“Right?” I smile. “And he’s being modest, he’s good at branding.”
“Branding? Like cattle?”
At that, both Ben and I laugh and he puts a hand on my shoulder.
“No, not like cattle. But it’s a good job. He’s good at it.” I say and when I look up, Gran’s changed. Her eyes go from Ben’s hand on my shoulder to his face. I can tell she’s seeing something different, I just can’t pick up on what, exactly, it is.
“Of course he is, my boy is good at everything.” Gran says, breathless.
I look at Ben in a panic.
I see Ben, but she sees my dad.
My dad, her son, who has been dead for over two decades.
How will her brain reconcile this? And what will happen if said son suddenly talks with a British accent.
“We, um, we need to get going,” I say quickly.
“What? Nonsense, you just got here,” Gran turns to Ben, eyes filled with adoration.
“Um, soup’s on, you know.” I say, trying to think of phrases Gran has used, excuses she’d use herself. But she won’t look at me, she can only look at Ben.
There’s not much resemblance to my dad in him that I can see, other than that he’s also tall with light brown hair. He also has golden skin that should be pale this time of year, except Ben travels to warm, sunny places. My Dad just loved to be outside, even in winter.
“I’m afraid Janelle is right,” Ben answers her, trying to sound as American as he can, talking slowly and squeezing my shoulder.
“Janelle.Janelle?”
That’s it.
That’s the fatal mistake I have been trying to avoid.
I should have thought of it.
Why didn’t I think of that?
I should have warned Ben not to call me that!
Gran’s face snaps to me and she’s irate.
“You keep that precious angel’s name out of your mouth. Why are you even here? You think I want to meet your latest fling? Why would you bring him here?! Get out!”
“Sorry, we’ll go!” I grab Ben’s hand and pull him out, pushing the call button on the door as I go.
He whispers as soon as we’re through the door, “I’m so sorry, love, I—”
“Not your fault. This was a stupid idea. I just, she’s my Gran. I’m freakingmarried, it felt like she should know, and—”
“Of course,” Ben tries to calm me but I’m rambling, distraught. “Can we g—”
“I have to wait until the nurse is here. I can't just leave her upset!”
“Okay, my darling, okay.” Ben looks and spots a nurse at the very end of the endless hallway. He yells, “Excuse me! Help here, please!”
The nurse hustles over. When she reaches Gran’s room and scans the name, she looks at me.
“I’m sorry, she had a good few minutes, but we set her off.”
