anything hasty or foolish with this person," she said.
"Too many young people today think nothing of
embarrassing their families."
"Of course, I won't."
"Very well. We'll see how things progress.
Someday, you will be grateful for what I've said to
you today, Laura. You'll look back and laugh at
yourself for being so foolish."
She looked confident of that, but inside, I
thought, No, Grandma, never be grateful for your
telling me that magic between people is merely emptyheaded foolishness. I'll never be grateful for your
telling me that people have to be judged by their
family lineage instead of the content of their
character, that status is more important than
anything, even honest feelings. No, Grandma, I won't
be grateful; I'll always be full of pity, and not for
myself but for you.
I said none of this, of course. Instead, I sat
silently watching her look toward the beach where the
men were making their way back to the house. "It looks like the great minds have settled the
problems of the world and are returning," she said
dryly. "Why don't you ask your mother and sister to
come out now."
I rose quickly.
"When I was your age, I always thanked my
elders for taking the effort and time to talk to me and
share with me their wisdom, Laura," she said as I
started away. I paused and turned back slowly. "I know you want only happiness for me,
Grandma. I thank you for that," I said.
It didn't please her enough. She gave me the