“No, it’s fine. Thank you. I’ll be back.” I hurry out of the kitchen and head toward my grandfather’s study. I actually want to go upstairs to Gina, but I’m sure that she’s still sleeping, and I don’t want to wake her.
I knock on the door, and I’m about to enter when I hear my grandfather arguing with someone.
“Now, this is not acceptable. I’ve told you time and time again that?—”
“Did Macbeth say that?” I recognize Amethyst’s voice, and I still.
“Did Macbeth say what?” my grandfather says, sounding frustrated.
“I’m starting to think you’re more like Richard III, actually,” Amethyst says. “Cruel.”
I frown at her words. What on earth are they talking about? I knock on the door and head inside. I don’t want to be invasive and spy on them.
“Hi. Morning, everyone.” They both turn to me. My grandfather’s got an annoyed expression on his face, and Amethyst looks like she’s upset. “I’m not disturbing anything, am I?”
“No, no. Amethyst was just asking for a donation to the local theater company,” my grandfather says smoothly. “She’s on the board.”
“Yes, and your grandfather says he has an interest in the arts, and I am curious, if he has such an interest, why doesn’t he support it?”
“Just because I have an interest doesn’t mean I’m going to support every single business and nonprofit out there that deals with the arts,” he says, staring at her. “There’s a reason why we have a charitable foundation. If you are in need of funds, then?—”
“You haven’t changed whatsoever, have you, Preston?” Amethyst points at him. “Always looking out for number one.”
He looks over at her and shakes his head. “I take offense to that, Amethyst.”
“Yes. Well, I take offense to many things.” She sniffs. “I’m just not going to bother with this.” She heads out of the study, and I stand there awkwardly.
“How much was the donation, Granddad?”
“I don’t know,” he says, shaking his head and sitting down. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Couldn’t you just donate like fifty grand? I mean, I can make a call, and we can?—”
“No,” my grandfather says firmly. “We will not.” He presses his lips together. “How are you doing today, Hunter? How was the dinner? Did everyone believe the ruse?”
“It was fine, thanks.” I stare at my grandfather and notice that he’s not his normal congenial self. He’s slightly off, and I wonder if it’s because of the conversation with Amethyst.Would he really be that upset just because she was demanding a donation to a theater? Something isn’t right.
“So, you said the PI will be here in the next couple of days?”
“Tomorrow. Yes, he will.” He looks up at me.
“And I thought you said you wanted to talk.”
“Oh, sorry. I’ve just got a lot on my mind.” He lets out a deep sigh and rubs his forehead. “Hunter, life is a funny thing.” He sounds philosophical, and I wonder if something has happened.
“Oh?” I ask him. “What do you mean by that?”
“One day, you’re young and in love, and everything feels like it’s within reach, and the next thing you know, you’re married and starting a family, and nothing is as you thought it would be.”
“Oh… okay.” I stare at him. “Are you upset that you married Grandma?” I lower my voice as I head over to the desk. I don’t know if I would be hurt or taken aback if he admitted that to me, but I would feel slightly sad for my grandma, who I believe truly loved him.
“No, of course not,” he says, leaning back. “I did what any man in my position would’ve done.”
“And you’re happy?”
“What is happiness?” he replies. Not the best answer.
“If you were to do it again, would you have married Grandma?”
