My Safe Haven (BxB)

Chapter XXIX - Sunday Morning Blessings

Andrew's POV – 1 September 2019 (Sunday)

"Andrew? Andrew?" I am woken up from my deep slumber by Aunt Jenny calling my name, tapping my shoulder in an attempt to wake me up, and succeeding.

"I'm sorry that I woke you up, but I had to," she states sweetly "today's the day." What is she on about now? What day is it? "The funeral" she elaborates, clearly seeing my confused look.

"Oh yeah, I don't think I'm going to go" I reply in finality, as I turn my back to her and draw the blankets closer to my ear. I know you're probably wondering why I'd decide to not go to my grandpa's funeral, but I've given this a lot of thought, and not going seems to be the best option for me.

"You're not going?" she asks, clearly shocked. "Why?"

I turn my attention to her again, "After everything that happened, with my parents, I sure don't want to face them..."

"But you're not doing this for them" she interrupts. "I just feel like you don't want to go because of that stupid dream..."

"It's not stupid, Jenny!" I exclaim. "My grandpa is upset that I," I say hitting my chest with my good arm in emphasis "cost him his life!" How dare she say that the dream that's been on my mind for the most of this week is stupid? How dare she?

"Well, the dream may not be entirely stupid, but your interpretation of it sure is!" she yells, startling me. See, Aunt Jenny is a very down-to-earth person, so seeing her yell, is just out of the ordinary. "How can you possibly think the man that loved you more than life itself is upset at you for 'killing him'?" she air quotes the last statement. "Your grandpa was going to die, like it or not he..."

"Don't say that!"

"Well it's true, Andrew. Your grandpa used to say it all the time that he was going to go, didn't he?' she asks, shocking me. I never told her that so how the hell does she know?

"How did you know that?" I voice my thoughts.

"Did you think the vendetta I have with your father was enough to keep me away from Old Man Patrick?" she laughs. "I used to go visit him, and he knew he was going to go. So, his death is not your fault," she smiles comfortingly "now stop beating yourself up over it."

"But-but that doesn't explain why he's mad at me" I say very lowly. "Can you please tell me why he's mad at me?"

"Well, you've been sulking ever since you got here, and when I ask you about what's bothering you, you shut me out. You only told me about what your father did to you, and the dream, nothing more, but I can see it Andrew. I see it in your eyes that there's something else." With these words, I felt like I had experienced a mother's love for the first time in my 17 years of living. "Tell me what's wrong?" she enquires, reaching out for my hand.

At her words, I feel my heart beat rapidly. My parents never gave me an opportunity to express my emotions, and this is an opportunity I can't miss, so I put my hand in hers, and sigh...

"Well, there's this person that I liked...a guy" I pause, looking at her trying to analyze her facial expressions for any disgust or disappointment, only to be met by a nod, encouraging me to go on, so I do. "I really liked him and he really made me happy, until my mother saw me with him..."

"...and your mother told your father about it" she continues for me, shocking me once again. "If your eyes get any wider, I'm pretty certain your eyeballs will be rolling on the floor pretty soon" she laughs. "Remember this, I know your parents very well."

"Yeah, she threw me under the bus, which is why I sit here with a broken arm and nose. And all of that unfolded right after I found out about Grandpa Pat's death, so I kinda felt bad about everything. Considering the fact that my father had drilled the idea that 'if you abandon Christ, there'll be repercussions.'"

"I just need to know something, okay?" I nod. "You speak about this guy in past tense, so what does that mean?" she asks.

"I broke up with him on Monday" I express seriously.

"Andrew, I'm going to tell you this. Your grandfather and I were joined to the hip and we used to talk about a lot of things" she says, starring off into space. "One of the many things that I used to talk to him about was you."

"Me? What about me?"

"Quite a lot things, but one of the things that we spoke about in his final days, was this guy that you were "going out with'" she chuckles, making heat rise to my cheeks. "Your grandfather told me that he was worried that your parents weren't going to be supportive of the relationship once they found out, but he would make it a certainty that he supports you, because he could see how happy you were," she smiles "with him" she adds. "So when you think about everything that I've told you, why do you think Patrick would be mad at you?"

I take some time and think her question through, crashing through a blank wall every time, "I don't know."

"Your grandfather was so supportive of your relationship with this guy because he could see how genuinely happy you were with him, so maybe he's just disappointed that you threw all of that happiness out, all in the name of honoring him, because you feel 'guilty' for 'killing him'."

Goodness, why didn't I think of it like that?

"So I broke things off with Christian for literally no reason?" I sigh with defeat at the thought.

"Yes" she says seriously. Wow so she's not even going to attempt to sugar coat things for me? "But now the power to fix things lies solely on you. Just make sure you do the right things from now" she adds, and let's go of my hand, standing up. "Alright, I'll give you some time to prepare for the funeral, don't be too long" she says, making her way towards the stairs, and stops momentarily. "And one more thing, fuck your parents" she expresses, ascending the stairs, and leaves the basement, leaving me with nothing but my thoughts.

And for the first time this entire week, I smiled, a genuine smile at that.

*****

Hello Lovelies

I'm back with another Chapter for you, cause I'm cool like that *wink wink*. I hope this one makes up for the time I spent on hiatus.

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Ciao!