I stood in front of his gate not knowing if I should go in or turn back. I didn't want to put him in trouble with his grannies but I desperately needed to see him too. What was I to do?!
Just when I decided that telling him was a bad idea, I heard someone clear their throat behind me. I turned around and came face to face with a shagging looking old man not more than 5 feet away from the ground. Not because he was short but because he was bent over with his frame balanced on a walking stick. He looked so frail and white, yet very familiar. And he was looking right at me. Checking me out. Not in a perverted way but still somehow creepy. I was going to get around him and run to my car that was now behind him when he opened his mouth.
"To what purpose do we owe this visit, Lady Caitlin woods?"
Bonkers! Even an old, creepy man knows me! -was the first thing that came to mind.
"Nothing. I just..must have ..I think i came to the wrong house." I rushed past him towards my car but just then, the gate opened and Sylvester stepped out calling my name. I could hear the surprise in his voice. Who wouldn't be? He spoke to me less than an hour ago and I told him nothing about coming to his house.
"It wasn't the wrong house after all." Chuckled the old man. "It's too late to run now, Lady woods. You are welcome to our home." He said as he wobbled and disappeared behind the gate. I just stood rooted to the spot, looking everywhere except at Sylvester.
"Are you going to come in or do I have to drag you?" he asked with a little chuckle. I clenched my teeth together and turned towards my car again, ready to run, but just as I placed my hand on the car door handle, I felt his big hand come over mine. He grabbed my hand and took it off the door, forcing me to face him in the process.
"I…I am sorry…I don't know what I was thinking. I can go back if you want. Let me go back. I don't want to put you in trouble!" I rambled breathlessly. I felt his hold tightened and went still thinking maybe he was really angry and just barely holding himself together. He did make it clear his home was off limits for anything. I wasn't even sure if I wanted to talk to him or just get some consolation from him. All I knew was that he was the only one I could turn to. At the moment when my reality became a mirage, all I wanted was to be in his arms and here he was holding me in anger. The urge to take my hands back suddenly came and I tried but he was too strong.
All these while I had my eyes turned down but while trying to snatch my hands back, I looked up and our eyes met. What I saw wasn't what was playing in my head. What I saw was a worried Slyvester.
"Cat, what is wrong? Talk to me." He said and that was my undoing cause he really sounded worried. I crashed against his frame and buried my head in his chest, crying out my lungs. As if he knew what I wanted, he lifted his arms and wrapped them around my body, applying some pressure. I buried my head deeper and his scent swirled around me. I unconsciously moved towards where the scent was the strongest and he adjusted his arms so that my head was cupped in by his armpit. He then moved his palms up and down my back, soothing me like a baby.
We must have stayed out there for too long because I heard someone say "Bring her in." and Sylvester proceeded to guide me towards the house. Instead of moving, I moved my hands that were clasped together on his chest -round his neck and hugged him tighter. I felt him scoop me bridal style into his hands and that sort of jerked me awake and I became aware of my surroundings. I was kind of okay with him carrying me like that until I saw a plum, good looking elderly woman at the gate staring at us with open surprise. I struggled for Sylvester to drop me but he tightened his hold again and whispered into my ears that I should calm down.
"Who is that?" I whispered into his ears as we got to the gate
"My grandma." He said with a smile. Was he supposed to be angry that I came to his house without notice? Have I not gotten him in trouble? So why was he laughing like it's not a big deal?
He walked past her and into the dandelion-filled compound and up the narrow path into the house where we found the old man from before sitting in a chair, watching CNN.
"Did you make the young lady cry, boy?" He said in a gruff voice as he stared at Sylvester and I sternly. I already stopped crying the moment I knew we were not alone outside but my red eyes and pink cheeks must have given me away.
"No..no .. he didn't do anything sir. " I hurriedly said, trying not to get Sylvester into more trouble.
I hit Sylvester on the chest this time and he slowly put me down.
"Good afternoon sir, ma. I am sorry to barge in like this. Was passing through the neighborhood and just wanted to say hi to Sylvester."
"Meaning you have been here before." The old man replied.
No shit. "No sir. Not at all?" I said waving my hands. "... I have other friends in the area and they know his house. They showed me." I replied praying he would shut up so I could get out of there.
"I believe you, young lady. Come sit with me. It's been such a long time since I sat with a 'Woods' to drink tea." The plum woman said.
"Tea? I … I don't drink tea ma'am."
"Really?! That is surprising." She said with her eyes lighting up.
"...Despite all her bragging, Helen never got to make a lady out of you then."she sneered, arousing my anger but I pushed it down and just looked away. 'Grandma!" I heard Sylvester snap with hints of reproach in his voice. He wanted to hold my hands but I saw it on time and quickly took my hands out of his way.
"I will be leaving now." I said to him, I then turned to leave.
"She seems to have a bit of her father in her." I heard the gruffy voice again. "I know you hate having strangers in your house but me coming here doesn't give you the right to speak of my parents with so much disrespect. Who the hell do you think you are?" I turned around and snapped at them before my common sense could stop me.
"Caitlin!" Sylvester whispered in horror. I looked at him and regretted my outburst immediately. But I would be damned if I showed it. Nobody bullies me.
"Since your father gifted us the money to build this house, I guess you are the exception. You are welcome here anytime, Miss Woods." The old woman chuckled.
You don't say! What is she talking about? My Dad gave them money? Like they know my Dad to the point where he gifted them money? Why would he even do that?.
"Why would my Dad give you money?" I blurted out.
" Maybe if you take a seat, maybe I will tell you." The woman said teasingly. "Humph!" The old man rolled his eyes. '... When have you ever seen a Woods' lady sitting with paupers like us?" He continued.
I rolled my eyes back at him and snorted before turning to the old woman. "Let's say I will drink your tea, would I get some pancakes with lots of dandelion syrup to go with it?" I asked with a teasing voice of my own. I saw a light come on in the woman's eyes as she smiled at my words. "She is nothing like her mother. Thanks gracious! Come on young lady, sit." She waved her hands at me before patting the space beside her on the three seaters she was settled in.