Love At Last

Dinner at Nana’s

Cayden

I stepped into the house and completely avoided Jarod’s eyes. I could tell he was waiting for one wrong move from me.

I went ahead to help Mrs Annie to set the table because, why not? I went into the kitchen to grab the ceramic plates and the utensils. The kitchen was quite small but it was beautiful and homely. There were pictures of Jacek on the fridge, attached with magnets to hold them. They were pictures of him walking, I’m guessing his first walk, a picture with Lily and Mrs Annie and other memories. I quickly stepped out and dropped the plates on the table, arranging them according to the sitting arrangements. I could still feel Jarod’s eyes on me. He went inside to bring the food dish, and then I went ahead and helped Mrs Annie to the table.

“Thank you Cayden, you’re too kind,” Mrs Annie said

Jarod was furious, I could almost see fumes at the top of his head. He went in to get water; I’m guessing he thinks I’m doing this to spite him and I can’t let him win. The glares I’ve been getting from him are next to none.

“So Cayden, what’s your work about what does it entail?” Mrs Annie asked passing me over salad

“Umm, well… I..”

“Does it entail stalking women and making them drunk?” Jarod asks, being very petty. I just couldn’t understand what his deal was. Does he think he’s Lily’s dad? Why is he talking like we have any business?

“Jarod, don’t be mean to him..” Mrs Annie said, chewing “please go on Cayden”

“Yes Cayden, go on and tell us why you’re here… To snatch Lily from us? To get her to fall for you and then run away? You want to hurt her?” Jarod continued, all his veins, out and eyes fixated on me like he was about to attack me.

“Jarod! Where’s all this coming from? Would you stop this immediately?”

“Nah, it’s okay. I just wanted to have a peaceful meal and it seems Jarod has an issue with that.” I leaned forward towards Jarod, “do you feel insecure? Is that what this is? Or do you want Lily to fall for you and see you as the guy that eliminated the “rude guy” from her life?” I leaned back in my seat and there was an awkward silence that followed. I continued eating but I felt Jarod’s eyes on me. What I said must have gone deep. Serves him right.

“So tell me, what’s your plan for Lily? What do you want with her?” Jarod backfired. He took me by surprise, I didn’t know what to say; I froze.

“You can’t answer? I said, what’s your plan? Because I overheard some parts of your conversation with Lily the other day and it seemed like Lily likes you. What do you plan to do about that?”

What? I was so shocked because it seemed like he heard wrong and is seeing the wrong signs, so I started laughing. It was funny; thinking you know everything but you don’t. Everyone’s eyes were on me and it felt like a very serious moment, I had to stop laughing.

“Whatever you heard or say was not it Jarod, it’s simply more complicated than that.”

“What is it then?”

“Jarod, that’s enough. Let this conversation end now. Lily is a grown-up lady, her life is hers. Let her decide what she wants to and not do, okay? Besides, Lily hasn’t mentioned anything of any sort to me so you don’t have any right to embarrass anyone on this table” Mrs Annie stepped in, such a lifesaver

“Yes ma’am”

Phew! That’s over, I thought. Enough drama for the day, I should just leave now and protect myself from more embarrassments and whatnot.

“Thanks, Mrs Annie for the meal, I’m grateful! And thanks for letting me in your home, it’s very beautiful” I said, cleaning my mouth with a handkerchief and standing up.

“You’re leaving so soon already?” Mrs Annie asked with a concerned face. Jarod rolled his eyes. “I’m sure this is all your fault, Jarod” She hit Jarod’s shoulder with a spatula

“Ouch, that’s painful Nana.”

“Serves you right”

I chuckled.

“Let me see you out”

“Alright ma’am” we started walking towards the door

“I’m sorry for Jarod’s actions earlier, I’ll speak some sense into him”

“Nah that’s fine, guess he’s trying to be overprotective of her”

“As I should!” Jarod yelled from inside, connoting he’d been eavesdropping.

“Shut up Jarod!” She yelled, turned back at me and smiled. My mind was not at peace and for the fact that my all thoughts kept resonating with the fact that Jarod somehow knows what I and Lily were doing or he had mistaken what they were doing.

I smiled back at her, walked to my car and drove off

Mrs Annie

I shook my head and walked back into the house. Jarod was clearing out the table.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“What was going on with you Jarod? What was all that about? You couldn’t keep yourself and your thoughts together for just one dinner? If you have issues, why not talk it out with Lily like grown people do?” I felt embarrassed.

“I’m sorry Grandma, I promise it would never repeat itself. That was my bad”

I sighed.

“Never happen again?”

“Yes ma’am”

“Alright then. You should get going though, it’s getting late already. And thanks for clearing up the table too.”

“Sure grandma, anything for you. You know I won’t leave without doing that.” I smiled

“Grandma, please I want to ask for a favour”

“What is it this time Jarod?”

“Please can you not mention anything that happened this night to Lily? I don’t want it to get out, she might get madder than she already is”

Gosh! These children!

“Normally, I would tell her so you’d learn your lesson but I won’t. Whatever was said at this table, dies at the table. I’m even shocked your noise didn’t wake her up”

We both laughed.