Page 11 of Played
Grampa stares at the keys dangling from my index finger, his face lit up with hope. Amanda stands beside me, hands clasped together as she lets out a squeal of delight. She has been an angel since I met with Drake’s realtor yesterday. In less than twenty-four hours, she finished coordinating with Grampa’s doctor to get all of the equipment he needs in place. The apartment came fully furnished, so it’s ready to go.
“Are you coming home with me then, old man?” I ask, grinning.
“You got an apartment?”
“I told you I would, didn’t I?”
“Right here? In New York?”
I nod. “Here in New York. Two bedrooms, fully furnished. Now get your ass out of bed and let’s go.”
His cackle fills the room, making both me and Amanda smile. Nurse Hector brings in a wheelchair, and I help Grampa into it while Amanda packs his belongings in a bright pink sparkly suitcase she borrowed from her sister.
“You’re really putting my prized worldly possessions in that monstrosity?” Grampa snorts.
“It was the best we could do on short notice. Quit your whining,” Amanda tells him.
He flashes me a wicked grin. “It looks like a unicorn ate a tube of glitter and threw it back up again.”
I nod my agreement and offer him a cheeky wink while vocalizing that he shouldn’t be so ungrateful.
“I think it brings a little pizzazz to the proceedings,” Amanda says as she zips it up. “Makes you look young and edgy, Arthur.”
That earns her a loud guffaw. “Then it stays.”
He nudges me in the ribs when I lean down to tuck his blanket around his legs. “You hear that? She said I’m young and edgy.”
“Pretty sure she said the suitcase was, Grampa.” I straighten and look around one last time. “I’ll come back for the rest of your stuff tomorrow, okay?”
His excitement to get out of here is evident in his eager agreement, and I wheel him down the hallway. On our way out the door, all the staff on duty stop to wish him well and tell him how much they’ll miss him. He’s an easy guy to like, my Grampa.
“Are we getting to the new place on your motorcycle, King?” He sounds like a little kid begging to go on his first rollercoaster.
“I think we’ll take an Uber,” I answer apologetically.
“You could attach this thing like a sidecar.” He slaps his palms on the armrests of his wheelchair and chuckles. “Have Amanda ride pillion.”
“Now why didn’t I think of that?” I exclaim, dramatically smacking my forehead. “I went and left my bike back at the apartment. Dammit!”
His laugh grows louder, and Amanda shoots me a warm smile.
And I enjoy the moment while it lasts.
The Uber pulls upoutside the apartment building and I help my grandfather out of the car while the driver takes his chair and suitcase from the trunk.
“Wow! This place looks nice, kid.” Grampa whistles, eyes wide. It’s a nice red brick apartment complex with a small playground and a parking lot big enough for fifty cars. A space comes with the apartment too, so I have somewhere for my bike. “You did good.”
“Yeah, I did,” I agree, helping him into his chair.
Amanda wheels the suitcase. “Shall I take this inside?”
“I can handle it. It’s heavy.”
She rolls her eyes. “I can lift Arthur here in and out of bed without getting winded. I’m sure I can handle a suitcase. On wheels.”
Grampa laughs and nudges my leg. “She’s a firecracker, that one. You better watch her, King.”
I hand her the keys and let her go on ahead while I thank the driver. Grampa’s scanning the street when we’re approached by a woman with long blond hair and a little girl of about three attached to her leg. “You must be the new tenant.”
