Chapter Six: Prejudice

The elevator doors slid open, and I stormed into the lobby preparing to go to war. The nerve of that man! How dare he bring his particular brand of boy chaos into my realm!

Just as I turned towards the patio doors, I heard, "Oh, there you are! I was just coming upstairs to look for you."

I stopped short. "Sue! Hey!" For some reason, I felt a little caught out. Like maybe I was doing something I shouldn't be. Why on earth would I feel that way?

Sue Clearwater was our General Manager. I've never had a better boss. Under her guidance and care, The Bishop was a home in the best sense. We were all family-residents, family members, and staff alike. I respected her wisdom and ability to handle any situation more than just about anyone I knew.

"Am I keeping you from something?" she asked.

"Oh, not really. I was just going outside to check on Miss Audrey."

"Miss Audrey? Is she outside by herself? Oh, yes, that's right. Her grandson is here. That's what I wanted to see you about."

I gritted my teeth and not quite spat, "Yes, he certainly is here. What's up with him?"

Her next words were like a gallon bucket of ice water dumped over me. "He's such a good man. You know, he called me yesterday to ask if it would be okay to bring Miss Audrey an occasional high-ball. Seems she enjoys a drink now and then. I checked her chart and alcohol isn't contraindicated, so I told him of course. I just asked that he be discrete about it as some of our residents can't have it and wouldn't understand why Miss Audrey could."

"Oh…" To say I was shocked was an understatement. He had called and asked permission? He wasn't just trying to sneak around? He was just being discrete? He was acting responsibly? That sure didn't fit his man/boy character that I thought I knew. And here I was just about to go out there and give him an earful. I would have made an utter fool out of myself and embarrassed him, myself, and Miss Audrey, too. I'd deserve any fallout that would have come from it.

Oh, my. I had prided myself on being a level-headed, practical sort of person. Grace under pressure—that's me. Why was I going at this man with guns a-blazing? I needed to step back and reconsider. And definitely not do something that would make a fool out of myself. Geesh.

-Meanwhile back on the patio—

"Nannie, I'd bet there are plenty of fish in that river. Do you think they'd let me come over and try my luck?"

"I don't see why not. Maybe we could ask? Oh, looky there, Sweetness is here! She'd know."

I was standing with my hand on Nannie's chair and looked up to see Sweetness walking towards us. I must admit, she did look sweet but a little—I don't know, maybe-constipated, like something wasn't settling exactly right in her innards? I wonder what bee she's got in her bonnet now?

"Good morning, Miss Audrey," she said, smiling down at my Nannie.

"Good morning, Sweetness. I want to introduce you to my grandson, Sugar." Nannie grandly swept her now empty Bloody Mary cup in my direction.

Smiling, I stuck my hand out and said, "My name is actually Edward Cullen, but most people know me as Sugar, or Shug, thanks to this lady here." I nodded in my grandmother's direction.

Shaking my hand, she said, "Believe it or not, my name is not Sweetness, it's Bella Swan."

"I'm right sorry we got off to a bad start the other day. My nephew's dog is boisterous. I was trying to get some of his energy worked out but it back-fired."

"Oh, so you two have met?" Nannie said, cocking her eyebrow just so. I knew that meant she was up to something.

"Yes, Miss Audrey. We met at the beach the other day," Bella said, as she smiled down at my Grand. She did have the sweetest smile.

I hurried to explain, "I was taking Emmet's dog out for a run, and he bowled this pretty lady right over. Not the best way to get introduced." I was hoping she'd gotten over that episode.

"Aw, that dog's got spirit, juss like a good man. He'll settle down soon enough," Nannie responded and then chuckled for some reason. I shot her a look. She could be unpredictable, and I had no clue what was on her mind.

"Miss Audrey, I came out here to get tell you it was time to eat. Are you coming up?"

Nannie turned to me and said, "Why don't you join us for dinner, Sugar? The grub here's usually good and I don't want you to go just yet."

I had nothing else planned to do today that couldn't wait, so I agreed, and we followed Sweetness or rather, Bella, to the elevator.

Just as we parted ways at the door of Bella's office, Nannie asked, "Sweetness, do you like to fish?"

Notes:

If Edward's going to fish, he'll need a license.

A High-ball is a mixed drink, usually whiskey with a mixer.

In the south, at least among the older generation, dinner was the noon-time meal and supper was what you ate in the evening. This has become really passe.