The Harper Family: Colliding Paths (Wattpad Version)

Life lesson

Dyson

Gertie finalized funeral arrangements while I cleaned up the yard from the leaves.

"Dyson?" A deep voice asked.

I stopped and turned to see Grandpa Matt standing five feet from me. "Grandpa?"

Grandpa glanced around and gestured to the lawn equipment and lawn bags. "So, this is what has kept you so busy."

"I work in exchange for a place to live."

"Ah, even trade. But you don't make any money."

"Money isn't everything." I shrugged

"No, I guess not. But it helps to pay the bills."

"I have other projects."

"Yeah, I heard. The family pays you to create programs for their companies, as I did. I bet you didn't tell your folks that, did you?" Grandpa cocked his brow.

"My parents would think I was lying."

"Elias and I would dispute that if they did."

I leaned a rake against the shed. "Is there a reason for your visit?"

"Yeah, there is. I would like to know what would possess your stupid ass to hurt your cousin as you did."

I narrowed my eyes to a slit as my nostrils flared.

"Don't even go there. I'm not your dad. I won't hesitate to beat your ass for what you did."

My jaw tightened.

Grandpa stepped toward me. "I'm not Deacon. You running away won't bother me because that makes you a damn coward."

"I'm not a coward!"

"Oh, you're not? I must have forgotten that cowards don't fight. They run off like little bitches with their tails between their legs."

"It's not like you didn't run away when things got tough."

Grandpa grabbed my jacket and yanked me to him. "You listen to me. My situation was nothing like yours. I did what I thought was right not to hurt my family. You chose to hurt yours. Big difference."

"What do you want from me?" My voice cracked.

"I want you to own up to your mistakes like a man. Men don't run. They stay and fight."

I looked at Grandpa with glassy eyes.

"Why did you hurt Patrick? I want the truth."

"I wanted to hurt him because like he hurt me." Tears dripped down my cheeks.

"But Patrick never hurt you."

"I thought he did when he ignored me."

"Dyson." Grandpa released me and cupped my face. "That's not a reason to be cruel. You had a choice. You chose wrong."

"I just wanted people to hear me."

"We do."

I shook my head.

Grandpa held my head and looked into my eyes. "We do. I wouldn't lie to you. But you need to fix this mess that you created. You need to start with Marty."

"I did."

"What?"

"I called Marty and talked to him."

Grandpa nodded in response.

"I'm still working up the nerve to talk to Patrick and my dad." I sniffled.