Page 114 of Waiting for Acceptance
“He’s good at that, knowing when people can handle more, and entrusting the right ones to do so.”
“Yeah, I guess he is,” I think out loud.
“It sounds like he met his match with you. Sounds like you probably gave him hell during all of thatpushing.” She winks at me and I laugh, feeling my cheeks warm.
“I suppose he doesn’t call me Trouble for nothing.” She laughs out loud and it makes me smile. I wish I had parents, or grandparents, to talk to like this. “So, what was he like? Growing up, I mean.”
“Wild. Funny. Sweet.” She smiles, looking out the window to the backyard. “He would about give me a heart attack trying to climb any tree with a low enough limb to hoist himself up on. Always messing with Dexter and causing trouble with the cows.”
“Who’s Dexter?”
“Dex was his dog. They were thick as thieves, always running through this house like two bats out of hell. Then they’d fall asleep on the couch, or in a blanket fort he’d make with Pops and I’d catch a glimpse of the sweet, peaceful version of him.” Ismile thinking of a young Fitz running around here like that. “He would pull pranks on me all the time too, and while it made me absolutely crazy, this house was filled with laughter all hours of the day. He would go from taping the sink hose down to spray me when I’d start washing dishes, to bringing me a bouquet of wildflowers from the field. He would grab my face in his little dirt-covered hands, make me look him right in the eyes, and tell meyou’re my favorite gran in the whole world.The little stinker would make me cry every time.” I see her eyes shimmer with unshed tears, and mine begin to sting as well.
“I don’t think I’ve seen that sweet, boyish smile on his face since he started his senior year of high school. Not until today, at least.” She wipes her hands on her apron, puts the food she’s been prepping in the fridge, as well as the lemonade I finally finished, and turns back to face me. “I need some apples from the orchard. Care to join me?”
“You have an apple orchard here?” My eyes widen in surprise.
“The best one in upstate New York.” She grabs two baskets from the corner of the kitchen, handing me one as she grabs her sunhat. Then she grabs another one and places it on my head with a smile. When she links her arm with mine, I selfishly wish I didn’t have to prepare myself to lose her sometime in the near future.
CHAPTER 58
FITZ
Pops and I come in from working and I see Lauren and Gran laughing together in the kitchen, peeling apples. She’s wearing one of Gran’s aprons and from the looks of it, Gran is making her famous apple pie for an after dinner dessert. I’ve never loved the sight of something as much as I love seeing Lauren fit in here so well.
“There you boys are! Lunch is officially ready,” Gran says. She slides two plates with chicken salad sandwiches and veggies over to us, and Lauren pours us both a glass of lemonade.
“If it doesn’t taste good don’t be too hard on me, I’ve never made homemade lemonade before.” She raises her hands and I take a sip.
“You put your finger in this, Trouble?” Her eyes grow wide.
“Is it sour? I put the right amount of sugar in it.” She frowns and I can’t help but laugh.
“No, it’s perfect, Sweetheart.” I laugh, winking at her as I take another drink. She gives me a playful eye roll and I make a note to deal with her later over it. Pops and I are quiet while we stuff our faces and I watch as Gran gives Lauren step-by-step instructions on how to make the pie filling.
“You’ll never be the same after having Gran’s apple pie. Trust me,” I tell her and Lauren smiles.
“I can’t wait.” I watch her, in the pair of linen shorts she changed into, a pair of flip flops, and a white boxy tee, with Gran’s watermelon apron on, and can’t imagine anyone else I’d ever want to share this part of myself with.
“Lauren told me about how you two met,” Gran says, lifting her eyes to mine. “I’m proud of you for swooping in and keeping her away from men with ill intentions.” I can’t help but laugh, remembering the night I made the bold move of calling Lauren my wife, having no idea whether she would play along or slap the shit out of me for overstepping. Then I realize she told Gran the real way we met.
“Okay. I think I need to dance some of that off.” Pops pats his stomach and stands from his seat, kissing Gran on the nose before walking into the living room.
I see Lauren’s head swing in my direction and I dip my head, avoiding her gaze. I hear the music from their record player flowing into the kitchen a moment later and Gran wipes her hands off on her apron before Pops comes in, taking her by the hand and pulling her in close. I stand from my seat and do the same with Lauren, and before I know it the four of us are all dancing in the living room to Elvis’s “Burning Love” while Gran and Lauren’s laughter fills the room. I take Gran and hand Lauren off to Pops, spinning Gran around the living room while Pops dances with my girl, and I don’t think I’ve ever been happier than I am right now.
“Whew! I think I’m ready for my nap now. Good food and good dancing will really take it out of ya.” Pops kisses Gran and looks at Lauren. “It was a pleasure dancing with you young lady.”
“The pleasure was all mine. You may give Vince a run for his money as my top choice for a dance partner.” She smirks at me and I shake my head.
“Okay. I’ll see y’all around supper time.” Pops heads in the direction of their bedroom and I get an idea.
“I’ll be right back.” I kiss Lauren’s temple and head to the loft, better known as my old bedroom, where I dropped mine and Lauren’s stuff off earlier. I dig through my old dresser looking for the pocket knife Pops gave me for my sixteenth birthday and slide it into the pocket of my jeans. When I come back down the stairs I hear Gran’s voice coming from the kitchen and just before I walk in, I hear her say something that stops me in my tracks.
“I never thought I’d see that boy fall in love, but it’s clear as day that he has.”
Well, damn, Gran. Way to tell her before I could.
“Oh, well…” I walk in, cutting Lauren off.
