Grandma smiles. “She sounds sweet.”
“Yeah, she is.”
Grandpa frowns. “I’m glad you kids are getting along, but can we please put something else on?”
Laughing, I change to a music station. Grandpa sings along with the song, and Grandma adds in, too. He used to have a band when he was my age, but nothing came out of it. I think I have inherited my singing and musical talent from him.
I pull up to the hotel about forty-five minutes later and we get out of the car. After I grab the suitcase, I go with them to the front desk to check in. Then I accompany them to the room. It’s pretty small, but it’s enough for them.
I place the bag on the bed. “Are you guys tired? Hungry? Want to go out for food or do you want to take a nap?”
Grandpa chuckles. “We’ve only been together for an hour and he’s already taking care of us.”
“That’s because he’s a sweetheart.” Grandma wraps an arm around me, pulling me to her. “Whoever he marries one day in the distant, distant future will be a lucky girl.”
My face feels warm. “Grandma…”
“What? She will be.”
“If you say so. But can we not talk about girls?”
“Okay, my precious grandson. I think your grandfather and I are too tired to go out to eat.”
“Okay, I’ll go pick something up. What are you in the mood for? Chinese? Mexican? Burgers and fries?”
Grandpa turns on the TV to a sports channel. “I think we’ll go for something light.”
“Sure. See you in a bit.”
The game plays in the background as my grandparents start emptying their suitcase. I leave to a nearby take-out place to get something for all three of us.
By the time I get back, my grandparents are unpacked and they’ve changed the channel to cooking. It plays in the background as we set the tiny table that barely fits three people. I unpack the containers of two chicken salads for them, fries, two cans of soda, and a large, juicy burger for me.
We talk about school and other topics as we eat. I’ve never been to this burger place before, but it’s so good that I nearly devour the thing whole.
Grandpa chuckles. “One could think they don’t feed him in that school.”
I shake my head. “The food there is so fancy you wouldn’t believe it unless it was before your eyes. I’m talking food fit for royalty. You’ll see tomorrow when the students and family members eat together.” I shrug. “I’m just always hungry.”
Grandma smiles as she takes my hand. “I’m so glad to see that the school has had such a positive impact on you. You look like you’re thriving.”
“Yeah? Okay, I guess.”
“I don’t know when was the last time I saw you this happy,” she says. “After the difficult year you had, I’m overjoyed to see you like this.”
I smile. “Thanks. I think being in a higher academic school is good for me. Makes me motivated to do well.”
“We’re happy to hear that,” Grandpa says. “Do you still have time for the band or have you given that up?”
“No, we haven’t given it up. The principal lets us practice in the music room and we’re there almost every day. But you know what? Raven wrote a song for us. We’re already practicing it and it’s going well. I think the song could be a hit.”
Grandpa lifts a brow. “Raven writes songs?”
I nod. “And she’s really good at it, like super amazing.”
“We can’t wait to hear it,” Grandma says. “How are Beck and the boys? Making trouble?”
“Nah. There isn’t really time to goof off around here. The homework is crazy hard and teachers are strict with attendance and with assignments. Beck is actually behaving. I think his parents will be pleasantly surprised when they see him.”
