Chapter 12
WE’RE ALL STILL ALIVE
SHARI
Pickles runs into the house barking, letting me know that someone is probably about to ring the doorbell, and sure enough the wind chime sound tinkles through my phone a split second later.
I push myself up from the outdoor sofa, stretching to the sound of all my joints cracking, and make my way to the door. I’m fully expecting it to be some sort of delivery I’d forgotten about, so I’m completely gobsmacked when I see Grace and Phil on my doorstep.
“Hi, Shari. Sorry to drop in unannounced. May we come in?”
I can’t quite get my head around the fact that Brad’s parents are here. At my house. Without an invitation. But I step aside and let them in, not bothering to hold Pickles back as he circles them, shedding his black fur all over Grace’s cream trousers. Petty? Maybe. Satisfying? Definitely.
“I’ve been reading outside since it’s a nice day, would you like to sit out there or would prefer to be indoors?”
“Outside is fine, dear,” Phil smiles gently. I show them to the seating area – not that my garden is so huge it’s hard to miss, but because I’m still somewhat befuddled.
“Can I get you anything to drink? Tea, coffee, something cold?” Code for: are you staying long?
“Oh, tea would be lovely, thank you. Wouldn’t it, Philip?” Phil nods along and my stomach sinks. Damnit, they’re planning to be here for a little while then.
With a tight smile, I rush to the kitchen to escape the awkwardness and contemplate phoning Brad. Does he know they’re here? I feel like he would have warned me if he knew.
Whilst the kettle’s boiling, I dig my phone out of my back pocket and decide to drop him a text.
Shari: Your parents are at my house.
As I pour the boiled water into each mug to steep the teabags, my phone dings with a reply.
Brad: What?? As in, they’re at your house right now?
Shari: That they are.
Brad: Why? Did you invite them?
Shari: What do you think?
Brad: Fair point. I’m sorry, Blaze, I had no idea they were going to bombard you before coming to me. Especially as it’s so far out of their way. Do you want me to come and get them?
The image of Brad shepherding his parents away from me like unruly children makes me chuckle.
Shari: No. That’s far too much of a drive for you. I want to see why they’re here, but if they set up camp, I’ll let you know.
Brad: Ok. Just call me if you need backup x
I pocket my phone and load up the tray with all the tea paraphernalia before heading back outside. Placing the tray on the table, I hesitate for a moment, but manners win out.
“I made some Victoria sponge cupcakes this morning, if you’d like a sweet treat as well?”
“I love Victoria sponge! I’ve never had one in cupcake form. If you truly don’t mind, I’d love to try one…” Phil trails off with his eyes wide, tapping the tips of his fingers together.
“Of course not,” I smile. Grace still hasn’t really said much since they arrived, so I decide to grab us one each anyways.
“So,” I start, unsure of what to say in the mounting silence when I sit back down. “Not that it isn’t lovely to see you both,” it isn’t, “but what brings you to my house today?”
Phil starts coughing, presumably it started as a laugh at my sardonic tone, but then he choked on cupcake. Grace starts slapping his back, “Oh, Philip, stop being so dramatic. Drink your tea.” When he finally gets himself back under control, Grace turns to me with a tight smile.
“Well, Shari, it’s simple. I believe I behaved rather unkindly towards you when you came for lunch a couple of weeks ago. And I would like to apologise for that. So…I’m sorry,” she nods as if to punctuate that her obligatory apology is done.
I’m almost expecting her to slap her thighs and say, “Well, thanks for the tea!” and leave.
But no such luck. She stares at me as if waiting for me to profess my undying gratitude at such an extravagant atonement, but really I’m struggling to stop my eyes from rolling, so I end up just staring back at her.
Phil clears his throat. “Grace, dear, I believe there was more you wanted to say, was there not?”
Her eyes flick between mine before she takes in a heaving breath and blows it all out in a rush. Her entire frame deflates with it, and she dips her head to rub her temples. Still, I don’t speak.
When Grace finally looks back up at me, I can finally see genuine remorse in her expression, and it surprises me as much as it appeases my bruised soul.
“I’m sorry, I know that wasn’t the apology you deserve.
It’s just, I’ve really struggled with coming to terms with everything.
It’s been a lot to take in all at once, you know?
” She fiddles with the strap of her handbag on her lap.
“Brad bringing home a girl for the first time was an exciting prospect for me, only it turns out she’s not a girl, but a woman closer to my age than his.
Then dropping the bomb that we’re going to be grandparents.
And this woman twice his age is the mother?
You have to understand where I was coming from. ”
I ruminate over her explanation for a moment before I reply, “Of course I understand, Grace. Everything you’ve just said is exactly the reaction I was expecting you to have.
But what I wasn’t expecting was the complete belittling of my character, the insinuation that I’ve forced Brad to be with me out of obligation, and mostly, the accusation that I,” I swallow hard, because even thinking it makes feel sick, “groomed him, somehow? I was braced for a negative response, not a total pummelling.”
She cringes with every word out of my mouth, because she knows I’m not being melodramatic. It’s exactly what happened, and the backs of my eyelids still sting when I remember every hateful word she uttered. It just further solidified the fact that no one is going to accept our age gap.
Brad’s graduation ceremony is next week, and the last thing I want is to have to sit with his parents for hours and meet all his young and bubbly uni friends. But he wants me there, and has been nothing short of supportive, so I can support him in return.
When Grace’s hands grab mine from where they’re resting on my lap, I snap out of my reverie and look at her face.
She’s moved to perch on the edge of the sofa next to me, and her eyebrows are pulled together tightly.
“You’re absolutely right. I was beyond horrible to you, and you didn’t deserve any of it.
I am truly sorry for the things I said, and I hope that in time we can be friends,” at whatever she gleans from my expression, she suddenly tacks on, “For the baby’s sake, if nothing else. ”
“Right. For the baby’s sake, I accept your apology, Grace. Let’s call this a clean slate and start afresh, shall we?” I hold out my hand for her to shake.
She stands and uses my outstretched hand to pull me to my feet so she can hug me. It’s undeniably a bit awkward, but I’m relieved that she offered this apology, whether or not she was forced into it.
Phil gets up to stand beside us with a happy smile on his face, and icing sugar dusting his chin. As soon as Grace lets go of me, he pulls me in for a one-armed side hug, which tugs a real smile from my lips.
“Right! Well, I’m glad that’s resolved. It would be awful to lose the newest addition to our family when I’ve just found out what an amazing baker she is,” he chuckles.
Addition to the family? That’s a bit of a jump, but I’ve noticed that Phil seems to say and do things for comedic effect to lighten the mood. I have to assume this is one of those times.
Before I can respond in any way, my phone starts to ring. Of course it’s Brad checking in on me.
“Hi, we’re all still alive,” I joke.
He chuckles. “Are you sure? You don’t need me to phone for the police or an ambulance? Maybe a funeral director?”
“No,” I smile as I look up at his parents. “I think we’ll make it through in one piece.”