“It means the algorithm decided to push certain content. Since we created the video within the appandit’s the first one we did, it’s pushing our video to find our audience.” Lorelei beamed and wore her pride like a badge.
I was impressed. Following her around with her phone, I’d watched as residents of all ages and demeanors reacted to her half-heart. My favorite was a grumpy old man by the name of Colin who pretended to take the beer from her hand, crack it open, and pretend to chug it. He even smiled at the end.
“So, if I were to… do one of your videos, millions of people could see me?”
“Not if you’re uncomfortable,” I said, making sure that was clear. “We agreed you’d do nothing that you don’t want to.”
“Yes, Luca. Thank you for bringing it upagain.” Lorelei narrowed her eyes at me, a flash of hurt behind her brown eyes. “Nanette, everything you do is up to you. I have enough content for the next four weeks. If you want your face displayed, great. If not, also great.”
“Oh, I want to show my face.” She spun in a circle, her all-black outfit sparkling in the light. “Do you see me? I look good.”
“That I agree with one hundred percent.” Lorelei laughed. “Okay, with some red lipstick we could do a love-advice gig, where you provide answers to questions. Or you could talk through lessons in love. Or dating. Or, to hell with that, teach life lessons.”
My grandma’s face lit up as her eyes flashed with humor. Seeing her this happy made the difference. Yes, I realized Lorelei was part of the reason. I chose not to analyze it. My grandma had been so quiet about living here, and now her energy was contagious.
“I have an idea.” She spoke to Lorelei, not me. It was like I wasn’t in the room anymore. It was weird to be replaced, but it wasn’t unpleasant. If Lorelei ended up being another person to bring my grandma joy, then I was thrilled.
“I’m here for it.” Lorelei leaned forward.
“Nanette’s News.” She pursed her lips and clapped. “Like how to not get your car stolen or how to attract the right kind of man.Person.Not just men, sorry that was insensitive of me.”
“Nanette’s News, yes.Yes.” Lorelei grinned so wide she showed all her teeth. “I love it. We can do a bit every week. I can’t come down here that often, but you can send me videos any time, and we can make it work.”
“I can have my boy—friend. My friend help me.” My grandma’s gaze flicked to me, her cheeks pink. “Sebastian is great with the camera.”
“Who is Sebastian, and why is the first time I’m hearing this name?”
Was he after her money? She didn’t have much. But she had some jewels that she refused to sell. Unless he wanted more…
“None of your goddamn concern.”
“Grandma!”
“You don’t mention your love life, so I don’t talk about mine.” She arched a brow, challenging me with so much attitude, it amazed me.
The thought of aging always depressed me because football was a young person’s sport. But her attitude and refusal to fall back into the shadows gave me hope. She wasn’t alone here, biding her time until I could visit. She had a life. Things she did that I had no idea about. I might not have football forever… so what would I have then? Friendship with my teammates, sure, but was that it? I used to enjoy collecting baseball cards and going to car shows to dream about owning a fast one. But once I realized the only way out of this life was football, everything else fell to the side.
How fucking sad.
“To his credit, Nanette, he doesn’t have a love life to speak about except his one wild night out a week.”
“Lo,” I said, exasperated. “Why?”
“What?” She winked at me. “Tell me I’m wrong.”
“Luca, you cannot live like a nun!”
“Oh, he’s not,” Lorelei said, smirking. “He just prefers dating football more than anything else.”
I eyed my watch. It was already seven, and the drive would take long. “It’s time to head back.”
“Aw, look what we did, scared him off,” my grandma said, pretending to sulk. “I’m sorry. I’ll behave.”
“No, you won’t.” I stood and pulled her into my arms in a big hug. She wrapped her small arms around me and squeezed me twice. It was her thing. She smelled like the same perfume she’d worn for my entire life. “You’re a pain in the butt.”
“So are you.”
“Please, could you two settle down with the sentiments? I’m getting emotional.”
