Page 10 of Blade

“By ignoring them. By not letting myself think of him. I can’t. I’ve been back for almost a week, and I can’t bring myself to even go to the cemetery because I can’t let myself feel those things again. Grams, I won’t make it this time.”

Grams stood from her seat and walked over to me, wrapping her arms around me while I cried.

I couldn’t do this again. When would the pain stop?

It had been ten years, and yet I still couldn’t let him go.

I didn’t think I ever would.

Just then, I heard a horn honk.

Pulling away from Grams, I asked, “Who is that?”

“That would be Blade.”

“He came back? For what?”

“He takes me shopping on Saturdays.” Grams moved away to grab her purse.

“Grams, I am here now. I can take you shopping.”

“This is different, dear. I cook for the clubhouse on Saturdays and Blade takes me shopping for the food.”

I narrowed my eyes at Grams. “You cook for the clubhouse? Grams, that’s too much for you.”

“Nonsense, dear, I enjoy it, and the club girls help with everything.”

“The club girls? What are club girls?”

Grams was digging in her purse when Blade honked again.

I looked over at the door. I couldn’t believe he wasn’t even coming inside to help her to the car.

“The club girls are just what they sound like. Girls that hang around the club to, um, spend time with the guys.”

“Oh my God, Grams, they are there to sleep with them, aren’t they?” I pinched the bridge of my nose to ward off the headache I was certain was on the way.

Grams turned to look at me, shaking her head.

“Beck, are you slut shaming girls you have never met?”

“I’m sorry, Grams, I just, I don’t know… this is all a lot to process right now. The last few days have been a bit of a whirlwind being back. So much has changed, but so much is the same. It’s a lot.”

Grams handed me a list. “Here, take this with you. Get everything on the list and drop it off at the clubhouse when you are done. I will meet you there soon.”

“What?” Blade honked again, and my anger rose.

“I need you to go with Blade.”

“Grams, I can take you shopping. We don’t need Blade.”

“We do, honey. The club pays for the groceries.”

“But, Grams.”

Just then, Blade came crashing through the kitchen door.

“Grams, I asked you to be ready.”

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