Page 5 of Nikoli

"Willow told me you started a food fight at breakfast." I raise an eyebrow, but not before I hear a gasp behind me.

"Don't mind him, Willow. He's just teasing." Grams turns to me, her eyes glowing with mischief. "Willow, dear, would you mind bringing three cups of coffee and the cakes?"

"Three?" She asks.

I know exactly what my sneaky grandmother is up to. "She expects you to join us."

"Oh, no. I couldn't." Willow backs away. "I'll get the tray."

I frown as she scurries out of sight. "Is she okay?" I ask quietly as I take a seat across from my grandmother.

"She's perfect, Nikoli."

I narrow my eyes. "You like her?"

"Of course, I like her. She's a good girl."

"That's not what I meant."

"You'll have to be more specific." My grandmother is watching me closely, the sparkle never leaving her eyes.

"You mean she's perfect for me, huh?"

"See," she laughs, "I knew you'd get there in the end."

I groan. "I can get my own girl, Grandma."

"Huh, then why are you single? You don't bring anyone to visit me."

"Juniper comes to visit you."

She rolls her eyes and gives me an irritated look. "Juniper is married to your best friend, Nikoli." She takes a breath. "I want to see my great-grandchild before I die."

"Jesus!" I rub my forehead and squeeze the bridge of my nose. It really gets to me when she talks about dying. I'd rather she outlives all of us.

The sound of a cleared throat announces Willow's return. I take a deep breath and move to take the heavy looking tray from Willow's hands. I place it on the table where Gran sits with a smile on her face. I know what she's doing. She's doing what I want her to do for a change. But I feel awkward and out of my depth around Willow.

"I'll be right back," Willow says, heading for the door.

"Willow, you are invited to join us. Please sit beside me."

I smile at Willow's expression. I can see that she wants to run away, but she doesn't. With a nervous twitch of her hands, she joins us at the table. The table is small, more like a side table for playing cards, which is why I bump knees with Willow.

"I'll pour," I suggest quickly. Willow's hands tremble in her lap, and Gran hasn't lifted anything heavy in a long time. At least with me in charge, there is no chance of a burnt crotch.

"You're a good boy, Nikoli." Grandma grins as I pour the coffee into her flowered English teacup. She loves the idea of afternoon tea but discovered long ago that the taste of tea is something she never wants to experience again.

"Coffee?" I ask Willow.

She chews on her lip, which attracts my attention. "I shouldn't be doing this." Her voice is a quiet whisper. "I could lose my job."

I frown and turn to my grandmother. "Is that true? I thought your personal health aide was allowed to spend time with you. I mean, isn't that their job?"

I'm distracted by Willow's leg bouncing with nerves. I reach out and put my hand on her knee and squeeze it gently. "Please don't worry."

"Nikoli's right, Willow. I should have at least five hours of personal care a day." Grandmother smiles. "We still have two hours."

"I need this job, so it's always a worry that it will be taken away from me," she admits before taking a deep breath and looks at Grams. "I will very much enjoy having afternoon tea with you."

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