The Gray Family: Legacies

an

es

m people. I'm returning to school and working at the station that

tairs to get

t getting ice cream," Parke

idge door and g

spend time with us before retu

d," I said,

on the way up

They have a new Marvel

swered, wa

me in th

ow if you wanted to ha

" I a

spend much time tog

g to my bedroom," I res

on said, meetin

do anything. Go hang with your girl since

y desk and sat down, studying for my next certification. I sa

I mumbled wh

d get some ice c

up from

" I a

, and your Grammy wants

y room as Pops followed me. I walked out to the

ut of his bedroo

with concern. "The

save him from drowning,"

m parlor. I walked inside and sat down at a ta

pushing a container o

he ice cream down as my parents joined

everything bett

she smiled. I didn't smile

an I go? I have

parents looked at me

own," Gram

Grammy wit

Grammy

own in

ple, too. Grief is a terrible feeling. You're drowning in a sea of emotion

ed at

ut I can tell you you'll that your family love

owed m

ow to handle it

learned anything from Lucille, is you live, laugh, and love. Heaven know

huc

have us," P

others standing a

, little brother,

a life preserver

own, and we won't let y

nothing but nodded. My brothers hugged me as I sat there. I didn't know if I will sur

ything I needed. Pops knocked on my bedroom

everything?

ble-checked,

nd ready for you and your

ule and books, then report t

y," Pop

l keep me busy," I replied, not

d at me wi

hit happens,

n proposing,"

n't work out. Marriage isn't f

ath. Pops looked around my bedroom and noticed Eliza's pictures a

nt down

y packed?"

y worries me, Pip

" Ma

ything he had of her items. Presley's n

t the same time. Remember when Lyric ex

" Pops

nd my cousins," Ma mentioned with

e

resley. My boy is hurting, and it makes me feel help

w's Presley?"

advice," I said. Michael no

brought over an iced tea for m

n is drowning and doesn't want

sley's grieving,"

Eliza's items," I said. "

f he removed any memento of Sadie, he could pretend s

ut down. He's here, b

cousins. I didn't date. I worked and raised them. The nights were the hardest when it became quiet. The sil

stop it?

eeds it. Lex, I know it worries you, but the more you push,

ed. We look

idn't let me grieve?" Lyric

ood look on you," Michael re

s as Michael shrugged. I shook my he

es

y family wanted to make sure I didn't crack up. I didn't need someone to

rdered us to see after a tragedy like this. It's a protocol to make su

know I sound like a dick, but it's how I felt. After I boxed up everything that reminded

irls rode with Parker. Ma and Pops said goodbye, and Payton pulled out

Payton asked on o

a bite," Pat

e it's gluten-fre

?" Payto

ait," I

need to eat,"

. I wasn't hungry. After the funeral, I hardl

ot out of the car. We went into a restaurant an

g with your foo

hungry,"

ooked at me

need to eat,"

not hungry,

. He set his food down as my brothers

and Pops about you not eating and los

ff," I

d at me. We fought, and the manage

ng lot. "What the hell is your pro

wasn't hungr

ah, that's not a reason to fuckin

help, but Payt

brother thing,"

bout you stop treating me li

e, I will stop treating you l

went to the car. I got into the b

axton said as my brothers

stewed in the back seat. I'm not a child, which my b

he house, I got out

ayton said,

ing. Payton moved, and I walked past him.

lked over

ecessary?"

e didn't jump into that grave with Eliza

went into the house. Patton an

at odds, the house will get

ke sure they don't kill each other,

ndle me. Who better to handle a brother than a brot