Page 96 of The Snowball Effect

Even though she’d said her comments with the sole intention of making Regan feel better, she realized as she finished speaking that it had made her feel better at the same time.

Because… yeah, Reganwasn’tFelicity.

And maybe they weren’t really in a relationship, but she couldn’t imagine that Regan would fall into awkward and uncomfortable silences with her gram, unable to find anything to talk about; Regan could talk to anyone. She couldn’t imagine that Gram would think Regan was pretentious and rude because it was simply true.

The grin on Regan’s face was more an additional sunbeam than anything else, and Emma’s cheeks heated at being the recipient of it.

“Anyway.” Emma cleared her throat. “We’re almost there, so we should…”

Regan fell into step next to her jauntily. Nearly skipping, as she agreed, “Don’t want to be late!”

Regan only let go of Emma’s hand as they entered Primrose Grove, so she could sign in at the front desk.

“This place looks really nice,” Regan whispered, leaning her entire body into Emma’s.

Ostensibly so that her voice didn’t carry, but Emma swallowed thickly at the proximity just the same.

“I didn’t expect this when I imagined your grandmother in a nursing home.”

“It’s not a nursing home,” Emma corrected, steel in her tone, after finishing their sign-in. She shuddered about how much her gram woulddetestif Regan said she lived in a nursing home. “It’s an assisted living facility – and the assistance depends on what the resident needs. A ton of people live here who don’t need any daily assistance, like my gram.”

As she was wont to do, Regan accepted Emma’s information with an easy nod. “Ah. So, it’s just like a place for older people to hang together. Like a fancy, elderly dorm.”

Emma’s mouth pulled into a laughing smile; honestly – shockingly – she really did like the way Regan saw the world sometimes.

Regan beamed back at her, obviously pleased with herself, before her gaze landed on something over Emma’s shoulder. She pointed eagerly. “Ohhhh, there’s a buffet dinner and bingo tonight! That should be fun.”

Emma turned to follow where she was pointing, and she ended up staring at the large calendar on the lobby wall, which was lined with events that Primrose Grove was putting on. Indeed, in bright, colorful letters, there was a notice for a buffet/bingo night, inviting all residents to come and join in.

“We probably won’t be going,” she informed her regretfully. And the regret ran deep – first because she desperately wished her gram would try to be more involved. Second, because the excited gleam in Regan’s eyes dimmed a little.

“Your grandmother’s not much of a joiner?”

“It’s not – sheis. I mean, she could be. If she was more comfortable, she would be. She’s always been very…” How could Emma explain the intricacies of her gram? Especially so that an extrovert like Regan would understand. “Reserved. Shy, even.”

Emma wondered why no one ever talked about that; she never heard about what happened to older people who grew from shy, reserved youths into shy, reserved elderly.

“She led a fairly regimented life, surrounded by the same people for decades, before she had to move here earlier this year because she had a heart attack. A second heart attack,” she amended, her stomach twisting as she so easily recalled the phone call she’d received from their old neighbor, delivering the news.

“Before, she always participated in events in her community, where she was comfortable. She worked at Rettol Academy–”

“Oh, sothat’swhy you went there,” Regan cut in, nodding as this information dawned on her.

Emma snapped her mouth shut as she eyed Regan in confusion. “I mean – yes. But how did you know that?” Emma didn’t often discuss her pre-college days; it wasn’t all that interesting.

“Your mom had a picture at her house from your senior year,” Regan informed her.

Which –duh. Emma had spotted the picture, too. And she wasn’t surprised anymore that Regan was so observant.

Still, the knowledge that Regan seemed to seeeverythingabout her made Emma’s stomach flutter, and she quickly pushed past it.

“So – yeah. She worked under the headmaster for over forty years, living in the same apartment complex. It was easy for her to take part in community nights and get-togethers. But… it’s been different here,” she finished quietly.

The sympathy on Regan’s face made Emma feel very seen. Even before Regan surmised, “And you’re worried about her.”

Emma automatically wanted to deny that – no, she wasn’t worried about her grandmother. Her gram was strong and independent, and she raised Emma all on her own. But… she found that she didn’t want to lie to Regan. That it felt impossible, on the receiving end of that imploring gaze.

“Yeah. I am,” she admitted, softly. “But don’t bring that up to her. Please.”

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