“I can’t afford any distractions.”
“Luca, son, come on.” My grandma closed her eyes. “I’m not getting any younger. If anything, your singlehood is killing me slowly. I need to know you have someone in your corner or I’ll wither away here with worry.”
“Can we chill with the theatrics today? My lord, woman.”
Her lips twitched. “Fine, fine. Now, Lorelei, what is this project about?”
Lorelei’s eyes lit up, and she plopped down on one of the chairs next to my grandma’s couch. “I’m running a marketing campaign for this facility in hopes of getting donations and more people to help out. I spoke with Patrick? I think, yes, Patrick, the owner of the place, and he didn’t really seem to care. He’s lettingthe youthrun wild with the idea and if it helps, then great.”
“Patrick is a stick in the mud.”
“I got similar vibes.”
“One year, I spiked the punch at the Halloween party, and he lost it. Refused to drink any, but many would argue it was our most successful year.”
“Obviously.” Lorelei laughed and a had a twinkle in her eye. She seemed to enjoy herself, and it was silly of me to think these two wouldn’t get along. They were similar spirits, a little mouthy and ballsy.
“What does this campaign have to do with me though?”
“Great question. I’d love to do a profile of some of the residents, put your face, your story, your vibrant personality out there. You’re not just,” Lorelei paused, waved her hands in the air as she frowned. “What’s the right word?”
“Old farts?”
“Yes.” She giggled at my grandma’s answer. “You’re not old farts hiding away and counting down until death. You’re people with personalities and hobbies and goals and incredible lives. I want others to know that too.”
“Hm, it won’t be for some charity thing? They won’t see my face and be like ‘oh, that poor old biddy needs funds?’”
My entire body tightened with unease. I gripped the edge of my chair, about ready to say to hell with this. If my grandma felt upset in any way, the plan was off. I hated seeing her show even a flash of vulnerability in front of Lorelei. She was the strongest human I knew, and if this caused her an ounce of pain, it was done. How Lorelei answered made all the difference. I needed her to have a good excuse, something to make sense of it.
“This absolutely not about charity.” Lorelei set her notepad down and met my grandma’s gaze. Her large brown eyes filled with determination as she said, “That will not happen. Not for a second. You have my word.”
“I trust you, dear.”
“You don’t even know her,” I fired back, still on edge of seeing my grandma display an iota of weakness.
“You wouldn’t even bring her here if you didn’t feel the same.” She patted my hand, her lips curving into a smile. “You annoy me with how much you take care of me, Luca, so yeah, I trust her because you trust her.”
Lorelei wore a huge grin, the top of her cheeks pinkening. Ihatedthat my grandma was right. Crossing my arms, I leaned back into the chair and shrugged. My grandma took that as a sign to continue, and she clapped.
“What do you need from me?”
“Your life story. The weirdest, best moments of your life. What would you want young people to know? Your name is Nanette, right? I’d love aNanette’s KnowledgeorNanette’s Nuggetsof wisdom or something.” Lorelei bit the end of her pen and arched an eyebrow. “Thoughts?”
“Hate the name, love the concept.” My grandma studied her bookshelf where hundreds of thrillers and romances sat. She lived on books and always mentioned how she read every book the facility had.
“Books!” I shouted, making them jump. “Could one of your pushes be to get more books donations here?”
“Oh, of course.” Lorelei wrote so fast there was no way it was legible. “Books, oh, we could get a local author, maybe? I love this. Yes.”
“My grandma is an avid reader and has gone through everything they have. I’ve tried getting her an e-reader, but she fusses over the cost.”
“I can take the bus to the library every other week. I am fine doing that.”
“The bus broke down two months ago, Grandma. You haven’t gone since June.” My tone came out firm. “This place could use donations to get it back to full capacity. That’s what Lorelei wants to do.”
“But why?”
“Because I’m one of those passionate Gen Z kids, and whatever I do has to have meaning. I want to help show who lives here and how the power of words can make a difference.” She shrugged and flashed a goofy grin at my grandma. “Plus, my ex is in the same class as me, and we’re going for the same internship, so I gotta show I’m better than him.”
