MELTING HARMONIES

01B

NEFERTITI....

" My favourite grand baby is here."

He smiled at me. At ninety-two one would not except him to have a full set of teeth but he did. Maybe it was because he was a dentist. I exchanged greetings with the nurse who I had overheard arguing with him, as she walked out.

" Hey grandpa. What did you do?"

" I did nothing."

I raised my eyebrow because I knew the nurses would not argue with him for no reason.

" Fine they don't want me smoking and before you give me your professional advice, I know, but I've been smoking since I was seventeen. Your grandmother, God rest her soul, failed to make me quit, I'm not stopping when there's nothing left of my lungs either. What's the use."

It has been more than eight years since he had been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and he has managed to live on oxygen since. He moved to the old age home after my grandmother died, at his request.

He did not want to be anybody's burden. He stayed alone in their old home for a few years after her death but could not cope and asked for my help in finding the best old age home.

" You know you should save what's left of your lung to help you breathe."

" Nene I lost my daughter then the love of my life, why would I care about breathing. When they no longer exist here. I'm sorry that you have to hear me say this but I'm ready to see them again."

I gave a light sigh. I missed them too and as much as I understood where he was coming from, I wasn't ready to let him go. I wanted him to stay longer with me, he was all I had besides my dad but I said nothing and wiped the wetness off of my cheek with a smile.

" Well I'm consoled by the fact that grandma will scold you when you get there."

" Yeah they are both going to scold me for failing you."

" You didn't fail me."

" I did by letting him raise you._ I shouldn't have agreed to just visitations. I should have fought harder for you."

" Pa I understand you don't like him but he's still my father and he raised me well. He's always taken good care of me, I never wanted for anything and I was never harmed in anyway. So you can be rest assured that they won't scold you."

" My child you don't understand but he raised you well."

He laughed.

" I think I finally found something nice to say about him."

My grandfather and my dad did not get along, to the point where I grew up having two birthday and double Christmas celebrations in different houses. My mother was an only child because my grandmother would lose every pregnancy, to the point where they had given up trying when my mother came along. They did not think my mom would even make it. She was their miracle child and according to my grandpa, dad was only after her for what she could do for him. I overheard my grandparents talking about it when I was younger but neither them or my dad would tell me what that meant but I grew up to understand it's meaning.

" Grandad!"

" I know but it's the truth. Talking about the truth, have you ended things with that man?"

I looked away, Logan was another sore subject between us.

" Yes I did."

" How did he take it?"

I wanted to say well but my grandpa was smart and he would know I was lying.

" He did not take it well and said that he doesn't accept it before walking out."

" Without your keys?"

" No he still has them."

" Then change your locks."

" I don't think that's necessary, he's harmless."

" You're just like your mother. If she had listened to me when I warned her about your father, she would be alive today."

I never understood when he said this and he would not explain it either but always assured me that her death was not my fault. He only blamed my dad for her death but would not say how.

" Grandad."

" Just do as I say, for your own safety."

" I'll do it."

Although he has never physically hurt me, I did see a different side to him last night, at first he begged me to stay but then he called me every derogatory name in the dictionary before threatening my life. That was two nights ago and I have not seen him since but I am hoping he truly stays away and accepts the breakup. My phone beeped with a notification from Sophia, telling me they were already at the restaurant waiting on me.

" I'll see you later tonight."

" Yes and bring me something unhealthy like ribs bathed in barbecue sauce. I'm tired of the food they make us eat here, tastes like cardboard ."

" It can't be that bad but I'll see what I can do. I love you."

" I love you more muffin."

Really granddad?!