Page 6 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 3

Naomi chuckled. “It is. Though this is phase one. I’ll take this four-carat diamond and design around it. Maybe add some small rubies or sapphires in a series of inlayed gems around the large center stone. When I’m done, it will look something like this.” Naomi swiped across the phone screen to the next image, which was a sketch of what the piece could look like.

“That is incredible. And you do this for special clients?”

“Yes.”

“Gran, she’s being modest. Naomi crafts designs and pieces for companies like Cartier, Harry Winston, and Tiffany’s, not to mention one-of-a-kind pieces for the rich and famous.”

Granny’s eyes widened. “Wow, congratulations, young lady. You’ve done the sisterhood proud. That is one beautiful design.”

“Thank you. I’ll have to make you something in the future.”

Gran waved her hand in the air. “Don’t you bother with diamonds on an old woman. I’ve got the one and only diamondI need right here.” She pointed to her wedding ring with the tiniest chip of diamond in the center. “My beloved Douglas purchased this for me when I’d just turned eighteen. He proposed, and we were married a month out of high school. It was 1966. We were married fifty-two wonderful years before the good Lord saw fit to take him back home.”

Naomi reached her hand out and covered Granny’s. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

Granny took a deep breath and patted Naomi’s hand right back. “When you find the right one, you don’t waste time on what if’s. You grab the love of your life by the hand and walk into that life together.”

Naomi wiped a tear away, and I wanted to go to her, but instead, I handed her a glass of cool lemonade. Granny always had extra glasses out and a full pitcher in case someone wanted to have a seat and chat.

“Don’t you be sad for me, sugar. I had the best fifty-two years of life a true southern woman could have. We made lots of babies. Raised ’em right. Now I have lots of grands to dote on until it’s my time. Then my Dougie will be waiting with his hand out for me to hold as we walk into the afterlife. That’s why you gotta live every day to the fullest, and never take advantage of the ones you love.”

Naomi cleared her throat and sipped her drink. “You’re a wise woman, Althea.”

“Oh, hush now with the Althea business. I’m Granny to you too.”

“Ma! Are you hoarding my son and his new girlfriend out there?” I heard my mother calling through the opened screen door.

Granny rolled her eyes. “Always ruining my fun, that daughter-in-law of mine.”

“I heard that!” Mother yelled.

“It wasn’t meant to be a secret!” Granny fired off.

I grinned and stood. “Thanks for the chat, Granny.”

“And the lemonade. It was delicious,” Naomi added.

Granny nodded. “Course it was, I made it myself, and I’ve had decades of practice. I’ll teach you the recipe.”

“I’d love that.” Naomi beamed. I could tell she was not only relieved by the time we spent with my favorite human on this Earth but also enjoyed it.

We both gave Gran hugs and kisses on the cheek.

“So, church on Sunday?” Granny added right before we could escape into the house.

Before I could respond with a no, Naomi smiled and said, “Would love to. I’ll wear my best dress.”

“Now that’s a good girl.” Granny hummed, sipped at her lemonade and looked out over her territory. Suddenly she lifted up and pointed at something in the yard. “You best keep that dog off my lawn! There will be no squatting over here. Keep on moving,” she instructed a teenage girl who was walking her dog.

“Yes, Mrs. Taylor,” the girl responded.

I held the screen door open, and Naomi preceded me through.

My mother bulldozed me the second I entered, her body slamming against mine, her arms around my neck. “I thought she was never going to let you in. I’ve been waiting all day. We’ve got several of your favorite dishes tonight. Your dad’s grilling ribs, chicken, and shrimp. We’ll have some bacon wrapped asparagus, rosemary potatoes, and of course, I’ve made a couple fresh peach pies with our peaches right off the tree.”

“You are going all out!” I gushed and hugged her tight.

“It’s not every day my only son brings a woman home for the family to meet. As a matter of fact, the last time was when you were in high school. I admit to being very excited.”

---