Page 28 of Target

MADALYN

Today is a beautiful day.

I am shopping with my grandfather, and I am treasuring every second of it. When you have lost a lot of your family, you cling to the ones who mean everything to you, and my grandfather is one of those people.

He never turned his back on me or Aria, and has always been supportive in what I’ve wanted to do with my life. He was there when I got my heart broken for the first time, and even offered to use his shotgun on the boy.

When Aria decided that she was into art, he bought her every color of paint and different types of brushes that he could. She is so freaking talented, she even does some online design jobs.

“I am thinking I need to rest my old man legs, sweetie,” Grandpa says.

“You are not old, you are vintage.” We chuckle and I help him to sit on a bench that faces across the street at a small community garden.

“Would you like a cold drink while you rest or are you okay?”

He taps my knee, smiling. “I am good for now, pumpkin. Just need to sit for a while then maybe when we get home, Aria will be back and we can have some grub.”

I nod to him. “I can grill. I saw the steaks are still needing to be cooked.”

“I like the way you think.”

We sit in comfortable silence, watching people go about their daily lives. A mother walks with her two children, who are jumping and skipping in a pattern. There is an older man, older than Grandpa, who is sweeping in front of his little watch repair store. A young couple hold hands while eating ice cream.

Life can be filled with so many emotions that you can control, but others are completely out of your control. Like my parents dying. Me becoming Aria’s full-time guardian.

They do say to enjoy the little things, and I make sure that we do just that. Like walking with Grandpa Pete, or just sitting on my porch drinking an iced tea while watching the children in the neighborhood play games.

“How has work been? Everything going as planned with the summer program?”

I nod. “Everything is running smoothly so far. Darian is looking for more donations to fill the ending weeks, and I think she will achieve it. You know how persuasive she can be.”

“Oh, Dar does have a way with people.” We both laugh.

He sees my bestie as another granddaughter and I love that. Not once has he ever turned her away.

“That she does. Did I tell you that she got some farmer to donate one hundred bales of hay, so she could set up a mini maze for the toddlers?”

“I knew that girl would go far in life,” he jokes.

“When she puts her mind to something you know that she will not rest until she gets it. That girl has a stubborn streak as long as the Kentucky River.”

“That she does.”

My phone beeps from my purse, so I reach inside, pull out the device and check to see who is texting me.

Aria: I will be home in thirty. I’m starving. Just saying.

Smiling, I type out a response.

Me: We will meet you there. You are in luck, Grandpa still has some steaks to grill. I suppose we could share with you. LOL

“Is that Aria?” I nod to him.

“Yes, she will be home soon. What do you say we pick up some ice cream for dessert?”

His smile fills his face, crinkles at the corners of his eyes showing his age.

“I could go for some raspberry ice cream.” I help him to his feet, linking my arm through his as we walk to the ice cream parlor.

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