Out of the corner of my eye, I see Dr. Beck enter the room, but at the same moment, Grams begins again. “It's easy to settle, Emma. It's hard to push through your comfort zone and take a chance when everyone else thinks it’s wrong.” I don't understand what shemeans.
Dr. Beck's hand finds my shoulder. “How’s shedoing?”
I want to tell him she isn't making any sense, but for some reason, I think I'm the one who can't make sense of what she's saying. “She seems okay,” I tell him,quietly.
“So, Amelia, we're going to be giving you a pacemaker tomorrow to prevent any more strokes in the future. How does thatsound?”
“No,” Grams responds. “I don't want any of that fancy technology of yours in mybody.”
“Grams, please,” Ibeg.
“No,” she says again, sounding more stubborn than I've ever heardher.
“Grams, I'll do anything for you to reconsider.” I'm becoming desperate, and I don't know what else I can do to convince her about the importance of this surgery. She should have it. There’s no questioning thisfact.
Her eyelids close, but flutter, as if she is in deep thought. After a long pause, her eyes reopen and she says, “Fine.”
“Really? You'll go through with it?” I askher.
“Yes, but under one condition,” shesays.
“Anything, what isit?”
“Get rid of Mike and go on a date with this lovely man,” she says, pointing to Dr.Beck.
I don't think my face could become any redder or hotter without bursting into flames. I feel frozen as I stare at Grams with “how could you” eyes, but she simply smiles in return. If this isn’t Jewish guilt, I don't know whatis.
“Grams,” I say, without much to follow with, considering Dr. Beck is standing behindme.
“I'm going to give you two a moment,” hesays.
“No, I don't think so,” Grams pipes in. “You're very much a part of this, don't youthink?”
Dr. Beck shifts his weight from one foot to the other, obviously uncomfortable with the situation Grams is putting him in, as well. “You know, for a woman who just had a stroke, you're quite feisty,” hejests.
“It runs in our blood,” she says, winking at him. “Now, ask my granddaughter out on a date so you can go schedule mysurgery.”
“How do you know I'm not married, or dating someone?” he asks Grams while pulling up a rolling stool to herbedside.
“There’s no ring on your finger, and I’ve been watching the way you act when my granddaughter’s around—you steal a glance at her every chance you get. I may be old, but I’m not blind,” she says as her brow arches with delight at theaccusation.
“Grams, stop,” Igroan.
Dr. Beck drops down onto the stool and leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Uhh, Emma,” hesays.
I’m embarrassed to even look over at this man, dreading what he must be thinking. “Yes,” I say,timidly.
“How does dinner tonight sound? I get off my shift atfive.”
Grams’s heart monitor begins to speak for me—the continuous beeps of her pulse escalating just enough to make a scene. This is unbelievable. “She'll be here waiting for you,” Grams answers forme.
I smile with incredible embarrassment and agree with a quick nod. “Yes, I’d love to.” I believe this is officially the most awkward moment of mylife.
“Are you sure that man who was here yesterday is going to be okay with this?” he asks. “I wouldn't want to step in between the two of you or complicate yourrelationship.”
“There is no issue,” Grams answers for me. “He cheats on her at least once a week, but she has stuck by him anyway. It’s time for her to turn over a newleaf.”
Dr. Beck places his hand on his chest and noticeably sucks in a lungful of air. “Well then, Emma, I'd be happy to take you out fordinner.”
