“I’ll still come to visit.” She reaches the door first, pulls it open, and we both go inside, grabbing the last of the boxes.
We loop back down the hall and out the backdoor again in silence. I can’t think of something to say worthy of the gift that I’ve been given. I’m so immensely grateful for the chat I had with grandma, and the time I got to spend with her this week. Then miraculously she sprang back to life, even getting to her feet on her own. That is the biggest gift.
Everyone, including Grandma, agreed she’d be safer in a retirement home. We found one not that far away, and it was perfect. Each resident gets their own suite, and they have plenty of activities. When El requested they add Candy Crush tournaments to their rotation of fun, and they agreed, we knew it to be the perfect one. So here we are, loading the last boxes in the truck, and I slam the dented tailgate shut.
It’s funny how things are the same for days, and sometimes years, and then one single moment makes your whole world change.
Having my grandma’s forgiveness is one of those moments. It seemed to heal the part of my heart that was damaged after my mom died. Everything feels different now. Like I could do anything or go anywhere, and everything would work out.
And there was only one place I wanted to go.
thirty-one
Portia
It’s been a whole day of working from open to close, and I’m exhausted as I drag my feet up the final staircase to my apartment. I bend over to catch my breath while fumbling for my keys from my purse. I’m about to start watching YouTube videos on how to fix an elevator to handyman ours back to working order. I cannot do ten flights of stairs after working all day on my feet.
My phone vibrates and I pull it out of my pocket as I head down the hall to my apartment. I haven’t heard from Christian in days, and my smile can’t be contained when I see his name.
Christian: Sorry I’ve been MIA. My grandma recovered. It’s seriously a miracle. We’ve been busy cleaning her house because she’s moving to a retirement home.
My heart fills with joy for him in all the ways I didn’t know it was even attached to him.
Me: That’s great news!
Christian: It is. How are you?
Me: OK. The store is good.
Christian: That’s good.
Christian: I found out who the mystery man is.
Me: I told you, he’s Tom.
Chirstian: I know, but El finally told me.
Christian: He’s not married BTW.
Me: Why was he being so secretive?
Christian: I guess he was worried because he is working for grandma’s lawyer.
Me: Interesting.
Christian: It is. But not as interesting as something else.
Me: What?
Christian: Whatever your question is.
I sputter out a laugh, as I don’t think my original question is worth this much hype. Now that we are a week into this, the pressure’s on not to disappoint.
Me: I forgot it.
Christian. Funny.
Christian: Can I ask you a question?
