It’s true that my grandmother was the one who helped my father get to where he is now, but it’s also true that she never thought much of him.
Granny goes to get to her feet and Sean notices, leaping up to help her. My grandmother thanks him with a smile and I offer her my arm. She takes it, grabbing Sean’s, too.
“Come on, let’s go. I need to talk to someone who isn’t only interested in getting me to sign something.”
* * *
GRANNY ADORES SEANin quite a worrying way. I didn’t know she’d be here. I didn’t want her to meet him. I didn’t want to lie to her or upset her by revealing that Sean is actually just doing me a favour.
Granny never comes to these events. At most, she’ll make a quick appearance, shake a few hands, sign a few checks, then leave, with the excuse of being tired.
They should know that she actually spends her evenings elsewhere, playing Blackjack long into the night in questionable bars.
“I’ve always loved English Literature,” she says to Sean. “I love Shakespeare – I went to see Hamlet in the theatre three times last year.”
“The show at the Gate Theatre?”
She nods. “I always reserve a seat in the front row.”
“I was there, too – just once, though. And definitely not in the front row,” Sean says, a little embarrassed. “Shakespeare is part of the curriculum for my first-year students.”
“Really?”
“You could come to one of my lectures, if you like.”
“Could I?”
“Of course. I’d be happy to have you.”
“Maybe I’ll come along with this one,” she says, nodding over at me.
“Me? At a lecture? No way.”
“You came to the theatre with me.”
Sean’s eyes move quickly onto me.
“Only because you forced me to.”
This isn’t true, but I don’t want Sean to know all these details about me, and I don’t want my Granny to get used to the idea of him as part of the family.
He and I are destined to be done after tonight.
There will be no repeats. No more lies.
“Next time I’ll ask you to come with me,” my grandmother says to my date.
Sean glances at me, then responds politely. “I’d be honoured.”
“It’s hard to find someone to talk to about these things – someone who actually has something interesting to say.” She smiles at Sean, who blushes slightly. “I’m happy my grandson has finally opened his eyes.”
“Granny…”
She looks at me. “Keep your professor close, Frederick. Men like this don’t grow on trees.”
I can’t help but smile.
“And you,” she says, turning to Sean. “Be patient. He’s a bit of a handful, but he has his moments. I raised him, after all.”
