Chapter 16

Chapter Sixteen

Charles

The next day passed quickly. I was grateful I had a huge litigation deal to work on with a team out of New York City. We were literally on a Zoom call for eight hours. By the time I got off the phone, it was almost four o’clock. Which was fine by me.

I changed into workout clothes, went to the home gym, and pounded the treadmill, not even taking time to turn on music. Melody was the only thing in my thoughts. I wanted to call her or text her. I really wanted to see her, but I didn’t know if she felt the same.

It wasn’t until the lights flickered that I realized I had been running for over an hour. I turned back and saw Grandmother, which would’ve been fine, except the woman was old and shouldn’t be walking around the house. Hazel was trailing along behind her.

“You didn’t check in last night, and I haven’t seen you all day,” Grandmother scolded me. “I have to come to you.”

I turned off the treadmill and let the belt carry me to the end. I hopped off and moved toward her. “You shouldn’t be up here.”

She waved a dismissive hand. “Pish posh. I shouldn’t be doing a lot of things, but I’m alive and kicking at the age of eighty-three, so I guess I can do whatever I want. Plus, you need to spend time with me while you’re in town. I miss you too much when you’re gone.”

I softened. “I’m sorry. Let’s walk downstairs.”

She shuffled out with Hazel following.

I nodded to Hazel. “I got this.”

Hazel nodded and made her way past us. “Okay, I’ll be in my room.” Her room was right next to my grandmother’s.

My grandmother frowned as we started down the stairs. “I guess it was good for me that you didn’t see me today, because now I’m getting my workout in.”

I grunted and put her arm through mine, supporting her with my other hand on her back. “Yes, Grandmother, I was concerned about you getting in your workout.”

Grandmother let out a light laugh but had to rest halfway down the stairs. “I know.” She stared at me and seemed to be trying to catch her breath. “How was she yesterday?”

I knew who she was talking about, and I didn’t want to talk about her. I shrugged. “Fine.”

Grandmother sucked in a long breath, held it in, and let it out slowly. “I’m not moving from this spot until you tell me the gory details.”

My grandmother had always wanted all the details about my life. I usually gave them to her. We talked every few days when I was away, and I loved her fiercely.

“I thought it would be fun to reconnect with her,” I told her. “That maybe she would at least want a friend, but she’s hurt.” I couldn’t stand to look Grandmother in the eye.

Grandmother cleared her throat. “Really? Why?”

Again, I didn’t want to go into all of this with her. I gestured for her to walk down the stairs. “Keep walking, old lady, and I’ll tell you.”

She pinched her lips together and gave me a frown. “Now you’re using my own threats against me.” She started walking. “Was it because of her mother?”

I didn’t respond.

“Her mother hated us just because we had money. I could always tell. Though I bought her dolls. You know I have a whole room full of them to prove it.”

“The freaky room. Yeah, I know.”

Grandmother grinned at me. “That should have been all of you boys’ punishment when you were small. I should’ve made you all sit in my doll room. You wouldn’t have played with the dolls; you would’ve just gotten freaked out.”

I laughed a real laugh. “You’re right. We would’ve.”

She pursed her lips together. “What happened?”

“It was Grandfather.”

She tensed. “What did he do?”

“I guess he told her she would be ‘inconsequential’ in my life.”

“What?” Grandmother held tightly to my arm. “Are you serious?”

I nodded. “She kept calling and calling over Christmas when Grandfather was having me do that internship with him. Grandfather answered and told her that she would always be inconsequential.”

“No.” Grandmother looked appalled. She hung her head. “Your grandfather was a hard man sometimes.”

“I know.”

We got to her room, and I opened her door for her.

“What are you going to do?” she asked.

I shrugged. “What can I do?”

“You can chase that woman. That’s what you can do.”

“How?”

She squinted and then snapped her fingers. “You can go to the date auction at the church tonight.”

“She’s definitely not going.”

“You just go. I’ll work my magic.”

I didn’t know what that meant, but I knew my grandmother had her ways. “Okay.”

She shooed me away. “Go get ready.”