The living room was lavish, decorated till gleaming.
In the center was placed a selection of sofas with real leather, with crystal chandeliers overhead. It was a spacious place too, and moving the sofas away, you could have a small ball here.
Where the sofas were placed, Georgia saw an old man about the same age as Wilhelm sitting in the middle.
They were far away, so Georgia could only see the old man’s face.
It was a thin face, but he had bright eyes, and looked energetic.
The man’s hair was half white already. On two couches next to the old man, one middle-aged couple sat to one side, while a somewhat mature looking woman sat to the other, with a pretty young lady by her side.
Georgia thought of the situation her mother had introduced.
Was the middle-aged couple her uncle and his wife, the mature woman his aunt, and the younger woman her cousin?
As she considered it, they walked for about two minutes before the family stopped before old man Powell.
The two sides faced each other. Georgia stared at the old man for a few heartbeats, not knowing what to call him in the moment.
“Grandpa” seemed too intimate. They weren’t there yet.
But it would be impolite not to greet him.
More importantly, this old man Powell was also looking at her, as if watching their family, and didn’t speak at all.
They just occupied the space awkwardly. Georgia felt so awkward that she didn’t know where to put her hair.
After a few minutes of dead air, Linus Powell spoke.
“You look like your mother, and somewhat like Emilia. I’m your grandfather. You must know about this now.”
Georgia dipped her head and said yes.
“I’ve already met my mother yesterday. She told me a lot. Hello, Grandpa. Pleasure to meet you.”
Georgia lifted her head and showed a formal smile. She didn’t know what Linus was going to do.
But thinking about it, she had two kids with him, and she couldn’t be impolite so the kids would learn it.
Saying that, Robert smiled too.
“Hello, Grandpa. I’m Georgia’s husband. You can call me Robert.”
As the two said that, they bent next to their children and murmured a few words.
Soon Annie and Wesley turned to the old man and greeted him too.
“Hello, Great-grandpa.”
“I’m Annie Simpson.”
“I’m Wesley Simpson.”
After all four of them greeted him actively, Linus smiled.
“As your great-grandfather, I haven’t seen you two kids before. Since you’re here the first time, I’m not sure what you like. I hope you’ll find these presents to your liking.”
As the old man said that, he took out two small, gift-wrapped packets.
Annie and Wesley looked at Georgia and Robert, not sure what to do next.
Robert and Georgia smiled at them.
“Go over and remember to thank Great-grandpa for his presents.”
The kids walked obediently up to Linus, took the presents, and spoke in unison.
“Thank you, Great-grandpa.”
Linus’ smile widened, but Georgia felt that it wasn’t an intimate smile between families.
Georgia had an indescribable feeling that this was just business motions.
But they’d been this nice to them from the get-go and even got the kids presents.
They wanted to build a good relationship and there was no need to make it sour. Making friends was fine.
When the kids took the presents and got back to them, Linus pointed to the middle-aged couple.
“This is your uncle and his wife. Should get to know them.”
Georgia examined who her mother said were her second uncle and second aunt in earnest.
Oscar Powell had a cold face and was clearly not an approachable person. He nodded politely at them, but didn’t seem to smile at all.
As for her second aunt, her name was Margie Snow, and she smiled faintly at the family.
The smile seemed like it came from behind a veil, though, and put distance between them.
Exactly as her mother had said.
After the two were done with introductions, the kids greeted them too and received another set of gifts.
Margie had passed the gifts to them. She smiled at the children and patted their heads tenderly. Seemed like she liked children.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Daddy, Mommy had been in Prison
Update please...