Page 13 of Surrogate For My Best Friend’s Man 2

“There goes my grandbaby!” Grandma Lorraine came charging in carrying three grocery bags, her purse, a church fan, and somehow still had enough strength left to point her finger at me. “Now why the hell you got these people worrying me like this?”

I couldn’t help but smile. “Hi, Grandma.”

She stopped beside the bed and looked me up and down. “You look better.”

“I just got here.” I laughed.

“I know.” She nodded. “But you don’t look dead.”

Malik started laughing.

“Grandma…” I said.

“What?” I’m just being honest.” She kissed my forehead. “You scared me, baby.”

“I’m sorry.” I said.

“There you go apologizing.” She looked at Malik. “Tell her to quit saying sorry every five damn minutes.”

“I've been trying.” Malik responded.

“You ain’t trying hard enough.” Grandma turned back toward me. “You hungry?”

I blinked. “What?”

“I asked if you were hungry.” She repeated.

“Grandma, they just got me settled.”

“And?” She started digging through one of her bags. “I don’t trust hospital food.” She pulled out aluminum foil. “I brought fried chicken.”

I laughed. “Grandma…”

“What?” She asked.

“They ain’t said I could eat yet.” I let her know.

She froze. “Oh.” Then she looked at Malik. “Are you hungry?”

He looked inside the bag. “…You brought potato salad too?”

“I brought enough for everybody.” She pointed at him. “I know you ain’t been eating.”

“I eat.” Malik laughed.

“You nibble.” Grandma Lorraine laughed.

“No I don’t.” Malik mumbled.

“You're too skinny.”

I looked at Malik. “You finally found somebody that thinks you little.”

He pointed at Grandma. “She's the only one.”

Grandma rolled her eyes. “Boy, hush.”

She finally noticed all the monitors hooked up to me and her smile faded a little. “Are you feeling better?” She asked again.