Bree saw three more people that morning suffering from the consequences of the shag competition, as well as a few regulars. At noon, she looked down at Polly, who had spent the day lying in a sun spot in the corner. “You ready to go find Gran?”
She meandered along the paths through the manicured lawns and found Gran reading on the patio of her villa. A wide-brimmed hat shaded her face from the afternoon sun while she read. Polly trotted ahead of Bree and nudged Gran’s hand with her nose. Gran’s head tilted back, revealing her bright green eyes. The scene reminded Bree of a movie from the 50s or 60s. Even at eighty-five, her grandmother exuded class and style.
“Hey, Gran.” Bree leaned down to give her a kiss on the cheek.
“Hello, dear. You brought Polly with you.” Gran placed a bookmark between the pages of her novel and set it on the small table next to her.
“I had a bad night. I needed her close today.” She reached down and laid a hand on Polly’s head.
Gran gave her an assessing look. “I have chicken salad for lunch, is that okay?”
“Did you make it with your spicy mayo?”
“Of course.”
Bree smiled. “Then, of course.”
They made small talk over lunch, discussing Ms. Mary defending her title at the shag competition and other gossip from around the community.
Bree was clearing the dishes when Gran said, “Something is different about you.”
“How do you mean?” Bree glanced over her shoulder.
“I’m not sure. I expected you to be more somber, since you said you had a bad night, but your spirit seems lighter.”
“My spirit is lighter?” She couldn’t stop her grin. “Have you been visiting that psychic again?”
“Tease all you want, but she told me you were destined for great things and look at all you’ve accomplished,” Gran said.
“I haven’t done anything spectacular, Gran.”
“How many lives have you saved?”
“I was just doing my job. Anyone would have done the same in my position.”
“There were other people in your position who didn’t do what you did. I don’t like it when you sell yourself short.”
“Okay, Gran. I won’t sell myself short.” There was really no use in arguing. She shot a glance at the framed medal and citation sitting on Gran’s mantle, centered between her grandfather’s World War II service picture and her own service picture. “Why do you think my spirit is lighter?” she asked.
“You just seem happier.” She took a small sip of her herbal tea. Hot tea, even in the heat of the afternoon. “Have you and Chad set a date?”
Bree took a deep breath and let it out. “I have bad news about Chad.”
Gran set down her cup. “I think you would have told me by now if he had been in an accident or hurt, so you must have finally broken off your engagement.”
“What do you mean ‘finally’?”
“Dear, Chad was never the man for you. I realized that fairly early on. I just kept waiting for you to realize it, too.”
“I did,” Bree admitted.
“Why on earth did you say yes when he asked you?”
Bree tossed the dishtowel on the counter and leaned against it. “I didn’t want to cause a scene at your birthday party.”
“Darling.” She conveyed so much in that one word. “Do you really think I would have cared?”
“I cared.” Bree crossed her arms. “And I was completely shocked when he asked. Not one of those times I was able to think fast on my feet.”
