Page 24 of The Nicest Thing
Grandma Rose would ask questions if I was late, so I forced my feet to move.
We had tea at the same time every day.
A standing appointment that I wouldn't miss for the world.
Before I could knock, the door flew open, and there she was.Grandma Rose had long dark hair interspersed with gray, laugh lines from a life well lived, and a heart-shaped face.She studied me, her chocolate brown eyes missing nothing, then after a moment, she said, "What's wrong, Rose?"
I opened my mouth, but she cut me off.
"And don't lie.I always know."
With a nod, I said, "Director Remond really is a shit."
She narrowed her gaze, hands coming to her hips, as she said, "Do I need to claw his eyes out?Because you're my favorite granddaughter.You know I'll do it."
She would.God bless her.
I shook my head and gave her a smile."No,yaya, but thank you for the offer."
"I'd do anything for you.You know that, right?"
"I do."
And I'd do anything for you.
Except Director Redmond.
Not that Grandma Rose would want that.If she knew what he'd said to me, she wouldn't stop with the eyes.The man would end up six feet under.I gave myself a mental shake.
I'd just been to the bank the other day, wasn't sure how I was going to make that much in such a short time, but I had to do it.
So I would.
"Why don't we go inside?" I said."I've got a lot of goodies in this picnic basket."
Grandma Rose ushered me into her apartment."Yes, please.And while we eat, you can tell me all the things."
I laughed, and we had everything set up within five minutes.
"So," Grandma Rose said, sipping from her cup, "how's your writing going?"
"Good," I said."I love the story and my characters.Still trying to figure out how to make more from my books, but I'm not giving up."
"Never give up.It's your calling."
"Sometimes I think I should've gone to school for something else, gotten a corporate job or something."
"No."
I lifted a brow."No?"
"Not everyone can do what they love, Rose."She eyed me as I bit into one of the cookies."It's a gift.You love writing, and people love reading what you write."
"I guess."
Grandma Rose tsked then pinched my arm.
"Ow!" I said."What the heck,yaya?"
