The airport

After spending three hours in a meeting since early that morning, Patrick left. In silence, his two bodyguards and secretary trailed behind him. 

Upon checking his watch, he knew he would be late for his destination. With a groan, he rode the elevator to the underground park.

He turned to face his guards and secretary. "Today, you can all leave early. We're going to get together at work tomorrow." When he arrived at his car's parking location, he said to them.

"Thank you, sir." They joined in the chorus. 

"Don't forget to make the call to Eric," he said to his secretary before getting into his automobile. 

She gave a nod. "Sir, I will not. Greetings, sir. From inside the car, he gave a nod, and then the driver left the park, leaving Susan and the two enormous men behind. 

He rarely travels with his bodyguards. He only takes that action when it's really necessary or when he is heading somewhere where he would need to take precautions. He didn't think it was required always to have bodyguards with him. 

"Go to Miami International Airport." Patrick gave his driver an order as he left the building. 

"Alright, sir." The old driver answered. 

He picked up when his phone rang. 

He continued to make calls till they arrived at the airport. After the last call, he switched off his work phone and exited the car. He strolled towards the lobby. 

The first person to see him from a distance was his mother, who waved to him. He bounded over to her and the two bodyguards stationed next to her. 

"Good afternoon, Mom." 

"Good afternoon, dear." She smiled broadly in response. 

"Good afternoon, boss." The two security officers greeted him. He smiled slightly in response. The two men were his friends and his first bodyguards. Since he had great faith in them, he asked them to watch his mother as well. 

"Grandma isn't here yet?" He posed a rhetorical question. "I thought I was late." Glancing at his watch, he said. 

"You have forgotten when your grandmother will arrive," his mother said. He shrugged. Don't tell me you are returning to the office?" His mother spoke while the two bodyguards beside her tried to hide a smile. They were familiar with him. He was a known workaholic, and they were aware that this contributed to the dispute between the mother and son. 

He winced. "Of course not, Mom." 

"Better." With relief, she said. It seemed to please her to know that. If he wanted to return to work, she understood there was not much she could do to stop him. 

As they continued their conversation, an older woman came over. She resembled her daughter quite a little. She wore a long cream coat, trouser set, and a lovely light shirt. She wore black sunglasses and cream-colored heels. 

Patrick grinned at his grandmother's outfit selection. She is a fashionista. Her lovers are shoes, bags, and clothes. 

They both appeared younger than their age, just like his mother. The older woman nonetheless appears robust and elegant. She is capable of many things that most ladies her age are not. 

The first people to welcome him were his mother and the guards. When they had finished introducing themselves, she finally spotted him. She appeared a little surprised. She had not anticipated his arrival at the airport, but she was aware of his high regard for his work and time. 

"Ricky?" She stated, taking off her sunglasses. 

"Grams," he smiled. She hugged him, beaming with pleasure at his presence. 

He smiled more broadly since she didn't seem as short as he remembered. Despite her petite features and high heels, nobody could dispute that she was not getting any younger. He pondered in his head. 

"I miss you, Grams." He was sincere in his statement. 

"I miss you more." She gave him a back pat as she spoke. 

"Grams, you are choking me." He stated. Her strength surprised him. 

Gently pulling away, she turned to face him. His smile widened as she gave him a friendly slap on the arm. He was missing her terribly. 

His grandmother wasn't silent like his mother. Like him, she was wild, obstinate, and full of playfulness. She also doesn't accept crap from others. She was the reason for his unwavering belief and perseverance. 

He listened as his mother spoke to her in a few Spanish words. 

"I thought you would have forgotten how to speak  after eight months in France." Patrick made fun of his granny. 

"God forbid." Says she. "I shall always remember the words spoken by my father. It's the world's greatest language. Well, Italian and French are not too horrible, but Spanish is truly horrific." 

Together, they exited the airport after laughing at her delivery of the line. 

His mother decided to spend a few days at her son's estate before going back to their home. Patrick made no objections. It had been long since he had seen his grandma, and he missed her. He missed her playful smacks and taunts. Nobody in the world could make him laugh the way she does now. 

********** 

When Patrick's grandma mentioned a photograph his mother had shown them, he laughed. 

"I swear I miss you, grandma." He was sincere in what he told her. 

She grinned and turned to face her grandson, who was still grinning. He appeared younger and more attractive than ever. Even though he may have inherited some of his mother's cuteness, it was regrettable that he resembled his father so much. 

"You wouldn't have missed me so much if you had listened to me and left a month to visit me in Spain," she says. 

"Grandma, you know I can't do that. I have to manage a business." He disagreed, shaking his head. 

"That company will function with or without you." Matter of fancy, his mother told him. 

"Not really." He answered. "But thank God you finally decided to come back." 

"We will be leaving soon." said his mother. 

"Obviously not. She's coming to stay with me for a month." Almost immediately, he disagreed. He then turned to face his granny. "Won't you grams?" And he inquired with curiosity. 

"Will you leave work for a month to be at home with me?" His granny enquired. 

"Grandmother, I can't. I should at least leave work early and return." 

"Well then, I'm not changing my mind." 

"Grams, you're not capable of doing this. You know I manage businesses and have duties to accomplish at the workplace. Do you not love me? It isn't just. He said, glaring mockingly at them. 

"Life is not fair, grandson." His mother giggled as she answered. 

He relished every moment he spent with his one and only family as they sat and talked for hours on end. It was a long time since he had laughed and talked so much. He also appreciated that they had changed course.