Beyond the Lesson (TXS) (GXG)

Grandparents

Sunday

Sleep was not a thing that occurred at all last night. I stayed up all night rereading Ms. Romanos and I messages and trying to decipher whether or not it was her flirting or just entertaining my attempt at flirting. I mean I wouldn't really care if it was just her entertaining me but even the thought of her flirting back sends butterflies to my stomach. "What's got you so smiley today?" Tyson asks as he drives us to our grandparents house.

I let the smile leave my face. "Uh nothing. Just excited to see grandpa D and grandma Mary." I say telling half the truth. I do actually enjoy being at our grandparents house. They're our moms parents. Our dads aren't alive anymore.

"Me too."

I smirk at him. "You're excited for grandmas food more than you are them." He laughs and we continue driving. We make it to their house which is just a small ranch house in the country side. They like the minimalist lifestyle and so do I. I never liked living in a huge house, it just feels empty when it's just you. We get out the car and the front door immediately opens revealing the short older black woman with short hair showing off her wise grays.

"My babies!" She yells with her arms out wide to pull us in. I sink into her arms and smell her scent of natural oils and cocoa butter. "You are making me feel like a small person everytime I see you." She jokes and I laugh. "And look at you, that beard is coming in nicely." She says to Tyson.

"I'm trying to get it like granddads." He says playing with it and she nods smiling sweetly at us.

"Oh come in. Your grandpa is at the store getting me some last minute stuff for your sweet potatoes." She directs to me and my eyes go wide. I love sweet potatoes with marshmallows and cinnamon. We get in the cozy house filled with brown decors. "Now tell me what's been going on in y'all lives." She asks as she makes the fried chicken.

"Well Talia has a crush she won't tell me about." My eyes snap to him and he has a smirk on his face.

"Really? I thought we were swearing off all relationships until the end of time. Atleast that's what you said when that girl broke your heart." She says and Tyson snickers.

I groan. "I do not have a crush. Tysons just being a butt." I say and he sticks his tongue out like a child.

She laughs. "You two stop it." Honk! "Oh that's your grandad. Tyson go help him with groceries." She tells him and he leaves the kitchen. The door closes and she look at me. Here we go. "Now who is she?"

I sigh. "You didn't buy it huh?" She shakes her head. "She's my teacher." She stops seasoning and looks at me.

"Your teacher?" I nod. "That's interesting I guess. How'd that happen?"

I shake my head. "That's the thing nothing has happened grandma I just think she's attractive but when I told her, she basically friend zoned me but said we aren't even friends."

She nods. "Sounds like a responsible young woman. Are you trying to pursue her?"

I shrug. "I'm not sure. This is different grandma. I mean she's not like old but she's older and can lose her job. I know it's wrong but I can't help but feel attracted to her."

She sighs and then gestures to sit at the breakfast nook. We sit down and she puts our hands together. "Baby I can't tell you not to follow and listen to your heart but I will tell you to be careful. She has so much more to lose if you successfully get her. I know you and you are a charmer." I roll my eyes playfully. "Do you think she likes you?"

I shrug. "I'm not exactly sure. I mean she turns down any advance I make on her but she also blushes meaning she likes them. But I might be reading into it too much."

She shrugs. "You might be or she's just fighting her feelings knowing the possible risks." I nod agreeing. "I can tell this is bothering you, so get your answer and then go from there. If she continues to shut it down, leave it alone but if not, take your chance. Don't let one person dictate how you live your life."

"I know I didn't." Our heads snap to grandad and Tyson walking back in with groceries. "I never would've met your grandmother if I didn't leave my ex wife." My grandad says and she rolls her eyes.

"Stop saying it like I stole you from her. She was cheating on you the entire time and I was your divorce attorney." She says and Tyson and I chuckle. He kisses her forehead letting his long grey beard tickle it making her smack his arm to stop. My grandad is definitely where the height comes from in the family, it just passed our mom. He's a 6'6 bald giant but he's a fit old man. Definitely can bench Tyson and I at the same time. He carries the good genes for sure.

Tyson comes to me. "So you do have a crush?"

"Nope." I say plainly and he scoffs and I go to help my grandma with dinner.

"So what are we gonna do for the anniversary this year?" Our grandma asks as we eat dinner. The table goes quiet and Tyson and I look at each other. "We are doing something right?"

Tyson sighs. "It's been 10 years grandma. We do something every year and Talia and I just feel like it's not necessary anymore." He says and she stops eating and looks at our grandpa.

"They're your parents." She says defensively. Oh no.

He nods. "We know. And we're grateful for what they did do when they were around but grandma," he takes a breath. "They killed themselves with us in the room and left us to be traumatized."

"We do something every year." She says getting louder and emotional.

"Just not this year. We need a break." He says calmly.

"We or you?" She asks and he sighs. She looks at me. "Talia do you feel like celebrating your parents death is something you no longer want to do?" She asks me and I look at Tyson.

"Um I'm not sure. I was 8 when they did what they did and I've been in and out of therapy ever since. Not just reliving that moment but every single moment with them and they're not all that good grandma." She looks down at her plate. "But we celebrated it because mom is your daughter and we want to be there for you but we didn't have the same relationship with her like you did. We need a break like Tyson said." I say and she sighs and nods.

"Fine. We'll take a break this year. But if you change your mind just let me know." We nod and we go back to eating but in silence and it's killing me. Grandma and Tyson don't have a bad relationship but it did get a little iffy when he decided to stay at the house then come here. He had just turned 18 when they died so he fought for custody of me. It wasn't a bad battle because our grandparents didn't pick much of a fight but they were a little upset. He had a moment when he just resented all adults.

We finish dinner and then I help grandpa with the dishes while grandma and Tyson talk. "So who's the lucky woman?"

I sigh. "Uh just a woman I met. She's older so it's a little different than what I'm used to. I don't know how to come about it."

He nods. "Well like your grandmother said," I look at him as I dry my hands. "If she doesn't want you then leave it alone but if she's showing different then go for it. You'll regret it if you don't." He says and I nod. We say our goodbyes and head back home.

"Is there a reason why you won't tell me who this person is?" Tyson asks as soon as we get in the highway. I sigh. "And don't give me that it's no one crap because now grandma and grandpa know. Why won't you tell me?"

"Because i know you'll want to meet her, and I want to make sure she's the right one before I introduce you two."

"You quickly introduced me to Sierra."

I nod. "Exactly and you see how that worked out." He chuckles.

"Right. Ok I just don't want to be left out of important details of your life."

"Yeah I know." I say and he nods and I take a slight breath looking out the window. How the hell do I tell him I'm falling for my teacher and I'm leaving right when I graduate? He'll have a heart attack.