“Yeah?” They begin to exit the large, suite-style room space. “You’re really into lacrosse, huh?”
“Yeah. It’s…pretty lit.”
“Indoor?”
“Til Feb, then we switch to outdoors.”
“Maybe we should paint your bucket? You want that?”
His answer isn’t heard due to the door shutting; although it doesn’t need to be.
I know he’d love having that.
Just like I know how he likes being on a team.
Having hisownsport.
Something to callhis ownversus just living in my shadow.
Huh.
Kinda reminds me of the explanation I overheard Gilly giving toherbrother.
Maybe that’s why he’s always been so drawn to her.
Why she has such an easy time understanding him.
Vibing.
Seeing sitches in ways I can’t.
That I don’t know how ‘cause despite always encouragin’ others to be themselves, I’ve never really dealt with not being able to be jus’ be.
“Manners, Thayne,” Grams swiftly scolds in my direction. “Act like you were raised wit’ some.”
It’s impossible to stop the corner of my lips from curling upward, “Grams meet Gilly. Gilly,” I gesture an open palm at the woman who looks far from healthy, “this is Grams.”
“Nice to finally meet you in person, sweetheart,” she warmly says to my girlfriend who maneuvers herself closer. “Lord knows this ain’t how I hoped it would be.”
Her fingers gently land on my grandmother’s hand at the same time she coos, “Nice to meet you too.”
“Whyisthis how she’s meetin’ you?” Leaning forward occurs in tandem with me folding my hands together. “Why didn’t you tell us somethin’ was wrong?”
“Why are you two fightin’?”
“Grams.”
“Thayniel.”
“Thayniel?!” gasps the beauty at her bedside. “Is your real name Thayniel?!”
“No,” she mischievously snickers, “it’s jus’ somethin’ his Gramps would say when he was in real big trouble.”
“Which Ishouldn’tbe.”
“You are.”
“Why?!”
