Page 70 of Until the Ink Dries

I couldn’t help but laugh. Shirah got her feisty spirit from her mother for sure.

“I hear you, auntie.”

“Now, if I can just ensure Shirah leaves Ian’s ass alone, all will be right in the world.” She cocked her head to the side as she looked at me. “So… you and the David boy have been getting close, huh?”

“Who— who told you that?”

“Baby, you know Rose Haven is small. Most of us have been here our whole lives. Ain’t much going on that we don’t find out about.” She smiled. “You like him?”

“Yes ma’am. A lot. Auntie… it just feels so natural with him. Nothing is forced. No masks, no facades… I’m just me with him. I’ve rediscovered the fun side of me with him. I’ve missed that.”

“That’s beautiful, baby. You deserve someone who brings out the best in you. You know, his parents are here.”

“What?”

“Have you met them yet?”

“I haven’t.”

“I would introduce you, but I think that should be his job.” She pointed across the yard and a beautiful older woman and a man with Benjamin’s entire face.

“Wow!” I said, gasping. “He’s his daddy’s twin. I remember seeing them in school, but it’s been a long time.”

Aunt Lilith giggled. “At least you know what you have to look forward to in old age.” She looped her arm through mine. “Come on. Let me fix you a plate. Good food will lift those spirits.”

I followed behind her to where the buffet style food was set up and told her what I wanted. She fixed me a hefty helping and shooed me off to a table to enjoy it. Shirah eventually made her way over with a plate of her own. A few of her cousins joined us and I could honestly say my mood lifted.

One thing about the Grangers, you couldn’t help but to smile with them. They were some of the happiest people I’d ever met. The times I’d ever seen Shirah cry or be depressed were few and far between. Angry? Absolutely. My girl didn’t mind a valid crash out. But sulking? Hardly ever.

Even when she was into it with Ian, she never let him see her sweat. I wasn’t sure if it was just her nature, or if it was a defense mechanism, but hey. It worked for her. After we finished eating, Shy and her cousins started with the shots. We were about five in before she pulled me onto the dance floor.

Her other cousin was acting as the DJ and was playing all of our favorite songs. Liquor in my system, I was feeling good and having a good time. Aunt Lilith and her sisters joined us when the line dances started up. For women in their early and mid-fifties, they moved with vibrant ease.

It might have been all those drinks in their system. Benjamin’s mother joined them and I tried my hardest to steer clear of her. I didn’t miss her looking in my direction a few times today. She seemed to know who I was, but I wasn’t sure what Benjamin told her or how he was feeling about me at the moment.

After about thirty minutes of dancing, I excused myself into the house to go to the bathroom. The liquor had made its way to my bladder, and I desperately needed to relieve myself. Sprinting inside, I ran to the downstairs bathroom. Once I was done, I washed my hands and left the bathroom. I was just about to round the corner to the kitchen, when I heard my name and stopped.

“So that’s her? Willow?”

“Yep,” Aunt Lilith said.

“I see why my son and granddaughter seem so smitten. She’s a beautiful girl.”

“She is. She has a beautiful heart to match. Her and Shirah have been friends for years and she’s the sister she never had. Once you love her, it’s a lifelong thing.”

Mrs. Davis giggled. “I think Charlie is already there.” She sighed. “She and Benjamin could use a pick me up right now.”

“What’s wrong?”

“That damn baby mama of his. She broke into his apartment and wrecked everything, Lilith. When I say everything, I mean everything, including Charlie’s things.” She sniffled. “I don’t know what the hell Tierra is on, but she went too far this time. She pulled a knife on Benjamin right in front of Charlie. She was grabbing on her and yelling at her all while threatening to cut him?—”

My heart dropped, and I gasped. What the fuck! I couldn’t listen anymore. I had questions and needed answers.

“Are Benny and Charlie okay?” I asked, running into the kitchen.

They both jumped as they turned to look at me.

“I wasn’t eavesdropping. I was in the bathroom,” I clarified. I turned to Mrs. Davis. “Please… I need to know if they are okay.”

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