On the screen, Zion Payne leaned on the sofa in a lazy pose, smiling at the camera. The woman beside him adjusted her setup, with loud music playing behind them.
“Grandma,” he said in a laid-back voice, “I’m busy here. I won’t be coming home tonight.”
“The little girl is doing a PK battle; it’ll affect her ranking.”
After he ended, he seemed to recall something and added, “Oh, right, tell my wife she did fine today, didn’t cry. Finally acting like a real Mrs. Payne. She’s thirty now, anyway. Tell her to keep it going.”
The tablet was slammed down on the table.
Grandma Ravenna was shaking with anger, turning to grab my hand tightly. “This heartless kid! Natalie, if you want to cry, then cry. Don’t hold it in. Grandma is here.”
But I handed her a cup of water and softly said, “Grandma, I’m not angry, but I do have something I want to tell you.”
I started slowly, speaking gently, “The year I got into university, my family couldn’t afford the fees. You helped pay for my schooling.”
“I’ve always kept that kindness in mind.”
“So when you asked me to watch over Zion in college, I agreed. The reason I could later be with him was all because you brought us together.”