Romeo and Juliet

39 -G-

Grandma

Karina's eyes widen as she takes in the grandeur of my home. "Oh my God! Is this where you live?" Her voice is a mix of shock and awe.

And that's because you haven't seen inside.

I nod, suppressing a chuckle. "Yep, that's the place."

"It's enormous," she murmurs, almost to herself.

I smile wryly. "It's just the three of us here, if you count Papito, my dog." I try to keep the tone light, but memories of a fuller house linger in my mind.

We unload her belongings, heavy with the weight of her current world, and I lead her inside. The house is quiet, giving me time to settle her into a guest room before I need to explain things to Jude.

Papito greets us with barks of excitement and a wagging tail, though he eyes Karina with caution.

"Hi, Papito!" I greet him warmly, then reassure Karina. "He's friendly, just give him a moment."

I coax Papito closer, introducing him to Karina. After a tentative sniff, he sneezes, and we both laugh as he relaxes.

"See? She's a new friend," I tell him, and he responds with a lick to Karina's hand.

"Aw, he's adorable," she says, a smile breaking through her earlier distress.

Suddenly, footsteps echo from the stairs.

"Juliet," calls Grandma Lily, her presence as commanding as ever, her white hair and elegant attire unchanged.

Papito barks a greeting.

"Grandma? What brings you here?" I ask, genuinely surprised.

She opens her arms wide. "Is that any way to greet your favorite grandmother?"

I embrace her, the familiarity of her presence comforting. "How are you, Grandma? How was your trip?"

She laughs, a twinkle in her eye. "Oh, Honey, it was fabulous! I met some incredibly handsome men."

I can't help but wrinkle my nose. Grandma's free spirit is something else. I believe that's where I got it from. She might be very strict but always free. When gramps died, she got a little depressed but started living her life crazy.  I can't imagine her sleeping with every man she meets... You know what? I actually do. And it's gross.

"Does Mom know you're here?"

She pats her pocket, where keys jingle. "No, it's a surprise. I still have my spare key."

"So, what's the occasion?"

She sighs, her expression turning serious. "Your father. He's always been trouble. He's getting married in two weeks, can you believe it? What's the rush, I wonder?"

I'm fully aware, but this is a private matter that Karina must remain oblivious to. My reasons are twofold: firstly, my trust in her is yet to solidify, and secondly, she's entangled in her own set of troubles.

I clear my throat, casting my gaze downward. "We'll address this later, Gran."

She offers a nod, her attention then shifting to Karina. "Juliet! How uneducated. Who is this beautiful woman? She appears as though she's weathered the most harrowing of natural calamities." Her attempt at sugarcoating is commendable, if not a bit blunt.

"Good afternoon, ma'am. My name's Karina." Dropping her duffel with a thud, she extends a welcoming hand.

"Ah, hello, dear. I'm Lily, this young lady's grandmother, on her father's side," she says, rolling her eyes with a playful giggle.

"A pleasure to meet you."

"And what's the story with the luggage? Are we setting up camp or abandoning ship?" She says with a chuckle.

I can't help but groan. Grandma's humor can be a bit biting at times. Karina's cheeks bloom with a vivid hue.

"Grandma, Karina will be staying with us for a while. She's merely a friend in need."

"She's not involved with drugs, is she? Jude will loose it..."

"Grandma," I exhale, "everything's fine. No drugs. She doesn't even partake in alcohol." I assert the last bit hastily, hoping to preempt any further inquiry—and silently praying my assumption holds true.

"No, I don't," Karina chimes in, her smile revealing a charming dimple just above her left lip.

"Wonderful," Grandma beams. "In that case, I'll relish the company. At least until I bear witness to the matrimonial farce set for two weeks hence," she declares with a dramatic flourish. "Her name was... Melanie? Monserat?"

"Martha, Grandma. It's Martha." I think so. Or not?

"Ah, yes, that!" She gestures vaguely into the air, pivoting to leave, only to halt at the sound of a motorcycle engine sputtering to a stop by the front steps.