Suburban Island V

Golden Boys (Patience, Viola, and Ronnie)

Golden Boys (Patience, Viola, and Ronnie)

-Patience-

I knew this wasn't going to be easy. Dad and grandma hadn't spoken in years. This needs to happen for Aunt Patrice. I sat grandma down in front of my computer.

"Here he is," I said. My dad had a confused look on his face when he saw us.

"Mom?" he asked. Already, my grandma scoffed at him.

"Ronnie," she said. I pressed my hands together.

"Please hear me out," I pleaded. I don't really know what happened between dad and grandma. It's not going to matter right now. Everyone acts like time is running out for us. I have to do this for Patrice.

"We don't have much time on the mainland," I spoke up. Dad and grandma looked at me. I clenched my fists at my sides.

"Aunt Patrice can't survive here anymore," I said. "She needs proper help. Her staying with you will be the only way." I didn't sound too convinced with what I was saying. But I already made up my mind. I felt a hand on my arm. I looked and saw grandma looking up at me.

"This won't work out, baby," she said.

"Why not? What do you mean?" I asked.

"How will we get her to Alaska?" grandma asked.

"I already put in a request to the government," I said. My family looked stunned.

"You what?" Dad asked.

"When did you do this?" grandma asked. I lifted my chin.

"Last month," I said.

"Last month?!" they asked. At this point, I didn't care. I needed to do this. This had to be done.

"Why didn't you say anything?" grandma asked.

"Because I know how you are," I said. My family sat silent for a moment. I had no shame for what I did. I just wanted to help Patrice.

"You did all of this yourself?" Dad asked.

"Yes," I said. I turned to grandma.

"We can't help Aunt Patrice here," I said. "She needs proper help." I looked at Dad.

"Please Dad!" I pleaded. "You're the only one who can help. Don't you have a spare room?" I wasn't going to back down.

"I will have to talk to my wife about it," he said. I bowed my head.

"Thanks, dad," I said. I turned to grandma.

"Grandma?" I asked.

"Are you serious about this?" she asked.

"Yes!" I said. I didn't know why I was raising my voice. Grandma narrowed her eyes at me.

"Does Patrice know about this?" she asked.

"I won't tell her yet," I said. "I want everything to be set up first before we talk to her." I folded my arms across my chest. She put up her hands.

"Fine," grandma said. "Do what you feel is best." I fought to keep myself together.

"You really mean it?" I asked.

"Yes," grandma said.

"And is it okay with you?" I asked dad.

"Fine," he said. "Let me talk to Regina when she comes home tonight." I let out a breath that I didn't know that I was holding as I dropped my arms by my sides.

"Thank you, guys," I said. The easy part was over. (Maybe?) I looked over at my bedroom door. How was my aunt going to take this? In any case, I was going to have to move before the summer was over. I walked over to my door.

"I'm going to get Aunt Patrice," I said.

"You sure that's going to be a good idea?" grandma asked. I looked over my shoulder.

"I can handle it," I said. "She'll listen to me as long as I am gentle with her."

"I wish you luck then," she said.

"Thanks!" I shouted as I waved her off. I walked out of my room and across the hall. Too late to back out of this now. Aunt Patrice needed this. I drew in a breath and knocked on her door.

"Yes?" I heard my aunt in her room. I held my shoulders back and took a breath.

"Aunt Patrice," I said. "Come out. We need to talk."