Page 39 of You've Always Been Mine

Even though my and Olivia’s friendship hit a bump in the road all those years ago, Grandmom and Olivia are still close. They regularly see each other at family events and during holidays. She’s also the only family member who knew about my heartbreak after prom so she knows how much it means to me to be finally dating the woman of my dreams.

“Oh, that’s right.” Ms. Fiona frowns for a split second, then immediately brightens. “Well, you should take her number. Just in case things change.”

“They won’t,” Grandmom, once again, interjects.

It doesn’t stop Ms. Fiona from writing her niece’s number on the back of a business card for an auto shop and sliding it across the table. “There’s no harm in taking it.” She winks.

Not wanting to be rude, I pocket the card with a friendly smile. “Thank you.”

Two cafeteria workers approach, each of them carrying two trays of food. One is set down in front of each of us. As we eat dinner, I listen to the women discuss their day. Then, the conversation moves on to family members and their recent accomplishments. Once again, Grandmom sings my praises before moving on to discuss my sisters. She highlights Heather’s modeling career and mentions Avery’s thriving PR company.

“Is that the granddaughter who married the gorgeous Spanish billionaire?” Ms. Jeanie asks.

“Yes.” Grandmom’s smile dims a little. “I wish I could’ve gone to the wedding. Was it as beautiful as I imagine?” she asks me.

“It was.” I don’t elaborate. I don’t want to make her feel like she missed out any more than she already does.

Grandmom stopped traveling a few years ago due to her health, but she planned to make the effort to be present for Avery’s wedding. Unfortunately, she contracted pneumonia theweek before the event. Avery offered to postpone the wedding until she was better, but Grandmom wouldn’t hear of it.

“Honestly, I don’t remember much of it,” I add as an afterthought.

Her pencil-thin brows lift. “You don’t?”

I shake my head. “No.”

“Why not?”

This is embarrassing. I should’ve seen the question coming. I shouldn’t have said anything.

I consider making up a reason that’s far from the truth, but the way Grandmom looks at me tells me she’s going to call me out if I try. With a begrudging sigh, I admit, “I was on new medication.”

“Medication?” Alarm laces the word. “Are you sick?”

“No.” Not physically, anyway.

Seeing Grandmom’s lingering concern, I explain, “You know my job’s stressful. I started seeing a therapist a couple of years ago to help manage… everything.” I swallow down Kyle’s name. “My doctor prescribed a benzodiazepine to treat my anxiety, and I started taking it just before Avery’s wedding.”

“And this medication made you lose your memory?”

Sheepishly, I answer, “Not by itself, no.”

Understanding dawns. “Ah.” Then she frowns. “Alcohol was involved, wasn’t it?”

No doubt, Mom and Dad mentioned my troubles with alcohol to Grandmom. I wouldn’t say I was an alcoholic, but I relied on the mind-numbing effects of alcohol following Kyle’s betrayal and death. A little too much, if I’m being honest.

“It was,” I admit. “But I stopped taking the medication right when I returned home, and I’ve also cut back on my drinking.”

“Have you?” She sounds doubtful.

“I have.” I pick up the water glass from my dinner tray and take a sip, trying to avoid the women’s questioning gazes by turning my attention to what’s left of my meal.

Ms. Fiona clears her throat and graciously changes the subject, “Well, from the photographs leaked by the paparazzi, the wedding looked gorgeous.”

The conversation moves along. I occupy myself with eating, ignoring my grandmom’s probing stare, while the women continue to update one another on their loved ones and their lives.

Dinner ends and Ms. Fiona and Ms. Jeanie say their goodbyes. Grandmom’s arm is laced through mine as we slowly walk through the facility’s inner courtyard, taking the long way back to her rooms.

I sense her impending reprimand before the words leave her mouth. “You truly don’t remember Avery’s wedding?”

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