Tyler and the Valaholics: The Beginning

Chapter 44

Song of the chapter- 'To Be Human' by Sia ft. Labrinth

'To be human is to love even when it gets too much
There's no reason to give up'

"Grandma?" I exclaim in surprise when I see her upon opening the door after the doorbell rang.

"Why, can't you see it's me, girly?" she says in her distinctive Scottish accent, apparently just like Dad had, according to Mom, only her accent is 'purer', whatever that means.

"Well, come on in!" I move to my side to let her in and the woman, senile only by the white hair hanging down in tufts atop her head, almost springs her way inside, stopping only when she spots Stacie behind my back.

"You and I are having a talk," she gestures at her, an intimidating glare stuck on her face throughout the round of coughs that overtake her.

"Grandma, don't-"

"Gammy!" Violet's high-pitched squeal cuts me off as she runs into the room and pulls Grandma into a hug that would've knocked her down had she not had one hand firmly latched onto the arm of a nearby chair.

"Poppet, look at you! Haven't you grown?" she gushes as she runs her hand over Violet's features, something about the light and sorrow in her eyes making it look like she's seeing everything for the first time.

"Grandma, you-"

My words are cut off again but, this time, it's by Stacie, who insists on letting her speak. She has an unusual expression that seems forcibly calm and her eyes appear somewhat clouded as she looks at the two of them hugging.

"Gammy, when are you staying over? If it's now, then don't go before a week!" Van asks, stepping out from behind the door and is immediately engulfed in a hug.

"Sorry, girly, this isn't the time, I just came by to visit before I go on a long trip soon."

Van's face becomes crestfallen as she looks at me, pleading with her eyes. When she realizes there's nothing I can do, she subtly slinks off to Stacie's side while putting on her best big puppy eyes-like expression.

"Vanessa, I have to go on this trip, I can't drop out. No one can make a dent in this situation, alright?"

Van sulks and sets herself down on the couch, arms crossed and glaring at her. Her eyes light up instantly when Grandma waves a bar of her favourite chocolate in front of her.

"You got me a Kit Kat?! Grandma! What am I to do with this one tiny bar?" she whines, still yanking the finger-sized bar from Grandma and tearing into it.

Grandma chuckles, "Now, now, I have an entire pack for you but you eat it slowly and share with your sisters and your friends as well, you hear me?"

"But- but they don't even like chocolate!" Van waves at me.

"If this sister of yours doesn't like chocolate, then the sky isn't blue. I haven't seen anybody adore it like she does! The difference between you and her is that you only eat Kit Kats while she loves anything chocolate!"

"Oh, Gammy, play with me before you leave?" Vi pleads, eager to have Grandma look at her again.

"I'm here for the night, poppet. Let's play after I talk to Stacie and Valerie for a bit, alright?"

Violet nods fiercely before dragging Van and Tracie to her room, no doubt to play. After ensuring they've all gone out of hearing range, Grandma turns to me.

"Oy, girl! You listen to me, alright? It's almost time, I won't be around much longer. Now, while I absolutely hate that man who was part of creating you and I have been taking it out on you, it's time to set it aside. I'll admit you've got a sensible head on your shoulders so use it! Fight for yourself and for your sisters. Don't let them take you away! They'll separate you-"

Stacie interrupts her,"That's not exactly right, I mean-"

"Let me finish! When your mum passed, they had a few social workers posted to the three of you. I was informed of it by my friend's sister who works in the department. They didn't actually show up because I derailed them when I said you still have a living guardian. According to the documents, you still will, even after I'm gone."

"So you made up a fake custodian?" Stacie nearly yells, her eyes narrow slits. I haven't seen her this angry, not even when Tracie ruined her best and most expensive dresses.

"I didn't, they do have a living relative slash guardian around."

The incredulous look on Stacie's face must be mirrored on my face as I gape, my eyes trained on her pale grey eyes. I wonder what she's talking about. She can't be right, can she?

My eyes widen as an impossible thought rushes to my mind, being confirmed when Grandma nods. She's talking about him!

My eyebrows furrow as I try to remember what he looks like. The last time I saw him was when I was nine, and that was a fleeting glance. Even so, I remember.

I remember the frown making his black beard all sorts of curvy and marring his sweat-lined forehead with deep lines. His brown eyes were wide and he looked so angry that I hadn't said anything.

He still saw me and his frown deepened, a brief second of disappointment looming on his face as he slammed the door shut behind him. The sound of the door slamming shut still haunts my nightmares and I still miss him.

Too bad he doesn't miss me.

"Yes, they've got one. It's only that he's not around all the time."

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Whoa, I had half of this chapter done for quite a long time and I only just got it done! Thank you for reading, and I've dropped my phone on my face so many times now!

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