His Queen

Tyrone's Grandfather

Tyrone sat down with his grandfather and their jeweler. “You look like you’re about to explode son,” Javier Mink said chuckling. Patrick, Tyrone’s grandfather looked at him concerned. The one black eye and the bright green focused on the sweating young boy, “Son if you don’t want to-.”  

Scoffing, Tyrone confessed, “It’s not that I don’t want to grandpa I’m just... it’s complicated.” But he didn’t want to talk about it. Talking about it made him feel like throwing up. And right now, he needed to do this.  

Nodding to Javier Mink, Tyrone was presented stones and diamonds cut for a ring. All beautiful and would work, but it wasn’t clicking. Not until Javier whipped out the beautiful tear-shaped sapphire, “Perfect,” Tyrone said immediately. Blue was Cleo’s favorite color, and Sapphire was her birthstone.  

Hearing the certainty in his voice, Javier smiled sitting the jewel down. “And the band young sir?” Tyrone smiled, “I want it to be pure silver, thin, with little diamonds all the way around. Can you put a personal touch on it?”  

Javier beamed, “Of course.”  

The older man left twenty minutes later eager to make the ring now. Tyrone felt like he’d just jumped a hurdle to only get smacked down in the end. He felt sick, he wasn’t sure what to do next with himself.  

“Son, you still look ready to vomit. Am I pressuring you to do something you’re not ready for?”  

They were in his grandfather’s study, and Patrick poured them both a drink. Taking a hard sip, Tyrone confessed, “I’m more than ready grandfather. Honestly, I think you asking me to work on this was the best thing to happen to me.”  

Patrick smiled happily, “Really?”  

Nodding as he finished off his drink, Tyrone barely felt the burn of the liquor. Not as his fears ran rampant in his body, “I don’t know if she’ll say yes one minute, but then-.” his phone pinged and when he saw the message, his body warm, “But then?” Patrick prompted seeing the look on his grandson’s face.  

Tyrone showed him his phone in response. A picture of a bare-faced Cleo in sweats and a hoodie was the first thing he saw. But then he saw the text.  

Cleo: I miss you, come cuddle.  

“It’s me she likes, and that feels so good.” Tyrone confessed, “I don’t have to pretend with her or pretend to be someone I’m not. She likes me, and I know it’s not for the money or status. It’s never been about that for her so when I ask her, I know it’s not going to be a factor. And it’s kind of f****d up I wish it was.”  

Patrick c****d an eyebrow, “And why is that if you like she’s not after your money?” Breathing out as he sent Cleo back a text, Tyrone confessed, “Because if she was superficial, she’d want to marry me for the sake of being comfortable. Hell, her f*****g c***k head step mom burned through her college fund so I know she might need help there. But God grandpa she’s so f*****g brilliant! I bet she has a thousand scholarships for any school she wants.”  

Looking as his grandson stood, Patrick heard the melancholy tone as Tyrone muttered, “She doesn’t need me as badly as I made it seem like she does. She’d struggle but Cleo’s strong, she’d make it just fine. And the sad thing is I think deep down she knows it, and the minute I f**k up, she’s gone.”  

Patrick smiled a little, “Son...you are lot more than the size of your wallet. And no woman I know cuddles with a man she doesn’t care for. She wants to spend time with you and as long as she still wants you around? You’re still in the running. Don’t give up easily, and don’t back down.” Tyrone grinned at his grandfather and nodded a little before leaving.  

As his grandson left him, Patrick picked up the phone to call his son. The minute the deep voice hit his ears, Patrick opened with, “So I’m thinking of throwing a party.” A chuckle followed by a why made Patrick smile amused, “I want to meet someone, and this way is less intimidating. And considering what just happened in my study, you might want to meet her too...”