I took several swallows from my glass and pushed my hair from my face. I tried to work up the emotional strength I’d need to face my grandfather but only managed to put myself more on edge.
With Gram looking on, Con reached over and gave my hand a squeeze, saying, “I’m right here.”
I forced a smile and fixed my stare on the door.
Gram got up to peek out the window and quickly returned to her seat as his truck pulled into its usual parking spot alongside the house.
She looked at each of us and said, “This would be a good time to learn how to tell a lily white lie.”
I hit the table with my palm. “No, Gram, it’s time to stop the lies, lily white or otherwise.”
I inhaled deeply, letting it out as the screen door slammed shut behind my grandfather.
He looked at each of us and then turned his attention to me. He said, “Hey sugar, I didn’t know you were coming out tonight or I would have made my way back sooner,” as he bent to kiss Gram on her cheek.
“Actually,” I replied, “it wasn’t a planned visit.”
His attention was fixed on Con.
Con got up and walked to the side of the table where my grandfather stood and I tensed in preparation of what was about to happen.
Gram and I exchanged glances as Con held out his hand and Gramp took hold of it.
“Mr. Embry, I’m Connor Ellis, it’s nice to meet you, sir.”
His hand remained joined with Con’s as his expression froze. He stared at Con for a moment before looking to Gram. Unable to look him in the eye, she looked away and he cast his eyes on me. I couldn’t mistake the look of hurt that filled his eyes, causing my own to fill.
Without saying a word, he turned and disappeared through the same door he’d just come in.
Before I realized what I was doing, I was halfway to the door but Gram reached out for my arm and held me back. “In his own good time, child. You’ve wounded him; don’t push him into a corner, too.”
“I can’t leave it like this.”
“You’ll have to. Did you really believe you’d come here and everything would fall into place as right as rain? He carries over seventy years of pain and anger inside. It’s going to take a lot more than ‘I’m sorry’ and good intentions to fix what’s broken.”
Con wrapped his arms around me and let me sob into his chest when I couldn’t hold my tears back any longer.
“I’m sorry Mrs. Embry. I never wanted to upset anyone but head-on is the only way I know to face things.”
Gram patted Con’s arm, and replied, “Your intentions were good, son, and who knows, maybe someday he’ll be able to look at you without seeing the rest of your family but for now, its best you leave him be.”
“Yes ma’am.”
His hand made one pass across my back before he held me at arms length. “She’s right. We should go, give him some time.”
I nodded. Several more tears spilled over my lashes when I saw the sadness in my grandmothers’ eyes. I suddenly felt like I was being selfish in yet another relationship, hurting everyone around me and disregarding their feelings for the sake of my own happiness.
I whispered “I’m sorry,” as Gram wrapped her arms around me.
“Ssh now, child.” She stroked my hair. “He’ll come around, just give him the time he needs.”
When Gram released me from our embrace, Con took hold of my hand and turned to face my grandmother. He said, “Good night, Mrs. Embry. I truly am sorry,” before leading me out of the house.
Twenty-Five
...Joker was as nasty as a dirty diaper but at least he talked, even if it wasn’t directly to me most of the time. Gramp, on the other hand, had a much better disposition, although he refused to acknowledge Con’s presence, let alone talk to him...
The morning sun forced its way through the parted curtains marking the beginning of another day. I had fallen asleep in Con’s arms with tear-streaked cheeks and awoken up in much the same way. The sound of his heart beating against my face couldn’t erase the previous evening but it was better than spending a night alone with my tears.
I nudged his arm. “Con, it’s seven-thirty. What time do you have to be to work?”
His arm tightened around my shoulder. “Good morning. I have a flight at eleven.”
“Okay, I’m going to a get quick shower then. If you want breakfast, we’ll have to go out for it, there’s nothing here.”
“I know of this little outdoor café...”
I offered the first smile since early yesterday evening. “Sounds great.”
After a full stretch that captured my undivided attention, he said, “I have to get a shower, too, so how about I run home and come back for you in about an hour?”