“Granny!” I shrieked in embarrassment.
“Boy, hush. I’m old, not dead.” She turned around and made her way into the house. “Come on in so we can eat.”
We followed her inside to the dining area. Once I spotted her lasagna on the table, my stomach growled. It was indeed my favorite dish that she made. She also had salad and garlic bread on the table. Everyone took a seat and dug in. For about fifteen minutes, Granny led the conversation and got to know Red and Tech before the babies woke up in their car seats.
Aunt Toya and Granny asked if they could hold them. Red gave Caleb to Aunt Toya, and Tech handed Miracle to Granny. They were cranky at first until Alice and I made their bottles. Once they were eating, they were cool as cucumbers.
“Oh, they’re both beautiful. I can’t believe I got two great grandbabies,” Granny said while watching Miracle with a smile.
“Granny, Tabitha has two kids,” I reminded her.
She turned to me with a raised brow. “Now you know I don’t claim that she-devil.”
She was right. I did know that. Granny had never been one to fake it for anybody. Although she remained cordial with Tabitha, she kept her distance.
“Granny, doesn’t sugarcoat anything, huh?” Big Read teased her.
“I sure don’t. Life is too short, and I’m too old. I’ve been telling my daughter for years that Tabitha is evil. That’s why when she came, trying to get sympathy because your friend told her off at the hospital, I paid her no mind. I know she said something that provoked that tongue-lashing. I just wish I were there to see it.”
Oscar snorted. “Granny, you should have been there. I haven’t seen anyone shut Tabitha up except for me.”
“That’s what she get—” her words were cut off at the sound of someone opening the front door and shutting it.
A few seconds later, my mother and Elliot walked into the dining room. From the look on Granny’s face, she was just as surprised as I was to see them. I’m glad she didn’t set this up because I would have been pissed. I didn’t want to reconcile with my mother. I wished her the best in life, but I meant it when I said I was done.
“What are you doing here, Pamela?” Granny asked her.
My mother’s eyes scanned the table until they landed on me. She gave me an awkward smile. When I didn’t return it, she sighed and focused on Granny.
“You make it sound like I’m not welcome, Ma,”
“Who are you getting smart with?” Granny hissed.
“Sorry,” she mumbled. “I was passing by and saw all the cars outside. I just wanted to stop by and make sure everything was okay.”
Granny rolled her eyes. “Well, as you can see, everything is just fine. We were just having lunch.”
“Why didn’t I get an invitation?”
Before my granny could come up with an excuse to spare her feelings, I spoke up. “Because she knows I don’t want anything to do with you.”
She gasped, as if I said the most unreasonable thing. “I am your mother, Will.”
“Maybe you should try acting like it.”
“Now, wait a minute Wil—” Elliot started.
“I would appreciate it if you refrained from talking to me.” I cut Elliot off.
It was a new day, and I was a new Will. From this day forward, I would give them the same energy I had been given for years. My mother tried to play innocent all this time, like she didn’t see what was happening around her. As long as I was willing to accept the treatment just to have her in my life, she was willing to allow it to continue.
There were a lot of things I kept hidden from my grandmother. I didn’t want her to know the full ugly truth about her daughter. But no more. If either of them decided to push me today, then I was going to spill all the tea.
“What has gotten into you?” My mother glared at Tech and me.
I knew she was going to tell herself whatever she needed to believe she wasn’t the problem. Even if that meant blaming Tech for my new attitude.
“You are what has gotten into me. I’m tired of your husband and his daughter treating me like shit when I’ve never doneanything wrong to either of them. Excuse my language, Granny,” I apologized, seeing the look she gave me for cursing.
