I glanced over at my grandmother, hoping she would say yes. She fidgeted with the cards in her hands for only a second, but then she nodded.
“You are more than welcome to,” she answered.
The guy pushed his grandfather’s wheelchair up to the table beside my grandmother and sat beside me.
He held out his hand. “I’m Max Harper.”
I shook his hand, which was warm and strong. “Lydia Scott, it’s nice to meet you.”
His smile grew. “Likewise.”
He introduced his grandfather, John, to us, and I did the same with my grandmother Amelia to them.
“My grandmother and I were playing Go Fish. Do you want to play a game?”
Max’s grandfather nodded with excitement and Max chuckled. “If you don’t mind, that’d be nice.”
We played for a while and then Max and his grandfather taught my grandmother and me how to play Kings in the Corner. It was a fun game, and it made the time fly by. The next thing I knew, it was two hours later, and my phone was blowing up with text messages from Hailey, asking where I was.
“Do you have to leave?” Max asked.
I slid my cards over to my grandmother, who barely acknowledged me; she was too busy talking to Max’s grandfather, who seemed to be just as enamored by her. I texted Hailey back, saying I was about to be on my way to her house. Her family always had a huge Christmas Eve party, and I never miss a single one.
“I do,” I said, hating I had to leave. “My best friend’s family has a Christmas Eve party every year and I’m running late.”
Max nodded toward the door. “If you want, I can walk you out to your car.”
My heart pitter-pattered in my chest. “I’d like that.”
I wanted to believe all of this was real, but in the back of my mind, I knew it wasn’t. It was just a dream, showing me what my life could’ve been like.
Max and I headed outside to my car after saying goodbye to my grandmother and Max’s grandfather.
“Do you come here often?” Max asked.
I leaned against my car and nodded. “I do.”
His brows furrowed. “So do I. I’m surprised I’ve never seen you before.”
“Same,” I agreed. I looked over at the retirement home and laughed. “Then again, this place is huge.”
Max slid his hands into his pockets and glanced back at the building. “That it is.” He turned back to me and smiled. “I know you have to get going, but I had fun playing cards.” He held out his hand and I took it, waiting for him to let go, but he didn’t. “Hopefully, I’ll see you again,” he said.
I waited for him to ask for my number, but what good would it have done in my dreams?
“I hope so,” I ended up saying back.
He released my hand and slowly walked back toward the building while I hopped in my car. I watched him disappearinside and thought I’d wake up from the dream, but it didn’t seem as if it was time to wake up.
4
LYDIA
Still in dream - Christmas Eve - Two years ago
Iheaded to Hailey’s parents’ house for their big Christmas Eve celebration. I looked forward to it every year. There was always fun, laughter, and tons of food. Her family was huge, and everyone would bring their specialty dishes. If you left their party hungry, there had to be something wrong with you. Hailey’s aunt Maria, would make the best pickled shrimp I’d ever tasted. She only made them at Christmas, so I always ensured I was starving when going to the party. I had to get my fill of them.
Knowing my luck, I’d wake up from the dream before I could eat any.
