Page 68 of The Flame of Carson
“It is Lance.”Alora answered firmly.
“Fine, I’ll call mom in the morning and have her send me my Blues.”Lance replied.
The million-watt smile Alora gave Lance just before throwing her arms around him, had everyone at the table grinning.Stacey leaned close to Gage, “So, does this mean I get to see you in your Blues?I have always wondered what you look like in them.”
“Yes, considering I have to see if they even still fit.”Gage chuckled.
When Gage looked away from Stacey, he caught his dad’s eye and both men grinned.The conversation around the table picked back up.Stacey was seated between Gage and Grant.She glanced over at Grant and saw he was frowning a little.She decided after dinner she would talk to him.Luckily, the meal did not last much longer.
Ruby and Deb began to hand out tasks.Stacey and Grant were on dishes.Stacey figured that would be the perfect time to talk to him about whatever was on his mind.Jax, Hayden and Tony cleared the table, while Ruby, Deb, and Celeste set about preparing the leftovers for everyone.Half an hour later, it was only Stacey and Grant alone in the kitchen.
“Grant, what’s wrong?”Stacey began as she started washing.
“What?”Grant replied, confused.
“I asked what was wrong.You seemed upset or distracted during most of dinner.”Stacey replied.
Grant sighed, “It’s...”
“Do not give me the “it’s nothing” line.Something is up.Talk to me.”Stacey interrupted.
“Fine.You remember me mentioning my buddy, Sean?”She nodded.He continued, “His widow, Evelyn, she called me up a day or so before Gage’s house was blown to hell.I made a promise at Sean’s grave that I would always watch out for her, be there for her.I dropped the ball.”
“What do you mean Grant?”
Grant was silent a moment as he continued drying.“The day she called, it would have been her and Sean’s tenth wedding anniversary and I completely forgot.Hell, I forgot last year too.How could I have forgotten such an important day, Stacey?He was my best friend, my brother.Evelyn was the best thing that could have happened to him, and I went and let her fall to the wayside for the last year and a half.”
Stacey dried her hands and took one of his hands in hers.When he looked at her, she said, “Grant, the last year and a half has been hectic.I know because it has been hectic for me and Gage.You folks had the Ingram trial and then shortly after that, the Malconi case.If Evelyn is half the woman, I think she is, she would understand that and doesn’t blame you.”
“She...she said something similar when we talked.”
“See.Look, after we finish these dishes, you should head home and call her.Tell her what you’re feeling.I bet you’ll feel better.I know that losing a loved one is hard, and I wish I could say it gets easier with time, but I can’t.Before Jerry died, I had lost both sets of grandparents within the span of five years.My mom’s parents first, then my dad’s.It doesn’t get easier, but you get better at dealing with the pain when it comes on.”
“You think I should call her and tell her?I don’t want to make her feel guilty or anything because of my own guilt.”
“She won’t, but you said she was the best thing that happened to Sean, and she would want you to talk to her.Plus, I get the feeling if Sean were here, he would smack you upside your head for feeling guilty.”
Grant chuckled a little, “Yeah, he probably would.Thank you doll.For listening.”
Stacey smiled and hugged him, “You’re very welcome, Grant.Now, let’s finish our task or Mama Deb and Mama Rudy will have a fit.”
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Grant took a slow breathand dialed the number.He heard the phone ring four times then heard her voice.“Hello Grant.”
“Hey Evelyn.I’m not calling too late, am I?”Grant questioned.
“No, no it’s not too late.Is everything okay?Happy Thanksgiving by the way.”
“Happy Thanksgiving to you too.As for everything being okay...”he paused then continued, “I...Evelyn I need to tell you something.”
“Grant, you know you can tell me anything.If I can help, I will.I thought you knew that.”
Before he could lose his nerve, Grant jump right in.He told Evelyn everything he had told Stacey only an hour ago.As he laid out his feelings on him dropping the ball regarding Evelyn, he paced his living room.For nearly ten minutes he told her everything he was feeling about not keeping up with her the last year and a half.He finally fell silent.
“Grant Whitney are you crazy!You actually believe you dropped the ball?”
