Page 42 of Twenty-Three Years of Longing

“Orion, you are not wasting my time. Now, do you want to come pick me up or should I ask the resort to drop me off to you?” she asked.

She obviously wasn’t taking no for an answer. “I’ll come to you. Can you be ready in fifteen minutes?”

“As long as you don’t care if I have no make-up on. I’ll see you in front of the lobby,” she replied.

“I’ll be there. And, Raya, thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” she replied and ended the call.

I easily could’ve called Mayson and had him cut his date short. But the two of us showing up would upset my grandmother no matter what. Raya might be the buffer I needed. It wasn’t that late, so if all was okay, she would be up rocking on her porch knitting.

Hopefully, that’s where we find her.

It wasn’t long before Raya was in my SUV, and we were on our way. “Is there anything I should know before we get there?” she asked.

“Yes. I...I have never brought a woman to meet her. So, if she is okay, she might not be once she sees you,” I said.

Her eyes were wide, and she said, “You’re joking, right?”

“Partly.”

“Which part?” she questioned.

“That she won’t feel good. If anything, it might just be what makes her feel herself.”

“You’re almost forty and you never brought anyone home to meet her?” she said, as though she didn’t believe it.

“Nope. Not one. You’re the first,” I said. “It is not too late if you want to change your mind. I can turn around and bring you back to the resort.”

“Why? Are you afraid of what she will say?” she asked.

“If she is okay then, maybe. My grandmother can be...bold and outspoken,” I said.

Raya chuckled. “It comes with age. They feel as though they have earned the right to speak their minds. It’s great. You only have that kind of honesty from little kids and the elderly. I can’t wait to hear what she has to say.”

“Maybe it is a bad idea,” I laughed.

“Scared?” She asked.

“A little. You will understand when you meet her.”

“Sounds like we are going to get along just fine,” she said.

We pulled into her yard and parked by the porch. I didn’t see her outside as I had hoped and the light feeling I had a moment ago faded. Raya picked up on that and reached for my hand.

“Think positive thoughts. I’m right here with you,” she said.

“Thank you.”

We got out and went to the door. I knocked but she didn’t answer. I had the keys and unlocked the door and we walked inside. Not a single light was on and now I started to fear the worst. But then I heard the cocking of a shotgun, and instantly moved Raya behind me.

“Don’t take another step,” my grandmother warned.

“Grandmother, it’s me. Orion,” I said quickly.

“Orion? What are you doing sneaking around my house in the dark?” she snapped. “I could’ve killed you.”

“Grandmother, we both know that you don’t keep that thing loaded,” I reminded her.

---