For You

Unfortunate Interruptions

"Are you sure you can't make it tonight?" I asked again, just as hopeful as the first time I approached my grandfather about the supper.

       "If I could physically attend the supper, I would." He was sincere. "But I don't have the power to make her see me."

      Though I couldn't help but sigh, I nodded in understanding. I knew I was asking for a lot. Something told me that very few people had been granted the opportunity of having their girlfriend meet their grandad's ghost.

       "I just wish there was a way to explain it to her." I slumped into my seat at the kitchen table. "She hasn't said anything about it, but I'm sure she thinks it's unlikely that you could be as busy as you are. She thinks you're avoiding her."

       Grandpa paused then. Gaze strained on his feet for many moments, finally he regarded me curiously. "You think it bothers her deeply?"

       I nodded without hesitation. "I've met most of her family, many times too, and she's never so much as even seen you from a far. She probably thinks I'm ashamed of her, which is so far from the truth."

      "It bothers you too," grandpa noted.

I fell silent, stirring my bowl of oatmeal shyly. Eventually I met his eyes.

"I totally understand why you can't, but yes, it bothers me that you can't meet her... There's something special about introducing your loved ones to another person you love. I won't get to introduce her to the rest of my family. I've accepted that... But I thought she might have a chance with you."

He watched me a few moments longer with a sad look in his eyes. "I'm sorry," is all he managed to say.

       Squeezing my shoulder on the way out, he headed towards the door.

       "You're leaving already?" I remarked with disappointment.

       "I have unforeseen matters to handle." He left without another word. Evasive. No explanations offered.

        As soon as the last bell rang, I packed both my and Lexi's things, eagerly dragging her to the car. I drove home in record speed, immediately instructing Lexi to sit at the table while I went to work in the kitchen. I was determined to make grandma's famous lasagna on my own, determined to impress the girl watching me from the kitchen table. Though I had handed her a new book to keep her occupied, the bookmark remained unmoved as Lexi had chosen to chat me up instead, occasionally giggling at my natural talent of making a mess. Tomato sauce streaked across my forehead, I grinned as I answered all her questions about my grandmother and her notorious culinary skills. Eyes flicking between the brunette and the untouched book in her hand, I couldn't help but feel important. There was not much Lexi-Graced prioritized more than reading.

      When the dish was safely deposited in the oven, most of the sauce wiped from the counter and the floor, I popped The Prisoner of Azkaban in the DVD player. I bought the entire series the very day I had heard Lexi mention it months ago, playing her favourite that night.

       Both crammed on the same small cushion on the large sofa, few minutes in the film, I turned towards Lexi to gauge her reaction at a funny line. She wasn't even looking at the screen, distracted by one the cigars on the living room table. Grandpa had the tendency to leave them everywhere. A half-smoked cigar could be found in just about every room in the house.

       "My grandpa's," I offered as explanation.

        Lexi almost looked surprised.

       "I told you I didn't make him up." I chuckled. "I really do live with him, he's just a very busy man."