“Grandma, this is not some kind of class project. This was life and death.”
“And you needed to realize that when it comes to life and death, you can handle situations like this. Maybe not as efficiently or with as much poise and grace as myself. But you got everyone out of that building alive. Including your insipid ex-husband.”
“That was a team effort,” Riley said modestly.
“And you stepped up to be part of that team. Those people got out because of you.”
Riley’s chest was just puffing with pride when her grandmother added, “Unfortunately, the property was destroyed because of you. However, I sense that most of them will get over it quickly.”
“So why did you come down here then, if it wasn’t to help?” Riley asked in exasperation.
Elanora frowned. “To watch my granddaughter in action, of course. Some grandmothers attend soccer games or debate clubs or homecoming parades. I came to watch you save lives.”
“Are you saying you’re proud of me?” Riley asked, fishing for praise.
Elanora’s lips twitched in their perpetual frown. “Perhaps I did it so I could say ‘I told you so.’”
It was good enough for Riley. “Thank you for the lessons—even the painful ones.”
“Do not thank me. It’s unseemly.”
Riley rolled her eyes. “I guess it would be extra unseemly if I hugged you,” she said, opening her arms, knowing full well she was a dirty, smoky, glittery mess.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Elanora scoffed. “Now, before I go. I received a message for you from a Bianca.”
“Bianca Hornberger?”
“Yes. She wanted me to tell you thank you and she wants a favor.”
“That sounds about right.”
“She wants you to tell her family she’s sorry for being too distracted by the shiny things in life to be present for the important things.”
“Wait. Are you sure you got the right Bianca?” Riley asked.
“Death strips away everything we think is important only to reveal what actually is important,” Elanora said. “All souls remember their truth once the distortions of life begin to fade.”
Riley blinked. “Wow. So even bad people become good souls?”
“Something like that. The important lesson is to not wait for death to make you a good soul. Now, if you will excuse me, I have an important meeting to attend.” Elanora paused, then awkwardly patted her on the head before striding off, leaving Riley to stare after her, feeling like she’d just been handed a cosmic lesson, one she didn’t know what to do with.
“Hey there, Sexy Sparkle. Got you a souvenir,” Nick said from behind her.
Riley turned and admired the view as he approached. He looked heroic with a half-dozen bandages over cuts and burns, his clothing torn and dirty. Luckily for him, the bomb blast seemed to have shaken off most of the glitter.
“Hey there, Hometown Hero.”
He held out a piece of cardboard. It looked like a very small pair of shoes. “This is all that’s left of your ex’s cutout.”
Riley laughed and threw Griffin’s tiny feet over her shoulder so she could loop her arms around Nick’s neck. “Have I told you today that I love you?”
He grinned the full dimpled wattage at her. “Not nearly often enough.”
“I love you, Nick Santiago. Thank you for saving my ass once again.”
“It’s a nice ass. I’m kind of in love with it,” he said.
She felt something between them vibrate.
