Page 83 of Always Us

She may not be a warm-and-fuzzy type of grandmother, but deep down I know she cares about me and wants me to be happy. She wants my dad to be happy, too. But she’s from an era where women do whatever their husbands say, which is why she allowed my grandfather to control my dad and try to control me. But that didn’t keep her from speaking her mind. I know she argued with my grandfather about the way he treated my dad and me. It didn’t do any good, but she still let him know her opinion on the matter.

“Did you talk to Dad about this?” I ask her.

“Yes. And your father agrees you should attend.”

“Who will be there?”

“Just some friends of the family.”

“Like who?”

“Some friends of mine that you probably don’t know. And your father invited some people from the company. Some of the executives who worked with your grandfather. He also invited the Sinclairs. They’ve been friends of ours for years, and as you know, your father has been checking in on Grace since Arlin died.”

“So Grace and William are coming?”

“Yes. And Victoria.”

“Why Victoria?”

“It’s proper social etiquette, Garret. We attended Royce’s funeral. Therefore, Victoria will attend Holton’s funeral and will be at the gathering on Friday.”

“If I go, I’m bringing Jade.”

She sighs, then says, “Do you really think that’s a good idea?”

“She’s my wife. I’m not going without her.”

“Very well. Then I’ll see you both on Friday. The gathering begins at six but you should arrive in the afternoon.”

“Grandmother, can I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

“Do you feel the same way about Jade as Grandfather did?”

“Your relationship is none of my business. You’re a grown man, Garret.”

“Just answer me.”

“I don’t know her, so perhaps it’s not right for me to say, but she is not the girl I would’ve chosen for you. That said, I can see that she makes you happy.”

That’s good enough for me. I don’t need my grandmother to like Jade. I just need her to accept Jade as my wife, and it sounds like she does.

“I don’t know about Friday, Grandmother. Finals are in a week and Jade and I need to—”

“Garret, I’m not asking you. I’m telling you. You will be there. Family needs to be together at a time like this. You will do this for me and you will do this for your father. Goodbye.”

She hangs up. Yeah. Warm and fuzzy is not how I’d describe her. At all. But she’s my grandmother and I feel like I should do this for her.

I meet Jade for lunch at the coffee shop and tell her about the call. “So I guess we have to go to Connecticut on Friday.”

“For the funeral?”

“No, the funeral is Thursday. We’re going to a private ceremony at the house on Friday. My grandmother called it a gathering, but I think it’s more like a private memorial service.”

“You talked to your grandmother?”

“She called me and asked me to go.”

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