Divine's Time

38. exit plan

Time

I sipped my green tea on the loveseat while waiting for my grandmother Rose in her foyer. Her housekeeper told me she would be down to get me in a few minutes. I rolled my eyes at the fact that I was being treated like a stranger, not her granddaughter. In the past, I was able to walk in and go straight upstairs and sit on her bed as I watched her dress herself in jewelry.

Now I guess it's different since I have been exiled. I don't even know why I'm here.

I sighed getting annoyed with the waiting game for ten minutes, I got up and grabbed my purse. "I'm not doing this," I mumbled heading for the large double doors.

"Time." I heard her voice from the walls. I turned around to see my grandmother at the top of the staircase looking down at me. "Do you have somewhere you need to be?"

I sighed, "I mean I've been sitting here for ten minutes. Grandma, what's going on?" I asked.

She started to walk down. Her grey dreadlocks were curled and pinned up. She slid her hands down her slacks as her heels clicked on each step. I grabbed the strap of my purse as I looked in her wrinkled but dolled-up face.

"Time, please. Come with me to the front room." I turned my head to the room she had decorated to the T and permanently clean for guests. She eyed my bump as I placed my hand on it.

"Wow, Time. Your belly.." She said with wide eyes.

I sat on the sofa nodding, "Yes, I'm 17 weeks." I wanted to make a slick comment about how she, my mother, and none of my other family members ever even bothered to check on my unborn children but decided against it.

She cleared her throat, "Congratulations." She said simply, clearly not meaning it. "I would've never expected this from you, really Time."

I gave a deep and irritated exhale from my nose, "Is this why I'm here, so you can scold me some more?"

Her mouth fell agape, "My mom already let me know how much of a failure I am to this family. I'm on my way to my second trimester these babies are coming into this world. Giving me another lecture isn't going to change that."

Grandma Rose narrowed her eyes, "What has gotten into you?"

I crossed my arms, ignoring her. "Who are you? This is not the granddaughter I know." She looked me up and down, "Pregnant teenager, drop-out, drug dealing baby father, and now disrespectful? My god, you know your father didn't raise you like that."

I frowned, "Drop out? Is that what my mother told you?" I asked, "Grandma Rose, I am finishing my psychology degree." I reassured her.

She scoffed with an eye roll, "Look, Time. I brought you here to talk some sense to you. We both know you cannot be a mother to twins and go to school full-time."  She began, "I know moving to Florida you have been influenced negatively by that wicked child of mine." She said referring to Aunt Goldie. "But you can still be saved."

"I'm confused."

"This pregnancy can be a secret that can be kept within the family. I know a family that has been having fertility issues at my church and we can forget any of this happened-"

I instantly jumped up from my seat, "I'm not listening to this-"

"You will sit down!" She shouted pointing at me sternly.

I glared at her and decided to sit back down, "I am not giving up my children." I spat. "What is wrong with you?!" I shouted.

"Oh, Time Essence Kingston, if you want to continue to be a part of this family and make your father proud you will."