Heart of Stone Emery and Jackson - Chiquita Dennie (summer reading list txt) 📗

THE BEEPING OF THE hospital monitor used to drive me crazy when I was younger and visited my grandfather when he was battling cancer. Every time we came for a visit, I’d somehow get lost in counting the beeps.  Lately, we’ve come for my grandmother because of her high blood pressure. A few days ago, I would have never imagined the way my life would turn out since Anthony, and I broke up.

“Emery, Emery honey!” Mom called out.

“Oh Lord Elisabeth, my grandchild done gone into shock,” Granny stated.

“Ma, she’s not in shock,” Elisabeth said.

“Hush, yes she is or what they call it now turned out.”

“Huh?” I answered.

“Momma, what do you know about turning out?” Mom questioned.

“Sorry, I just zoned out for a second,” I responded.

“Zoned out, turned out. At the end of the day its’ all the same in my book.”

“Emery pass me my purse.”

“Oh sure, here you go.”

“I’m going downstairs to grab something to eat. You want anything?”

“I’m fine.”

“Grab me a burger and fries,” Granny answered.

“Momma, you’re in the hospital for high cholesterol and blood pressure. I’m not getting you a burger and fries.”

Granny waved my mom off and rolled her eyes.

“Emery, your mother’s a hater.”

Laughing at her statement, my mother shook her head in disbelief.

“Now that your mother’s gone tell me what’s really going on.”

Walking closer to her bed, I tilted my head on her shoulder. She massaged my hand and kissed my cheek.

“Honey you can lie to your parents and even to your friends but not to Granny, so spill the beans before your nosy momma gets back.”

“Granny how can you call her nosy when you’re trying to get in my business?”

She folded her arms and tapped me on the forehead. “Hush child. I’m your grandmother we can do that. Now spill the tea.”

Fiddling with my earrings and avoiding eye contact, we all knew she would get the truth out of us at one point with just her narrowing her eyes. All the grandkids and even my mom and dad fell into her spell of never lying because the truth is easier than covering up a lie.

“Emery, I have all the time in the world. Now either you tell me, or I go ask your mother.”

“Granny, it’s not that serious. Anthony and I broke up.”

“About damn time!”

Shocked at her words, I cowered in the corner of her hospital bed; running a hand down my face and blowing out a breathy sigh.

“Listen, I know your friends with his sister. I like the boy, but as far as boyfriend material? Ummm...I’d pass.”

“He cheated with Teresa.”

“What now?”

“I caught him in bed with Teresa.”

“Teresa, your best friend Teresa?”

“Yep.”

Granny jumped out of bed and walked over to the drawer to remove her clothes. I jumped up and drew nearer.

“What are you doing?”

Taking the clothes out of her hands. I placed them back down and pulled her back to the bed.

“We about to take care of her. Don’t nobody hurt my baby and get away with it. That hussy will get her ass kicked.”

Waving her off, I placed her back in the bed right as my mom walked back inside. “You can’t talk like that. Besides, I’m handling it.”

“Let me call Angela and we gonna ride out tonight. Forget Jordan she may lie and hide with Teresa.”

“Oh my God! Granny leave Jordan and Angela out of this. Just get some rest for me, please. You’ll get your blood pressure up.”

Mom placed the food tray down on the bedside counter and pulled out a salad and fruit mix for Granny.

“What the hell is that?” Granny shrieked.

“Your dinner, Momma.”

“Elisabeth, now I know you ain’t that damn prissy that you can’t get me real food besides some damn salad. My husband likes me with meat on my bones.”

“Just eat your food so we can get out of here.”

Chuckling at the exchange, I decided to leave for the night and meet up with Angela and Jordan.

“Since you’re back, Mom, I’m going to take off and meet Angela for dinner and drinks.”

Kissing Granny on her forehead, and Mom on her cheek, I headed toward the door right as Granny made a comment.

“Emery don’t forget I still got friends in Hamilton Projects. Let Teresa know she gonna see me.”

“Okay, Granny, love you!” I bellowed out.