Page 92 of An Introvert's Guide to Life and Love
“I’m a fair-weather fan,” he says, uncrossing his legs and glancing over at me. “The Rays have been known to be terrible. But right now they’re all right. It’ll be nice to see them win.” Gramps scratchesbehind Wally’s ear, then continues, “My parents took us kids to see a baseball game about once a year. The Reds were pretty good. Some of the time.”
I nod encouragingly. I would rather keep talking about this than broach the subject of my departure.
“I enjoyed the game, but it wasn’t so much about that, really. It was about the atmosphere. Enjoying something that my father was enjoying at the same time. Also, the Cracker Jacks.”
“Have you been to a game recently?”
He lets out a short laugh that makes Wally look up curiously. “Not in recent decades.”
We both watch the game in silence for a minute or two. When a commercial comes on, I take a deep breath and mentally put on my big-girl pants.
“Gramps…” The commercial for an erectile dysfunction medication blares. I reach for the remote and turn the volume down. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”
“Oh?” He turns to me. Wally sighs sleepily and curls up even more, like a little croissant.
“It’s… about…” I’m finding it nearly impossible to get the words out. But I have to. “Actually, my work just told us that everyone is required to return to the office. Like, the office-office in downtown Seattle.”
There’s a long pause. “Oh my. That does sound serious. No more remote Zooms for you, then?”
I shake my head. “No more remote Zooms.”
An even longer pause. I’m about to open my mouth to say that I have to leave this weekend, but Gramps beats me to it.
“When will you be flying home?”
Home.The word feels incongruous with how I’m feeling right now. Because I’m feeling like this small living room with thehumongous TV, the white noise of the gulf rising up through the glass balcony doors, and Gramps and Wally cuddled on the couch—this feels more like home than the apartment I’ve lived in for years.
“This weekend,” I say. “I think Sunday.”
Gramps looks down at Wally with a sad smile. “Well, we knew this couldn’t last forever.” His voice becomes more robust as he continues, “It’s been lovely having you here, Mallory. I feel as though I’ve really gotten to know you.”
I just nod, my head bobbing as I try to think of something to say. “Me too,” I finally choke out.
“Don’t worry about us. You’ve got your own life to go back to. You’re leaving me in good hands with Wally and Dr. Mellors.”
“And Ellie will be around if you need anything… And Daniel McKinnon, too, he said he—”
“Yes, yes. Don’t worry about a thing, all right?”
“Okay, Gramps.”
He stands. Wally jumps up to follow him.
“Well, good night.”
“What about the baseball game?” I ask.
He looks around at the TV like he’d forgotten it was on.
“I’m a bit tired now. I’ll read the highlights in the morning paper.”
“Oh. Okay.” I watch as Gramps and Wally disappear down the hall, the triangle of light spilling from the bedroom shrinking into nothingness as the door closes behind them.
“Good night,” I whisper.
I’m not going to cry. I’m not. I’m going to take a shower and watchOutlanderin bed. Except I feel so jittery with emotion that I don’t know if evenOutlanderwill calm me down. Maybe a dip in the Jacuzzi downstairs.
No. I need to move my body, to breathe fresh air. I hop on the yellow bike, even though it’s dark outside. The headlight is strong and bright, because of course Daniel would optimize for safety when outfitting his bicycles. That’s how he is.
