Page 2 of Dear Southern Belle
I had planned on staying with my grandfather, so I didn’t bother to book a room at a hotel. Not that I bet there are many options in Oak View. I doubt there is a lot of tourism passing through town, so not a lot of places to stay I imagine.
“I’m sorry for bringing you down here under false pretenses, but I didn’t know how else to do it. You can see that your grandfather is so stubborn, and he wasn’t going to make a move to reach out to you on his own.”
“He said he didn’t know I existed.”
She smiles sadly at me. “He knew. He’s known since you were born.”
My grandfather knew about me all these years, but he’s couldn’t be bothered to reach out? The hope I felt coming down here with the idea of a happy family reunion is nearly snuffed out.
“I don’t mean to be rude, but who are you?”
“Oh, where are my manners?” She holds out her hand to me. “I’m Martha. Your grandfather’s in-home caregiver.”
I take her hand. “I’m Braden Holt.”
“I know, dear. I feel like I already know you,” she says.
I’m about to ask her how that is possible, when we both hear a loud crash, followed by a shout. Martha darts up the stairs with the agility of someone half her age. I follow her, but she turns and stops me with a hand to my chest.
“It’s best if I handle this on my own,” she says, and I take a step back. “Give me an hour to talk with him and then you can come back.”
“What do you suggest I do in the meantime?” I ask.
“I’ve put in an order for dinner from Sabine’s Café in town. Be a dear and pick it out. By the time you get back we should be all good.”
“Martha!” my grandfather shouts.
She turns without another word and heads back inside. I peak inside the door, but I can’t see either of them. It’s probably best that I do as she says. I just hope that she can talk him into letting me stay. I’ve already come this far, I don’t want to miss out on a chance to connect with the one family member that I know of outside of my parents.
