The Harper Generations

It's a Gray thing

Misty

After my dad returned home, we fell back into our routine with Alana added to the mix. I didn't mind since it was fantastic having her around. Plus, my dad seemed happier, which reminds me of something. I needed to talk to my dad about my mom. Would he remember her? Does she still matter?

There was only one way to find out.

So, I sat my dad down on the couch, talked to him about my mom, and asked him a ton of questions.

"Misty, I met your mom as West when we were kids. I cared about her and loved her as well. She was the sweetest person. Everything now doesn't diminish my feelings for her," my dad said.

"I don't want you to betray my mom's memory because I wanted my wish to come true."

My dad cupped my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "It doesn't. But I understand things are different now. Would your mom and I stay together? I don't have an answer to that question. Things happen for a reason."

"I never met my mom. So it's hard to miss her."

My dad pulled his hand away. "That's understandable. You didn't get to know her. But I can tell you that she was excited to meet you. I didn't realize she was sick since she never told me."

"How do you not tell someone you're sick? It makes no sense." I shook my head in disbelief.

"It does when you don't want someone to choose your life over theirs."

"What do you mean?"

"The doctor told me there was a chance I would have lost both of you if Cora ended the pregnancy. Cora would still have died."

"But she risked her life for me."

"If Ma had her hand in the mix, she picked someone that would."

"Wait. Are you saying Grammy Gray intentionally chose my mom because she would die for me to return?"

"It seems that way."

"Whoa. That's insane."

"Not with Ma's way of thinking." My dad shrugged.

We heard a knock on the front door. My dad and I raced to see who could answer it faster.

I won and flung the door open to find Alana with a surprised expression. "Welcome to our humble abode. Come in and spend time with Dad while I bother my boyfriend."

"Boyfriend?" My dad asked with a raised brow.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you. Tino and I worked out our issues. Now, he's my boyfriend."

"Tino and I will chat about his intentions with you."

"Yeah, sure. Bye." I hurried past Alana and ran to Tino's house before my dad could stop me. I banged on the door as Val answered it. "If my dad comes looking for Tino, tell him he's busy."

"What?" Val asked.

"Nothing. Later." I hurried past Val and ran upstairs to Tino's bedroom. I rushed inside, closed the door, and barricaded myself against the door.

Tino glanced at me with a raised brow.

"My dad may or may not be talking to you about your intentions with me since I spilled the beans about us." I winced.

"I thought you wanted to have dinner and dropped our little bombshell on him."

"I did until I opened my mouth and regurgitated our romantic status."

"I need to duct tape your mouth shut."

"It's a Gray thing. No one in this damn family can keep their mouth shut."