Out of the Blue

Chapter 2

"Are you sure she'll like me?" Courtney questioned, looking up at her father concerned. Her hands stuck deep in her pockets, the morning heat warming her bare arms. Happy exhaled heavily, about to repeat what he was assuring her of for the last three hours. "Courtney, your grandmother will love you. Ok? She doesn't care if you have three arms and pink hair, no matter what, you will still be her granddaughter," Happy guaranteed, placing his hands on her shoulders. Courtney pouted her lips, her father's words continue to not sink in. "Really? I've always wanted to dye my hair pink!" she exclaims sarcastically. Happy bit his lip. "Dad.....I'm joking. I would never do that to my hair," Courtney guaranteed. "Good...you better not," Happy declared, his heart almost skipping a beat. Courtney covered her smile with her hand. "What?" "Nothing." "What?" "Nothing." "What is it?" "Did you really think I would dye my hair pink?" "Well, you had me worried." "Wow. Never knew I was so convincing." They started walking up the pathway. "Trust me. You are. You're exactly like your mother." Courtney stopped walking and thought for a second. "What?" he asked. "Nothing. Don't worry. C'mon, I want to meet my grandma," Courtney smiled, putting her arm around her dad's waist as they kept moving to the front door.

"Ready?" Happy asked. "Yeah," Courtney nodded. "Mom," Happy called out from the front door as he opened it. "Honey! I wasn't expecting you. I'm in the kitchen," she replied. "I can smell," Happy joked. Courtney looked at him oddly. He shrugged in reply.

Walking through the hallway to the kitchen, Courtney skimmed past all the photos on the walls and tables. She noticed her dad wasn't the most angelic child but one thing was for sure, he was an ultra momma's boy. "You momma's boy," Courtney muttered, chuckling to herself. Happy didn't hear.

"Hi Mom," he greeted. "Hey darling, how you doin?" she replied. "Good. Good. This smells good," he commented, giving her a kiss on the cheek. Coleen turned around from the sink to face her son. "You look a lot happier than usual," she stated. Happy tried staying straight faced, staring at the ground for a bit of help. "Happy?" his mother nagged. "I have someone I'd like you to meet," he finally decided to blurt out. "Who?" Coleen wondered curiously, expecting a new girlfriend. "Courtney," Happy called out. Courtney walked through the doorway with a huge, friendly smile on her face. Coleen's jaw dropped. "Mom, meet Courtney, your granddaughter," Happy introduced. Coleen's shock from the thought of a young girlfriend changed to the joy of a granddaughter. Her hands raised quickly to her mouth. "You...your...I have a granddaughter?" she wondered, her hands slightly shaking. Happy and Courtney both nodded. "Come here, my God you're beautiful," Coleen mumbled, tears welling in her eyes. She extended her arms and hugged Courtney tight. Happy smiled as he realised he finally made his mother proud. "Happy come here boy. Finally did something worthwhile," she stated. Courtney laughed. "I don't do hugs," Happy replied. Courtney and Coleen glared at him. "Ok. Ok. Jesus. I'm coming," he decided, wrapping his arms around both of them. He towered over his mother and daughter.

"Oh God, get me out of here," Courtney laughed. "Nope!" Happy declared, lifting her up over his shoulder. "Dad! Get me down!" she shrieked. "Nope!" He joked. "If you don't put me down I'll tell Tig about your dad jokes!" she stated. Happy put her down instantly. "Not Tig. I'd rather anyone else. Just not Tig," he begged, shaking his head. "Why? Is he gonna give you the most shit for it?" she smiled. Happy's delayed answer made Courtney realise it was not a joke. "Oh Jesus," she muttered. "It's a sensitive area," Happy added. "Don't tell me now. There's a time and place," she replied. "Anyone for pancakes?" "Yes please!" Happy and Courtney answer at the same time. Coleen stared at them. "Don't bother with the DNA test. You're father and daughter," she commented. "We figured."

"So Courtney, when is your birthday?" Coleen asked. "June 6th," she replied. "Oooft, D-Day. Your grandfather jumped in Normandy on that day," Coleen mentioned. "Seriously?" Coleen nodded. "When were you a history person?" Happy asked Courtney. "Top of the class," she smiled, taking a bite of her pancakes. "How old will you be turning then- in just over a month?" Coleen continued questioning. "18," Courtney answered. "18? Are you having a party?" Coleen wondered. "A party is the last thing on my mind, grandma. And besides, I don't have any friends here yet. Everyone's in Sacramento," Courtney stated. Happy almost choked on his food. "I wouldn't say that in front of your father," Coleen suggested. "What did I say?" Courtney asked, trying to figure what she had done wrong. "Courtney, listen to me now. You are my daughter which means everybody at this club are your family and friends, you hear me Courtney?" Happy explained. "Really?" she asked. Happy nodded contently. Suddenly, his phone started ringing. "Excuse me ladies, but I have to take this call," he apologised, jumping up to walk outside.