As we left the restaurant, I realized the cemetery was right down the road. Desiree hadn’t seen her grandparents since she was an infant, and with school officially behind her, we had plenty of time to visit. When I mentioned taking a detour, Sophia just smiled; she knew exactly where we were headed. Spring in Newcrest was much cooler than San Sequoia, so we bundled up for the short walk. The crisp air around us fogged as we laughed and talked smack the whole way there. As we neared the iron gates, a reverent hush fell on us. I led them to the back corner, where our elders rested.
“This is my dad—your grandfather,” I said quietly, pointing to the first grave. “And there’s your grandmother and my gammy.”
Desi gazed down at them, eyes wide. “Do you think…”
I nodded. “We’ll wait around for a bit. In the meantime, let’s light candles. It lets them know they’re not forgotten.”
We kneeled in the grass, and the wicks flickered to life one by one, casting a gold hue onto the stones. While we waited, I told Desi stories, like how my dad gave the best advice and how my mom always had a different hairstyle and color.
“The last time you saw them, you were just a baby,” I said. “Aunt Less and your cousins were living with my mom then, so she didn’t get much one-on-one time with you. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled you came.”
A soft cloud of smoke formed behind Sophia. Then the light took shape and Gammy floated into view. She hovered with her hands on her hips, glaring at the poor groundskeeper who’d been making small talk with Sophia.
“Excuse me,” she shouted. “Go clean some graves! I haven’t seen my family in years!”
I grinned. “That’s my Gammy,” I whispered to Desi. “She’s so cool!”
She whispered back, “What’s her name?”
“Amina. Amina Pope.” I stepped closer and embraced her. “Hi, Gammy.”
Her expression softened instantly. “Hello, handsome! I thought you forgot about us!”
“Never. Life’s just been super crazy.”
“Trust me, I understand. I had a crazy life too.” She looked past me. “Now, who is this pretty young thing? Don’t tell me this is your baby!”
“That she is.” I waved Desiree over. “Desi, meet my grandma.”
Gammy’s face lit up. “Well, aren’t you gorgeous! I bet you have ALL the boys risking it all for you, precious!”
Desi blushed. “Something like that.”
“I knew it! And those eyes! You carry your grandfather with you everywhere you go. He was such a good man.” She turned back to me. “Tell me, does Alessia have children?”
“Triplets,” I said.
“Holy fruitcake! Any of them have blue eyes?”
“Nope,” I said proudly. “Just mine.”
“That is so special! You doing well in school, precious?”
Desi nodded. “Actually, I graduated early. Today.”
“Oh, honey, that’s wonderful! You know, brains run in this family.”
A familiar chill made the hair on my arm stand.
“Hey, buddy!” Mama’s voice echoed behind me. “I’ve missed you sooooo much!”
I knew it would be her. “Mama! Hi! I brought someone you definitely want to see.”
She turned, and her whole face glowed. “Desiree! Look at you—you’re practically grown!”
“Don’t remind me,” I said.
“Hi, grandma,” Desiree said shyly.
“I can’t believe how beautiful you are!”
“You should,” she joked. “You’re kinda responsible for all of this.”
Mama laughed. “And she’s funny!”
“You know where that comes from.”
Speaking of the angel, Sophia wandered back over to us. “Hi, Emmy.”
“Hello, sweetheart! My, you have all but disappeared!”
“Heh, thanks,” she said bashfully.
Dad’s voice boomed from behind me. “Are you guys partying without me?”
“Dad! You can’t sneak up on people like that—you’re a ghost!”
Everyone laughed.
“You brought my granddaughter,” he said, his face bright with joy. He floated closer, arms wide. “Come here, sweet girl. I’m so glad to see you again.”
“I’m glad to see you, too,” she said, smiling.
“It’s funny—you look the same, but you’re also so grown.”
“Really?”
“Oh yes. I recognized you right away. So, tell me about yourself. You should graduate soon, right?”
“Already did! Today.”
“What? That’s incredible! So, are you going to university?”
“I don’t know. Maybe.”
Dad chuckled. “It’s okay to be unsure. I’m sure your parents have already told you that.”
“They did.”
“I know they did. You have amazing parents. When the big choices come, don’t be too proud to ask for advice. They’ll never steer you wrong.”
“Yes, sir.”
I swallowed hard. Watcher, I’d missed his advice. I glanced at Sophia, wondering if we would have weathered our rough patch differently if Dad had still been here. He and Sophia were close. Would she have confided in him? Guess I’ll never know.
I motioned for Mama and Gammy to join us so they could all hear my story.
“Let me tell you about my son…”
