Somewhere in the Middle

By Tammy Godfrey

They were divided by more than a fence. A virus separated them. On one side of the fence, Matt stayed with his Grandmother, the no-nonsense woman who teaches him the wisdom of love, life, and cooking.

On the other side of the fence is Abigail, trying to keep her family together while her parents fight on the front lines of Covid-19.

Matt has seen Abigail before, as a young girl playing with her brothers and sister on the other side of the fence. Now Abby has grown up.

Matt has noticed Abby.

Abigail has noticed Matt.

Abby's parents have noticed them both, and so has Matt's grandma.

Will the fence keep them divided.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Warrioress Publishing
• Release date: Oct 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223876656

Book preview

Tammy Godfrey

Somewhere in the Middle

First published by Warrioress Publishing 2023

Copyright © 2023 by Tammy Godfrey

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

Tammy Godfrey asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publishers and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book.

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Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Six

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

About the Author

Also by Tammy Godfrey

Chapter One

Chapter Separator

Gram, you’re incredible!

The words slipped out along with a grin as I walked up to my grandmother’s house. It was still relatively early in the day. She was outside with a rake doing only God knows what because there wasn’t a blade of grass out of place on her front lawn. It was always that way. Winter, spring, summer, or fall, I’d never seen it anything but perfect.

Grandson, don’t talk such nonsense. Gram was old school and had no patience for those things she considered unnecessary or playful. She didn’t take or give compliments unless she felt they were truly deserved. And what are you doing here? I told your father I didn’t need a nursemaid watching over me. I’ve survived far worse than this pandemic.

My grandmother was getting up in years and slowing down, not that she’d ever admitted it. This virus had more than just my father worried about her. The truth was that he hadn’t sent me. I volunteered. A woman her age shouldn’t be alone through something like this. Oh, knowing Gram, she’d be fine, but honestly, I couldn’t think of anyplace else I’d rather be.

If you saw a picture of my grandmother, you’d most likely see a short, brown-haired, frail-looking older woman, but if so, you’d be mistaken. Well, not mistaken, but missing the real her. Gram was still a force of nature despite her sixty-six years, or perhaps because of them. There was an inner strength about her that came from facing life head-on and pushing through the hard times. She’d certainly had plenty of those.

My grandmother was an orphan by the time she was twelve. Her older brothers made sure there was food on the table by working construction, but as the only girl back in a time when that mattered, she was the one who took care of the house. She cleaned, cooked, and cared for her brothers the way she thought her parents would want her too.

I’m here for the food. I was only half kidding, and my grandmother knew it. You could see it in her eyes as her annoyance lessened and was replaced with a touch of humor.

Gram met and fell in love with my grandfather when she was sixteen. They were married two years after that. What followed was ten years of fighting to make ends meet as their family grew to five. The accident that killed my grandfather devastated my grandmother, but losing her oldest son, my Uncle Matthew, was so much harder. It made her harder. My father’s older brother died in the Gulf War. I’m named after him. I think my Gram has a problem with it because she always calls me Grandson and doesn’t use my name very often.

My grandmother seldom talked about either loss, but one of her brothers got drunk while visiting once and told me about my grandfather’s death and how it affected her. It was heartbreaking. My father often shared stories about Matthew how they survived after his loss.

You came all this way for a decent meal? The disbelief in her voice was thick as she leaned on her rake and looked at me in that way I knew so well.

Gram, Michele is good for dad, but her cooking… I shook my head, not wanting to say anything wrong about my stepmother. Recently she’s decided to cook ‘healthy.’ Apparently, to her, that means putting kale in everything!

My grandmother was well into her fifties when cancer took my mother, but that didn’t stop her from all but moving in and taking care of my older sister and me until we were old enough to care for ourselves.

I was happy when my dad met Michele. She was good for him, but there was no way I’d ever think of her as a mom. She’d come into my life too late for that. Besides, I already had a mother who I still missed every day. I also had Gram, who was like a second mom who helped raise me and make me the man I was.

Dear lord, Matt? The look of disgust on my grandmother’s face was priceless. I doubt very much she’d ever tasted it, but Gram didn’t abide by what she considered those fad foods.

Gram, it’s bad enough that I’m missing out on college parties and girls because of this stupid pandemic. Please don’t make me go back and have to eat that food! The truth was that it was more than just the food that bothered me when I was at my father’s house.

Dad met Michele toward the end of my junior year of high school. They married the summer I went away to college and spent a few weeks traveling for their honeymoon. My sister and I spent the time at my grandmother’s. I’d complained half-heartedly, but honestly, it was a good thing. Gram had a way of grounding me. Being with her helped me get past the whole having a new stepmom thing.

Still, going home was always weird because it was my home and not my family at the same time. Michele had changed so much of what I remembered. It was the same house, but it was quite different. I did not blame her for making the changes. It was her house too now, but sometimes I found myself wishing they’d simply moved. That way, I could always remember my home the way it was when I was growing up.

You can stay. Gram read more into my words than I’d said. It didn’t surprise me. She was always good at knowing what I needed. But don’t expect to relax around my house. There’s plenty that needs to be done where I can use a set of strong hands.

Whatever you need, I didn’t quite groan, but it’s not like I was surprised. Gram was big into the I need help, and you’re family, so you have to help.

Don’t think you can slack off just because it’s your first year of college. I’m sure you have online classes you need to be taking.

Yes, ma’am, I replied, fighting off a grin, remembering how she used to get on me about schoolwork. I’ll have to be on for a couple of hours every day.

Don’t ‘yes, ma’ am me, she frowned, seeing my expression and knowing that at least a small part of me was laughing at her. I did my best to wipe the smile from my face but was only moderately successful. She sighed and shook her head before adding, Well, what are you waiting for? Come hug your grandmother.

I was sorely tempted to say ‘Yes, ma’am again, but my sense of humor had gotten me into more than enough trouble with my grandmother growing up, and now wasn’t the time. I would not put it past her to send me home if I annoyed her enough.

I know that sounds crazy, but that was just Gram for you. The world bent to her will at this point in her life and not the other way around. That included me when I was here. It was okay because I knew she was the one woman in the world who loved me unconditionally in my heart of hearts. She was always there for me and would always be, but that didn’t mean she’d put up with what she called ‘my nonsense.’ That just wasn’t her.

It’s good to see you, Gram, I said as I hugged her tight and kissed her cheek.

You too, Matt, she replied, squeezing back briefly. Now, let an old woman breathe! I laughed and stepped back.

Can I stay here with you? I asked. I’ve been kicked out of my dorm.

You’re always welcome. Does your dad know? She asked me. I have a room here, and staying here would be a hell of a lot easier than being at my dad’s house.

This coronavirus was some scary stuff and had messed with my life and work, but I had a feeling that spending the next couple of weeks with my grandmother was going to be better than with my dad and Michele.

Chapter Two

Chapter Separator

Ilooked down from the roof and saw my grandmother watching me with a frown. Her hands were on her hips as she directed me without being able to see what I was doing. I’m sure she would have preferred to be up here overseeing my efforts to clean the gutters, but she was too old to be climbing a ladder. Who was I kidding? If she could get up here, Gram would be doing it herself.

Make sure the gutters are spotless, Gram said.

I thought I was supposed to be filling them up? I gave my best mischievous smile, but my grandmother was mostly immune to it.

Very funny, she called up. Keep it up, and I’ll give your dinner to one of the neighbors! I was about to reply when someone beat me to it.

Oh, man! Please keep it up! I quickly followed the voice to a kid in the next-door neighbor’s yard. He was probably around thirteen or sixteen. It took me a minute to realize that it was little Leonardo Garcia. The last time I saw him was the summer before I went off to college. I haven’t had a good meal in weeks!

Is that you, Leo? I asked, already knowing the answer but giving him a chance to recognize me in return. He held his hand up to shade his eyes from the sun as he looked up at me. A quick smile flashed as he caught on.

Matt! His excitement made me smile, but before he could continue, Gram interjected.

Leo, your sister Abigail is a perfectly good cook. Even from up here, I could see my grandmother’s half-smile despite her words. That meant two things. First, her feelings toward Leo had only grown since I was last here. And second, I’d probably be sharing my dinner tonight.

Abby burnt the chicken last night! Leo argued, forgetting me for the moment and looking pitifully at my grandmother through the green chain-link fence separating the yards. I didn’t blame him. Leo sensed my grandmother’s willingness to feed him, and she was a fantastic cook.

It wasn’t that bad, a dark-haired girl a few years younger than Leo added as she came out of their house through a sliding door. A much younger boy immediately followed her. It was just a little dry, is all.

It was burnt! Leo insisted, clearly ready to argue with his little sister.

Whose fault was that! The somewhat shrill and annoying voice came from inside the house. You were the one who ‘forgot’ about that math test. I was face timing your teacher, begging him for an extension instead of pulling the chicken out of the oven!

Leo blushed in embarrassment before Abigail followed up with, Tanya, what did I tell you about leaving the screen door open? You’re letting all the bugs inside! Someone was having a bad day.

Billy was the last one out, Tanya complained, but only halfheartedly as she turned around to close the screen door.

Matt, can we have a catch later? Or maybe kick a soccer ball around? Leo was looking up at me hopefully. Papa is working a lot since all of this started. Mr. Garcia was one of those fathers who worked hard but was always willing to spend time in the yard with his kids.

I frowned in confusion. I mean, Mrs. Garcia was a nurse, so it made sense that she was working crazy hours, but Mr. Garcia worked in a factory, which I doubt was considered essential. He should either be working from home or on unemployment.

Their father is part of the local rescue squad, Gram explained, guessing the source of my confusion. He’s been out on calls a lot since his factory closed down due to the pandemic. Some of the other volunteers are at higher risk. I nodded in understanding.

Mr. Garcia is a volunteer firefighter and an EMT and works with the rescue squad in town. What is the rescue squad? It’s an emergency service that provides technical rescue services and provides emergency medical services and firefighting services. Rescue squads may be standalone organizations or an integrated part of fire departments or emergency medical services. It all depends on what state you live in. When there was a forest fire, he was gone for two months helping. He’s been working with them as long as I can remember. I thought about doing it, but my talents are in computers. I’ve been hired when I’m done with school. I’m going to work with Microsoft; they’re even paying for my schooling now.

Sorry, Kiddo. Maybe when this is all over, I responded to Leo.

Kicking a soccer ball around wouldn’t be that big of a deal, but the virus was running rampant in this part of the country. I hated disappointing the kid, but I couldn’t risk it with both of his parents having a high likelihood of being exposed to the virus. I couldn’t take any chances now that I was living with Gram.

Yeah, I get it. Leo was disappointed as he turned away and focused on his little siblings. They started playing soccer.

I glanced at the three visible Garcia children and forgot my sadness as they played together. I hadn’t seen them in years. Well, Leo and Tanya anyway. Little Billy was a toddler last time I visited my grandmother.

Leo still looked like the boy I’d played plenty of games with that summer, but it was a close thing. I guessed that he’d recently had a growth spurt. You could tell by the way he moved. His face was also just starting to shift into something more adult.

Little Billy was a toddler the last time I saw him, but he was cute as hell and the spitting image of his father. He was a ‘late in life’ baby. Although to be fair, his parents had spread out having their children more than most. I watched him interact with his brother and sister for a moment and smiled. I guessed that I would end up liking him just as much as his siblings. The Garcia family were ‘good people,’ as Gram would say.

I remembered Tanya as a pretty little girl, and although she was still a couple of years away from being a teenager, she had the look of one of the lucky ones whose good looks would blossom into true beauty as she got older. I was betting she was going to be a handful for her father and mother one day.

I caught myself wondering about their older sister Abigail. Although I sometimes used the nickname Abby like her family, I always liked the name. I remembered her as a fun-loving fourteen-year-old who was a bit of a tomboy, but she’d changed a bunch based on how she sounded.

Although to be fair, I’m not sure how I would have sounded at eighteen if I’d not only lost out on the last semester of my senior year of high school but also had to take care of three younger siblings while my parents risked their lives caring for others.

If memory served, Abigail wasn’t as lucky as her little sister in the looks department. She had the same dark hair and eyes as all of the other Garcia children, but she was built stockier without being heavy. Not that any of that mattered. She was just a kid. Still, she used to make me laugh all the time.

Abby always insisted on being included in any sports Leonardo and I played with the neighborhood kids. If there were many kids, I ended up being the automatic pitcher, official quarterback, or referee depending on what sport we played since I was older by quite a bit.

I could remember one basketball game where I was refereeing, and Abigail threw a hip check that sent one of the more aggressive boys to the ground. He was a big kid and seemed more than a little surprised, especially when I didn’t call a foul. I remember having a hard time holding in a laugh as he visibly fought with himself on whether he should complain about a girl half his size knocking him over.

That was bad enough, but when I looked at Abigail, she said with a shrug, A little hip check never hurt anyone. I had to cough to hide my laughter.

Stop daydreaming up there! Gram called up to me, breaking me from my memories. I’m going inside to start dinner. All three of the Garcia kids in the yard looked up at that. The hopeful expression on their faces was priceless. Leo, make sure to tell your sister that she doesn’t have to cook dinner tonight. I’ll send it over when it’s ready.

Thanks, Mrs. Rizzo! Leo’s grin was bright and full-faced, the same as his younger siblings. I guess Abby wasn’t an excellent cook. I mean, anything Gram cooked was great, but the kids hadn’t even asked what she was making.

The three went back to playing soccer after my grandmother left, and I focused on finishing what I was doing. I still needed to get the air conditioner out of the shed and put it in the living room before dinner.

Gram didn’t believe in central air, so my father had gotten her a large unit to put in the oversize living room window. Knowing my grandmother, I’d be surprised if she put it on more than a handful of times each year.

I thought it was a little