Love in the Kitchen

Chapter 9

Clint's POV
I woke up with a smile on my face this morning. Last night was amazing with Chelsee. She brought a lot of things to light for me and I'm thankful for that. I got up and dressed then went to check on my grandpa.
"Hey grandpa." I walked in as he was trying to get his shirt on. "Let me help ya." I pulled it over his shoulder and he started working on the buttons.
"Thanks Clint." He sat down on the bench at the end of his bed and continued on with his buttons. I fixed up his bed and then nudged his shoes over by him.
"So Gramps are ya free tonight?" He chuckled as I asked.
"Well I am most nights. I don't know if I'm your type though Clint." He said with a laugh and I joined in.
"Well that woman I was telling you about Chelsee." He nodded and stood up after he slipped his shoes on.
"Yeah, that's franks grand daughter. Really nice girl I hear. She runs that big business up on the mountain." I chuckled as I helped him stand.
"Well she was wondering if you would like to have dinner at her house tonight. She would like to meet you." His eyebrows shot up as he entered the kitchen behind me and then reached for his meds.
"She wants to meet me?" He sounded surprised as he got his pills out and I handed him a glass of water. "I'm surprised a girl as successful as that would want to meet some old man."
"Grandpa believe me she's nothing like that. Knowing her, you would never know she was rich. But I would really like you to meet her. I think you would just love her." He smiled at me as measured out some old meal into a bowl and then added water to it.
"Well in that case, I think that would be great. Tell her I'd be delighted." He said as he put the bowl into the microwave.
"Great I'll text her and let her know then." I picked my phone up off the counter and unhooked the charger from it. I quickly shot a text off to her and got out some cereal for myself. "So one thing I do need to tell you she has kids. Well technically they aren't hers."
"Well there's nothing wrong with kids. But what do you mean they aren't technically hers?" He took out his oatmeal from the microwave and put some brown sugar and then pour some milk over it.
"Well they're her nieces and nephew. Her sister and brother in law passed away. She adopted them all." He gave me a sad look after he took a bite of his oatmeal. "Those kids are amazing though. I've got one of them in my class actually. She's a bit of a spit fire like Chelsee is." I took a bite of my cereal and my phone buzzed. I opened the text. 'Great, I can't wait. Come around 6. I'll have everything done by then.' I text back and asked if I should bring anything. I set my phone down and before I could even take another bite another came back. 'Just yourself and your grandpa ;)' I told her sounds great and good luck with the interview today. I continued on with my cereal. "So she's having us come at 6. Is that alright?" He nodded and took a bite of his oatmeal.
"So have you told your mom about this one?" He looked up from his bowl. I rolled my eyes and shook my head.
"Absolutely not, I'm not having this ruined by her." He gave me a sad look.
"She is your mom Clint. You know she would like to know. She called me yesterday." He said as he folded his arms and stared at me for a moment.
"Ok, and?"
"You haven't called or texted any of them since you've been here. That's 4 months Clint. She thought something was wrong." I shrugged as he shook his head at me.
"Look I'm done with that life grandpa. I'm sick of trying to have the best things, being more successful than someone else, it got old and I'm not dealing with it anymore." I stood up and took my bowl to the sink.
"I understand that, but you don't just cut off your family like that Clint. You know better." I took his bowl and brought it over to the sink to wash it. "I promised her you would call her today. So I suggest you get a move on. Then I'll go to this dinner of yours." He sat my phone down by the edge of the sink and then walked away. I hate how he has to be right all the dang time. Wiping my hands off, I took a deep breath and dialed my moms number. Gah, here goes nothing. I pushed send and leaned up against the counter. It rang twice and my moms voice came blaring.
"Would you like to explain why you aren't talking to anyone especially your mother? I've been worried sick about you Clint." I sighed and then headed into my room.
"Sorry, I've been really busy with school and everything mom." I went to my bed and laid down.
"From what your grandfather tells me, it's not just school. You're dating someone and you don't even tell me. Since when did you become so cold?" I sat straight up when she mentioned dating. What in the hell does that old man think he's doing?
"Well mom, I don't want her subjected to my fathers perfect standards or yours for that matter." The phone was silent for a moment. Which is rather odd with my mom.
"Clint I wouldn't do anything to embarrass you. I hope you know that. I hope she's good to you. You deserve it." This is coming from left field from my mom. She has never in my life talked to me this way.
"She is mom. Well she's actually amazing mom." She sighed.
"I'm so happy for you." I literally do not know how to react to this. Is this real or fake. I just don't get it. "Listen your father is taking you siblings to the beach house. I want to come visit you this week. Also I'd like to check on dad."
"Ummm ok, that's really up to you mom. You don't need my permission for that." I hung my legs off the side of my bed.
"I know, I just wouldn't want to come if you didn't want me there." I'll admit my heart tugged from that.
"Mom I'd never feel like that. Please come." I heard her sniffle on the other end of the phone. "Are you okay mom?"
"Yeah, I'm alright. I've got a ticket for tomorrow. So I'll be there around noon." Wow that was really quick."
"That's great mom. Can I pick you up from the airport?"
"No, I've already hired a driver sweetheart. I'll see you tomorrow honey. Thanks for calling me." I could hear her still crying. Something was wrong. My mother never acts like this.
"Alright I'll see you tomorrow mom. Love you."
"Love you to sweety. Bye." Then she hung up. That conversation took an unexpected turn. I quickly got up and headed to the family room to were my grandpa was.
"Do you know what's wrong with mom? She's acting strange. She actually coming here tomorrow." I stood next to his chair and he looked up at me.
"I know she is. I'm not sure though. She sounded really down yesterday when I talked with her. She didn't say anything was wrong though." I sat down on the couch and shook my head. What could be going on?