Dangerously Mine

Seven

My grandmother had always looked like she belonged in a different era.

Wide hips, long jet-black hair, steady hands. Mexican to the bone. Strong in a way that didn’t need announcing.

I looked nothing like her.

After showing up in the middle of the night like an omen, she took one sniff of my wine breath and ordered me to bed. No discussion. We’d talk in the morning.

Now, sunlight spilled through the kitchen, and coffee brewed like this was just another holiday visit.

“Sit,” she said.

I obeyed despite myself.

“Your grandfather and I were at the club,” she began. “We missed a call from the school. They said you were hours late picking up Flavian.” Her eyes hardened. “They also said you’re under investigation for possible child neglect.”

The word hit like a slap.

“I don’t even know how this became a thing, its all just a huge misunderstanding”

“Then explain it.”

So I did. The man. The accusation. CPS. The interviews.

She listened without interrupting.

“So a stranger decided you’re unfit because of one incident?” she asked finally.

“Well… there was another confrontation, but—”

“But he isn’t family, a neighbor or even a friend so how can an isolated incident be enough?”

“Exactly.”

She nodded once. “Then the investigation will clear you i'm sure of it.”

I blinked. “That’s… supportive.”

“Don’t get used to it,” she muttered, but a smile slipped through.

Footsteps thudded on the stairs.

“Grandma!” Flavian shouted, launching into her arms.

She scooped him up easily. “How’s my munchkin?”

“ are you gonna make your famous Waffles?” he asked hopefully.

She laughed. “of course mijo.”

For a moment, things felt normal.

Then my phone rang.

Tiffany Farrow.

“She’s stopping by,” I told Grandma after hanging up. “To talk to Flavian.”

Grandma’s expression changed but she quickly caught herself ''there's nothing to be worried about, i'm here.

Tiffany arrived twenty minutes later, calm and polished.

“its just Routine questions, i wont take up much time” she assured.

I brought Flavian in, squeezed his hand, then led Grandma to the kitchen. Waiting was torture. Every second stretched thin.

Thirty minutes later, Flavian walked in smiling.

“She’s a nice lady,” he said.

That didn’t comfort me.

Tiffany stood to leave. “We’ll review everything and be in touch.”

After the door closed, the house felt heavy again.

Dinner passed quietly until I noticed Grandma watching me.

“What?”

She exhaled slowly. “I don’t know how to say this gently.”

“Just say it.”

“Your grandfather and I think Flavian should come live with us for a while.”

The words split the room open.

“So all that support talk was fake?”

“Lower your voice.”

“You think I’m not good enough too.”

“It could help you,” she pressed. “You could go to college. maybe date someone. Have your own life.”

“He is my life,” I snapped. “And no one is taking him.”

“Fiona—”

“No.”

I walked away before she could finish.

In my room, the tears came fast and hot.

strangers were one thing.

But this?

This was my own family deciding I wasn’t enough.

And somehow that hurt worse than anything else.