“What, like referee?” Jack smiled.
Nora watched as Hailey shoved Grant away from her, and her insides churned as she said a quick, silent prayer. When Grant crossed his arms and glared back at Hailey, Nora breathed a sigh of relief. “She’s a little firecracker, huh?” she smiled nervously at Jack.
“I fear that might be my fault,” Jack nodded. “Without her mother around, I did the best I could, but I think I must have raised her like a boy. Frankly, I’m praying she doesn’t haul off and punch him.” Jack put his arm around Nora. He could see the kids in the front yard, both appearing to be trying to out yell the other. “Apparently, he or she who says it louder wins,” he mused. Grant’s arms were crossed tightly across his chest as Hailey gestured with large, elaborate hand motions. “You remember what it was like to be eighteen,” he smiled at Nora. “I think Hailey and Grant probably have some things to work out that they don’t necessarily want to talk about in front of their parents. All I really want to do right now is go fix some lunch for the six of us. Hailey may not look the part of a human garbage disposal, but I assure you that girl has never missed a meal. She’ll be inside as soon as she smells the barbeque sauce, and, a sneaking little suspicion tells me, he’ll be with her.”
“Look who I brought to see you,” Nora said when her mother came to the door.
“Hi, Granny,” Emily said shyly.
“Look at you!” Granny shook her head in disbelief. “What a beautiful little lady you turned out to be.”
“Thanks,” Emily grinned.
Granny took Emily’s hand and pulled her into the kitchen. “You’re just in time,” she declared as she hobbled toward the counter. “I just took a fresh batch of cookies out of the oven.”
“Oh, Mama, we’re so full from lunch at Jack’s,” Nora sighed.
“Nonsense,” Granny shook her head as she sat a plate of cookies on the kitchen table. “Eat up.”
Nora turned around, her eyes begging Grant to come inside.
When he did, Granny took a step toward him and eyed him up and down. “Well, aren’t you a handsome devil,” she said after a moment. “But you know…pretty is as pretty does.”
“Well, nothing like greeting your long-lost grandson with a backward compliment,” Grant grinned.
“Long-lost, my foot,” Granny said as she pointed Grant toward the table. “You’re right here on my mind everyday as I pray over the heartache you’re puttin’ your poor mama through.”
“That’s enough, Mama,” Nora sighed, lifting the plate and offering Grant a cookie.
Grant shook his head.
“Don’t be silly,” Granny protested. “Sit down and have yourself a cookie.”
Grant sank down in a kitchen chair and crossed his arms.
“What is wrong with you? You don’t like chocolate chip cookies?” Granny interrogated.
Emily took a cookie from the plate and extended it to Grant. “They’re really good. You should try one,” she urged. “They’re still warm and everything.”
When Grant refused to take the cookie, Emily took a bite of it herself and nodded her approval.
“Mom, the kids met Jack’s girls today,” Nora said, trying to ease the tension that filled the room.
“That Jessica is a mighty pretty thing,” Granny replied without hesitation. “She looks just like her daddy. Don’t you think, Nora Jean?”
Nora offered a little nod.
“That other one is a mess,” Granny added. “You’d think a little girl would want to act like one. I don’t think Jack has ever gotten that girl in a dress…not even for Sunday morning services. Hailey Nelson’s just not like the other girls around here.”
“Grant and Hailey know each other,” Emily blurted.
Granny stared questioningly at Grant. “How in the world do you know Hailey Nelson?”
“I met her at basketball camp last summer,” Grant shrugged. “She told me she was from Memphis; I guess she didn’t think I would know where Hope Hull is.”
“Well, you stay away from that girl, do you hear me?” Granny said with a point of her boney finger. “She may not always act like a proper lady, but Jack has done a fine job raisin’ his two girls without their mama. The last thing he needs is to have you comin’ around and leadin’ his daughter astray.”
“Oh, well in that case I guess I won’t call and invite her to the séance I was planning tonight,” Grant scoffed sarcastically. “Speaking of which…the woods behind your house look like the perfect spot for me and my fellow practicing Luciferians to partake in our weekly demon worshiping ways…we’ll keep it pretty basic…vandalism, Ouija boards, sacrificial children held against their will…you know, generally all things occult. You wouldn’t mind if we set up back there, would you?”
“Grant, please,” Nora said softly. “Mother, if you push, he’s gonna push back harder. Trust me, he can play this game better than you can.”
“I didn’t mean it ugly, Nora,” Granny said defensively. She turned to Grant and raised her finger again. “Have you ever had your mouth washed out with soap?”
“Apologize, Grant,” Nora sighed.
“Not happening,” Grant rolled his eyes.
“Is that how you always talk to your mother when she tells you to do something?” Granny scolded.
Grant shrugged. “Is this how you treat all your grandchildren, or is this warm reception something special you cooked up just for me?”
Emily squirmed uncomfortably in her chair. “Grant, just eat a cookie and shut-up,” she muttered under her breath.
“Let’s just try to start over,” Nora insisted. “Grant, your grandmother means well.”
“Don’t you dare go puttin’ this off on me, Nora,” Granny gasped. “That little heathen could stand to spend more time with his Granny, learning how a proper young man is supposed to behave.”
