Page 43 of Twenty-Three Years of Longing

“I didn’t when you and your brother lived here. I do now. You might as well turn on the lights and come sit down since you already woke me up,” she ordered.

I flipped on the lights and said, “You should warn us if you’re going to keep a loaded gun in the house.”

“You should call and let me know you’re coming. You scared me half to death,” she said firmly. “Now, why are you here?”

“I was worried that you were ill,” I admitted.

“Sneaking into my house definitely isn’t good for your health,” she said. “Now come and sit, already.” As I moved, I saw her expression change. “You’re not alone.”

“No. I brought a...friend,” I said, not sure how to introduce her.

“Friend? Okay. Would you like to introduce your friend to me?” she asked.

Raya stepped to the side and towards my grandmother. “Hello. I’m Raya Davison. It’s so nice to meet you. Your grandson speaks so highly of you.”

She was glaring at me when she replied to Raya. “That’s nice. Funny, he hasn’t mentioned you. But come sit by me and let me get to know you,” she said.

“Grandmother, Raya has a lot of work to do. We only came here to make sure you were...”

She cut me off. “You. Hush.” Then she turned to Raya, smiled, and said, “Come here dear. I want to hear all about you.”

Raya walked over and sat directly beside my grandmother. I knew I was in trouble. Raya wasn’t just going to do the talking. She was going to ask questions too.

I should’ve gone with my gut and waited to call my grandmother in the morning. Now I’m the one feeling sick.

We spent two hours there, and I’m not sure I got five words in. But the two of them seemed to have a wonderful time. There were moments I wasn’t sure they even remembered I was there.

On the way back to the sort, Raya was all smiles. “I would think you’d be tired by now.”

“No. I could listen to your grandmother talk for hours.”

“You did. Two hours to be exact,” I said.

“Seemed to have gone by so quickly. Kind of like when we are together. I lose track of time. Now I know why you’re so easy to talk to. You get it from her,” Raya said.

No man wants to be told he’s like his grandmother. But Raya didn’t mean it as an insult. I could tell she really liked her. Hopefully, she liked me more.

“Don’t believe every story she told you.”

“Which one should I not believe?” she asked.

“Maybe the one about me sneaking out at night and my grandfather found me stuck up in a tree the next morning,” I said.

“What part is wrong?”

I laughed. “He didn’t find me until the afternoon. I wasn’t running away like she thought. I was told by Kody that if you climb a tree to the top, you can see aliens walking on the moon. Before you ask, he was wrong.”

“Darn. I was going to suggest we go climb a tree now,” she joked.

As we pulled into the resort, I said, “I’m glad you came with me. Gladder that she didn’t pull the trigger. I’ll have a talk with her about that. She shouldn’t have a loaded gun lying around.”

“I think she meant it. That it’s for protection. Maybe you should ask her why she feels like she needs it. That might be the bigger issue,” Raya said.

I nodded. “Good point. I’ll do that.” She never mentioned anyone harassing her or coming by, but if there was, I needed to know. She protected me for years, now it was my turn to take care of her. “It’s late. If you want to cancel breakfast tomorrow and get a little sleep, I will understand.”

“No way. I’m looking forward to the sandwiches. And I can only get iced coffee at your place.”

Is that all you’re missing?

---