“He didn’t hesitate.”
“No.”
He nods once. “That’s real family.”
I hear Miles’ footsteps slow, then stop. He must be listening. I can feel it.
Grandpa sighs. “I know why you stay,” he starts. “I know you won’t ever be the one to say it.”
My heart skips. “I stay because I love you,” I reply automatically.
He raises a brow. “That ain’t what I said.”
I blink. “You stay,” he continues, “because you don’t want to change my life.”
My mouth opens, then closes. He isn’t wrong.
“You’ve built everything around taking care of me,” he shares softly. “You work yourself to the bone. You don’t date unless it fits around my medication schedule. You don’t travel unless somebody can sit with me. You think I don’t see it, but I do.”
Tears prick at my eyes.
“I want to be here,” I reaffirm. “I want to take care of you.”
“I know you do,” he replies quickly. “That’s what makes it worse.”
The words land like a stone in my chest.
“I’m an old man,” he states plainly. “I got so much time left in me and that’s about it. I don’t want you shaping your whole life around my comfort.”
I shake my head. “It’s not about comfort.”
“It is,” he insists gently. “You think if you leave, I’ll suffer. You think if you move, I’ll fall apart.”
I stare at him, tears sliding down before I can stop them. “You got used to force me to do my job,” I whisper.
He nods slowly. “And that’s exactly why I’m talking.”
The room feels too small suddenly. “Having you missing scared me,” he says. “I’ve been shot at. I’ve been beat up. I’ve buried friends. But that fear? That was worse.”
His voice breaks. “I can’t live like that, knowing you’re giving up your life to keep me comfortable.”
“I’m not giving it up,” I protest weakly.
“Aren’t you?” he asks softly.
The floor creaks again, and this time I know Miles is just outside the entryway to this room, hearing everything.
Grandpa continues.
“Josie is here,” he states. “She’s found her place. A place you can find too. Your heart is there with him when he’s away. I’ve seen it.”
Heat rushes to my face.
“You glow different when you have him,” he adds, smiling faintly. “You laugh easier.”
I wipe at my cheeks. “That doesn’t mean I move states.”
“Why not?” he asks.
