"What is the meaning of this?!" Marcus demanded of Gram. He gripped the letter she had given him in utter disbelief.
"I should think it's rather self-explanatory, sir. Though Johnny had requested in this letter, as you can read, that I was not to tell you about this, I felt you had a right to know. That is all."
"But…" She wasn't sure how he was going to react when she visited today with the news that his son, her husband, had left town with his pregnant girlfriend, but given the extreme distress displayed in his now, beet red face, she could only hope for a quiet explosion. "How could he…? That ungrateful, selfish… Oh, Gram! I am so sorry. My son has done nothing but cause you pain. I have never…"
"Mayor Hipkins," Gram interrupted by placing her hand on his shoulder. "This is not your fault. Nor is it mine. Johnny has made his own choices and we must respect that."
"But you… and your child. How could he just abandon…?"
"It's okay, sir. Really. I'm okay. God has not abandoned me. He never will. And I can only pray that Johnny finds his happiness. Please, don't worry." She stepped back away from him to stand straight to demonstrate her resolve. "I'll be moving back in with my parents this weekend so you can let the apartment go. Thank you for everything you have done for us up to now. I appreciate it more than words can convey."
"You can keep the apartment."
"No, it's better I go home. I don't really want to live alone." She has basically lived alone for her entire marriage since Johnny had spent most of his time with Hilda, but her father-in-law didn't need to know that. Since George had left for the military and Tristan was back working on nights, she didn't have anyone to spend her days with, so she was a bit lonely. "I hope you will still be present in my son's life. Your son's absence does not change who you are to me or my child."
"Absolutely! We will not abandon our grandchild like our son has." He walked up to her and gave her a hug. "You're a good girl, Gram. Don't ever change. I'm sorry for everything my family and I have done to you. Johnny was wrong in what he did to you. We should have never made you marry him."
"Thank you, sir. I hold no grudge towards any of you. My child is a blessing to me regardless of how he came to be." She smiled at him to convey her genuineness of heart. "If you would like, you can make a copy of that letter, but I'd like to have the original back, please."
He looked at the crumpled letter in his hand. "Oh yes! Yes, of course. Greta! Make a copy of this please?" His secretary scurried in when she was called and took the latter to make a copy in haste. "Thank you," he offered when she returned. "Here you go. Keep in touch please. And let me know if you ever need anything. Anything at all." He followed her into his lobby. "Greta, get my wife on the phone."
"I will, thanks." Gram left his office feeling lighter than when she had arrived. The letter Johnny had left for her explained that Hilda was pregnant, he had left with her and would not return. It also expressly said not to tell his parents under any circumstances. She had spent the better part of the morning trying to decide whether to comply with his request or not, but ultimately chose no to lie to her in-laws. They had treated quite well over the months. Lying about being happy with their son was bad enough, she didn't want to keep lying about how well they're doing when he's not even around. Part of her felt bad for Johnny because she knew Mayor Hipkins would be able to find Johnny, no matter where he went. She just hoped they wouldn't make him come back to be with her.
*
Gram had the next couple of months spending her nights at Tristan's while he worked. She'd get there just in time for him to leave and then would take Missy to her parent's home in the morning to let him sleep in peace before he would come pick the girl up after lunch. She didn't spend much time with him beyond that. She was feeling guilty about her pregnancy and farce of failed marriage as well as missing George too much to really interact with anyone. She simply kept to herself and took care of Tristan's daughter.
One morning in July, as she was heading out of Tristan's house with Melissa in tow, she nearly ran into a woman who was standing at the door with her hand raised to knock. "Oh!" The woman gasped. "I didn't expect to find you here." She stepped back and smiled at Gram. Her eyes fell on Melissa who stood doe-eyed staring at her. "You must be little Melissa."
Missy hid behind Gram's leg making Gram chuckle. "Mrs. Gabbard. Long time, no see." She knew the woman well because she was George's mother. Well, Tristan's mother too, but they hadn't spoken since before Melissa was born. She didn't know what the initial fight was about to cause the silent rift between mother and son, but she was sure it had to do with Honey.
"Yes, well… I've been a bit of a recluse lately." She wrung her fingers together seemingly nervously.
"I know the feeling. Um… Tristan worked last night so he's sleeping right now. I was just taking Missy home with me to let him rest. He's usually up around one or two in the afternoon if you want come back? Or I can let him know you came by when comes for Missy?"
"Oh, I'll just come back. Yeah, I'll do that." She turned to go but stopped her steps at the end of the walkway. "Actually, do you have some time? I could use your help with something."
"Sure. We can go to my parents' house. They'll be at work and Missy can play with her toys while we chat. Sound good?"
"Perfect. I'll follow you there. Where's your car?"
"Oh," Gram said sheepishly. "We just walk. I don't have a car. It's a little over a mile that way." She said pointing in the direction behind the woman.
"Oh, then let me give you a lift." Gram agreed and followed her to her car. Once they got to the house, Gram made them coffee after settling Missy in the living room with her toys. "Congratulations on your marriage, Gram. I'm sorry I haven't had the chance to speak to since it happened."
Gram looked away from her in embarrassment. She scoffed inwardly. "It's okay Mrs. Gabbard. But it hasn't worked out the way everyone expected."
"Oh?"
"Yea." She sighed. "He left me a while ago."
"I'm s sorry to hear that."
"No need. It's for the best, I'm sure. Anyway, what can I help with?"
The woman took a drink of her coffee and stared at Gram as if trying to find the right words. "Tristan."
Gram quirked an eyebrow. "Tristan?"
"Yes. I need him to come home and take over the farm. His grandfather is too sick to do it anymore and I can't do it alone."
"I thought George was going to do that when he gets back."
"I'm afraid my father won't last that long."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"Yeah, me too. He's in his eighties though. He's had a good life. And since I had my boys late in life on top of that I, myself am tired too."
"You're still pretty young." Gram argued.
"You're sweet. I'll be sixty next month." She took a deep breath. "You see, when Tristan left home, he and my father were on bad terms, and I did nothing about it. That Honey girl was bad news, and he was too much in love to listen to reason. My father threatened to disinherit him if he didn't leave that girl so Tristan being Tristan, he left. We haven't been in contact since. I've never even met my granddaughter before today. If it weren't for George, I wouldn't even know anything about her. Her name or what she looks like…" Tears danced down the woman's face and Gram could feel her heartbreak. She accepted the tissue ram had offered. "She's really beautiful. Looks just like her daddy." She sniffled.
Gram moved to sit next to her on the couch. She wrapped her arms around the woman and let her cry for a minute until she could regain her composure. She rubbed her back to calm her a bit. "I know Tristan still loves all of you. He and George used to talk often about all the great memories with you and the farm."
The woman chuckled. "Those boys. They've always been so close. Even after Tristan left us, he and George remained close." She dried her eyes and smiled at Gram. "You know, I always thought you and George would get married. I would've loved to have a girl like you in the family."
Gram smiled nervously. "Yes… Well… I'm afraid God has other plans for us, Mrs. Gabbard."
"I know. George told me before he left. And please, call me Selena."
"More coffee?" Gram asked before going to the kitchen to refill their cups. "You said you needed help with Tristan." She said when she returned. "What can I do?"
"Talk to him? See if he's willing to at least come and see me, maybe."
"Sure. I'll talk to him. Don't worry. I'm sure he'll come around soon."
"We haven't talked in so long." She admitted. "He was so angry when he left that I thought I should leave him be thinking he'd call when he was ready. But it's been four years. Seems to be as stubborn as my father."
"Yeah, well. George is pretty stubborn too." She added with a chuckle. "Hot headed as well."
"Yes, they've a lot in common with their personalities."
Missy came running up to Gram with a baby doll. "Here, Mommy. Hold my baby. I go pee. Just hold her. Be careful."
"Okay, Missy. I got her."
"Don't drop her!"
"I won't. I promise."
Selena looked surprised. "She calls you 'Mommy'?"
"Yeah. She has called me that ever since she could talk. I've been babysitting her since she was born and although Tristan and I have tried to explain things to her, she insists. Tristan said not to worry too much about it right now. We'll explain when she's old enough to understand."
"You don't mind? What's going to happen when you have your baby?"
"I don't mind. And I'll be watching Missy at least until he gets a wife, so in a way it'll be like giving her a sibling for now. We've always told her the truth so when the time comes for things to change from the way they are, I think she will be able to understand. I have to trust God with it."
"Indeed. Anyway," she said standing up. "I'd better get back home before the nurse leaves. It was nice visiting with you, sweetie. Thanks for the coffee."
"Would you like me to introduce you to Missy? Officially, I mean?"
"I would love that! But I think it best to wait for Tristan. I don't want to do anything behind his back. You understand?"
"Yes, ma'am. I'll chat with him later about it."
"Thank you. Goodbye."
*
By the time Tristan arrive to pick his daughter from Gram, Missy was napping. Gram invited him to stay and visit until she woke up and offered to make him lunch. They sat at the dining table eating the red hash and eggs she had made in silence. She noticed how tired his eyes looked and figured he must be dead dog tired. He had been working nights without a day off for the last month. "You look awful." She commented nonchalantly. "Why are you working so much?"
He sighed. "I need the overtime."
No, he didn't. "Overtime? For what? You owe a loan shark money or something?"
"I have bills."
"Like what?" His car is old, his grandparents own the house he's in and he's never paid for babysitting. She hasn't seen groceries in his refrigerator in weeks.
He swallowed and narrowed his eyes at her. "None ya."
"True, but…" She watched his eyes mist up a bit before he lowered his gaze back to his food.
"Don't worry about it. Okay?"
"I miss him too, Tristan." She put her hand on his arm and looked straight into his eyes.
"What?"
"I miss George, too. Life isn't the same without him around to annoy us."
He chuckled a bit as he wiped his face with a napkin. "You're good, Gram, I'll give you that. Great cook too. What was this, anyway?"
"Red Hash. Taters, beets and sweet potato cooked in bacon and onions." She grinned.
"Wow. I normally hate beets."
"Me too, but this stuff is amazing. You want more?"
"No, I'm good. Stuffed." He smirked. "Might be my new favorite hash, though."
"Thanks." She gathered the plates to clean them. "Your mom came by today."
"Here?"
"No. She came by your house when I was on my way out."
"Oh." He joined her in the kitchen to help with he dishes. "What did she want?"
"You. Of Course. Why else would she come?"
"I don't know. We haven't spoken in years." He shrugged his shoulders as he dried the dishes she had washed.
"So?"
"So, when I left, it wasn't on good terms, so I'm not ready to talk to her yet."
Gram rolled her eyes annoyed. "Stubborn mule!" she murmured.
"What?"
"Nothing." She lied. "Are you a Christian, Tristan?"
"What kind of a question is that? You know I am."
"Do I?" She turned to face him. "Because I don't think you believe what's written in Matthew six."
He raised an eyebrow at her. "They're the ones that cut me out of the family."
She nodded. "I know. George told me back when it happened."
"So, I've no need to…"
She interrupted his complaint sarcastically. "So, Matthew 6 doesn't apply to your situation. I see." She pursed her lips. "Neither does Matthew 18, Ephesians 4, Colossians 3, Luke 6…"
"Yea, yea, I get it. I get it. I have forgiven them. I just choose not associate."
"So, Jesus should have not returned to the apostles after his resurrection? Especially to Peter who was the quickest to deny even knowing him?"
"That's not fair." He whined.
"Nothing ever is."
"You don't know my grandfather. He's a hard man to…"
"Love? He's unredeemable? Damned? The one person that Jesus' blood wasn't good enough to save?" She glared into his black-brown eyes watching the storm of emotion swirling within them. "He's not deserving of the Mercy God has given you and I? And before you answer that, you know that we are not deserving of it either."
He blinked back his anger turning his eyes to the ceiling. "Oh, Gram. You certainly are a pastor's daughter."
She softened her tone towards him. "Look. Your mom asked me to tell you that she wanted to see you. She would like to meet her granddaughter." He scoffed as she spoke. "Your grandfather is dying. She's hoping you will come back to take over the farm."
"George is supposed to do that when he gets back."
"That's what I told her. But she said the old man won't last that long." She rubbed his shoulder to calm his thoughts. "If Jesus can forgive folks while he hung on the cross, you can walk your prideful rear up into that man's house and release your grudge against him."
"I told you, I don't have any grudges."
"And I'm not hugely pregnant right now." She snarked rubbing her protruding belly, chuckling at his scowling face.
"Daddy Pops!!" Missy cried as she ran into the kitchen. "I waked up."
He scooped her up in his arms and hugged her tightly with a big smile on his facelike he wasn't just staring daggers at Gram. "I see that. You hungry?"
"No, I not hungy." She kissed his cheek.
"Okay. Let's head out then." He looked at Gram with a defeated look. "There's someone I think you should meet."
Gram smiled victoriously. She knew he was going to his family's farm and that it wouldn't be much longer before the night shifts would end. She winked at him as he passed by her on the way out. "Good luck."
*
The summer lazily moseyed by as Gram's pregnancy progressed uneventfully. Tristan had made peace with his family and returned to the farm leaving most of her time open to prepare for her coming child. She still watched his daughter three days a week just because Missy wanted to spend time with her. The days with Missy were spent painting, baking, crafting or playing in the nearby park. Those days also included making lunch for Tristan, which was the highlight of her day.
Tristan and she had become closer friends since he had stopped his night job. She looked forward to the days she could spend time with him, though she never told him how she felt.
He had invited her and her family out to his farm for the Labor Day weekend barbecue that his family was hosting. She had thought to decline the invite because she was due any day to deliver, but at the same time, she didn't want to pass the chance of spending more time with him. Ultimately, she accepted against her better judgment and took her very excited parents along with her to the barbecue.
She helped Selena set up the food on the outside tables while her father helped Tristan with the grilling. Once everything was ready, she sat at the picnic table with Missy huddled up next to her.
"She's clinging pretty tight to you today," commented Tristan's grandfather as he sat opposite her. He rested his head on his hands that held a small walking cane.
"Yessir. She's my little shadow." Gram gave the man a genuine smile. "I adore her."
"You must be Gram. I'm Zach. Tristan's grandpa. Nice to meet you." He reached his hand out that she took and shook lightly.
"My pleasure." She dipped her head.
"I've heard a lot about you, young lady."
Her eyes widened. "Oh, dear."
"It's all good. Tristan doesn't shut up about you." He chuckled. "But I thought he said you had purple eyes. They look green to me."
She looked down at Missy trying to decide how to explain her eye color to him. Truth was, very few people besides her parents and George ever noticed her eye color so, she never had to explain how her eyes changed color with her moods and circumstances. If you were to ask Johnny, he would say her eyes were grey or greyish blue. George would say they were blue when she was angry, grey when she was depressed, green when she was scared or nervous and purple when she was happy. He knew her best. The thought of him brought a smile to her face. She could his resemblance in the man before her. They shared the same blue eyes as Selena unlike the almost black, brown eyes of Tristan. "They usually are purple, sir." She offered without detail.
"Oh, so you're wearing those fancy eye color contact things you young folks are so fond of these days huh. That's fine. That's fine. You look good with green eyes."
She figured it was better to let him think that rather than try to explain her mood eyes. "Thank you." The baby kicked her where her belly had rested against the table causing her to wince and whimper a bit. Missy scooter closer to her and wrapped her hand around her arm.
"You okay?" Zach asked.
Once the pain subsided, she offered a small smile. "Yeah. The baby kicked is all. Not much room left in there for him."
"When are you due?"
"Any day. I probably should have stayed home."
"Nonsense. Even if you were to calve out today, my old lady and I have delivered many youngin over the years. My daughter was born in that house right there." He pointed to the main house behind them. "Both her boys were born in there too."
"Wow." Her nervousness increased. "I'm sure I won't need to trouble… Ow." She grabbed her abdomen as the child sent another round of pain through her belly. "Man, is he upset today. Will you excuse me, sir. I should probably go see if I can help inside. Missy?"
"Okay, Mommy."
"Mommy, huh?" He grinned. "That's good. That's good. You go ahead. I'll go see what the men folk are up to."
She watched him walk with the help of his cane to where her father and Tristan were cooking on the grill. He seemed like a nice old man who loved his family, making her wonder what could have been so bad between him and Tristan. Whatever it was, they seemed to have reconciled as she witnessed them hug and laugh over the meat on the grill.
Her mother and Selena walked up behind her watching the men at grill along with her. "Thank you for talking to him, Gram." Selena said. "I'm so happy to have my son back home and to finally be in my granddaughter's life. All thanks to you."
"I didn't do anything, Mrs. Gabbard. He made the choice to come home on his own. I just passed on your message."
"Well…" she shrugged. "Thanks for that." She patted her back and walked over to the men.
"You okay?" Her mother queried when Selena left them alone. "You look a little pale."
Gram turned her bright green eyes to her mom and whimpered through yet another pain. "I think I should have stayed home."
Sandra's mouth dropped at the sight of her eye color. "It's time, isn't it?"
Gram nodded her head sheepishly. She was embarrassed and scared. She knew she should have declined. Deep down in her heart she knew the baby would arrive this weekend. She had allowed her desire to be near Tristan override her intuition and now she was in pain, in labor and completely embarrassed at the situation. Her mind went to Zach's words and panicked at the thought of having her baby in their house. She'd never be able to look at any of them in face again.
"Let me go tell your father. I'll be right back." She ran over to the grill and whispered into her husband's ear.
"Now!?!" He exclaimed. "She's in labor right now?!" Sandra nodded and all eyes turned in her direction.
Missy, who had been holding her hand, suddenly tugged at her fingers. "Mommy, I think you peed your pants." She pointed to the puddle forming at Gram's feet with surprised eyes. "You 'posed to potty in the bafroom."
"Oh dear." – her mother, Sandra
"OH MY GOD!! Oh, sorry Pastor." - Tristan
"We need to get you to the hospital right now. Can you walk?" – her father, Paul
"Nonsense. She can have it right here. Selena! Go get tell your mama to get baby delivering stuff ready." – Zach
"Dad!" – Selena
The next wave of pain across her abdomen made Gram's knees go weak. Tristan caught her before she could go all the way down. He picked her bridal style and carried her into the house.
She tried to resist him. "No, Tristan. I don't want to have the baby in your house! It'd be too weird!"
"Don't worry, Gram. Mom will call an ambulance but just in case they don't make it in time my gramma will help you. She's been a midwife her entire adult life. She's delivered more babies than any of the doctors in town."
"Still…" she tried to argue but another pain shut her mouth.
He carried her up the stairs to the first room to the right of the stairs. He placed her on the bed and went to the closet and retrieved a long night shirt. "Here. Change into this. It'll make it easier for you, gramma and/or the EMTs if the baby comes before you reach the hospital."
She took the shirt from him with a thank you. Their mothers came in behind them and offered to help her change. Once she was in the night shirt, they helped her lie back down in the bed. Tristan's grandmother started barking orders, sending everyone scurrying in different directions with different jobs. Gram was amazed at how efficiently the old woman handled the situation. She left no room for error or embarrassment. She simply took charge in a way that seemed completely natural and before long Gram was at ease with her.
Everyone arrived with the ordered supplies and put them where the woman had demanded, then she shooed most of them out of the room to give Gram privacy. All except Tristan and Sandra. Her mother was allowed to stay to comfort her daughter while Tristan was ordered to sit behind Gram on the bed to offer physical support during the delivery. He and Gram tried to protest but the old woman insisted with, "He won't see anything, dear. You'll need his strength."
The sirens of the ambulance could be heard in the distance as Gram's screams carried throughout the house. Paul, Selena, and Missy paced back and forth in the foyer of the house. Zach sat in his favorite chair watching out the window waiting for the paramedics to arrive. "I say it's a boy." He said out of the blue with a grin. "Any bets?"
"Really, Dad?" Selena quirked a brow at her father. "What's wrong with a girl?"
"Nothing." He shrugged. I just think it's a boy, that's all."
"Well, Gram has always called him her son, so I will also say boy." Offered Paul. "She's never been wrong about anything before."
"Got yourself a psychic for a daughter, do ya?"
"Not at all. God has gifted her with amazing intuition."
The sound of a baby's cry filled the house just as the ambulance arrived on scene. Selena led the paramedics upstairs to where Gram had delivered her baby. Within a few minutes they were bringing her down on their stretcher. Tristan followed them with the baby in his arms. "It's a boy!" He beamed. "A beautiful and healthy baby boy." He looked like a proud father with the child in his arms. Had one not known them, one would think he was the father with the way he was looking so lovingly at the baby.
He relinquished the baby to her once Gram had been loaded in the ambulance. The smile on his face didn't fade even as he watched the truck fade into the distance.
Selena came up behind him and patted him on the back. "Love looks good on you, son."
He snapped his face to her and looked into her deep blue eyes in shock at what she had said. True, he had been in love with Gram for a long while, but he was careful not to act on it because she was still married to her absent husband. He never said anything to anyone. Ever. She had refused to divorce Johnny and therefore she was off limits. He had kept his feelings to himself, so his mother's words were surprisingly unexpected. "What?" He tried to play innocent.
"I heard from her father that her marriage has been annulled by the mayor." She grinned. "She's all alone and unattached now."
"What?" Disbelief laced his word. 'Why wouldn't she have said something? But then, why should she say something? It's not like she supposed to tell me anything.' His thoughts were dancing around in a jumble mess. 'Could it be true? She's finally free from that ignoramus?'
"You heard me. Paul told us about it while she was having the baby. I'm not even she if she knows about it yet."
"Well, if that's true… Then good for her. She deserves to find some who can make her happy."
"I don't she has to look very far to find that person." She winked at him before walking back to the house.
He turned his attention back to the direction the ambulance had left, dumbfounded with his mother's information. 'Would it be okay to pursue her now?' He wanted to see her. He wanted to ask her out officially before he lost his nerve. He ran inside to grab his keys. He was going to the hospital. He would confess his feelings and ask her to be his. Newfound joy put a skip in his step as he raced to his car. 'But what about George? Doesn't she love him? I know he loves her. I don't want cause trouble with my brother. I should wait until I can talk to him.' He dropped his shoulders and shuffled back into the house, keys in hand.
"I thought you were headed in to see her." Zach called as Tristan walked by.
"I changed my mind." Tristan snapped and continued walking.
Zach followed him into the kitchen. "If you're worried about offending your brother, don't."
"What are talking about old man?"
"Follow me. I have something for you. George sent it in his last letter. Told me to give it you when right time came along." He led him into his study. He opened the locked drawer in his desk and pulled out a letter addressed to Tristan.
"Why didn't he just mail it directly to me?"
"He didn't want you to have it until that girl was free from her idiot husband." Tristan's jaw dropped at his grandfather's words. "Yes, I know all about that." He confessed. "George confided in me about it before he left. He also told me how both of you are in love with her. That's hard on brothers so I understand why you are hesitant. But I think this letter will put everything in its proper place." He patted Tristan's shoulder with a kind smile before leaving him alone in the room.
Tristan opened the letter from his brother and read words he would have never expected to read. It was short, sweet and too the point.
Dear brother,
I told Gram that if that opportunity arose, that she should marry you. I know she has feelings for you and I know she's perfect for you and Missy. And you are perfect for her son. So don't screw it up! She's my best friend, so if you hurt her, I'll come home and kick your @ss!
Love – George
Tristan put the letter in his pocket and then left for the hospital. If he had anything to say about in it, he wouldn't let her go.