He doesn’t call for Charlotte, barely acknowledging her. I control the temper that is brewing, like an eruption that’s ready to burst.
“This is a time for family, and I’m here to spend it with my grandson.” He smiles, ruffling through his hair. Finn cracks a smile, the glimmer in his eyes holds back the truth.
He just wants his family to all be together. Charlotte creeps back into the living room with Brayden and his jingle bells in tow.
Finn starts to open the large, tightly wrapped gift. “Thanks grandpa.”
Elias sits there proud, but for all the wrong reasons. Charlotte slithers beside me, holding her tongue. I can hear her mind spinning and praying at the same time. I pull her in front of me, wrapping my arms around her, giving her the only comfort I can give right now. I lean towards her ear, “Remember everything is okay.” She nods her head.
Brayden moves over to the couch as well, sitting next to Finn. Finn uncovers a baseball bat, a pack of balls, and a new glove. Finn’s face twists in confusion forcing a smile of gratitude to his grandfather.
“Thanks. I don’t know what to say,” he says.
“Dad, baseball?” Charlotte says.
“What.” He says, taking the glove and fiddling with it, “Got to teach the boy the sport his dad used to play.”
“You mean the sport you played and forced Joshua to do it,” she grins and bears it, without raising her voice.
“He enjoyed it, once he got good at it.” He beams back at Finn who’s looking at the bat as if it’s deadly poison. But he’s too kind to speak up. Elias continues, “I figure we get you some batting lessons, and get him in a league, he’ll be a champ.”
“Well, that’s his choice,” Charlotte stands her ground.
Finn looks for a rescue, not wanting to answer right away. He wants peace between them, between the aunt who’s raised him and the grandfather who’s been absence and slightly manipulative.
“How about we eat now that everyone’s here,” I chime in, getting the focus off of him. Everyone turns their focus on me and I see the small light in Finn’s eyes, he mouthsthank you.
Everyone ushers to the table, Elias slightly bumps into me and quickly tries to apologize.Strike two, old man.
Lilly pats my shoulder, “Don’t let him get to you. He’s been a thorn in our side for ages.”
I smirk, “I’m not worried.”
The table is full of food and hungry folks. But instead of a lively conversation and jokes around the table, the clinking of plates and silverware fill the room. Imagine taking out one person and fixing everything.
But it’s the boy genius that breaks the silence.
“Any new art pieces or gallery openings, aunt Lilly?” He starts off. Lilly perks up, engaging in the conversation.
Lilly takes the bait and makes an effort, but the look on Elias’s face is a dark gray cloud. “I do actually, in the next couple months, maybe you three should come.”
“I’m not much of an art person,” Elias turns it around on him.
Mid-bite, Lilly puts down her fork, “Good thing you weren’t included in that “you three” statement.” Elias jolts back, feeling offended.
Charlotte coughs, surprised at the comeback.
“She’s talking about me, Lottie, and Keola.” Finn interjects. Brayden and I suppress a laugh.
“I know, son. I see what she’s talking about.” Elias sneers.
“He’s not your son,” Charlotte mutters. Elias turns back to her, “Excuse me.”
Well there goes the quiet again. She sighs, putting her napkin on the table. “Nothing, father.”
A fire is brewing already.
“Lottie, it’s okay.” Brayden whispers.
