Dalton
~
Walking up to my grandparents’ house, I made sure to show up with an empty belly. My childhood had given my grandmother some serious PTSD, and so she fed me whenever she saw me, and she didn’t care if I was no longer that neglected little boy.
As for my grandfather, he did his best to treat me like I was grown, and I appreciated it more than he could ever know. I didn’t like the idea of letting my childhood continue to victimize me, and my grandfather’s easy character helped with that.
Of course, I’d never tell my grandmother that she smothered me on occasion, and I’d definitely never let on that I’d been cooking for myself for years now. I knew that she harbored a lot of guilt, and if smothering me helped her cope with that, then I was fine with it.
Per habit, I rang the doorbell before letting myself in, something that I’d been doing ever since I had moved out on my own. While I was more than welcomed to make myself at home here, I still respected people’s right to privacy, and that included my grandparents.
“Gramps? Nan?” I called out as I shut the door behind me.
“We’re in the kitchen,” my grandmother called back, which didn’t surprise me. I always called them before coming over, so that she wasn’t scrambling to put something together for me. They were getting up in age, and I didn’t need them hurrying around on my account.
When I walked into the kitchen, it was to my grandfather sitting comfortably at the table, watching my grandmother cook like there was no other view in the world, and their marriage definitely made me believe in love.
“I’m making baked chicken with a new rosemary sauce that I think you’ll just love,” Nan said, not knowing that Gramps and I would eat a shoe if she cooked it. “I saw it on Pinterest, and everyone knows that they have the best recipes.”
“I’ve no doubt that it’ll be delicious, Nan,” I said as I approached her to give her a kiss on her cheek.
“Well, how can it not be?” she asked as she stopped long enough to offer me her cheek. “It’s from Pinterest.”
Leaving her to that valid point, I walked over to the table, and as soon as my grandfather got to his feet, we hugged, something that I was never going to grow out of.
I loved this man more than words could say, and I wasn’t afraid to show it in front of the world or in the privacy of his own kitchen.
“Dalton, how are you, son?” he asked as he sat back down.
Taking a seat next to him, I said, “Couldn’t be better.”
“You say that every time we ask,” Nan chuckled.
“And I mean it every time that I answer,” I grinned.
“How’s Rya doing?” Gramps asked. “She seemed really happy at her party.”
“She is,” I assured him. “Koen’s a good guy, and he really does adore her.”
“And her new puppies? How are they working out?” Nan asked.
That got a laugh out of me. “You were a new parent once, weren’t you?”
“Oh, I remember those days,” she replied fondly. “Maybe I’ll offer to puppy sit for her later this week.”
“I’m sure that she’ll appreciate it,” I said truthfully. “She tends to take on too much sometimes.”
“So, Carol Hoffman told me that she saw some of your work featured at a community event that was showcasing local talent,” Gramps said. “She sounded so proud of you that I just didn’t have the heart to tell her that your talents have reached beyond our small community events.”
Carol Hoffman had been my eighth-grade teacher, and she was one of those teachers who remembered the names of every student that she’d ever come across.
She was exactly the type of person that you’d want as a teacher for your children, and the world was going to lose a real angel whenever her time came.
“I’ll have to stop by to visit her at school soon,” I said, something that I didn’t do often enough.
“So, what’s new since we last saw you at Rya’s party?” Gramps asked, a routine question that he always asked.
“I’m seeing someone,” I announced, and that had Nan immediately dropping everything that she was doing since I’d never uttered those words to them ever before. Seriously, Leandra had no idea just how special she was in my life now.
“I’m sorry, what?” Nan sputtered, her eyes so serious that I couldn’t help but love her so much.
“I’m seeing someone,” I repeated, grinning at her.
“Like...like you have a...a girlfriend?” she asked, her petite frame automatically sitting in one of the chairs across from me and Gramps. “You have a girlfriend?”
“I do,” I answered, my grin widening at the incredulous look on her face. “And she’s the one.”
“The...the one?’ she choked out. “She’s the one?”
“Uhm, how long have you been dating?” Gramps asked. “I mean, you don’t want to rush things, son. Especially, as this is the first that we’ve heard of this.”
“Trust me, I’m not rushing anything,” I assured him. “If anything, I’ve been dragging my feet long enough.”
“Oh, my stars,” Nan rushed out, her eyes twinkling. “It’s Leandra.”
“It is?” Gramps asked, sounding confused. “How can you possibly know that?’
“Because I have eyes, and it’s plain as day every time that he looks at her,” Nan drawled out.
“It is?”
I just smiled over at Gramps. “Whether it is or not, she’s right. It’s Leandra, and I’m lucky as hell that she feels the same.”
“Well, we’re happy for you, Dalton,” he said, meaning it. “Leandra’s a wonderful girl, and it’s about time you found someone that knows how to appreciate what a good man you are.”
“Good, because I have to warn you guys, I’m not confused about wanting to spend the rest of my life with the girl, so don’t be surprised if there’s a proposal rather soon,” I told them, and I wasn’t bullshitting one fucking bit.
Remembering dinner, Nan stood up, then headed back to the stove. “Oh, Pinterest has the best wedding ideas,” she gushed. “I should start a board for her now.’
“Uhm, hate to break it to you, but it’s probably going to be an elope kind of situation, Nan,” I said, making her stop everything again to turn around to face me.
“What? What on earth are you talking about?’
“If it’s a matter of money, Dalton-”
“It’s not, Gramps,” I quickly rushed out, cutting him off. “Her mother’s just not happy about the new development, and since she’s an awful human being, I can’t see us having a traditional wedding.”
“And what are her objections to you guys dating?” Nan asked, and I recognized the mama bear tone in her voice.”
“Honestly, I’m not sure if it’s a personal objection to me or not,” I admitted. “Leandra has a trust fund, and her mother is worried that I’m only with her to scam her out of all her millions.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Gramps automatically grumbled.
“I agree,” I chuckled, lest they believe that I was upset over the accusation. “Nevertheless, the situation is what it is, so don’t get your hopes up about a big wedding.”
“Big weddings are overrated anyway,” Nan remarked as she turned back towards the stove. “Half of them end in divorce.”
“Truthfully, the situation isn’t as awful as it sounds,” I said, trying to ease the tension. “The only opinion that matters is Leandra’s, and she knows me well enough to know that I’m not after her for her money.”
Letting that go for the meantime, Gramps asked, “So, when can we expect her over for an official dinner?”
“I’m not sure of her schedule this week, but I’ll find out and then let you guys know,” I answered.
“Well, her stupid mother aside, I’m positively thrilled,” Nan said, making me look over at Gramps, and like a well-trained husband, he just shook his head.
“I’m glad,” I chuckled. “Just don’t mention anything about marriage to her just yet. I’d like for her to hear it from me first.”
“I’m still starting a wedding board for her,” she insisted, and all I could do was grin.
Deciding to play it safe, Gramps said, “The second step on the back porch is creaking a bit. Want to look at it with me after dinner?’
“Not a problem,” I replied easily, more than willing to help the man out. “I also want to check the windows before winter kicks in.”
The rest of the evening was spent with me listening to everything that my grandparents had going on, and despite my parents, my life really had turned out perfectly.