by R.A Cullison
Chapter Thirteen
Happiness
We walked into the house; I could hear the TV on. I walked into the living room; my grandpa was watching the news. He had a surprised look on his face.
“Nora bug, what brings you here so late?” I started to cry.
“What’s going on?” He looked worried.
“Where is grandma?” I looked around.
“She is in bed, she isn’t feeling good, what’s going on?” he stood up.
“I went to the warehouse tonight after closing to see if I could get a few things for Ken and his wife for their new place and …. I. saw. You…. with Dolly.” I looked at him; I could feel a tear run down my cheek. I could tell on his face he was caught.
“With Dolly? I haven’t left this house all day.” he looked really guilty.
“I saw you grandpa, in your office with Dolly, I heard you too, and I know it was you.” the look on his face was changing from guilt to annoyed. He grabbed my arm and led me on the porch.
“Keep it down, Yes I was in the office with Dolly.” he took a big sigh, “OK… I have been having an affair with Dolly for 15 yrs. Your grandma and I haven’t been very intimate for years and I am a man, I still need that kind of love and Dolly has been there for me, to help me.” I looked at him in shock and disappointed.
I was pissed, “Needs? Need? How about your sick wife, she needs you more than that whore. How could you do that to Grandma?” I straightened my shoulders.
“Nora, its not how you really think? Its not love for her its attraction. She is willing to give me what I need and want. I love your Grandma but she isn’t the same woman I married, she has been sick for awhile and she don’t want to do that anymore.”
I rubbed my forehead, “Sex huh? All over sex, Well sex isn’t everything.” I seen Matt leaning against the porch post, staying out of it.
“Yes Nora all men need that kind of love. Would you rather get it from Dolly or a whore?” his brows were drawn and I knew he was trying to make a point.
“How about not doing it at ALL.. I cant believe you did this to her, I thought you were a good guy, Grandpa. But you’re just like every other man. I am disappointed in you.” I left the porch with Matt right behind me. I got into the car and could see grandpa on the porch looking depressed.
We got to my apartment; I cried all the way home. Matt didn’t say anything to me, he just let me cry. We walked into the apartment; I just stood in the middle of the living room.
“Baby would you like anything to eat or drink?” Matt stood in front of the door, getting ready to go get something to eat.
“No thanks, I’m not hungry.” He gave me a weak smile and he left the apartment. I went into the bathroom looked around and decided to take a shower.
I turned the shower on, stripped and stepped into the shower letting the hot water run down my body, it felt good. I washed up. I turned off the water and wrapped a towel around me. I walked into the bedroom and slid into a cotton nightgown. I climbed into bed.
I woke up to the sound of Matt sleeping, my stomach was growling. I got up and went out into the kitchen there was some leftover Chinese in the fridge. I made a plate and heated it in the microwave. I went into the living room and turned on the tv. I watched some Rachel Ray and some weird infomercials about male erection problems, I turned that channel fast. I finished my food. I looked at the clock on the microwave. It said 7:23 am; I knew I wasn’t going to be going back to bed. I went and grabbed some clothes out of the bedroom. I started to clean the apartment; I couldn’t get my mind off my grandpa and Dolly. It made me sick to think he cheated on my grandma, my sweet, loving and wonderful Grandma. It pissed me off actually, I finished the whole apartment. I needed to call my mom and talk to her. They moved to Dallas, Texas, my dad got a wonderful job.
I dialed their number, a few rings later my mom answered.
“Hello, Nora.” she chuckled alittle
“Mom, I.. I found out some terrible news and I don’t know what to do.” I sat on the couch.
“Terrible news? Whats the news?” she sounded interested.
“OK, say you know someone that is cheating on their wife and you confront them about it, they confess to everything do you tell the wife even though the wife is in bad health.”
I heard her cough.
“Wow, that’s a tough one…..Who is this about hun?” I almost said it aloud.
“You can’t tell anyone, not even dad.” I waited for to answer.
“Ok, who is it?” she got quiet,
“Grandpa.” I heard her gasp.
“Travis? Are you sure?” her shock was understandable.
“Yes, him and Dolly I caught them last night in the office of the warehouse and he admitted to everything.” I choked back a tear.
“Dolly?” her voice sounded like she was waiting for a punch line.
“Yes! Dolly from the warehouse.” I made my voice sound serious.
“Oh my Nora hun this is big, but it’s kind of understandable, your grandpa is still active and your grandma isn’t doing too well don’t be hard on him. How long has it been going on?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
“He said 15 yrs.” My mom was taking grandpa’s side.
“Wow, that’s along time, I don’t know what to really say except, you always been close to your grandpa, remember that you’re his pride and joy. Don’t forget how much he as done for you.” beep-beep “crap call waiting.” I clicked the tone button.
“Hello?” I heard sniffling on the other end.
“Nora its Nikki, Grandma has been rushed to the hospital, she had a stroke.” I nearly dropped the phone.
“OH my God. What hospital?” I felt numb.
“General South, hurry up, they don’t think she will last.” she hung up. The line clicked over,
“Mom?” she was there, “That was Nikki, grandma had a stroke.”
“Oh no! I’ll tell your dad, let me know when you get to the hospital.” I hung up. I ran into the bedroom, Matt was up and dressed.
“My grandma had a stroke, drive me to the hospital.” His expression dropped
“Ok, lets go.” he darted out the door.
We were there in no time; Nikki met me at the door. The look was of dread; I knew I was too late.
“She’s gone, she’s gone!” We held each other; we went into the room where she was. She looked at peace like she was sleeping. I kissed her cheek,
“I love you, Grandma.” I looked over at my grandpa who was beside himself and in tears. I have never seen him so distraught.
He was holding her hand. I walked over to him and hugged him. He held onto me tight, I could feel him shaking from crying. We left him alone with her, Uncle Roger was a wreck. Matt was so wonderful he held me close to him as I cried and to hold me up.
“Oh babe, I am so sorry.” He smelt so good, it was comforting. I buried my face into his chest; I could see my grandma’s face.
We headed back to my apartment, Matt was wonderful. He called Ken and Connie to tell them what happened, there came over and Connie was next to me holding my hand being so tender.
“Nora, I am so sorry for you loss. We lost our parents in a freak accident, they were murdered.” I looked over at Matt who was hanging his head in shame and guilt.
“Ken, I know and I am sorry for you loss.” I stood up, went over, and hugged Matt, just to give him some consoling.
He whispered in my ear, “Only if he knew what really happened.” he sniffled.
“Shhh babe, it’s the past. You’re not the same as you use to be.” He gave me a reassuring squeeze.
