Chapter 13 #3
“Granny knows, but you two have time for that. Just don’t let Shay get in the way before it happens.” She pushed out a few coughs, then closed her eyes. He could tell she was tired. “I pray every day for her. I love her. Just don’t understand her.”
“It happens,” Chaney spoke, surprisingly coming to Shay’s defense. “We lose our way sometimes until God shows us a way out. She will find it.” Granny Paula’s lips turned down in each corner, a sign of being impressed.
“You snagged a good one, baby. I like her.”
They all laughed at that. It had done Donovan’s heart some good to see her enjoying their time together.
He’d forever be grateful for what she deemed to be small gestures by taking him in when his own mother would lock him out.
She called it tough love. It was too tough sometimes.
Love like the kind Granny Paula offered, met you where you were.
“I do think she’s trying,” Donovan lied, but he couldn’t break her heart. Sashay was hanging out with the wrong people and places, and that told him one thing: she was getting her hands dirty. That one little secret, he kept tucked in his pocket in case she was dumb enough to out him.
“She better.” She leaned over toward Chaney, slightly covering her mouth with her free hand. “Just don’t whoop her up too bad when she steps out of line. I know her.”
“Oop,” Chaney covered her mouth, then tittered. “I’m not fighting her… today.”
She was glad she came, and she could see why Donovan loved her grandmother. She was real, she was genuine, and she was the bridge he crossed over while in survival mode.
“Good. Just make sure Donnie finally stands up to her and puts her in her place. Most times I don’t look to him for help ‘cause I did everything I’d done out of love for him.
A house filled with ungrateful children and grandchildren, and he’d be the one to come in and help out without me asking.
The little shelter and food I’ve offered him wasn’t much, but it was what I had and what he needed. ”
“I think I can do that,” she whispered as he roughly dragged his hand down his face. He hated anyone to see him cry, but he loved Granny Paula as if they shared the same blood. She stood and pushed her hands through his dreads.
“You think?” she challenged her with narrowed eyes.
“I mean, I can.”
“Okay, nih. That’s what I needed to hear, and call me Granny Paula.”
“I can do that.”
“Good. Now I can get all in your business. What is it you kids call it, tea?”
Chaney and Donovan tittered as she tried to keep up with the current lingo of a generation that didn’t nearly have a third of the wisdom she had.
“What do you want to know?” Chaney pulled up a chair and scooted closer, taking her hand.
“How’d you meet? It takes some kind of girl to have my Donnie in here looking all sheepish with love in his eyes.”
Chaney glanced at him before she dove in, sharing how they came to be.
“Naw, gone head. She knows me.”
He scratched his beard, then relaxed as he watched two of his favorite girls gossip. Granny Paula issued slitted eyes when she heard how he wouldn’t let up, had Chaney sneaking around, but when she heard how she’d left a toxic relationship, she was grateful her Donnie had shown up.
“You say this, uh, girlfriend is still around?” She sat up and waited for Donovan to speak.
“She ain’t locked up,” he clarified. He wasn’t sure if she meant whether she was still in the picture or not, even if it was just communication. It never came up. He had a bigger situation on his hands, like her granddaughter, who he heard speaking loudly on the other side of the door.
“I guess our time is up. Shay’s about to be on one,” Donovan announced as more voices joined in. He stood and sighed, then made his way toward Granny Paula.
“See you soon?” His orbs grew misty, but he knew God wouldn’t break his heart by taking her before he could really make her proud. Whether Sashay was in the picture or not, he’d always look out for her.
“Of course, baby. Both of you.” Chaney joined him at the side of her bed as he sniffled. She hated that they had to leave, but it was better to leave before a brawl ensued.
“I ain’t out of the woods just yet, but I ain’t dead either.” She wheezed and grabbed Chaney’s hand, squeezing it. After a few coughs, he quickly mounted her mask over her mouth, adjusting the straps around her ears.
“I’m out, Granny P. Next time, we meet in your kitchen. I can’t wait for the best smothered turkey wings on this side of heaven. I’ll even help.”
Her eyes narrowed before she waved him off.
“Love you. Let’s slide, baby,” he spoke as the door flew open.
“Dang, I thought y’all forgot others were waiting. Didn’t know I needed an invitation to see my own grandma.”
Out of respect for Granny Paula, Donovan took Chaney’s hand and eased around Sashay’s flunkies, short of Smooches, who mouthed “sorry”. She didn’t have to be sorry, because if Granny Paula transitioned on, Sashay would be dead to him… in more ways than one if he could get away with it.