Page 64 of Hard to Fake

"Who did you bring?" Grams calls, dodging the question.

I forgot to introduce Brooke. Only because when I’m with Grams, I’m trying hard to pay attention to how she’s doing, what she needs. I’m not naturally a details person, but with her I have to be.

Brooke pokes her head in, a wide smile on her face. “Hi, I’m Brooke. I like your place.”

Grams starts to get out of bed, and Brooke waves a hand. “Please, don’t make a fuss for me.”

“It’s no fuss. I’ve been resting too long.”

She starts across the floor, and I follow behind her as she moves toward the coffee table.

It’s two steps before the chair that she wobbles.

“Sure you wouldn’t feel better with the walker?” I try, nodding to the corner where the device sits facing the wall like a child in time-out.

“You would. Not me.”

Brooke nods toward the Monopoly game spread out on the table. “Let me guess, you’re the thimble?”

“I’m the terrier,” I say.

Brooke grins. “You’re a couple moves away from victory.”

“That’s not the point,” I say.

“It’s not?”

“We’ve been playing this game for… a few months?”

“Since the summer,” Grams confirms.

“Tell me about this dance you’re going to,” Brooke says.

Grams launches into a description and how she used to love dancing.

“I used to dance as a kid,” Brooke offers. “The right shoes made all the difference. What shoes do you wear?”

“Oh, just these slippers.” Grams gestures to the satin slip-ons on her feet.

“There are some amazing shoes with grippy soles.” Brooke pulls out her phone, the one with the cracked screen, and navigates to a page.

“Goodness.”

“What size are you, a seven?” Brooke eyes up Grams’s feet.

“That’s right.”

She clicks a few buttons. “They’ll be at your door in a few days,” Brooke confirms.

My chest twinges with gratitude.

Brooke is good with Grams, making her laugh and smile. I see the kindness and empathy in her eyes.

I knew she was a great friend, but her care is blowing my mind right now.

We spend a while longer chatting with Grams, until I’m confident she’s as all right as she says.

“Doctor’s going to check you out for that fall tomorrow,” I say as we stand.

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