off the map ➳ grayson

e i g h t e e n

When should I post, every Friday or Saturday?

Hayden's Pov

We were finally at Memphis. After we finished and left the restaurant George insisted on driving and let me get some sleep, which I actually did, and as soon as we were in front of the big green sign that was reading: 'Welcome To Memphis', he woke me up so we could search the house where my father was staying for the last few years.

As I didn't know where it was, we stopped a few passengers and asked them. Someone would probably know and I was right. After the fifth person, we got to know where the location of the house was. It was not far from where we were so we found it easily.

We stopped in front of the big yellowish house and looked at it with curiosity. It looked like a normal house but someone would tell it was abandoned because the garden around it, was dried and not brushed. I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, building some courage.

''Are you ready?'' George asked me suddenly. I turned to face him and I nodded my head.

''Are you?''

''Think so.''

''So let's do this.'' I said and I walked up the stairs and stopped in front of the door. I looked at George behind me and after I saw him nodding I hit the door three times. We waited patiently for about two or three minutes before the door was open by a young old lady, which I knew pretty well who she was. I had seen her before; a lot of times and from pictures. But I could say for sure that she knew how to keep herself.

''Hello?'' She asked with a friendly smile.'' How can I help you?''

''Hola abuela. que soy yo Hayden!'' (Hello grandma. Its me Hayden!) I said to her with a small smile and soon the door was open wider and she was actually crying. She fell in my hands and hugged me tightly and started kissing me. I started to contain myself from crying but I couldn't. So I started crying as well.

''Mírate. Uno crece a una mujer joven y bella. No puedo creer que le estoy viendo de nuevo, te extrañé mucho.'' (Look at you. You grow up to a beautiful young woman. I can't believe it that I'm seeing you again, I missed you so much.) She said proudly looking me from head to toes. I laughed at her comment and kissed her as well. I loved my grandma so much, and I still do. When I was a child she would always come to visit us and she would always stay in my bedroom and she would help me with my Spanish, telling me stories from when she was young, and then sing to me.

''Te extrañé demasiado abuelita, no se puede imaginar.'' (I missed you too granny, you can't imagine.)

''Sé que mi amor. ¿Paso algo? ¿Quién es el joven caballero?'' (I know my love. Did something happen? Who is the young gentleman?)

I struggled at first but then slowly I nodded my head. I turned to look at George who was watching the scene in front of us with shock.''He is George, grandma.'' I turned to look at her.'' And actually something happen. Well lot of things happened, and that's why we are here now. Can we come in?''

''Yes, sure. Please come in.'' She said and made room for us to walk in. We did and she closed the door behind her.'' Please tell me Hayden, what's wrong? You're scaring me.''

''First of all, is dad still leaving here?'' I questioned her as we followed her to the living room and sat on the big couch.

''Where else could he possibly leaving?'' She sighed and shook her head.'' Oh, how rude of me. Do you want anything to drink or eat?''

''No granny. We don't want anything. We have more serious things to discuss now. Where is dad?''

''He will be here any minute.'' She said and I nodded my head. She turned to George.'' ¿Es amigo suyo? ¿El es tu novio?'' (Is he a friend of yours? Is he your boyfriend?)

''No, no soy su novio. En realidad, soy su hermano.'' (No, I'm not her boyfriend. Actually, I'm her brother.) George answered her for me and I could say that she was shocked since George understood and spoke Spanish, I could say that I was too. He didn't say that he knew Spanish.

''Brother? Hayden what is he talking about? What brother?'' My grandma asked me confused, shocked, possible mad? Yes.

''Grandma we can explain-'' I was cut off when the door was slammed hard. We stopped talking and we patiently waiting for the person to show up. There after years I was seeing my dad again. He didn't change one bit. He iwas like I always remembered him to be. As soon as his eyes landed on me, he dropped his bag on the floor and also his mouth.

''Hayden?'' He tasted the name on his lips, unsure if was actually seeing me or seeing a ghost.'' Is that really you?''

''Yes dad. It's me.'' I said as I got on my feet and waited for something. He came to me and hugged me tightly, I was hoping he would hug me in order to understand if he loves me one bit and I believed that there was still hope, and I was kind of shocked but after a thought I hugged him back.

''I thought I will never see you again.''

''Well...'' I started and pushed him off me.'' That was up to you dad. You were the one that left and never look back.''

''I am so sorry Hayden. It was a stupid move I know but-''

''Save it.'' I cut him putting my hand in front of me. He nodded his head and then looked back. At George.'' Who are you mate?''

Instead of George I spoke for him.'' We need to talk and you have to give us all some explanations.'' I demanded and looked at him with straight eyes. I saw him nodding his head.

''Of course. Anything. So please tell me, inform me.''

''I don't know if you remember twenty six years ago a girl named Carla which you had a relationship with, then got her pregnant and left her with the child, now do you?'' I asked him as I folded my hands in front of me and eyed him carefully as my dad fell on the nearest sofa with his mouth dropped open and his eyes literally falling out of his eye pockets. ''As I see you remember that, please meet your son George.''

My dad's eyes traveled to George who was standing awkwardly and looking at nothing. I saw something like shame? He shouldn't be, our dad should be.

''So you are my son?'' Is he deaf or something?

''Yeah...I''m...I'm your son.'' George trailed off.

''I don't know what to say.'' My dad said.

''How about you start telling us or better explain him why you left him? You better give him a good explanation.''