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“Don’t get too choked up,” Tyler grumbles. “He was more than happy to cut you out of everything.”
“I know.” I clear my throat and collect myself. “Where is Vanessa?”
“She wasn’t feeling well this morning, so she’s running a little late. She is going to meet us in the sanctuary. I’m not sure what’s up with her lately,” he adds, while checking his phone for any new messages.
“Thank you for coming with me, you two,” I tell Liv and Mandy taking each of their hands in mine. “I really appreciate it.”
“Of course,” Mandy replies, squeezing my hand and giving me a warm smile.
“What kind of a girlfriend would I be if I didn’t support you?” Liv asks loudly enough for everyone around us to hear. She then looks around the room, beaming with pride. She must have been waiting for the right moment to make that announcement. Poor girl.
Mandy
I feel embarrassed for both Trey and Liv. She is trying so hard to elevate herself and it’s obvious that Trey is just trying to get through the day unscathed. It’s so sad that everything has to be about her, even at his Dad’s funeral. She fully latches onto him as the procession into the sanctuary begins. I continue to hold his other hand, not giving her the satisfaction of walking in behind the two of them.
“Excuse me?” She says to me as we reach the pews designated for family.
“You can go in first,” I tell her, trying to be gracious. After all, it’s not a big deal.
I glance ahead and see a blonde who looks exactly like Liv, already sitting in our pew. “Oh shit,” Trey mutters once he sees the two of them are about to meet for the first time. “This is bad.” He gives me a nervous glance before proceeding into the pew.
“Hi I’m Liv, Trey’s girlfriend,” she says to the woman as she takes the seat next to her.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Vanessa.” She leans forward and smiles at Trey before being joined by Tyler on her other side.
“Oh my God, Trey. Could this be more obvious?” I continue to giggle, unable to stop. At least now I now understand why Tyler has been staring at Liv for the past twenty minutes. I’ve seen identical twins that look less alike than those two. Liv is a bit thinner and a little taller, but other than that, they look almost identical. Trey clears his throat again and gives my hand a little squeeze. “I think you are in big trouble, buddy,” I whisper as the service begins.
~~~
After being ushered to the back of the church immediately following the ceremony, I find myself standing alone. Trey is talking to one of his relatives and Liv is having a conversation with Vanessa. I really want to walk over and listen in on their conversation, but I decide to simply mind my own business and wait for Silvia.
“Silvia tells me that you are Amanda Grayson,” Trey’s grandmother says coming up from behind me and tapping me on the shoulder.
“Yes, and Trey told me that you are his grandmother,” I reply, turning and holding out my hand to greet her.
“I am indeed. Let me give you a hug,” she insists, extending her arms and taking me in her arms. “It’s hard to believe you kids are all grown up. No wonder I feel so damn old.” She pulls back and her expression changes to a sullen half-smile.
“Well, you seem to be doing pretty good”, I say to cheer her up. “You outlived both of my grandparents.”
“Yes. I heard about their passing,” she says, nodding her head just slightly. “Howard died about six months after your grandfather,” she adds, referring to her late husband.
“Trey told me that,” I share with her. “He still calls him Papa.” I smile and feel as if this woman could be my grandmother.
“I know, both boys do and I’m still their Nana,” she replies with a wink. “I want you to know that Howard was completely heartbroken by what happened,” she continues, her face turning more sorrowful with tears emerging. “He dearly missed Rayfield in those final years and I missed both of them as well.”
“I’m sure they missed you two just as much,” I tell her, reaching out to give her another hug.
We both stand there for a few seconds searching for words before she pats me on the arm and says, “I just wanted you to know that we never forgot about them and we were both truly sorry for all that happened back then. It was such a disgrace,” she adds, shaking her head in obvious grief.
“Everything worked out okay,” I try to reassure her while choking back my own tears. “Dad found a good job and we actually grew to love Tennessee.”
