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I nod. “Okay. I’ll be right down.”
As I watch Dad leave my room for the very last time, I think about how much has changed between us over the past couple of months.
Dad’s always been the more nurturing parent, so I’m glad he’s the one here to comfort me. He may not say much—less is more with him—but I know he’s always there for me, which is why, right now, I need to be there for him. It’s safe to say we won’t be having an emotional therapy session during our drive to Granny’s because we’ve already had enough talks about the situation. We’ve become really close the last couple of months. He used to be one of those stereotypical workaholic guys before he lost his CFO job at McMullen’s Candy. I think he feels bad about not being around all those years, because lately he’s been trying pretty hard to spend all his time with me. I think he feels responsible for Mom leaving, but he shouldn’t take the blame for her walking out. That was her choice.
When I called Granny a couple months ago to report the news that Mom had left, she just laughed.
“That’s total bullshit,” Granny huffed with her twangy accent. “Your momma left because she’s a gold digger. Plain and simple. I tried to tell Tuck that before he ran off with the little floozy, but no, he didn’t listen. It was just a matter of time before this would happen. Hell, she probably ran around on your daddy long before he lost all his money.”
I love that about Granny. She’s the most real, in-your-face person I know. If you ever want an honest answer, just ask good old Granny. She’ll tell you the truth, whether you really want to hear it or not. I spend more time on the phone with her, telling her all about my life, than anyone else. Of course, I always have to leave some stuff out. It’s embarrassing to talk sex with your grandma. I’m definitely not going to tell Granny anything about that. The last thing I need is for her to get it in her head that I’m anything like my mother, willing to sleep with guys for money.
I pat the door frame of my room and sigh as I turn and leave it behind. Outside I spot Dad latching the trailer door shut on the U-Haul that’s hooked up to a rigged hitch on the back of our expensive Mercedes. It looks completely ridiculous, but Dad says it is the only way to haul the little stuff we have left.
It’s clear it’s time to go. I look around and silently say my good-byes while sadness slithers through me.
I can’t say I’m surprised that my Kappa Kappa Gamma sisters aren’t here to see me off. I’d be kidding myself if I thought any of them were actually that close with me. Shit, they wouldn’t have even let me in if I wasn’t a legacy and Mom hadn’t sent me to Lars—her personal trainer—to whip my ass into shape, after high school ended.
At the time, I hated her for it. She just took my hatred in stride, told me it was for my own good, and someday I would thank her for it.
I can’t believe it, but she was right. Being pretty does have its advantages. I’m glad she made me over, got me to lose a ton of weight. I was getting pretty tired of getting pushed around by the in crowd during high school. I was their doormat. But things changed for me. After I dropped the braces and lost the weight, I started a new chapter in life—college. I’d never been on a date until I became a Gamma.
Sasha and Rosemary were the first Gammas to befriend me. I know they were only my friends out of their own selfish greed. It’s easier to get attention from boys when you have pretty sidekicks, and Sasha made sure that I knew that’s why she kept me around—because she said guys think I’m hot. She was my friend out of convenience, so I definitely won’t miss her.
It’s just sad knowing that I don’t have one real friend in my life.
“Wake up, kiddo,” Dad says, while shaking my shoulder a little. “We’re almost there.”
During a big yawn, I strain my eyes against the glaring sun that stings my sleepy eyeballs. As far as I can see, there’s nothing but grass and trees. Everything is so damn green here and there’s no sign of concrete anywhere.
It’s been ages since I’ve been to visit Granny thanks to Mom, and I forgot how far away from everything she lives.
Every now and then, we pass a tiny little house or a trailer parked up on some hillside, and I can’t help but notice how different this place is compared to my life in the city.
It reminds me of the setting for a random, cheesy horror flick. It makes me think that if we do break down, some deformed hillbilly will probably drag us into a dilapidated shack and eat us alive—just like what happened to those kids in Wrong Turn.
“Almost there,” Dad mumbles as he turns down a narrow road.
The worried expression that he tries to hide every time he catches me looking at him hasn’t changed much on the ride here. I think he’s dreading living with Granny just as much as I am but he’s trying to put on a good face. It’s been a while since they talked, so I’m sure this is going to be completely awkward for him.
We drive under canopies of big leafy trees, and Dad looks up and smiles like he’s reliving some pleasant childhood memory. I haven’t seen him smile lately. Really smile, I mean. I can tell Mom leaving hurt more then he leads on, even if he doesn’t talk about her much anymore. He turns the air conditioning off as he holds down the little switchy-ma-bob for the windows, allowing the spring air to wrap around us.
He inhales deeply through his nose. “I almost forgot what air smells like without the pollution of city life in it.”
I follow his lead and suck in a huge breath. Huh, the air does feel crisper here. I never really got that old saying before, “Get out and get some fresh air,” but now it’s quite clear. I wonder if pollution really does make the air different in the city, or if I am just delusional from the drive.
We creep along the road and then leisurely turn onto a vaguely familiar gravel lane. I’ve forgotten just how far off the road Granny’s house sits. The grass soars on each side of the car and I roll my window down and stick my hand out, allowing the weeds to tickle my hand as we drive along. This yard is really overgrown and looks nothing like I remember. Granny always took a lot of pride in her yard, but it’s obvious that she needs a little help around here. I’m sure it’s not so easy for her to take care of this place all by herself. It’s been nearly five years since my papaw passed away, and even though Granny acts way younger than her sixty-five years, I still worry about how much time I have left with her.
The house comes into view through the thick trees that create a natural privacy fence around the front of the property, and it’s a lot smaller than I remember. A little, white, two-story farmhouse with a wraparound porch stands before me—nothing fancy, just a modest home that appears warm and inviting. It’s definitely a far cry from the lavish home we just left behind.
I can’t believe this is my home now. What a culture shock. There’s no way the three of us will be able to live in this small space together and not feel like we’re crowding one another.
Dad pulls the SUV up close to the house, and it doesn’t take long for Granny to come rushing out the screen door. She looks just like the picture of her I used to keep tacked to my bedroom mirror to remind me of what she looked like. Granny hasn’t changed a bit. She’s still short and cuddly, and wears her faded blue jeans that remind me of the eighties day we used to have back in school. The only thing that’s changed is her hair, which has a little more gray in it.
Granny barrels toward the car, and there’s no time to get out of the way, only time to prepare for one of her notorious bear hugs.
She doesn’t even give me time to get out of the car before she whips open the door and wraps her arms around me.
If you ever get a hug from my Granny, be prepared to just about have the life squeezed out of you.
