Page 127 of Beautiful Thing

“No, no. Nothing’s wrong,” she says dismissively. “This is George. He’s my lawyer.”

My brows dip lower. “What do you need a lawyer for?”

She huffs a weak laugh. “Well, when you get to be my age, you need to get your affairs in order.”

I shake my head. “You’re healthier than I am. You’re gonna outlive us all.”

She nods confidently. “Even still. I have some things in my possession that I no longer need.”

I blink in confusion, waiting for her to go on.

“Layla, I’m going to pass my house over to you and Sky. Legally,” she announces. “All you have to do is sign, and the property is yours.”

My jaw flaps open. “Wh-what? I…I don’t…Why would you do that for me?”

She goes all sassy, wiggling her neck at me. “No. The better question is, why didn’t you tell me that my grandson kicked you out of the house? With a baby, for crying out loud! Why did I have to hear about the drama through the grapevine? Why didn’t you tell me?!”

Wow. I’ve never seen her this angry.

I shake my head. “I didn’t want to stir up any more trouble.”

“Trouble? Layla, you’re not trouble. You were the best thing in that boy’s life and he screwed it up,” she says indignantly.

“You can’t give me the house. Razor lives there now.” I have no idea why I’m defending him. Maybe I’m a people-pleaser. Or maybe I’m just in shock over this whole conversation.

She scoffs, slicing her hand through the air. “Don’t you worry about that Ansel,” she grumbles dismissively. “He’s such a dumbass.”

I chuckle. I can’t help it.

“I’m having him evicted,” she goes on. “George will take care of it.”

My eyes bulge. This little old lady is ruthless.

Her expression softens when she glances at Sky. “I want you to have the house, so that my great-grandson will always have a home.”

I lean over, wrapping my arms around the older woman, tears now streaming down my face. She hugs me back and I just continue to cry. I’m such a blubbering mess that even the other senior citizens are starting to pause their crafts and gawk in my direction.

“I just…I can’t believe you would do this for us.”

“You and Sky mean a lot to me, dear. I don’t have a need for the house, and you do. I certainly don’t want my reckless grandson tearing it up and using it as a whorehouse!”

I gasp.See? Ruthless!Then I laugh through my tears.

She continues. “I want a family in my house. I want kids raised there. I want a swing set built in the backyard, where Sky and all his little friends can play.”

I nod, wiping my eyes with my sleeve. “I’ve always loved your home, and I know Sky will appreciate having a stable place to grow up.”

Stability. Safety. It’s all I want for my son and me.

By now, Sky has noticed my tears and he comes toddling over to me. He crawls into my lap, and wipes at my face. His big, worried eyes make me cry even more.

“No cry, Mommy. No cry,” he all but begs me.

“It’s okay. Mommy’s okay.” I kiss his forehead. “We’re going to be okay. We’re going to be great, baby boy.”

My son stays protectively on my lap as the lawyer guides me through all the paperwork. I sign and sign and sign some more. My hand hurts by the time I’m finished.

After the lawyer takes the papers and leaves, we stay and hang out with Grandma Dory a bit longer. I’m still in disbelief and I need a minute to process this twist of fate.

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