Page 92 of Fumble Into the End Zone
“I’m not offended because you don’t know my parents. And we are talking about Harley, but I know them. You said you trust my opinion and decision-making. If it was up to me, I would allow her to stay. I’m happy either way but I preferred she goes with us. Marcus, at least consider what she wants. It’s time to expand your trust circle, baby,” Mia said.
Granny’s words plagued my thoughts.You have to learn to trust somebody. You can’t keep Harley hostage, but don’t let her get too far out of your reach.
“Give me a minute,” I requested.
Mia kissed my cheek, leaving me alone, shutting the door behind her. I pulled out my phone and called my granny.
“I’m not coming back until after Christmas,” she said.
I wanted to dispute her claims because she continued to push her return date back. Christmas night, I was heading to Arkansas without calling her.
“Granny, I’m not calling about you coming home. But your Arkansas trip is on borrowed time. I’m calling about Harley. Idon’t know if I’m making the right decision,” I said lowly into the phone.
“What’s wrong with my baby?” Granny said in a high pitch but aggressive tone.
“Nothing bad. Instead of going on vacation with me and Mia, she wants to stay in Houston. The Robinsons made all these plans to spoil her, and Mia said ‘I don’t trust people.’”
A pause stood between us as I listened to the noise-filled background.
“Marcus, you don’t trust people. I understand Harley is your baby. But how are you going to marry Mia if you can’t trust her parents? What does your gut tell you about the Robinsons?” she asked.
Per usual, Granny put a lot on my brain, and she was right. I knew the Robinsons wouldn’t hurt Harley, only spoil her. My checking account was a different subject; this new lavish lifestyle they were introducing to my daughter was going to be expensive.
“All right, I’m leaving her with the Robinsons, and you get your clothes packed. A few more weeks and you’re coming home,” I said.
“How is my grandson?”
I couldn’t fight my smile. “I’m ai’t but I would be better if I had Eddy Allen with me,” I said.
“I’ll be home in a few weeks. You better be good to Mia. She is holding it down and BeBe ain’t stopped smiling since she got those roses. Corner ain’t put his new pipe down and my new cane is sharp.”
I sat in confusion. Mia didn’t tell me she did any of those things.
“Mia is some kind of special, Granny.”
“Marry her so I can rest,” she said.
Before I could dispute her statement, the door opened with my future bride.
“Tell Granny I said hi and we miss her,” Mia said.
“Give Mia the phone,” Eddy requested, and I pulled it away from my ear.
Mia motioned for the phone as I sat in a state of shock. “Hi, Mrs. Allen.”
The more they talked and laughed, I discovered two things. Mia had been checking in on Granny without clueing me in, and I might have been downgraded to number three. When Mia hung up the phone, I stared in her direction.
“What?” she said with a blank expression on her face.
“Granny didn’t ask for me?” I questioned, and she snickered.
“She said tell everybody she loved them,” Mia announced with shrugged shoulders.
Damn, I did get demoted to the number three spot. I tossed a pair of swim shorts on the bed with a few personal items.
“Ahem,” Mia cleared her throat.
“Yes, baby,” I said.
