If Gran couldn’t go to Rose and Peter’s—which would bother Peter and Gran would hate—where else would she go? That was a big worry.
She approached the table with trepidation—what were the two males doing there? Gran and the man who she assumed was related to Blake sat next to each other, which forced her and Blake to do the same. He bore a striking resemblance to the older man. Same intense navy eyes, proud Roman nose, strong chin and wide mouth. Sitting beside him made her nervous. The entire setup did. What was happening?
“Hello there, young lady,” the older man greeted her. “I’m Malcom Essex, Malcom to you. Addressing me as Mr. Essex makes me sound too old.” Behind his gold-frame bifocals, his eyes twinkled.
He seemed nice, and Vi relaxed a little. “I’m Vi,” she said, managing a slight smile.
“So I assumed. Have you and Blake met?”
“Briefly at the check-in desk,” Blake answered. “We didn’t know we’d be dining together.” He widened his eyes at her, as if wondering how the evening would play out.
“That’s right,” she agreed, and caught herself finger checking the twist at her nape to ensure it was tidy. Making sure she looked as good as she could for him? Of course not. Sometimes it got loose and she didn’t want that to happen at the dinner table. “I assumed it was just you and me tonight, Gran.” Blake noddedthat he’d guessed the same. “Exactly why are we eating together? There are several available tables here, so I know it’s not a space issue.”
Gran and Malcom exchanged looks that could mean anything, and Gran beamed at Vi. “Isn’t my granddaughter beautiful? She’s smart, too, and up for a promotion at her job.”
As if she were trying to sell Vi to both men. Weird and embarrassing. Also untrue. She wasn’t the beauty of the family. As for the promotion, the sooner she shared the bad news, the better.
While she attempted to ignore the false praise, Malcom spoke. “That’s wonderful, Vi. Blake is a successful businessman. BW Bikes is doing so well, he’s about to open his second store.”
Blake looked as puzzled by the sales pitches as she was.
“It’s nice that you and Malcom are friends,but why are we all at this table, and what’s going on here?” Vi asked for the second time.
Gran opened her mouth to comment just as the meals arrived. As soon as the server, who looked to be in her twenties, left, Gran spoke, but not to answer the question. “Smells wonderful, doesn’t it? Let’s have dinner first and get to know each other a little. Then we’ll talk.”
“There’s no reason why we can’t talk while we eat,” Blake said and dug into his food.
“I’m with him,” Vi seconded. “By the way, this roast beef is delicious.”
“So’s the lasagna.” Blake eyed her. “First time you’ve eaten here?”
“My sister Rose and I had lunch on the day we brought Gran to look around. She signed up for a unit and we celebrated with a meal. She’s been here just three weeks.” She glanced at her grandma. “This is the first time I’ve been invited to eat with her since. Just me tonight—Rose is in Cancun for two weeks.”
“Nice. So you and Grandpop have known each other for three weeks, Mrs.—what should I call you?”
“Caroline is fine. And yes, we met that very day.”
Malcom nodded. “Caroline’s unit is on the sixth floor, the same as mine, only without the panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean and the islands scattered around.”
“What I see from my living room window is pleasant enough,” Gran said. “I look out over some of the gardens and the parking lot. I enjoy watching people coming and going in their cars. We met as we headed downstairs for the happy hour offered every evening before dinner. Those of us there gathered around a big table—like me, a fair number of people who live here enjoy socializing over a cocktail or mocktail and Chex mix. I consider many of them friends now. We had such a good time that Malcom invited me to join him and another couple for dinner. We’ve been dining together ever since and not always here. There are many good restaurants in this part of town.”
“Some afternoons and evenings we play bridge,” Malcom added. “Sometimes we see an afternoon or evening movie in the area. Although neither of us likes to drive at night. That’s why I founded Falcon Ride Service years ago, way before Uber and Lyft.”
“Yet another enterprise that made him even more successful,” Blake pointed out.
Malcom nodded. “I sold it awhile back, but I’m a loyal customer.” He winked. “And I never have to pay.”
Gran nodded and smiled. “He’s a shrewd one, all right. Don’t forget our walks. And tennis. We’ve only played once, when the weather was nice. We’re lucky to both be in decent shape.”
“And I’m glad of it,” Vi agreed. “Are these get-togethers usually the two of you?”
“Sometimes, but we’re both sociable and often invite friends to come along. Or they invite us. Couples and singles. I’m very happy living here.”
The two seniors shared a fond look. They hadn’t known each other long, and reminded her of teenage kids certain they were in love, brief romances that faded almost as quickly as they developed. It wasn’t at all like Gran to latch on to a man. She hadn’t been romantically involved with anyone since Grandpa Chester had passed away some twenty-plus years earlier. Seeing her gaga over Malcom, who she barely knew, didn’t sit well with Vi. She set her fork down.
From Blake’s squinty-eyed study of the couple, he didn’t approve, either. “You two have gotten cozy awful fast,” he said.
Gran was in for disappointment when Vi told her that due to finances, she wouldn’t be able to live here much longer. Wanting to get that news off her chest, she cleared her throat. “I need to speak with you, Gran. Privately.”
