the next generation

Family History

I take a deep breath as I gather my thoughts. He just walked out on me after I told him the meaning of my eyecolour. He was so close to me, I simply felt like I could not lie to him. My body.. something inside of me feels so drawn to him but my mind reminded me that I should take care of myself. That was something I had to do all my life since there wasn't anyone left to help me. I take out my phone to check my eyes and they see them turning grey. Just what I thought. I take a deep breath and walk out of the room, off the stairs and through the living room into the garden. Mary was already sitting there with Oliver, Josh and Nate. Appearently Oliver thought it was time to havean early lunch since the table was full of food. The only empty place left was inbetween Josh and Nate. Oliver and Mary were sitting on the other side of the picknick table, but Mary would make sure there would not be any place for me to sit.I know her. She would make me squize myself next to Nate. I take another deep breath as I go and sit next to him. "Your house is lovely, sir. Everything really is coming together.". Oliver smiles at me. "Well thank you sweety, but the house is not mine. Nate owns it.". His father winked at me just as Josh had done earlier. How come Nate was the owner? That is a bit weird? Maybe his father wasn't able to live on his own anymore? But he was looking really fit and healthy, so I could not believe such a thing. I look at Nate but he did not grand me a look back. I must have hurt him.. Josh seems to notice the awkwardness between Nate and I. He grabs some bread and starts to pry his father for the story between him and my grandmother. At that moment, Josh was my new hero. His father looks at me as he starts to tell his story. 

"You see, your grandmother Beth lived in this town all her life, just as my mother did. They went to the same small school in town and were about the same age. Just as you and Mary, they have known each other all their lives and they became the best of friends. My mother was a kind, caring and brave woman. She would not back down for anybody or anything. Your grandmother was less outspoken, but she was a beautiful, smart and honest person. her eyes were able to change colour, just as yours can. You have to pay attention the see it. A lot of people may look you in the eyes, but won't be able to see it. They simply do not look with enough attention and care. Your grandmother believed that only those who could see were people who truly cared about her. It was her test of attention since she would never be able to lie about her feelings. My mother and your grandmother had a very turbulent life next to each other". As Oliver was telling, I found myself looking at him like a little child at story time, and I was not the only one. Everybody seemed to be charmed by him. He went on. "My mother had a lot of duties, she had an important job next to my father. She had to take care and be there for the whole family. When my mother had to much on her plate at times, your grandmother would help her by taking me and the other children into her home. I believe your mother lives there now.". Oliver looked at me for an answer on that question. "I'm sorry Oliver, my mother and my father died when I was fourteen years old. They did live in my grandmothers home and it is the only home I have known in my life. I love it and take care of it at the best of my abilities. You are always welcome to see it if you'd like.". All the men surrounding me were looking at me with sadness and pity in their eyes. Mary afcourse already knew the story so she just sat there with a caring smile on her face. Suddenly I can feel Nate look at me again. I don't want to hurt him again, I feel awful about it, so I meet his gaze and look straight and deep into his eyes. He looks sad and a bit worried. He wraps the arm that was close to me around my waist as he pulls me closer to his body. I think he is trying to sooth my mind."Grey.. Sad" he says with a soft, warm voice. I nodd at him to confirm his statement. I let my body lean into his pull and feel his warm body. Within a few seconds I can feel my whole body relax and take in the natural warmth of Nates body. He is still looking at me as he suddenly is looking very intriged. I did not understand what was going on. "They are shifting right now, back to green. You are feeling better" a proud smile appears on his face and he is even showing a little of his beautiful white teeth with it. My own happiness seems to be enough for him to change his own mood. Even though it is a little embarrasing for me that he could make me feel better with a small cuddle, I want to give him this 'trophy'. Maybe he could forgive me for my fear from earlier. He must have seen it as a rejection. My mind is pulled back into the conversation when Oliver starts to give his condolances. I smile at him and ask him if he would like to go on with the story. "Yes, sure." Oliver smiles at me as he takes a deep breath to start up the story again. "So, I would not be able to count the days I have spent with your grandmother. She always made us delicious food and when my mother would come to take us home, they would sit for another hour and have some tea together. She was always seen as a close family friend and I am happy to see you as one as well. Your mother was still a little girl when I became a teenager. I did not pay a lot of attention to her. As you can understand, I was looking for some attentions from the girls my age.". He winked and smiled while saying that. We all had to laugh at his joke and Oliver kept telling little stories from the past. 

After a few stories a woman and a man appeared in the garden. Josh left the table and jumped upon the man. "Matt! You missed a great story!". This had to be the other brother. If I understood correctly Nate was the oldest. After him came Matthew and Josh was the not-so-little brother. The woman was holding groceries so she must be the maid. Matthew must have accompanied her to the store. The woman was looking a little older. She could be a grandmother. Her eyes were sweet and her hair as white as snow. She greeted the men and introduced herself as Gertrude before she went into the kitchen. Mary pulled the attention to her by clearing her throat. "I'm sorry, but I still have a lot to do. I have to leave. Liz, if you like to stay that's fine by me.". Before I could even answer Oliver did. "Mary, how unfortunate. Josh, please bring Mary home. It was really nice to meet you. Liz, I would really like to get to know you a bit better. Would you please stay for just another moment?". Nate still had his hand around my waist and protectively hold it a little tighter. He think he does not want me to leave yet. I look at Mary who was already walking towards Josh, feeling completely fine being brought home by the handsome brother. "Sure, I can stay a little longer. I do need to work at the bar tonight, so I have to leave within an hour or so.". Oliver seemed to be pleased with my answer. Mary waved goodbye and left with Josh. 

"tell me about yourself, what do you do? Nate told me your work at the local bar?". Oliver was giving me his undevided attention. So Nate told him about me? I can't help but feel a small tingle of happiness in my stumach. "I do, but it is not something I would like to do for the rest of my life. I just do not have a lot of choices.". Oliver was looking intriged. "How come?". I don't know why but the man was easy to talk to as I found myself opening up to him. "Well, when my parents died I inherrited the house as well as some money. It was enough to get me by but I had to start working as soon as I finished high school. I always wanted to study history or psychology. Never choose one since it is not in the cards. I would not like to leave the town and I don't have the resources for it.". I saw Oliver thinking about what I just said. Nate let go of me and also seemed to adjust his attention towards his father. "Elisabeth, Liz. The library of the house is not yet finished but.. Just as you, I always had a great interest for psychology. I also know a lot about the history of this town. It is not an education, but you could come her to read the books. I could help you and learn you some things when you are stuck and tell you stories.". I could not wrap my thoughts about what he just offered me. This sweet man just learned my name and already gave me so much. "I could not accept so much.." I mumble back, shy and lost for words. "Please, I would like to repay your grandmothers love. If I knew you had to live your life alone for so long, without a mother or father, I would have came to find you sooner. Please, let me help you do something you love. Even if it would just be as a hobby". Tears started to fill my eyes. Nobody ever offered me so much.. "Okay..". It was all I could say. All my lips aloud me to let loose. Nate put his arm back around my waist, looking grateful at his father. Why would he care so much as well? 

We talked a bit for a while longer. Josh came back from walking Mary home and he went into the house. it was time for me to go home to prepare for my shift at the bar. Today I had to start at 15.00 o clock, which I considered an early shift. Nate offered to walk me back to my house and I accepted.