Page 72 of Fumble Into the End Zone
“My wife has already planned your wedding and Harley’s activities. I’m going to have to apologize in advance. We would love to have Harley over anytime you need a break. Trendy and I have a farm. I’m sure she would love it,” Mr. Robinson said.
As we traveled back to the living room, he mentioned something about buying Harley a pony. He was worse than Mrs. Robinson. Everyone turned their attention to us as we reenteredthe room. I migrated to Mia, kissing the nervousness from her face.
“We need to get Alex on the line,” Mr. Robinson said, and his wife’s energy elevated as she smiled.
“No,” Mia said, and I chuckled.
“Harley will love the farm, and Alex will bring a few ponies out to see if she connects with one,” Mrs. Robinson told Mia.
“A pony!” Harley said to the point of squealing.
“Baby, I think she would love a pony,” Mr. Robinson said to his wife.
Mia rotated in her seat to find her father standing behind her with an approving smile. She shifted to her mother, watching her smiling at Harley. Granny grinned before turning her head. I shrugged when Mia and I made eye contact.
“It’s settled, Harley. I will give Marcus and Mia a date. I’ll call about those dance classes. You’re going to be beautiful,” Mrs. Robinson said as she stood.
“Marcus!” Mia said with widened eyes, but I wasn’t inserting myself in the middle.
After the Robinsons left, I held Granny’s hand to lift her from her seat. Mia and Harley were in the midst of her bedtime routine, leaving us alone.
“They gon’ spoil my girl rotten,” Granny said as she gripped the handle of her cane.
I didn’t want to admit it, but Mia was right. The Robinsons were rich and bored.
“Harley deserves it, but Mia isn’t going to allow them to get out of hand,” I said.
Granny dismissed me with her hand, and I gave a light chuckle. Mia does not want to admit it, but she didn’t fall too far from the tree.
“In the morning, Mia is taking me to the airport. I’m flying into Memphis and BeBe gon’ pick me up. She said Corner ain’t doing too good. Don’t you say nothing. Mia already agreed to take care of you and Harley for the next two weeks,” Granny said, tone laced in a warning.
For years, she had been trying to find a way back to Arkansas alone. My body trembled with nervous energy about her being away from me.
“Granny, you . . . ”
“I have my medicine, I got my own money, and BeBe is okay with me staying at the house. You and Harley are covered. With Mia here, I’m comfortable leaving you for a few weeks,” she interrupted.
I stumbled over my words when a few weeks rolled out of her mouth. My mind settled on two days, no more than three.Weeks?
“Granny, I can’t do a few weeks. I’ll fly down next Tuesday to bring you back. One week should be enough,” I said, peering down into her brown, worn eyes.
When her nose crinkled, I knew I crossed a line. Earl Allen held the right to tell Eddy what to do. She had reminded me a few times over the years, but I wasn’t backing down. She needed to be with me in Texas.
“Marcus, I wasn’t asking you. I’m seventy-nine and I will pull out Corner’s pistol if you dock BeBe’s door. You need those knees, don’t you?” she questioned as she tapped my right kneecap with the butt of her cane.
The air in my chest restricted at the thought of her not being in Texas. The creases of my palms were sweaty as I swallowed hard.
“Listen, you can survive two weeks without me. Don’t you smother Mia. If she calls me, I’m coming with a shoe,” she said.
I couldn’t stop my roller-coaster ride of emotions, gritting my teeth as my eyes watered. Eddy’s mind was made up and I couldn’t bring myself to hold her against her will. A soft, warm hand touched my arm, forcing my eyes open.
“Marcus, you can’t hold on to me forever. Not physically, anyway. It’s not your fault your mother and Sierra left. Trust me. I’m coming back. Enjoy this time with Mia and Harley. With the wedding Mrs. Robinson is planning... I saw her picking flowers in her head before she took a bite of food. Trust me, Marcus, I’m coming back. Give me the benefit of the doubt. Tell you what, I’ll bring Corner with me.”
“Leave him in Arkansas and you come back,” I said.
My great-uncle Corner had four teeth the last time I saw him and I couldn’t understand a word he said. The way he argued with Granny about everything drove me insane. Saying good morning led them two into a battle of words, but they took care of each other.
I kissed her cheek and tried relaxing, but until I saw her again, I wouldn’t be right.
