Page 40 of Somebody to Save
Over the past few days, and after our amazing date, I’d realized that Beckett wasn’t in my life for just a moment. And he’d made it apparent he didn’t want that either. It was a realizationthat had taken me those few days he was gone to wrap my head around, but I’d done it. Which also meant I was out of excuses.
“Yeah, there’s a few things,” I began, backing out of my parking spot and driving out to the main road.
“Should I take notes?” he joked, and I really didn’t want to say what I needed to. I liked his smile too much, and I didn’t want it to go anywhere. Sensing my mood, Beckett’s hand landed on my jean-clad thigh. “Hey, baby girl. I was just kidding. I want to impress your grandmothers, that’s all. I know how much they mean to you.”
Focusing on the road, I took a deep breath and was glad I didn’t have to stare into his caring eyes as I told him my life story.
“I’m going to say this fast, because it’s not my favorite topic, but my grandmothers…they raised me. My parents died when I was five. They went on a sailing trip for their anniversary, and…they never came back. Nana and Grams took me in without hesitation. So, yeah, they mean a lot to me, but it’s more than you realize. They mean everything to me.”
His palm tensed on my leg, and I waited with bated breath to hear his reaction. He didn’t strike me as an“aww, you poor girl,type of person, so maybe he’d fall into the quiet, unsure-how-to-respond category.
It was always interesting to guess people’s reactions when they found out. There were a few I experienced most often. Silent shock was a good one, and then many people wanted to try to relate by telling me about their family member they’d lost. I knew they came from a good place, but their experiences didn’t usually compare to losing both my parents.
The most common was the awkward apology. But the ones I hated the most were the people who tried to write offmyexperience or emotions. The people who thought I should be over it by now. But losing the two most important people in my life, especially at such a young age, isn’t something anyone should ever be expected to “get over.”
“Well, pressure’s really on now. Meeting the people who raised you adds a whole new level of stress.” I barked out a surprised laugh as I stopped at the next light and smiled over at him. “But I’m genuinely sorry to hear that, Addison. I’m glad you had them, though. Nana and Grams.”
“Me, too,” I sighed. “I don’t know what I would’ve done without them. Both of my parents were only children, and my dad didn’t have a relationship with his parents, so if they hadn’t taken me in, I would’ve gone into the foster system, and who knows where I’d be.”
I accelerated through the light and felt a little relief that he now knew.
“Even without knowing them, only knowing the woman they raised, I can’t imagine they would’ve let that happen.”
Nodding, I willed the tears forming in my eyes not to fall.
“Anything else I should know?” he asked.
“Umm…” I hummed, trying to focus on the road and not Beckett’s hand on my thigh. “Grams is the sweetest person in the world. She always sees the best in people and is genuinely kind. Nana is also very kind, but she’s less…sweet.” I chuckled and shook my head, imagining the way she would react to my bringing a new man home. “Where Grams trusts people until they cross her, Nana is automatically indifferent to everyone until they give her a reason not to be.”
“So, I need to win over Nana,” Beckett said plainly.
I nodded. “You get in good with Nana, and you’re golden,” I said.
“Hopefully those aren’t famous last words.”
NINETEEN
ON TRIAL
Beckett
We steppedonto the small porch of Addison’s childhood home, and I took a deep breath.
I worked in a high-stress environment every day with sometimes very combative people. Yet I was more anxious to meet her two grandmothers than I ever had been at work.
I’d known that the two women were important to Addison, but I hadn’t realized just how important they were until our drive over.
She was only five years old when her parents died.Five.My heart broke for her, and even eighteen years later, I could tell their deaths still affected her. As it likely always would. Losing a parent was never easy, let alone when she was so young. What I wouldn’t give to take away that pain.
Addison paused at the front door with her fingers hovering just over the handle. Sensing her hesitation and anxiety, I pressed a hand to the small of her back.
I couldn’t help but notice the way her shoulders dropped and the small breath she blew out. Like my touch had helped soothewhatever thoughts were racing through her mind. She shot a soft smile up at me, and my heart frantically collided with my chest.
She pushed the door open. “Everyone ready?” she hollered, and immediately two voices responded.
“Almost! One second and we’ll be out.”
I closed the door behind us and glanced around the entryway. The space was small, but I could tell it was decorated with care. Each trinket and piece of art carefully selected and curated. It felt like a welcoming grandmother’s home should. There were beautiful photographs and family photos. Every single one of them that I could see included Addison, but one in particular stuck out to me.
