Page 40 of Seventeen Years Ago

“You’re all set, Mrs....?” We hadn’t been introduced yet and wasn’t sure if her last name was Cross as well.

“Call me Grandma,” she replied.

I never knew mine and it was not something I’d ever called anyone. “Okay, Grandma. Let’s get back to the resort before they send out a search party for us.”

“I don’t know why you can’t just stay at the cottage with us. It’s just as safe as the resort and a lot more comfortable too.”

I hadn’t been inside, but it was hard to beat a five-star hotel. “President O’Connor insisted,” I replied, taking all blame off myself.

Going by Aiza’s expression it looked like she expected grandma to put up an argument. Instead, she said, “If you think it’s best, then we will go with you to the resort.”

Aiza shook her head and climbed into the front passenger seat. I closed grandma’s door and walked around the SUV trying not to laugh. I almost felt bad for Aiza. But I had one focus, keeping her, and now grandma, safe.

Although it was almost midnight and I would’ve thought everyone would be tired, grandma seemed to have an endless number of questions for me. Not the type I expected either. They were more on the personal level, things I would normally tell a person that it was none of their business. Grandma just looked at me so sweetly with such innocence, which despite knowing wasn't true, I ended up answering all her questions.

Aiza’s eyes might be closed, but I knew she was listening intently.

“Why haven’t you ever married?” she asked.

“Just haven’t found the right one,” I replied.

“Have you looked, because sometimes it’s right in front of you and you just don’t see it,” she said.

“No. I haven’t been looking. I have been busy working.” How could I have thought about marriage when I couldn't stop thinking about Aiza and what I had done to her? The guilt had me sabotaging every relationship I’d ever been in.

“You’re not working now. Maybe you can look while you’re here on vacation,” she said.

Without opening her eyes, Aiza chimed in. “He’s not on vacation, Grandma. He’s here on business.”

“He isn't dressed like he’s working,” she said.

Aiza opened her eyes and turned around in her seat. “Grandma, he is here working with the president. And when you get to the resort, you’ll see that we are all wearing jeans or shorts. That doesn’t mean it’s a vacation.”

Grandma huffed and then said, “Steven, I’m sorry about Aiza. She’s usually not this...ornery, but I’m sure it is just because she is tired.” She yawned and said, “I know I am. Maybe I’ll sleep the rest of the way.”

Aiza turned around to face forward again and only after we knew grandma was asleep, did she speak. “I’m sorry about all the questions. We don’t get many strangers around, especially one that is trapped in the vehicle and can’t escape,” she said.

“I see who you take after,” I said.

“I don’t ask a lot of questions,” she defended herself.

“I’m talking about your gift of gab,” I replied.

“You think I talk too much?”

I shook my head. “Never said that. But like our grandma, you’re not afraid to talk. That's a good thing in my opinion.” Maybe it is because they don’t sit there talking about themselves. They take the time to learn about the other person.

“Oh, she can talk. I never thought she’d go to sleep. But can I tell you, I’m so grateful you offered to come with me. I don’t know how I would’ve done this without you. I didn’t know how exhausting it was to make phone calls all day.”

“I think it was more than that,” I said.

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“After our...talk last night, it must have been stressful seeing me today. I know I hadn’t expected it,” I admitted.

She folded her hands on her lap. “I honestly don’t know how to answer that. When I stormed off the beach, I never wanted to see you again. Not because of you, but just because...I didn’t want to think about it anymore. But that changed after I saw you.”

“I didn’t mean to upset you,” I said.

---