Lily White Lies(103)

“It’s my pleasure, Mrs. Embry.”

As Gram fumbled for the knob behind her, she replied, “Oh, you can stop with that Mrs. Embry stuff... makes me sound so damn old. You call me Cybil.”

Gramp sat next to his daughter on the bed, never turning around when we entered. As Gram took a seat on the other side of her, Gramp said, “Listen Cybil, listen to this. Karen, who am I?”

She kept her head toward the floor and rocked back and forth slowly.

“Oh, you old fool; she hasn’t seen you in a coon’s age. Don’t be expecting her to fall all over you.”

“Dammit woman, I heard her say ‘dad’ I tell you.”

“And don’t you be cussing in front of my little girl or her guests,” she said, motioning behind her.

When he turned to find us standing there, his expression became thoughtful as he stood to face us. I walked farther into the room, never letting go of Con’s hand. Gramp took several steps from the other side of the bed and stood directly in front of us.

He said, “It seems I owe you a bit of an apology for my behavior the last time we met,” as he extended his hand.

Shaking his outstretched hand, Con replied, “I suppose we should have warned you instead of surprising you in your own home. I’m sorry, too.”

With the last of the apologies made, we visited with my mother for almost an hour, in which time we never did hear her say ‘dad’ but Gramp left Cherry Hall insisting that she had said it. We made plans for a get-together for the following weekend, said our goodbye’s and headed back to Upper Darby.



~ ~ ~



The following week went by quickly. I closed on the building for my new bakery and that night, Con and I christened it. We met Kevin and the girls at Sal’s for dinner one night. Charlotte and Kevin had finally cracked under Cory’s pressuring and agreed to a small wedding. Cory had enrolled in her classes and we were surprised to learn that her father had her take courses for everything from advanced accounting to mechanics. It seemed like a lot to go through, but her dream of working with her father meant more to her than anything else she’d ever done. Besides, as she informed us with her trademark smile, most of the students in her classes were men and they were more than eager to help her with whatever she might need.

Con had gone to his grandfather about the get-together and I was excited and relieved when like Gramp, he agreed to be there under mock protest. Bringing our families together was a long time coming and I felt proud to have had a part in making it happen. As happy of an occasion as this get-together was, I couldn’t possibly have prepared for what was to happen.



“Do I look okay?” I asked as I smoothed my skirt.

“Honey, you look fabulous. Stop worrying.”

“I want tonight to be perfect.”

Gram had invited everyone we knew but I didn’t recognize half the cars parked in the driveway and scattered throughout the yard.

When Gram answered the door, she was cheery and hospitable, but noticeably sober. I looked her over carefully. There was no slurred speech; no trembling in her hands and her characteristically bloodshot eyes had vanished.

“You’re not drinking?” I asked.

“If I keep my flask capped, your grandfather will not only visit his little girl with me each week, but he will also grace Sunday morning service with his presence every now and again.”

I smiled broadly. “Good for you.” With a quick glance around the room, I froze where I stood. Gram laid a hand on my shoulder.

“We brought her here on a day pass. Go say hello to your mother, child.”

Sitting in a chair partially turned toward the window, my mother sat with her doll and an expression on her face that I’d never seen before.

Bending down, I said, “Hi, mom. I’m so happy you could be here.”

She turned her head in my direction and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly. I spent several more minutes holding her hand and talking to her before rejoining Con in the kitchen.

We tried to mingle and spend a few minutes with everyone Gram had invited. She was sure to invite my friends, some of the people Con works with, Sally, Nelda and Marco, and a few of her woman friends from church.

As much as I was enjoying myself, I felt a little disappointed that Joker hadn’t come as he said he would.

“Did your grandfather say he’d be here for sure?”

“He likes to make an entrance. He’ll be here.”

Gram prepared a buffet style dinner and as the last of the guests were filling their plates, I jumped with the chime of the doorbell. Gram, Sally, Con and I each sat motionless as Gramp opened the door to welcome the late arrival.

As the door swung open, each man stood tall, eyes fixed on the other. I held my breath until Gramp began to speak.