Chapter Three
Despite my effort to get a few hours of sleep in, all I managed to do was lie in bed and toss and worry about the impending confrontation with my mother. I was still a little upset about some of the accusations she had thrown at me, but my temper had calmed a bit and I felt a little foolish for leaving like I had. In all honesty, however, I figured that she probably hadn't even realized I was gone until Grandmere had called her. Now, she was sure to be in such a rage and I wished I could just crawl under the covers, close my eyes, and never wake up. That way I wouldn't have to deal with Mom, but the chances of that happening were looking very slim.
I finally got up about six thirty and made my way to the bathroom hoping to maybe get a chance to relax in the bathtub for a little while. The warm water was soothing and loosened up my tense body. I submerged my whole body underwater for a few seconds and just lay there with my eyes closed trying to figure out how to deal with the problems that had reared their ugly heads in my direction. If only Mom had been working late like she usually does, or if I had just told Eric no, none of this would be happening. Since there was really nothing I could do to change what had been done, I just wanted to stay in hiding all day; but, I knew better than that. Grandmere, although she loved and cared for me, would never let me hide from my problems. So I finished bathing and got out of the tub.
Within an hour, I was dressed and ready to go downstairs. I didn't know whether or not Mom had to work today, but it didn't really matter right now anyway. If she didn't have to work, she would probably still be in the bed for another hour or so. So, with that knowledge, I headed downstairs and to the dining room where breakfast was sure to be waiting on me. Ms. Landau was a wonderful cook with many Cajun recipes. I just loved to eat her homemade meals whenever I spent time here over the years. When I entered, the dining room, the first person I saw was Grandfather reading his newspaper. As usual he was dressed in a pressed dark blue suit with a tie and the whole nine yards. Sometimes, when I was younger, I would think that Grandfather took more time getting ready than Grandmere.
"Hello, princess," he said warmly and his face lit up as it always did when he greeted me, "I didn't know you stayed here last night. Surely, Ruby would have told me, so I could have spent some time with you."
"Oh, it's not Grandmere's fault, Grandfather," I quickly interjected, "I kind of surprised her with my visit last night. I think you were already in bed."
Before he could speak anymore, Grandmere came into the room and his attention went straight to her. It was obvious that they were still very much in love, and I couldn't help but smile at them both looking fresh and years younger than their actual age. I hoped that Eric and I could be that happy together when we were grandparents ourselves. Grandmere sat down across from me and beside Grandfather and reached out for his hand. They squeezed hands for a brief moment and then began to eat their breakfast. I was already gobbling down my breakfast with no charm or etiquette whatsoever, when Grandmere finally spoke to me.
"You're mother called a little earlier this morning, darling," she said rather nonchalantly as to throw Grandfather off, I'd assumed, "she said that she would be over around ten this morning."
I stopped eating for a second and I'm sure my face had turned a little pale, for Grandfather was looking at me with curiosity written all over his face. I nodded quickly and began to pick at my food instead of eating. I didn't want Mom to come over so early, but it didn't look like she had given me any choice. My mind raced trying to think of some way to get out of seeing her today. I could just up and leave before she gets here, but I didn't want to disappoint Grandmere like that. What if I just went to visit Eric at his home? They couldn't say anything about that? Then, again, what if Mom found out his address and tracked me down? No, as much as I hated it, the best thing to do would be to stay around and get this whole ordeal over with.
"Your Grandpere and I," Grandmere started purposely aggravating Grandfather by calling him grandpere, "have some errands to run that will most likely take up most of the day, so you'll be here by yourself for a while, dear."
Great, now I would have to deal with Mom on my own. Maybe she had calmed down some now. I could always hope. I excused myself from the table and headed back up to my room, where I picked up the phone and called Eric. He answered and my heart did flip-flops at the sound of his voice.
"Hi, Eric," I said softly trying not to sound to upset or worried, but there was no doubt he could tell something was up.
"What is it, babe?" he asked me right off the bat, "You sound like something's bothering you. Did your Mom get too upset last night after I left?"
I burst into tears and tried my best to keep my voice steady as I answered his question, "No, we didn't get into it too bad," I lied, "I just came to spend some time with my grandparents."
He sighed and I knew that he knew I was lying to him. I mean, what girls mother wouldn't be upset after finding her daughter almost in the act of premarital sex, and with a boy that her daughter had never bothered to introduce to her before. About that time, I heard the front doorbell ring and I knew that my Mother was here. I could pretend I didn't hear it and just ignore her. Maybe she'd go away.
"Listen, my Mom is here," I told Eric, "I've got to go I'll talk to you later."
"I love you," he said to me before I slammed the receiver down and headed for the front door.
This was going to be bad, but I might as well get it over as soon as possible.
