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“So Jackson mentioned the most interesting thing to me today,” my grandma says just seconds after I buckle my son in the backseat of my car and shut the door.
“Oh yeah?” I question, only half paying attention. My mind has been anywhere but present today.
“When were you planning to tell me that you have a man living with you?” Her question snaps me out of my fog, and I look up to find her watching me closely. “I find it curious that I had to find out about this from Jack. Were you planning to tell me at some point?”
“I didn’t think to mention it honestly.” I play it off like it’s nothing.
“Is that because you knew I wouldn’t agree?” She shifts her stance. “Because I don’t have to tell you how irresponsible it is to bring men in and out of Jackson’s life so willy-nilly.”
“I’m not doing anything of the sort.”
I wish my tone wasn’t so defensive, but I can’t help it. She makes me feel the need to defend myself, and that only pisses me off more because she knows nothing of the situation.
“Then what do you call it?”
“I’d call it helping out a friend,” I snip. “Ant isn’t just any guy. He’s been my friend for years. He moved here from Connecticut recently and needed a place to stay for a few weeks until he can find a place of his own. Him staying with us is no different than any other friend staying.”
“And where is thisfriendof yours sleeping?” She cocks a brow at me.
“Oh my God, Grandma.” I throw my hands up in exasperation. “On the couch. He’s sleeping on the couch, okay?”
“I don’t know why you’re getting so defensive.”
“Because you’re assuming the worst of me.”
“I am not. I just want to make sure you’re thinking of Jackson first.”
“I’m always thinking of Jack. He’s all I ever think about. Everything I do is for him. I think I’ve proven that, have I not?”
“Bree, honey.” She softens her voice. “I just want to make sure you know what you’re doing.”
“No, you want to make sure I’m nother.” My voice goes up an octave.
“I know you’re not.” Now it’s her turn to get defensive.
“Do you? Because I thought so, and now I’m not so sure.” I push back the tears that bite the back of my eyes.
I hate fighting with my grandma. She’s the one person I can’t seem to hide my emotions from and that only succeeds in making me angrier.
“I have never compared you to your mother.”
“Maybe not out loud, but I see the way you look at me sometimes.”
“Bree, you are nothing like your mother. Nothing. Do you hear me? I’m sorry if I made you feel that way, but I worry about you and Jack.”
“You don’t need to worry about us.”
“Yes, I do. Because I love you, and that’s my job. That’s what parents and grandparents do—we worry. I’m sorry if I overstepped. I just wanted to make sure you were thinking about the effects having him there could have on Jack. The way he talks about him, he’s very fond of him. I just don’t want to see him get hurt.”
“He won’t get hurt. Ant adores Jack, and he would never hurt him.”
“Maybe not intentionally. But do you not think Jack is going to care when Ant suddenly isn’t around anymore? You don’t think that will affect him?”
“He’s only going to be there a few more days, and he will come visit once he has his own place. I’ve thought this through. I know what I’m doing.”
“Well, for his sake, I hope you do.” She gestures to where Jack is sitting in the backseat, completely oblivious to the small altercation taking place just on the other side of the car door.
“Are you done? I have somewhere I need to be.” I hate being so short with her, but right now if I don’t get out of here it’s likely to end up much worse.
