Page 7 of Daddy’s Little Secret

“You never failed to impress me, Trey. Straight-A honor student. Smartest kid around. You’re a good boy and an even better man. I hate the curveball that life threw you, taking your parents away. It was cruel. Then you got saddled with this grouchy old lady.”

“Grandma.” I took the trophy from her and set it aside. “I got saddled with the best role model I could’ve had. I didn’t end up in foster care like far too many others have. I was raised in a loving home, with plenty of food in my belly and clothes on my back. Never once have I regretted being raised by you, nor was I embarrassed by it. It sucks that I never got to know them, but what I do know, I learned from you.”

She pulled a tissue from her apron pocket and wiped her eyes. “I just wish they could see the wonderful man you’ve become.”

“They have, Grandma, I feel them all the time even if I can’t see them. And if you raised my dad the same way you raised me, I know he was equally as wonderful as you are.”

She patted my cheek. “Not sure why the Lord chose me to be a single parent for a second time, but he couldn’t have given me a better grandson than you. I love you, Trey.” Grandma raised my dad on her own too, given the sperm donor bailed the second she told him she was pregnant. My grandmother was a strong, determined woman with a heart of gold, but she’d be the first one to chase anyone off her lawn. Fear wasn’t a word in her vocabulary.

I hugged her tightly. “I love you too, Grandma.” The idea of her being alone and so far away didn’t sit well with me. I would definitely talk to Daddy about building her a cabin. “Please think about moving up there with us. At the very least, come up for a few days and try it out. Everyone in town is very nice and all the trees are so pretty. I really think you’d like it. Sometimes the deer come right up to our cabins. Daddy and Uncle Chuck installed feeders for them so Tae and I could watch them eat.” No use holding back on calling him Daddy anymore.

“I probably will. It’s been forever since I got out of town.”

“Whatever you decide, we’re all there for you. You don’t have to take this on by yourself, Grandma. You’ve got me and all of the Ashwood family.”

Lost boys find lost boys, Daddy once said to me. It wasn’t until this very moment that I realized what it meant. Found family. For those who didn’t have one, they created their own.

Maybe all this time Grandma was just as lost as I was. Up until the last few years it has only been the two of us. She bought this house when my dad was in grade school. The small two-bedroom home was perfect both in size and price for them, and it was the only home I’d ever known. From what she said, my parents had still lived here with her when I was born.

“This house means a lot to you, Grandma. If you don’t want to sell it, I totally understand. Maybe you can rent it out?” That would definitely help and give her more income than Social Security.

“Landlording isn’t for me, Trey. This house has a lot of memories, and even though they’re not all good, most of them are. Maybe it’s just time for a change for me as well.”

This was too much for her. Strong as she was, and believe me she was, I didn’t want to leave things like this. “Why don’t you let me take you to dinner after we finish packing.”

“You trying to get out of eating your grandma’s cooking?” she teased.

“Never. You’re the best cook I know, but that doesn’t mean I can’t do something nice for you. Besides, once we get you up north, you’ll have plenty of hungry bodies to cook for.” I winked at her, and she shook her head.

“Sassy boy. But I can’t deny the caretaker in me loving that idea. Alright, let’s get to packing, then I’m ordering surf-and-turf on my grandson.”

Should’ve seen that coming. Considering the only bills I had consisted of car insurance and gas, I could afford the splurge, and she was more than worth it. I sent a text to Daddy, so he knew what I was up to.

(text)

Me: Hey, Daddy, I’m gonna take Grandma to dinner and stay here tonight.

Daddy: Is everything okay? Do you need me to come over?

Me: Everything is fine. She’s just kind of sad. I asked her to consider moving up north with us. I hope that’s okay?

Daddy: More than okay, Angel, and a wonderful suggestion. We could build her a one-bedroom cabin of her own. Think she would like that?

One of a million reasons why I loved my Daddy.

Me: Still talking about her moving. She doesn’t want to be here alone, so maybe if she already has a new home to go…

Daddy: Consider it in the works. I’ll miss my angel in bed beside me tonight, but your big heart is one of the many things I love about you. Call Daddy when you lay down so I can say a proper good night.

Me: Will do. Love you, Daddy.

Daddy: Love you too, my angel.

4

“Last load to be donated has been dropped off, and thanks to you, Esther, the apartment is spotless.” Trey’s grandmother had been a huge help, and I was pretty sure we’d gotten her talked into moving soon too.

“You’re very welcome, and Oscar.” Shit, here it comes.