Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 97951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
“This is one of the pitfalls of lust, but I digress,” he continued. “Though I’m no expert, I know Muslims are less forgivin’ than us Christian Baptists about this sort of thing, and I’d hate to think about all the repercussions that would fall on those poor people. Your grandparents in particular.” He looked rather smug, sitting there pleased as a plum.
“This is a fine mess! Let me call Daddy right now!” Putting on the theatrics, she reached for her purse that was hanging on the back of the chair to get her phone.
“No, No! Your father isn’t fit to talk about this, Silva.”
“Well, why not? Did you ask Daddy to confirm this while he was sober at least?” She slid her purse back onto the chair. “Maybe since he was intoxicated when he called you, he’s mistaken, Grandpa? Maybe he dreamt it up, or it was some nightmare after a long day of drinking?”
“Well, see, I didn’t bring it up to him because I don’t want him to go into some deep depression, Silva. You know that your father is, what’s the word? Sensitive in nature… Not exactly able to keep himself together in times of trouble. He’s a bit of a softie. He doesn’t look the part, but he is—on the inside. He’s a smart boy, a wonderful accountant, and knows the tax laws like the back of his hand, but when it comes to things like this, well, Scott turns into a jellyfish. And about some nightmare or mistake, naw, I doubt it.” He shook his head vehemently. “I know, sober or not, he was tellin’ the truth.
“I believe him. I figure after he sobered up, he forgot the whole damn thing, as he does quite often, so there’d be no need to call him and ask, honey, because either he remembers or he doesn’t, but the results are still the same. He said it. The damage is done. Now your grandparents will have to live with the shame, but especially have to now worry if anyone else is going to find out. Chances are high, they will.” He threw her an earnest look. Then, the corners of his lips began to twitch. She rested her hand against her pants leg and balled up the cotton in her palm, squeezing hard. Grandpa looked down at her hand as she treated her trousers like a stress ball, and his smile grew a little wider.
“You’re upset… that’s understandable, but don’t you worry. We’ll figure this out. Grandpa will take care of it. I’ll make sure your grandparents don’t suffer, and everything will be as it should be, as if they’d never been told at all. That’s a promise.” He leaned forward and tapped her shoulder in a reassuring sort of way. “I just ask one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“That we bring our family back together. Mend it. This has reminded me how important it is to let bygones be bygones, and not allow the past to ruin the future. To not hold our indiscretions over our head. Forgiveness should reign, if you will. I want you and your brother to mend the broken fence.”
Those words in her mind now came back to haunt her.
“Oh, Grandpa, Lennox is—”
“Now, honey,” He held up his hand as he spoke softly. “I know it’s a lot to ask after how rude he’s been, and all the damage he caused that I told you about firsthand, but he deserves a second chance, especially in the midst of this crisis. And maybe that’s what he needs to turn his life around, you know? A talk with his little sister.” He looked downright convincing, making her sick to her stomach.
“…Okay. I’ll think about it.”
“Don’t just think about it, Silva. I need you to do it,” he stated sharply. “You contact your brother, and let him know that his grandparents over there in Lebanon have been informed of your mother’s misdeeds, but Grandpa is gonna make it all go away… as long as he comes on by to see me, so we can talk. Man to man. Finally bury the hatchet. Let God’s rain showers wash all of the hurt away.” He cracked a crooked smile, exposing all of his pearly whites.
She thought about her mother… then how she’d been so young and torn to shreds at Mama’s funeral in Lebanon. Her family insisted that Mama be flown back home, per her wishes, and that her body be buried within three days—as was tradition. She also recalled the American funeral service they’d had for Mama in Houston, where she had to relive the trauma all over again. She thought about it. Over and over. Harder and harder. Right then and there. A tear rolled down her cheek and then another. She smiled internally… Convincing, huh? Wilde blood runs deep.
“Grandpa, I’m going to get some more tea. I have a headache and want to take an aspirin.” She rubbed her head as if her skull was throbbing, then moved to stand up.