~Trevor~

I didn't expect Jacob to tell me who he was flat out like that. I expected to have a few quarrels along the way and eventually fall apart. But, no. We saved a lot of time and energy on that one. I can tell that he's strictly business and he's the type of guy who can get any girl that he wants. He could've had Autumn back by now and yet, he didn't take her. That's respect.

Trevor: You remember my Grandma, right?

Jacob: Yeah. Annette Jackson?

Trevor: That's my mother.

Jacob: Oh.. What about Juley?

Trevor: That is.. My aunt.

I chuckled.

Jacob: Shit man.. What's her name?

Trevor: Even I don't know that!

I chuckled.

Jacob: Oh..

He scratched his head.

Jacob: I'm guessing that we're here, then?

Trevor: Yeah. Come on in, man.

I got out the car and waited until Jacob got out to go inside. My Grandma was in her room and my Aunt Juley was fixing dinner.

Trevor: Hey Auntie.

Juley: Hey baby. How are you?

Trevor: I'm doing fine. Just bringing my friend in to talk to Grandma.

Juley: Who, Autumn?

I shook my head as the door creaked open.

Juley: Jacob? Oh my goodness! I haven't seen you since you were 16!

He just smiled at her.

Jacob: Aunt Juley?

Trevor: Correct.

He hugged her and she examined his features.

Juley: Still as handsome as I remember.

Her eyes traveled over to me.

Juley: Your Grandma's in her room.

I nodded and motioned for Jacob to come with me.

Jacob: Nice seeing you again.

He nodded at my aunt before turning to walk away. His feet seemed to become an obstacle to himself and made him trip. I grabbed a hold of his arm before he could fall.

Trevor: Aye man. You alright?

He took a few deep breaths before nodding and standing up.

Jacob: Yeah..

Trevor: You sure?

Jacob: It happens a lot. The accident effected the way I walk. My feet turn inwards now instead of out like they're supposed to. I'll be fine.

He shrugged as he kept moving forward as if nothing happened. I knew what type of guy he was. He was prideful and didn't want anybody's sympathy. Even if he was in the darkest moment of his life, you'd never know unless you saw him tipping over the edge. Becoming somebody that you don't know.

Trevor: Grandma, you awake?

I knocked as I slowly creaked open the door.

Grandma: Yeah, baby. I'm decent.

I chuckled.

Trevor: I got company with me.

She didn't answer me and I began to get a little worried.

Trevor: Grandma?

I opened the door and there she was, staring at me with a half crocheted blanket in her hands.

Grandma: I said I'm decent.

A wave of relief washed over onto my lips and out my mouth.

Trevor: You remember Jacob?

She took a look at Jacob and the sun seemed to shine when she parted her lips.

Grandma: I heard about the accident, Jacob.

Jacob: And I'm guessing that you'd like to know if I remember you, huh?

She nodded.

Jacob: Memory wise. No ma'am. I don't believe I do.. But I remember your face.

Grandma: You never really came around that much to remember anything. But the fact that you remember my face says a lot.

The sun seemed to be resting on her shoulders as those simple words spewed out like a fountain of wisdom.

Trevor: I'll leave you two to talk. Love you Grandma.

I kissed her cheek and she did the same.

Grandma: I Love You too, baby.

~Jacob~

The click of the doorknob left us in silence. It wasn't an awkward silence, but it wasn't comfortable either. After a time, she motioned towards the chair and I sat in it.

Grandma: Every child I come across calls me their grandma or momma. You'll grow to love me again. And when you do, I'll be smiling down on you and Trevor with the sun.

I didn't quite know what she meant then, but I knew that I'd find out later.

Grandma: But for right now, I need to know what's in your soul.

Jacob: My soul?

Grandma: What's got your head hanging so low?

I sighed and rubbed my face.

Jacob: I'm guessing that Trevor told you-.

Grandma: Trevor ain't tell me nothing, besides the fact that you were in the hospital and now Autumn is the one he cares for.

The waves that formed on my back felt amazing and I broke. It was like her hand was the key to all my memories.

Jacob: I miss her. And it kills me to see her with him, but I have respect for my boy and I care about her happiness. I messed up. I know I did. And now, everything seems to be withering away. She seems to know her way around the world without me being in it and I can't take it. Even my dad.. My father.. He just came back and he knows everything and now I feel like I just awakened to a nightmare. But it's real this time and I know that's it's my fault.

I felt the heat burn my face and blind me, but I didn't feel the water fall.

Grandma: You know what I tell Trevor? I talk to him about fear. When he lost Mark, that's when his mind began to crunch up like a piece of paper. We look at a special verse. Do you read the bible, hon?

Jacob: Maybe that's what's wrong with me. I ain't been to church since.. I can't even remember..

I shrugged. I felt her eyes on me and I looked up at her. It was like looking into the face of an angel. I knew I could trust her and what she was about to say was true.

Grandma: For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of love and or power and of a sound mind.

Her voice was silky smooth and suddenly, I knew. I knew that she was pouring all of her wisdom into me before her time was up. But I just didn't understand why.

Jacob: Grandma.. Why are you so.. So-.

Grandma: It's in my nature and in God's timing, you'll know. Just keep that in mind, honey.

I couldn't help but stare at the floor.

Grandma: You've lost and been searching for your soul. I'm only giving you directions and advice on how to find your missing piece again.

I smiled and looked up at her.

Jacob: Thank you Grandma.

Grandma: You're welcome, baby.

I got up and kissed her cheek as she hugged me. Trevor opened the door as I was standing back up and looked over at me.

Trevor: Ready to go, man?

I glanced between the two of them and smiled.

Jacob: Yeah, I'm good. Let's go.

Trevor: Alright. Love you Grandma. See you tomorrow?

Grandma: You know I'll be here.

He smiled and closed her door as I made my way to the car. I've never felt this before. I don't what it is but.. I guess I just feel..

Free..