Page 49 of Lordes

Chapter Fifteen

LORDES

After three days I hadn’t heard anything from the Chicago Police Department and that was a good sign. That’s if a believed in such things. I assumed they were looking for Lillian’s killer.

With that behind me it was time for me to introduce my Gram to my girlfriend. This was new frontier for me. Gram heard Bria’s voice over the phone but she wasn’t going to let it rest until she met Bria in person. I had to disprove that Bria wasn’t just some random employee that pretended to be my girlfriend. Gram read to many mystery novels.

I didn’t know the timetable on things like this but I did know it would please my Gram to meet the woman I was dating and calling my girlfriend. Gram insisted on cooking dinner for us even after I offered to take us all out to dinner at a nice restaurant.

Gram had to cook so we took the ride out to Mt. Greenwood to visit and have dinner. Bria wanted to know if I told Gram she was Black. Bria was a little less anxious when she learned that I mentioned it to Gram. As far as I could tell my grandmother wasn’t racist. I never heard her say the N-word. She never used any racial stereotypes when talking about others. Still she didn’t have any Black friends that I knew about. But then again I didn’t have any Black friends either. Bria didn’t count. We were lovers and it appeared we were friends.

There were all races of people that worked at my companies. I made sure diversity and inclusion was apart of the workplace. Unfortunately diversity just wasn’t apart of my everyday life. I didn’t have many real friends.

After college I didn’t keep in contact with anyone. It was a symptom of being an only child. I didn’t feel like I needed people. I’d grown up with just me but and my Gram. What I felt for Bria was unique for me. Wanting and needing her was a foreign concept to me. But it felt good, so I decided to embrace it.

I called ahead but I used my key to get into Gram’s house. Bria took my hand. She was nervous when we stepped inside. I could see it in her eyes. I was in tune with her and she me. It was strange how close we were after a short amount of time.

“Lordes, is that you.” Gram yelled out to us.

I stepped in behind Bria and closed the door. “Yes, Gram, it’s me and Bria.”

“I’ll be right there.” Gram’s voice came from the distance, probably the kitchen.

I raised Bria’s hand and kissed her knuckles as we stood in Gram’s living room.

I leaned my face into Bria’s ear and whispered. “Hey, I love you.”

I didn’t think when I said it and it was too late to take it back. Fuck! Bria looked at me and smiled.

Bria’s dark eyes gazed into mine. I quickly looked away. I was embarrassed. When had I ever been embarrassed as an adult man?

We both stood hand and hand and waited for Gram. She entered the room removing her apron as she approached. She draped her apron over a chair by the curio cabinet.

“Oh my.” Gram cupped her own cheeks. “I can’t believe it.” Gram had a flair for the dramatic.

“Gram, this is Labria.” Gran moved faster than I’d ever seen, making her way toward us.

“It’s really nice to meet you Gertrude.”

“You too Labria, dear, come, hug me.” Gram opened her arms out into the empty space.

Bria took the few steps the bridge the gap between her and Gram. She gave her the hug she requested and Gram was all smiles.

“Please, sit.” Gram waved her hand to the couch.

No hugs for me it seemed. It didn’t bother me because Gram’s face was brighter than I’d seen it in a long time.

Bria and I sat on the couch. Gram sat in her recliner.

“Dinner is warming in the oven. Should be ready in about five minutes. I hope your hungry.”

“We’re starving.” I said which was true for my girl and me.

“I made corned beef and cabbage, with baked potatoes, carrots with Irish soda bread.”

She never made soda bread for me.

“Labria, did Lordes tell you that you’re the first lady he’s ever brought home to meet his grandmother.”

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