Lily White Lies(82)

“I’m old, but that’s beside the point. Your grandfather went to the auction to buy more mouths to feed and I thought it might be a good time for you and me to spend a little time together. You haven’t been around in a while.”

I looked to Con and hesitated. “Gram, I’m sort of busy now, can we do this...”

“If she wants to see you, tell her yes,” he whispered.

I gave him a surprised look as he nodded. “Listen, Gram... I have someone with me, would you mind if I brought them along?”

She said, “The more the merrier I always say. I’ll mix up an extra batch and see you soon,” and hung up before I could change my mind.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have told her I was bringing you but, I assumed that’s why you told me to say yes.”

“Absolutely.”

Grabbing my purse, I said, “She won’t be as mean as your grandfather was, but she, too, is an acquired taste.”

“Oh, I picked right up on that. I met her, remember?” He said with a laugh, as he led me out the door.



I paid closer attention to my surroundings on this trip to Willoughby after realizing on the way to Joker’s earlier, that I wasn’t nearly as familiar with them as I thought I was.

I had been trying to figure out where my grandparent’s lived in proximity to Joker and I realized that although they seemed far apart, their property lines must be close at some point.



“Con, I made a left past your grandfather’s road and I have to make another one when I get to my grandparent’s road. It seems as if I were to walk straight back through my grandparent’s property, I’d end up somewhere near Willoughby Manor. Are they close to each other?”

“If you do it that way I guess they aren’t too far apart but by road, they're probably a good four or five miles from each other.”

Thinking aloud, I mumbled, “That would explain the land.”

“What land?”

“My grandfather told me that the feud began over a piece of land that each family believed they rightfully owned.”

Con looked out the window thoughtfully. “I wonder if he was talking about Wisteria Falls.”

“Wisteria Falls?”

“I’ve never actually been there, but my grandmother used to tell me about what she called heaven on earth. She said it sat in a far corner of Willoughby Manor. According to her, a stone cottage looks on a twenty-foot waterfall coming off the mountain. Wisteria grows wild and turns everything purple when it blooms, which should be right about this time of year.”

“I’d like to see it one day.”

“I’ll see what I can do about that.”

I had made the last left before arriving at my grandparent’s house and still hadn’t given any serious thought as to how I would tell Gram whom Con was. I knew without doubt that my grandfather would have a hard time with my news and I was thankful that I could prolong telling him.

Gram was different. When I told her about Con and meeting Joker, she would undoubtedly have strong opinions wrapped in philosophies, but she would be more understanding than Gramp would be.

A large gust of wind blew up unexpectedly and the trees began to rustle. My speed had dropped continually since making the last left-hand turn and we were making our way up the driveway at a crawl.

“Are you ready?”

I nodded. “Are you?”

“You bet.”

I stopped and put the car in park but let it run while I sat nervously and spent several minutes staring at my childhood home.

“Honey...” He took a hold of my hand and smiled. “This isn’t a bank robbery. We don’t have to leave the engine running.”

“I just want her to accept you.” I paused. “I want her to accept us.”

Reaching over and removing the keys from the ignition, he said, “Come on, let’s go in and talk to her, who knows, she might surprise us.”

I raised my eyebrows and pursed my lips. “You don’t know Gram... nothing she does would surprise me.” The car door slammed behind me. “Picture Cory in forty years.”

Looking up at the house, he repeated my sentiment regarding his grandfather. “I’ve been duly warned.”



Gram greeted us at the door; her eyes open wide at the sight of what had turned into a thick scab on my face.

“Heavens, child. What happened to you?”

“Clumsy. I didn’t get out of my own way in time,” motioning to Con, I changed the subject quickly. “Gram, do you remember him?”

“Why, you’re that fine young fellow from the party.” She gave me an approving wink and turned her attention back to him. “Well, don’t just stand here; come in and let me get to know you a bit.”