Lily White Lies(83)
She ran an arm through his and let him lead her into the house. There were already glasses set out for us at the kitchen table and before we sat, Gram was pouring.
“Oh, Gram, none for me. I’m driving.”
Waving a hand at me, she said, “You had enough the other night anyway,” and reached for Con’s glass.
“None for me either. I’m flying.”
She looked at him suspiciously and set the pitcher down, shaking her head while she used the table to support her weight as she sat.
Giving me a reproachful stare, Gram said, “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?”
I thought,right for the jugular, and glimpsed Con nodding.
“Gram, I’d like you to meet Connor Ellis, Con, this is my grandmother, Cybil Embry.”
“Oh my...”
Her hands clutched her glass and her eyes darted around the room in an attempt to avoid looking at either of us. Uncomfortable seconds felt like minutes of agony while we sat silently, waiting for her to speak.
A look passed between Con and me, and I said, “Gram, please... say something.”
She nodded her head in an exaggerated motion, fumbling for the words she wanted to say.
“I say you better have him out of here before your grandfather gets home.”
Gram and I stood at the same time. She turned toward the sink and I quickly walked around the opposite side of the table to cut her off. I took hold of her arms and forced her to look into my eyes.
“Please Gram, give him a chance. He isn’t the rest of his family.”
Her muscles relaxed and she turned toward Con.
“I’m sure you’re a fine, young man but her grandfather will never allow this.” As an afterthought, she added, “Neither will yours, I’m sure.”
She returned to the table and her untouched screwdriver.
Con sat erect in his chair, and replied, “No disrespect intended, Mrs. Embry, but we’re not asking for their permission.”
Taking a long drink from her glass, her face softened and she said, “Listen, I’m all for the pursuit of happiness—under normal circumstances.”
I was tired of the play on words, the insinuations, the stories and omissions.
My voice took on a tone of authority. “Gram, I’ve heard as many versions of the past as there have been people telling it. I’ve always respected your privacy but it’s time I know the truth. What really happened between the Embry’s and Ellis’s and please don’t tell me that a multi-generation feud is over some stupid piece of land.”
Her eyes displayed no emotion as she sipped her drink. She stood from the table and paced behind her chair for a minute. When she stopped, she looked at each of us and sighed deeply.
“Lily white lies, child. They were all lily white lies.”
I rubbed a hand over my face and shook my head. I could see that if she were going to tell us anything, it would be in her own time and in her own way.
“Okay Gram, I’ll bite. What is a lily white lie?”
“It’s a lie of the best kind, child. It’s a lie told in good faith, without malice or the intent to hurt anyone.”
I looked to Con and laughed, “A good lie!” as I reached over and took my grandmother’s drink.
“Don’t be cynical.” She chided. “A lie is told with no regard to the feelings of the people involved while a lily white lie is told to protect the people involved.”
“I feel much better, thank you,” I mocked, as I tipped back her glass.
Realizing where this discussion was headed, Con interrupted. “I’ll tell you what, why don’t we start off with something easy. Mrs. Embry, can you tell us about the land that supposedly began the bickering between the families?”
Gram retrieved anther glass from the cupboard and poured herself a screwdriver as she refilled the one I had taken from her, seemingly grateful for the diversion.
She sat and directed her attention toward Con. “That land has been in my husband’s family for as far back as anyone can remember, regardless of what your grandfather has told you. It’s the most beautiful spot in the world and Joker wasn’t happy having more than my husband, he wanted everything my husband had, including Wisteria Falls.”
Con and I exchanged a look.
He asked, “Who has it now? Does anyone even use it anymore?”
She shook her head. “Stewart’s father spread his mother’s ashes there when she died and when Joker found out, he said that Stewart’s family had contaminated Ellis land, so when his own father died, he spread his ashes on top of hers to piss my husband’s family off. Since then, no one has gone there.”
My nerves began to twitch as I heard the low drone of my grandfather’s truck making its way up the long driveway. I looked to Con and then to Gram and saw uneasiness flash through her eyes.