Tears on a Sunday Afternoon - Michael Presley [65]
“Mama, can we go to a restaurant the next time so that you don’t have to cook?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer.
“Boy, I tell you every time that I don’t have a problem cooking. Your grandma might have gone to a restaurant about five times in her life. Your grandfather always used to say why pay for something you could make better yourself? What restaurants you know that make better food than me?”
It was a winless fight so I changed the conversation. “You went to Doctor Charles yesterday. Is everything all right?”
“It’s as all right as it can be for an old woman. These doctors only know how to do one thing and that’s give people pills. They give you a pill for everything, even to make you sleep.” She paused. “I don’t take them on because, if you do, you’ll go crazy before you get sick. Now, what’s so important that you sent my grandson away from me?”
I put my head down on the table; not wanting to look at her. “In the next few days, a lot of things will be happening in my life. If everything goes as planned, life will be great and I’ll be able to get out from my present situation.”
“I told you not to marry that girl. But I hope you’re not going to do anything stupid to get out of it.”
“Grandma, only time will tell whether or not what I’m about to do is stupid. An opportunity has presented itself and I’m going to try and take advantage of it. If things don’t work out, I’ve left a letter in your mailbox with a bank card with both of our names on it. It’ll enable you to live the rest of your life in a comfortable manner.”
“Son, you know you and Emerald are all I have left and I pray that God takes me away before He does either one of you. While I can’t tell you what to do with your life, I want you to think about the people who love you. Whatever happens to you will create a void that will never be filled.” Grandma reached out to hold my hand. “I supported you with your father and I will support you for the rest of my life, but be careful. I don’t need anything but you and my grandson.”
“I know, Mama, but in life sometimes you have to do something to get out of the pits. Otherwise, you’ll spend your life asking, ‘What if?’ I don’t want a life full of regrets. This is an opportunity for me to do what Donald wants to do. It’s a time for me to be responsible for my future. Like I said, only time will decide whether or not it was a mistake or the best thing I’ve ever done. I promise to be careful and I know that you’ll be there for me. Believe me, it helps a lot.” My eyes teared up as I surveyed the wrinkles on her face. She had been through a lot of wars and now she had to wait for the result of yet another one. “Grandma, I’m going to make you proud.”
“Son, you’ve already made me proud in more ways than one. Every time that I see you or Emerald, it makes me want to live longer and longer. I realize that you’ve made some mistakes but you’ve been a good son to me. There isn’t anything that I want that you wouldn’t give to me if I asked for it.” My grandmother was shaking.
“But, Mama, you’ve never asked for anything,” I said.
“Because, Son, there isn’t anything that I want. I have food on my plate and clothes on my back; tell me what else I could ask for,” she said. “Except for asking the Lord to guide and protect you two. This is it for me, Son. I’m on the final leg of my visit and you and Emerald have made it a wonderful experience.”
There wasn’t much more to be said. In my grandmother’s eyes I saw the confidence that had kept me strong for so many years. I got up and went over to her chair. I hugged her and kissed her on the forehead. “Thanks, Mama.”
I spent the rest of the day with Emerald. We went boating; then later in the evening we took in a Broadway play. Even though he enjoyed school and, ordinarily, I wouldn’t keep him out for the day, I considered it a worthwhile exception. We can see our