Eavedropping

Eavesdropping A virtuous individual is difficult to find, remarked my grandmother. On that day, I witnessed tears in her eyes as she anxiously placed the monthly tithe in an envelope and departed for church. This event occurred before her prolonged argument with my grandfather. It seemed she was distraught with him. That very day, I discovered that my revered grandfather was involved in an affair with Estelline Beckley. "Ellie, you are the only woman for me," stated my grandfather. However, my grandmother did not accept this and subsequently slammed the door in his face. I recall feeling frightened and bewildered by this familial conflict, prompting me to hide under the table and pray for the cessation of their altercation. For several weeks, my grandmother devoted herself to prayer, while my grandfather consistently burned her cookware while boiling water and making coffee. My grandmother confided to the neighbors that such temptresses could lead a man astray. This statement puzzled me until years later when I met my mother's half-sister, who bore a striking resemblance to my mother, yet embodied my grandfather's demeanor and expressions. Thus, eavesdropping unveiled the intricacies of family affairs.