Accept Me Read Free Page A

for me. She was witty, and full of life, and exactly what I needed, especially now that Captain is gone.
    “What’s Edward doing here?” I ask, peeking out into the hallway to see if he’s still lurking around.
    “Eddie hasn’t visited me since I found out about Damon’s journals. I haven’t had the chance to ask him about the money either. I hope he had nothing to do with that mess but who knows?” Grams’ mood turns grave and we both look to our feet, recalling the composition notebooks that uncovered the years of heinous abuse that Damon endured in silence. Grams hasn’t said much to me about whether or not she has confronted Edward about the notebooks, but I imagine she has. I can’t see Grams holding back after what she found out and she’s definitely not the type to bite her tongue. It’s yet another way that she and I are two birds of a feather. As for the missing money, I imagine her take on it is the same as mine—Damon is taking care of it. It’s as simple as that. I know that in her heart she knows that Edward is likely at the center of the missing money, but he’s her son and despite his destructive behavior, she probably hopes that the check fraud, for once, isn’t his dirty work.
    Damon still doesn’t know that I told Grams’ and Elise, his sister, about the abuse, either. He and I have discussed the notebooks, but that’s it. I’ve tried to find the right time to explain, but it just hasn’t come yet. Damon has endured one blow after another lately and I don’t think I could put him through more. Not right now anyway. Thankfully, Elise and Grams’ have agreed to keep quiet until I can smooth this over with him. Secrets aren’t welcome in our relationship and yet I’m walking around with two that are capable of pulling the rug from beneath my Big Man. I’m no idiot. I know that when he finds out he’ll be angry. I just hope he isn’t as mad as I think he’ll be.
    “Oh,” I reply quietly, patting her hand. “I just saw him in the hallway. I called him McFuckstick, so maybe he thought better of visiting.” I smile recalling my insult, but Grams isn’t amused.
    “Jo, just leave him be, you understand? I’ve known that Eddie’s a monster for a long time, but I’m his mother and I tried to see the best in him. Don’t poke the sleeping dog, ya know what I mean?” She shakes her head, her face awash with disappointment.
    I just nod in understanding and agreement to leave the asshole be. What’s done is done and Damon and I are building a life together that has no room for that drunken fool.
    Grams shuffles around the box at her feet and motions for me to follow her to the sitting area where we’ve spent so much time together. I follow obediently and watch as she takes on a serious demeanor as rare as a full eclipse. “Jo, I want you to be honest with me now. No joking.” She caps off her statement with a pointed finger.
    Oh shit. I nod and wait for it. She can’t possibly know about Noni. No one knows. Unless she’s always known? There’s no way. Is there?
    “I know you’ve said a thousand times how you want me at home with you and Damon, but I just need you to know that you don’t have to do this.”
    I silently take a breath of relief that this has nothing to do with Noni. It’s proof that my growing paranoia is an issue. I begin shaking my head in protest at her speech and start to open my mouth to speak.
    “Sweetheart, I’m old and falling apart. I don’t want to be a burden for you and Damon. I can stay here,” she insists.
    “Grams, you aren’t that old! Hell, you’re the youngest blue-hair I know.” I reach across and pretend to ruffle her silver hair.
    She bats my hand away and narrows her blue eyes at me. “Hey! I haven’t let that beauty school crew touch my hair since that whole mess. It washed out just fine,” she mumbles, patting her short silver curls. “I mean it, Jo. I’m old as the hills. I’m just fine with staying here.”
    “If