30
JANIE
“You sure about this? I can wait outside.” Ben says, studying me.
“It’s Thanksgiving day, the nurse said she’s in good spirits, we should try. She’s not exactly warm to the guys I bring home.”
“She’s protective, you mean.”
I smile a bit, “Yes, I guess. Just remember—” I start to get anxious but he puts a large, warm hand on my neck and squeezes.
“She may not know you, she may get angry or confused. I read up on dementia after you explained.”
“You did?”
“Of course, this is important, she’s your Gran.”
My eyes sting as I nod. She is. She is everything to me and she is protective and he…he gets it.
“Yes. Okay.” I nod and brace myself. I push my shoulders back and inhale, then push the door open slowly.
“Gran?”
“My favorite grandchild!”
“Granddaughter, Gran. You have Jack, too.”
I repeat our usual conversation since it normally sets us up for success, at least for a few minutes. She deadpans at me like I was hoping she would, “I said what I said.”
Ben chuckles behind me.
“I, uh, brought someone to meet you.”
“The boy from the city.” She says with attitude.
“Yes, the one I told you about, sweet, funny, British.”
“British?” She recoils as if I told her this was a bit I had going.
“Afraid so, lovely to meet you,” Ben waves, without approaching to shake her hand. I’m sure he’s fighting his normal urges, to gush at her, to go for the hug, to wink. I appreciate the effort.
“Oh my, what a charmer,” Gran says, and not in a good way.
“Yes but he’s genuine, Gran, I promise.” She narrows her eyes at him so I quickly go on. “Brought you some chocolate turkeys.”
“Turkeys? In the middle of summer?” She scoffs.
I don’t correct her about the season. I’m just so happy she recognizes me and hasn’t freaked out about Ben yet. Next, we go through our usual conversation, I ask about how everyone is, she gives expected answers about Bobbie, Kim, Tyrone and a few others.
Ben just watches. Until she finally remembers him standing beside me.
“So, what do you do, Sir Fancy Pants?” Gran gives Ben the side-eye as she takes the chocolate from my hand.
Ben looks at me and silently saysI see where you get itand I silently reply,I know.
“Family business. Posh Job. Nepotism. All that rubbish.”
Gran looks at me with a satisfied grunt, “At least he’s honest.”
