His Queen

Grandpa Ray

Cleo was nervous when she knocked on the door, the house forty minutes from hers, was still nice. The beautiful four bed room with its white paint and red shutters had been the same since her Grandma Bonnie passed.  

Ray Johnson stayed in their home even if it brought him pain sometimes to be their alone. And after his daughter’s untimely demise, all he had left was his granddaughter. And it’d been years since they’d seen each other.  

It was a moment later as she waited nervously that an older woman opened the door. Confused as the woman in a white dress looked her over, the beautiful older black woman beamed, “Cleo!” Brought into a hug so warm and nice, Cleo asked, “Um, do I know you?”  

Backing up, the woman let out a warm chuckle, “Oh I’m so sorry! I know you’re pictures and Ray talks about you all the time!”  

Nodding Cleo looked at Tyrone beside her who was just smiling at the woman, “Hey Ms. Ida, how you been?” Ms. Ida, a plump chocolate woman with a grey afro looked at Tyrone happily, “I’m just fine suga. Come on in!”  

Waving them in, Ms. Ida headed to the kitchen as she called, “Ray, Ray honey we have guests!” Honey? We?  

Looking around confused, Cleo noted the house she spent a lot of time in growing up. Mostly when her mother died and her daddy started to date again. He’d drop her off for a few hours, and somehow, Cleo healed the hole left by the death of their daughter.  

For a while... 

Things had changed, like her, things were older. But the beautiful bay window in the kitchen still had its black, red, and white color scheme. With the comfy white pillow on the redwood, the black fuzzy pillows made the red curtains pop.  

She’d sat there for hours, coloring and reading while Grandma Bonnie cooked.  

The kitchen and it’s white walls still screamed homey and fresh-baked cookies. The granite counters were new, and it was obvious some things had been updated. But the base of it all was the same, rooted in love and hard work.  

Walking to the hall, Cleo smiled seeing the pictures.  

She’d had to hide all her mother’s pictures. Peyton had been so vengeful some had ended up torn up in the trash. To which Cleo flipped her s**t and tried to kill her for trying to erase her mama. But in this house she hadn’t needed to worry, because there she was.  

Willow Johnson, her mama, sat proudly in frame smiling so happily as a teenager. It was so many of those, as a child and up till she was pregnant with Cleo. Seeing some of Grandma Bonnie, Cleo wondered if this meant Grandpa Ray still loved her.  

Or if the woman in the kitchen, Ms. Ida, had taken her place.  

Much like Peyton had tried to do with her mother.  

“Cleo?” Turning Cleo almost cried seeing her grandpa. Grandpa Ray, while older and not moving as quick, still handsome and smiling so wide. Rushing to him, Cleo was careful but she still hugged him tight.  

“Hi grandpa.” She whispered in chest as he squeezed her, “Hi baby girl, how you doing?” As Tyrone came out of the kitchen, Cleo just so happened to be saying, “Better now.” Seeing Tyrone, Ray smiled a little, “I can see that.” Kissing her on the head, Ray led her into the kitchen.  

Lemonades were passed out and almond cookies given, as they all settled at the table. “I’m so happy to see you, you look good.” Cleo told Ray sweetly, “How are you feeling?” Ray hummed, “Oh I'm just fine darlin’ I'm old but hanging in there.”  

Cleo rolled her eyes, “Oh please, still the most handsome thing on the block.” Ms. Ida rolled her eyes, “And child don’t he know it.” Chuckling Ray teased, “When you look this good, there’s no need to be shy about it.” Rolling their eyes, both Cleo and Ms. Ida were laughing as Tyrone agreed, “That’s very right Mr. Johnson, you show them we only get finer with age.”  

Ray was laughing now as Cleo turned to look at Tyrone, “Please don’t tell me you’re going to be some old timer walking around in a speedo? Cuz I will pretend not to know you.” Tyrone smirked cockily, “If I look good in one I bet you will.”  

Cleo could see him in one NOW, but in thirty years? She guess she’ll see.  

Turning to look back at her grandfather, Ray looked between her and Tyrone with a smile, “So is this happening?” Cleo breathed out as Tyrone’s smile fell a little, “Ugh, well we’re working-.” Tyrone started, but Cleo interrupted by asking, “So you did set this up?”  

Ray looked at Cleo for a moment, “I loved your daddy, he was like my son. But I did worry about him getting with that high tail yellow girl. Told him she seemed off but he thought cuz she had a baby it made her Mother Teresa. He didn’t listen and he married her, and I couldn’t get to him when he got sick. She blocked me, and you know what? I think it was so we couldn’t do anything when she tricked him into signing everything over to her.”  

Turning to his oldest friend’s grandson, Ray admitted, “After I got sick, and she had you arrested, I was worried for days. I didn’t know how it would work out with involving Pat and his family. But he’s always been a good friend, and when I told him the situation, I guess he sent Tyrone in.”  

Ray observed Tyrone for a moment, he looked so much like his grandfather. And like his grandfather with the weird mix and matched eyes, he wore his heart in them. And those eyes were for no one but his granddaughter.  

Tyrone met Ray’s eyes, and it was obvious the older man could see him. And approved as he winked and then looked at his granddaughter eagerly, “So tell me everything, I want to know what I’ve missed.”