It's Above Me Now.

30: Deuces

The Mosses messed up. And I think they knew it too. They've been walking on eggshells since I've been released from the hospital. I knew without a doubt that Bud and Lou told them I've been in contact with Karin. My parents' guilt was leaking like a sieve, and I wasn't helping them by swiftly packing my things and getting ready to depart from the Moss mansion. But I just needed a break. I needed a break from everything for that matter.

Veronica watched me cautiously from my bedroom door as I packed clothes into Louis Vuitton luggage. She and Ruben have been giving me my space, and being extremely mindful of what they were saying to me. I hated it, because this was the time they should be baring their souls and being completely transparent with me. But of course that's not how they got down. Their pride will forever get the best of them.

But maybe my absence would do something to them, who knows? I don't know how long I was going to be gone, but I did know I wasn't in a rush to come back. I just wanted to take some time to deal with everything Karin laid out for me, and I couldn't unpack my swirling mind and be in a household with the Mosses at the same time. Call it extensive self care, but I was using this trip to completely heal, and get my mind, body and soul right. I now had that privilege, and I owed that to myself.

"Can you at least tell me where you're going, please?" Veronica whispered.

I glanced up at my mother with a small smile. She looked sad, and part of me wanted to reassure her that my departure had nothing to do with her. But if I was being honest, I really didn't know if that was the case. My feelings were all over the place, and quite frankly I didn't know what to think. Yeah, I got the answers I've always longed for, but it didn't bring me the true peace I thought it would.

"I don't know." I honestly spoke. "I'm just letting the road take me where it wants to go. I'll be safe though, have no worries."

Veronica nodded. "If you don't want to tell me, you could have just said that. Don't mind my feelings. But on another note, your grandfather is downstairs. And he would like to see you before you leave."

I raised an eyebrow. Grandfather Moss, huh? Ruben and Veronica were bringing out the big guns. I haven't heard that much about my grandfather since Lou gave me a small summary of who he was, and I was eager to put a face to the description. I immediately stopped what I was doing, and followed Veronica out to see him. I really hope this wasn't a ploy to convince me to stay. Because that sure as hell wasn't happening.

Veronica guided me out to our garden, and I admired the greenery around us. I wanted to slap myself for not taking advantage of this beautiful scenery more, for this part of the estate was truly immaculate and breathtaking. It was so peaceful out here, so calming. Birds were chirping in sync, and the fresh breeze was making me feel warm inside. Whenever I did decide to come back, this was going to be my spot.

Veronica cleared her throat. "Chance, I would like you to meet your grandfather, Jameson Anderson Moss."

Snapping out of the daze the garden placed me in, I smiled respectfully at the older man before me. He was seated relaxed on one of the garden's benches, petting a foreign looking bird. I analyzed him, and mentally smirked. He was everything I thought he would have been. From his expensive-casual attire, to how he sat composed with a leg lapped. So this was me when I became a senior citizen, huh? Not bad.

I reached out my hand to shake. "Nice to meet you."

Jameson rose and playfully slapped my hand away. "Boy, this ain't no corporate meeting. Bring it in."

I chuckled, which made Veronica laugh lightly. Jameson and I embraced, and I felt like I was meeting Ruben all over again. The same awe and wonder absorbed me, but this time it felt a little different. Jameson gave off a more comforting vibe, like he was here to reassure me from my worries. I could be wrong, but vibes never lied. I was interested to hear what he had to say.