Chapter 13
Gilbert waved goodbye as Kendall and her grandfather
left the house. Jeff stood beside him, a very lonely
look on his face, "What's wrong? I figured you'd be
bouncing off the walls because you were with her
tonight."
"I am happy that we were together tonight but whenever
I have to separate from her, I just feel all awful
inside." Jeff held his stomach.
Gilbert let out a loud laugh, scaring the daylights
out of his son.
"Dad! What's so funny about that? Why are you laughing
at me?" he narrowed his eyes to his fathers
insensitive behavior.
"Oh Jeff my boy, you have it bad for that young lady.
You my son are head over heels in love with Miss.
Morgan." Gilbert wrapped his arm around his sons'
shoulders.
Jeff stood there, contemplating what his dad was
saying, "Do you think so?"
Gilbert nodded, "Oh yeah. Feels pretty good huh?"
"Yeah. Yeah it does. Goodnight dad. Thanks for
tonight. It meant a lot to both of us. Her dad is
making this relationship a living hell right now. It's
nice to know you're on our side."
"I'm all in favor of true love son. Go get some
sleep."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"He's perfect for you cupcake."
Kendall held her granddaddys' hand as they walked into
her house, "I know he is. If only dad would take the
time to get to know him, he'd love him as much as I
do." She caught the glance from her grandfather and
couldn't help but smile; "Yes I said love."
"I didn't say a word. However I wish your father would
too but that's not gonna happen anytime soon. Where
did they go?"
"They had dinner plans with the McSwains. I was
supposed to go and make nice with Bobby." Her whole
body shuddered at the thought; "Something about him
gives me the willies."
"He's the boy who tattled right?" they sat down
together on the couch.
"Yes that would be the one. He's the one who started
the whole Jeff wasn't good enough for me in daddys'
head. Now had I told him myself, I think things
would've been different." The look on her
grandfathers' face told her otherwise. "Wishful
thinking on my part I guess."
"We have some things to straighten out cupcake. First
and foremost, it's obvious that neither you nor your
father is budging with this situation regarding Jeff.
Things are going to come to a head soon. Your father
has already made it loud and clear that he will stop
at nothing to come between you two. You need to be on
your toes because his next trick will be a doozy."
"I know. I know." She frowned.
"However, I think we can head him off at the pass if
you're willing to go along with it."
She tilted her head, seeing the evil grin on his face,
"What have you been up to?"
"Well, when you first called me and told me that your
father was having a real problem accepting Jeff, the
wheels started turning in my head. I know your father
and if he keeps pushing you, he's going to drive you
away. Now don't you give me that no. You said it plan
out today that you won't live here if you can't see
him." He tousled her hair, "So I spoke to my attorney
Monday morning. You have control of your trust fund
now instead of waiting until you're twenty-one."
"Granddaddy you didn't have to do that."
"Yes I did. When and if you leave, I need to know that
you are taken care of. That you're okay when I'm not
here. Once you walk out that door, your father will
cut you off from everything. He'll think you have
nothing to support yourself and you'll come crawling
back."
She rested her head on the back of the couch listening
to his words. He was right. All the way to the sick
thinking of her father.
"But we'll fix him." He chuckled pulling her into a
bear hug when he saw the long face.
"I am so glad you're here."
"I have another idea. Let's play hooky tomorrow. You
skip your classes and I wasn't going into the office
anyway. We'll hang out wherever you want. We'll bring
Jeff lunch and we'll just chill. How about we trade in
the old beemer for a hot little convertible one?"
"You're going to get me into so much trouble you know
that right?"
"If your grandfather can't, then who can? Besides I
think you managed quite well in the trouble department
yourself."
"Hey!" she slapped his stomach.
"You my cupcake better get to bed. We have a big day
tomorrow."
She rose up from the couch, looking back at him,
"Aren't you?"
"Nope." He shook his head, "I'm sure your father has a
load of questions and comments about today. I want to
be the one to shut him up. Goodnight cupcake."
"Night Gramps. I love you." She kissed his cheek,
leaving him alone to wait for her father.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Michael heard the car pull in about an hour later. All
ready for bed, he sat in the den in his sons' favorite
chair. He was ready for the hot-tempered man. His
arsenal of words full for the retaliation.
"Dad."
"Caroline." He squeezed his daughter in law, "How are
you dear?"
"Tired. Where's my beautiful daughter?" she sat on the
arm of the chair, draping her arm around his neck.
"Fast asleep. I just checked on her; our sleeping
angel."
She smiled, her eyes lighting up, "Yes that she is. My
shining star. Where did you two take off too today?
You were gone before I even got home."
"Old hot head there drove her out. So I asked her to
take me to Jeffs' house so I could meet him," he saw
her smile widen, "He's a perfect match for her
Caroline. He cares about her a great deal."
"I'm so happy for her despite the whole Michael thing.
I'd love to meet him myself. Maybe the four of us
could have dinner before you leave."
"Who said I was going anywhere?" he watched her smile
fade as Michael entered the room. They both stopped
talking and just looked at him.
"What are you two up to?" he slipped his suitcoat off,
draping it over the arm of his leather couch.
"Plotting for happiness." Michael egged his son on.
"Kendalls' I would imagine."
"Is there anyone else more important in this family? I
don't think so."
"On that note, I'm going to bed. Don't stay up too
late and keep your voices down. I don't want Kendall
to wake up." She kissed them both and quietly closed
the door behind her.
"I'm having her transferred back to New York. She can
still accept her scholarship at NYU. The photography
program is much better there." He undid his sleeves as
if preparing for battle.
"Like hell you are!" Michael rose up from the chair,
"You will not play with my grandbabys' future. Jr. if
you push her away, she'll never come back."
"Oh bullshit. I am her father. She will always need me
regardless of what I do. She's my flesh and blood."
"If you betray her that won't matter. If you take her
away from her family, her life and Jeff, she will shut
you out for sure. You will never be forgiven. Sending
her away will not keep her from him."
"I don't know how else to keep her away from him."
"Stop fighting it! I met the boy; he's a good kid. He
cares about her. Hell Jr. I can even see love in his
eyes when he looks at her."
"I don't care! I haven't busted my ass making a name
for this family to have some low life ruin it by
courting my daughter! No way."
Michael shook his head in disbelief, "What happened to
you son? Kendall was right. You're just a hollow shell
of a man now. All you care about is that money and
what it brings you. Where did I go wrong?"
Michael stomped his foot as his father left the room
in total disgust.
back to Chapter 12
