Shades Of Blue

Chapter 33|Runs In The Genes

When my grandparents had written a postcard addressed to Eris and I, they had said that they would like to meet us. I wasn't particularly expecting that meeting to take place at the beach, on a Wednesday afternoon. Nor was I expecting for them to look like they hadn't aged in the last fifty years.

Maybe it runs in the genes.

Maybe they had had my father young. Who knows?

Now that I sit here with Eris on my right side and my father sitting directly across the table facing us.

"Is that them?" Eris asks oh so nonchalantly as if this meeting of the long lost grandparents wasn't even happening right now.

Although, I am his twin and I do sense all of the anxious and excitement emanating from the young boy within him. He may act like he's got it all figured out or something but, I can always tell that he's had so many opportunities taken from him as we were growing up. His relationship that should have been built with our father was never there and the influence a father figure could have been so beneficial in some instances.

To be honest, I think Eris turned out pretty alright without it. My brother is most passionate, loud living human being I know. Sometimes, I do wish I were more like that.

But, I'm just me and that's okay.

"Yeah, that is certainly them, come on stand as we greet them" says my father as he beckons us to reciprocate as he stands and greets his parents, "Mama, Pop how are you?"

As soon as my grandmother speaks, it's like the warmth in my stomach is making its way to my throat and it's almost suffocating but, not in a totally bad way.

It's nice.

Okay, that probably sounds a little bit weird but, you get what I mean.

"I am good, my boy, you need to eat more you look drained" she says as she pinches his cheek as they let go of the hug.

"I'm fine mama, now this is Eris and this is Elaine, your grandchildren"

As her eyes scan Eris' features first she sighs with a smile as she embraces him into a warm, inviting hug followed by my grandfather.

"It's so nice to finally meet you..." Eris slows his speech as he stumbles on what he should decide to refer to them as.

Our grandfather chuckles as he lightly grasps Eris'shoulder and with a smile as he points, "call me Pa or Pops or whatever you're comfortable with for now"

Eris nods with a smile as he begins conversing with Pops and at that moment I make it my life's mission to let it slip that I very much so, feel incredibly awkward and fidgety.

"So, G and Pa?" I ask.

My grandmother laughs as my father gestures to the seats and we all take a moment to find a comfortable seating arrangement. Eris decides to sit between our father and Pa just as I'm seated between Zander and my grandmother.

I mean, G.

G is cool. Well, in my opinion, anyway.

"Well, Zander has always called me G from a young age because he could never say the word Grandma, I thought; 'why not G?' and so, now I guess it's stuck with me forever" she explains as her lips upturn into a warm smile.

"I have a question; how did Zander pronounce Grandma? I mean, I'm just curious, right Eris?"

Eris nods with a chuckle, "right, yeah me too"

Zander rolls his eyes at the two of us and leans forward so that his arms are crossed and rested on the table.

Our father clears his throat, capturing all of our attention as he places his index finger up, "I believe it was something like; Gimwa" he says as he tries to imitate a baby Zander.