“Speaking of old, Torben is calling. I have to take this, but I want to hear about the next time you see him. Got me?”
“Fine, fine.”
She hangs up to talk to her brother as I pull into my driveway. Before opening my door, I steel myself for the icy wind we are being walloped with today, and think about if I would date a resident’s relative.
I mean, one who is tall and broad like Ray? With those green eyes?
Um, yeah, I would.
Chapter Five
Ray
My brother and I walk Grandma back to her room. She leads the way, holding her head up high as she shows off her grandsons to anyone looking. When we reach her room, I help her to her recliner while Trevor fetches her slippers and shawl.
“I am truly blessed,” Grandma sighs, looking up at us with her pale green eyes.
“That’s us, Gran,” Trevor says, wrapping her in the shawl.
“Isn’t Ms. Artio such a lovely young woman?” she says, making a point to look in my direction.
“Ray certainly thought so,” my brother teases before filling Grandma's teakettle with water.
I shoot him a What-the-Fuck look and turn back to my grandmother, who is grinning ear to ear.
“I was thinking the same thing. Those two had quite a spark between them.”
“Ray looked totally gaga.”
“Uh, hello, I’m standing right here,” I say, unable to hide my irritation.
My grandmother reaches out and pats my arm.
“Oh Ray Ray, it’s nice to see you smitten with someone. I hope you ask her to your brother’s wedding.”
Next to the kitchen island, Trevor’s eyes go wide and he rapidly points at me while bouncing on his toes.
“Yes! There’s your plus one, Ray!”
I hold up my hands, as if I am trying to protect myself from an onslaught of dogs.
“Hey, hold up, you two. I just met the woman. For barely an hour. Geez.”
Grandma reaches out and takes my hand, patting it with her other one.
“Of course, Ray Ray. I just love seeing Trevor so happy with his true mate. What a joyful ending to my life if I got to experience both of my boys in love and happy.”
Words escape me, so I bend over to kiss her on the forehead and pull up a chair. Trevor delivers her tea and I crack open our current Agatha Christie read.
On Monday, work is a little more hectic than normal, since Enid is still on her honeymoon. I finally finish double the paperwork when I realize I am late to visit my grandma. She is always understanding when I get stuck at work, but I am becoming more sensitive to time since who knows how many weeks left she has with us.
I find her in her recliner, listening to a podcast about serial killers.
“New episode, Grandma?” I ask after kissing her hello.
“It’s a retro one from ten years ago. I forgot about this guy,” she says, before telling her smart speaker to pause.
Topping off her tea, I sit down with our book, but she waves it away.
