Page 77 of Jaeda

I laughed because even with Alzheimer’s, my grandfather knew his son couldn’t keep a woman. He gave that absent-minded smile I was used to. Looking up, his eyes landed on Quaid.

“Well, who’s this big fella? Am I your grandpa too?”

Quaid chuckled. “No, sir. My name is Quaid. It’s nice to meet you.”

Quaid extended his hand, and my grandfather shook it. “You know him?”

“This is my boyfriend.”

“Boyfriend? Well, that’s nice. A pretty thing like you should have somebody to love you. You take care of her, young man.”

“No worries, sir. I’ve got her.”

Grandpa nodded and pulled his hand away. He went back to eating, humming quietly to himself. I sat there for a moment before standing, as I felt myself getting emotional. Leaning over, I kissed his temple.

“I love you,” I whispered.

Quaid reached for my hand, and I linked our fingers. We walked back into the dining hall and got in line to get our food. Since I had to share him with my family all day long, I copped us a seat at a less populated table next to the kids. We ate in silence for a bit before Quaid spoke.

“Is it Alzheimer’s?” he asked. “Your grandfather.”

“It is,” I confirmed softly. “It’s gotten worse over the last year. At this point, I’m used to him not knowing who I am. Today was better than others. At least he spoke. Most of the time, it’s like he looks right through us.”

“He’s lucky to have a family that cares. I can tell you all take great care of him. I know how hard it is trying to take care of someone who sometimes doesn’t wanna listen.”

“How so?”

“My mom. She had uterine cancer. They gave her a hysterectomy a while ago, and that lady won’t sit her ass down. She’s hardheaded as shit.”

I giggled. “We are never done raising our parents.”

“Never.”

“What are your parents like?”

“Dad’s pretty chill, for the most part. Mom can be a little extra. She’s a busy body, always in my business, or trying to set me up with one of her friends’ daughters. Don’t get me wrong. They might be nice girls, but I don’t need her help with women.”

“So your mom’s trying to set you up, and my family is trying to keep me a virgin.”

He chuckled. “Pretty much. I have told them about you, though.”

My eyes widened. “You didn’t tell them I had you snatched up, did you?”

“What? No. I’m not crazy, woman. I will admit that they are a little apprehensive.”

I hung my head. “My family?”

“Yeah.”

I shrugged. “I’m used to it. What did they have to say?”

“They are worried. Mom hasn’t been speaking to me, and Dad’s been short with me. I hate it’s like that, but they will have to get over it.”

“And if they don’t? I guess I better enjoy you while I have you, huh?”

He reached out and cupped my chin, forcing my eyes to meet his. “I’m not going anywhere. It doesn’t matter who feels what about you. You’re mine.”

I smiled faintly. “I would never expect you to choose me over your family.”

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