Despite the melancholy mood around us, the morning of the funeral was in contradiction, bright and peaceful with chirping birds right outside my window. Probably a demonstration of Julie’s sunny disposition. Not much got her down and if it did, I could count the number of times on one hand.
I turned away from the open window to look at Skye. With one hand tucked under her cheek, the other resting on my chest and her breathing gentle, she looked peaceful. Nothing like the sobbing child from last night. It took two stories to get her to finally close her eyes and drift off. I eased myself from under her hand and gently rose to not wake her. After a quick shower, I checked on her then left the room.
Downstairs, I found Grandma and Katie at the kitchen counter with mugs of coffee between their hands. I could understand Katie’s somber looks because she liked Julie. Grandma on the other hand, wasn’t fooling me with her soft smile.
“I thought you’d meet us at the church,” I said to her while pouring a mug of coffee.
She frowned. “Why would you think that, Shay?” At my shrug, she stood and turned to look at him as Dad walked in. “I thought we could have a little talk before we all drove together.”
My brow shot up, but Dad asked, “talk about what?” He accepted the mug of coffee I handed him and leaned against the sink, his expectant gaze on her.
Grandma looked from me to Katie then Dad. “I was thinking that now Julie is no more, maybe we should look for Skye’s father—”
The crash of my mug hitting the wooden floor, startled her. She gasped the same time Katie sprang from her seat, grabbed a cloth from the sink and mopped up the spill. My hardened gaze lifted from my aunt to my grandmother.
“Seriously, mom,” Dad snapped, mirroring my anger. “Julie’s body hasn’t even been lowered yet and you’re already making decisions you have no business doing,” he bit out.
Immediately, she huffed. “And you had no business bringing a woman pregnant with another man’s child—”
“Grandma!” I barked. She jumped. “I made a promise to Julie to never let Skye know the truth. One that will go to my grave with me. So, if you ever mention that in front of Skye or anyone else for that matter,” I took a step closer, “you’ll never set foot in this house again,” I gritted through clenched teeth.
While people didn’t initially accept Julie, by the time Skye was ready for school, everyone in town had grown to love Julie as one of their own. They all treated Skye like she was Dad’s daughter. Only Grandma refused to accept it and while she hadn’t mentioned it in front of Skye yet, I still had no idea why she hated Julie so much. Up to now, Dad didn’t think I needed to worry about it.
Grandma’s eyes widened. “You wouldn’t.”
“Watch me,” I warned.
Her gaze flew to Dad. “Are you going to just stand there and let him threaten me, Logan?”
“Shay isn’t a child anymore, Mom.” He shrugged.
“I’m your grandmother.” Her stricken eyes shifted back to me.
Slowly, I shook my head. “Then why don’t you act like one.” I scowled. “Almost eight years and you’re still holding some stupid grudge. Skye just lost her mother, she’s a child.” Chest heaving, I took another step closer unsure why I was so angry. “You’ve never shown her any love and if you don’t have it in your heart to show her some when she needs it most, I suggest you stay away from her today.”
“Actually, Mom,” Dad set his coffee mug down. “I think its best if you don’t come to the funeral.” His voice was flat, unemotional.
Her soft sob resonated in the ensuing silence but neither Dad nor I felt an ounce of remorse. I for one was done with her endless bickering with Julie’s part in our lives. Grandma had rarely visited after Dad and Julie married and when she did, it was always as if she’d forced herself to spend time with us.
When neither Dad or I said anything further, she swung around on a huff and looked at Katie. “You coming?”
Surprisingly, Katie shook her head. “I’ll see you at home, Mom. I want to stay. Julie was nothing but kind to me and Tricia.” She referred to her daughter.
Grandma’s features visibly softened before she cast her gaze on me then Dad. A second later, she left the kitchen. Two seconds after I heard the front door close behind her.
I dragged a hand through my hair and looked at Dad. “Why does she hate Julie?”
Brow raised, he glanced at Katie. Her bottom lip between her teeth, she nodded. He shifted his gaze to me. “While Grandpa was on a business trip, Grandma had an affair and Katie was the result.”
My jaw dropped before I frowned. “Then why hate Julie. Is it because she somehow reminded Grandma of her past indiscretion?”
Dad cupped the back of his neck then shook his head. “When Grandpa found out a year before he died, he disowned your grandmother and Katie, leaving her and Tricia without any support after James’ death.”
Katie lost her husband, James, to cancer and the costs following the disease left her almost penniless, forcing Katie to move in with my grandparents. I never knew why she moved out and back again when grandpa died, until now.
She was sobbing into her hands. Moving to her side, I rubbed her back in a gentle console then looked at my father, still unsure of the connection to Julie.
“I promised Grandma I’d take care of her, Katie and Tricia. Then Julie came into my life. At first, I think Grandma resented her for the reminder of being pregnant with another man’s child. Then I reached a point where I couldn’t push myself anymore. Plus, I was missing out on your growth. So I told Grandma I had to halve my support. She was angry with me but Julie more so. Before it was just me and you, son. With Julie and Skye...” he trailed off.
