Page 53 of Twice
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We visited for two hours. My grandmother drifted in and out. Sometimes she was right there, sharp as a needle, making comments about my haircut or how she hated answering machines. Then she’d nod off or repeat something she’d said five minutes earlier. She kept glancing at a small refrigerator, as if waiting for something to emerge from it.
But she and Gianna got along splendidly. Gianna had a warmth that touched anyone in her orbit. When Yaya drifted, Gianna held her hand until she was able to focus again. They spoke about Africa, college, photography, our apartment. She told Yaya how beautiful her skin was. At one point, still holding Gianna’s hand, Yaya reached for mine. We edged our chairs closer together.
“This one,” she said, nodding at me, “I worry about sometimes.”
“It’s all right,” Gianna said. “I’ll keep an eye on him.”
“Promise?”
“Yes.”
“I believe you.” Yaya smiled deeply. “I want to give you something, OK?”
“OK...”
Yaya closed her eyes, still smiling. We sat that way for a few seconds. Then she opened her eyes and said, “Good.”
“What was that, Yaya?” I asked.
“Just a little prayer.”
“Thank you,” Gianna said.
“So,” Yaya said. “Will Alfie make an honest woman out of you?”
“An honest woman?”
“Marriage.”
Gianna smiled. “Yes. He proposed.”
“I don’t see a ring.”
“We’re gonna get to that, Yaya,” I said. “We’re saving money.”
“Is that yours?” Gianna asked, pointing to the jeweled band on my grandmother’s finger.
“Uh-huh,” she answered. She let go of our hands and ran her fingertips over the small stone. Her mouth curled downward.
“Go outside now, sweetheart,” she said to Gianna.
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Once Gianna had gone, my grandmother’s tone changed.
“Bring me that,” she said, pointing.
“The fridge?”
“The book on top.”
I walked over. It was a photo album, open to the first page. I put it in her lap, and she ran her fingers over the faded images of an old black-and-white family portrait.
“My mother,” she said. “And my grandmother. That’s your uncle Nikos. And my daddy. Look how young.”
I studied the familial faces, the men in suits and the womenwearing embroidered Greek jackets, their hair tucked under tight-fitting hats.
