I huffed.“I guess she felt like I didn’t receive her advice well, so she figured she’d come to you and have you deliver it?”
She smiled.“That’s what y’all all do, grandson.”
“Yeah, well, whatever she said I did, I did it. And I’d do it again.”
“I’m sure. All I’ma say is you wanna make sure you’re not overstepping.”
I covered the pot and stared in the camera.“Y’all be confusing caring with overstepping. That shit be losing me. I’m not forcing her to do anything.”
“You’re directing,”she corrected.“It’s clear there’s a difference, but you can’t move faster than someone’s heart.”
“Now you sound like Amil.”
“No, I sound like a grandmother who wants the best for her grandson.”
“And I’m what’s best for her,”I countered, frustration settling in my tone.
She studied me for a few seconds.“Have you ever thought about why she keeps a wall up between the two of you?”
“She’s guarded. I told you about her situation from what I assumed.”
“And just what if Danae isn’t ready for the lifestyle of Aura Sullivan? What if she’s shying away from the weight that comes from your name? What if she doesn’t want the protection because it comes with a different way of living?”
I stilled, letting her words settle.“Anything I love is protected no matter what life I live.”
“You ain’t gotta tell me. I raised you to be that way.”
“I’m realistic, Grandma. I know who I am. I know the weight my name carries. I also know that Danae will fit right in. She already does. You’ve met her.If you felt she didn’t, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”
“This is true,”she agreed.
I turned the stove off and flipped the camera, so she could see the finished product.
“Beautiful,”she complimented.
I turned the camera back to me.“Danae will be a Sullivan. It’s already written.”
Grandma Lettie smiled and nodded knowingly.“Just make sure that when she takes on that name that it feels like a breath of fresh air and not like you just cut off her oxygen.”
“I hear you.”
“Alright, baby. I’ll talk to you later. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
I wasn’t trying to convince my family that the way I was going about having Danae was right. I didn’t need approval. Their RSVP once I sent out the wedding invitations was just fine with me.
CHAPTER 9
