Chapter 21: A Game Show Addict

I was on my way to the grocery store when I decided to make a quick detour and visit Grandma Edna. It had become a routine for me to drop by her house, and as always, she greeted me with a warm smile and a cup of coffee. Despite being past seventy, Grandma Edna seemed to defy time, growing stronger and more vibrant with each passing day.

We settled down in her cozy living room, sipping our drinks as we engaged in our usual conversations. We discussed her health, how she spent her days, and other mundane topics. However, our conversation took an interesting turn when Grandma Edna brought up her latest obsession—game shows. It seemed she had recently downloaded a stack of classic game shows from the 90s and had been thoroughly enjoying them.

With animated gestures and a twinkle in her eye, Grandma Edna recounted the game show she had watched the previous day. It was a nail-biting episode of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" where the contestant had reached the final question, unsure of the answer. The tension in the room was palpable as the contestant used their lifelines, ultimately securing a life-changing sum of money. Grandma Edna's excitement was contagious, and I found myself immersed in her vivid description, relishing the thrill of the game show alongside her.

As our conversation continued, Grandma Edna revealed her plans for the day—a game show marathon. She intended to spend the entire day watching her favorite shows, eager to experience the nostalgia and excitement they brought. I chuckled at her enthusiasm, realizing just how much joy these game shows brought to her life.

But amid the excitement, my mind was still preoccupied with the events of the evening dinner at my mother-in-law's house. I debated whether or not to share the incident with Grandma Edna. In the end, I decided honesty was the best policy, and I began to spill the details.

I described how my husband and I had attended the dinner, and my mother-in-law had intentionally put chili in the food she served me. Grandma Edna's eyes widened, and she momentarily choked on her coffee. Hurrying to her side, I patted her back gently until she had recovered. Concern etched on her face, she inquired whether my mother-in-law knew about my allergies to chili. I sighed and admitted that she was well aware of my condition, yet she had deliberately added the chili to spite me.

Grandma Edna's face contorted with anger, her eyes flashing with indignation as she muttered under her breath, calling my mother-in-law a witch. The lines on her forehead deepened, etching the weight of her fury. It was as if a storm had brewed within her, threatening to unleash its full force. With a voice laced with righteous fury, she suggested that we press charges against her for such a malicious act.

I looked into Grandma Edna's eyes, witnessing the fire that burned within her. She was ready to take on the world, to fight for justice on my behalf. But I knew that pressing charges would only fan the flames, intensifying the tension that already strained our family ties. It was a difficult decision to make, but I chose a different path.

"Grandma, I understand your anger," I began, my voice steady yet tinged with regret. "But seeking vengeance won't bring me the peace I long for. I've chosen to forgive my mother-in-law and let this incident slide. I don't want to escalate the situation any further."

A mix of disbelief and disappointment shadowed Grandma Edna's face. She couldn't comprehend why I would choose forgiveness over retribution. Her eyes searched mine, silently pleading for an explanation.

"How can you forgive her after what she did to you?" Grandma Edna's voice trembled, her emotions threatening to spill over. "She deserves to face the consequences of her actions!"

I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts, and tried to convey the complexity of my decision. "Grandma, holding onto anger and seeking revenge will only consume me. I want to move forward, to mend our fractured relationships. By forgiving her, I'm giving myself the chance to heal and grow. I've spoken with her, expressed my pain and disappointment. I believe she understands the gravity of her actions, and I hope she won't repeat them."

Grandma Edna shook her head, struggling to accept my reasoning. "But what if she does it again? What if she thinks she can get away with anything?"

My heart ached at the doubt and worry etched on Grandma Edna's face. I reached out, gently placing my hand on hers, hoping to convey my sincerity.

"I've made my boundaries clear, Grandma," I assured her. "I won't tolerate such hurtful actions in the future. And if she ever crosses that line again, I'll stand up for myself. I promise."

Despite my decision, Grandma Edna remained furious, her anger simmering beneath the surface. I tried to console her, reassuring her that I had handled the situation in the best way I saw fit. Deep down, though, I couldn't help but question if revealing the information had been the smartest move. The tension hung in the air as I pondered the potential repercussions of my disclosure, hoping that it wouldn't cause further strife in our family relationships.

Grandma Edna let out a heavy sigh, her anger slowly dissipating like a storm losing its strength. She looked into my eyes, her hand gripping mine with reassurance.

"You have a forgiving spirit, my dear," she said, her voice softening. "I may not fully understand it, but I admire your strength. Just promise me you'll take care of yourself, be cautious around her."

I nodded, gratitude swelling in my heart for Grandma Edna's unwavering support. "I promise, Grandma. Your love and concern mean the world to me. Let's leave this incident behind us and focus on the positive things in life."

Grandma Edna and I continued to talk for a little while longer, our conversation shifting to lighter topics. Before leaving, I mentioned my plans to buy some goodies for the street children I always encountered on my way to the mall. But Grandma Edna dismissed it as nonsense, insisting that she had plenty to spare. With a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, she disappeared into the kitchen, returning with a big bag filled with treats and goodies.

"Take these, my dear," Grandma Edna said, extending the bag towards me. "You don't need to buy anything. I have more than enough, and I want to extend God's blessings in my life to those who don't have as much."

Touched by her generosity, I embraced her tightly, feeling the warmth of her love surround me. "Thank you, Grandma. Your kindness knows no bounds."

With a smile on her face, she whispered, "Make sure to give these to the street children on your way. And tell them these gifts are from your grams. They should always remember to say a silent prayer for me."

I nodded, blinking back tears of gratitude. "I will, Grandma. I promise."

After bidding her farewell, I drove to the familiar street where the children gathered. As I handed them the bag of goodies, their eyes widened with delight. Their faces lit up with smiles, and some of them couldn't help but shed tears of joy. It was a humbling sight, witnessing the sheer happiness these small gestures brought them.

Child 1: Wow, look at all these treats! Thank you so much!

Child 2: Is this for real? We never get something like this.

Me: Yes, it's all for you. These gifts are from my grams. She wanted to share her blessings with you. And remember, always say a silent prayer for her.

Child 3: We will, we promise! Thank you, thank you!

The children gathered around, eagerly rummaging through the bag, sharing their newfound treasures with one another. The air was filled with laughter and gratitude, a fleeting moment of pure joy in their challenging lives.

Once I made sure each child had something, I bid them farewell and continued on my way to the mall. As I entered the bustling aisles, my annoyance rose when someone unexpectedly stood in front of me, interrupting my path. Irritation clouded my thoughts until I lifted my head, and my heart skipped a beat. Those baby blue eyes, so familiar, belonged to the last person I wanted to encounter.

He spoke my name, his voice carrying the weight of past memories and emotions. "Hello, Lakeisha."

And with those two words, a flood of emotions and memories rushed back, leaving me speechless and unsure of what the future held.