46. 46
“J
udy?” Mom says, her lip curled.
“Claire.” Grandma smiles as if Mom didn’t just sneer at her.
“What are you doing here?” Mom taps the toe of her high heel absentmindedly while staring at Grandma.
“I know I live in the guest house, but last I checked, I still own this property.”
“Grandma,” I say, ignoring their bickering. She looks older. And yet she looks the same. Has it really been a year?
I walk around Mom and pull my precious grandmother into a hug. She’s the same height as me ever since the seventh grade: five foot six. Her hair is long and white and flows in one beautiful wave down her back. Her bright green eyes take me in with love and acceptance—always acceptance. And instantly I feel loved.
What was I so afraid of all this time? How have I deprived myself of her love for so long? Miles was right—my beautiful, seventy-five-year-old grandmother will always look at me with kindness and approval.
She’s the only reason I can leave Eryn here.
She’s the only reason I’d agree to come back.
Her embrace is tight and affectionate, and when we pull apart, she takes ten seconds to look me over and cup my cheek before turning back to my mother.
“You may not talk to Robert anymore,” Grandma says, concerning whether Dad knows about my marriage, “but I do.”
I’m punched with guilt. Sure, she’s talking to my mother, but I haven’t called Dad in months. I certainly didn’t tell him about Miles.
“He’s happy for your daughter and hopes we can all get together soon.”
“He is?” I say, with eyes only for Grandma.
“Very much so.” The skin around her mouth wrinkles with her reassuring grin, the most beautiful grin in all the world.
I swallow past a lump forming in my throat. Oh, how I’ve missed her.
“Of course he is.” Mom’s words drip with disdain. “She got her wisdom from him, so why wouldn’t he be happy about our daughter marrying an absolute nobody?”
“Hey—” I start, but Grandma interrupts.
“I seem to remember you being a nobody when Robert married you.” Grandma sets a comforting arm around my back.
“Mom, let’s just—”
But Mom doesn’t let Eryn finish her suggestion. “You’re just like him,” she says to me. “You have no idea how to use the skills you’d been gifted. What a waste. Such a beautiful disappointment. Thank goodness Eryn knows what’s what.”
“Mother.” Eryn moans.
“How is becoming a professional singer not using my skills? I’m confused, Mother.” I scoff. “Oh, that’s right. I never became a beauty queen. You’re right, what a waste.”
“Well, it’s true. Eryn has a magnificent mind and she used it accordingly. You’re beautiful, Delaney. You could have gone far. But you took those singing lessons and completely went wild. I’d never intended for you to parade around like a hippy, disappointing your family.”
I blink—nothing new, nothing shocking, and yet the words still sting. “I’m going. I need to call Miles.” I hold my breath, walking past the woman who raised me. “I won’t be back,” I tell her.
“Delaney!” Eryn’s feet shuffle after me. “Don’t let her go. Make this right, Mom.”