Page 33 of Cloudless
The slight scrunch of my grandmother's nose is the only sign of her displeasure as her eyes shift back to me. “Shall we sit?”
She pulls the seat out directly across from me before I have time to reply. I don’t know why she bothered asking.
Her white tipped nails deftly unclasp her purse as we all get settled at the table. The restraint it takes to not roll my eyes as she pulls a disinfectant wipe from her bag is award worthy.
Awkwardness descends around us as she takes her time wiping down their side of the table. “So, Lila. What did you want to discuss? We were shocked to receive your email last week.”
My voice reflects an air of confidence I don’t feel. “Well, as you know, my parents passed away a few months ago.”
She interrupts, “Yes. A tragedy indeed.” Her tone matches what you might expect of someone talking about the weather, not her dead daughter.
“Yes. A tragedy. And I was wondering if?—”
“You want money?” This interruption comes from my grandfather. His sudden, harsh tone almost makes me flinch. Almost.
I shake my head as they turn to one another. “No, I?—”
My grandfather at least has the decency to lower his voice. “I told you, Victoria. She only wants money.”
“No, that’s not?—”
My grandmother, however, lacks the decency to lower her voice as they continue to talk like I’m not sitting right in front of them. “You’re right, Maxwell. It’s only ever about money.”
“I don’t want your damn money!” My eyes spring open at my outburst. I don’t need to look around me to know I have many eyes staring me down from the neighboring tables.
The smallest hint of light enters Victoria's eyes with my outburst before she extinguishes it behind her scowl.
I straighten my spine and clear my throat as they both narrow their eyes in my direction. “I’m sorry. What I meant to say is, I did not ask you to meet me today to ask for money.”
Victoria scoffs like I’m the one who has been so rudely interrupting them and not the other way around. “Well then, what did you ask us here for?”
I would fucking tell you if you’d give me a chance.
I take a deep breath to calm my heart and slow my tongue. “I wanted to ask if you wanted to be a part of Jasper and Posey’s lives.”
Their eyebrows draw down as they share a confused look before Victoria says, “Who is that?”
My mouth falls open as I volley my gaze between the two strangers sitting in front of me. Of all the things I had mentally prepared myself for today, their lack of knowledge about Jasper and Posey wasn't one of them. Of course they wouldn’t know they exist. How could they? “My, uh, brother and sister.”
For the first time since my grandparents sat down, their eyes light up with interest that sends a beat of apprehension down my spine.
Victoria leans forward ever so slightly in her seat. “How old are they?”
I unconsciously lean away from her as her sudden movement forces a current of her perfume to wash over me. “They’re seven.”
Maxwell’s voice does not reflect the interest barely concealed in his eyes. “Twins, then?”
All I can manage is a quick nod of my head as I watch them exchange a look I can’t decipher.
Maxwell stands like a posh robot and digs around in his suit pocket. Victoria’s eyes flash with confusion for a moment before she follows her husband’s silent sign that this meeting is over.
I sit, frozen in place, as my heartbeat roars in my ears. My carefully laid out plans crumble around me as I face their rejection.
No.
This can’t be happening.
I can’t lose them because of these people.
