Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 22540 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22540 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Seeing as Hayes was alone on the plane, I had a feeling where his story may end up. Unfortunately, I learned I was right when he continued, "She died about six months ago. I was a wreck." Even now, he was getting misty-eyed discussing it. Realizing I was still holding his hand, I gently massaged his knuckles and received a grateful smile.
“A couple of months later, I was contacted by a lawyer who told me that my grandma left everything to me; it wasn’t a fortune, but it was everything she’d saved throughout her lifetime. He also gave me a letter from her. It said that she wanted me to take some of the money and go on a trip. I couldn’t even think about it at first, but some time has passed and I wanted to fulfill her wishes. This felt like the perfect time because today is actually her birthday.”
It was a beautiful sentiment, and I could tell from his words and expression just how much he cared for his grandmother. I hated that Hayes was experiencing pain, but I was glad that he was still allowing himself to enjoy life while honoring her memory.
I was surprised by the words, "May I get you gentlemen something to drink?" coming from my right side. I looked over to find the flight attendant standing next to me with her drink cart. I'd been so engrossed in my conversation with Hayes that I didn't hear her approach.
I looked at Hayes and raised my eyebrows, signaling for him to order first. "Oh, I'll take a screwdriver, please. It might help settle my nerves."
"And for you, sir?" the attendant asked me, giving me her attention.
"I'll have the same."
She nodded and served each of us a plastic cup of orange juice and a tiny bottle of vodka. I hated letting go of his hand to take my drink, but I thanked the lady before she walked down the aisle to the next passenger.
Once Hayes and I had mixed in the alcohol, I leaned over to him and asked, "What was your grandma's name?"
"Garnet."
I raised my cup and toasted, "To Garnet; on your birthday and every day, may you be surrounded by peace and happiness until you and Hayes meet again."
His watery eyes sparkled as they looked into mine. "Thank you." Hayes tapped his cup to mine and we both took a drink of the bitter liquid.
"Will you tell me about her?" I asked; I could tell how important the lady was to him, but also, as long as he kept talking, Hayes seemed less focused on the flight itself.
"She was my best friend, and the greatest lady I ever knew. Everyone who met her loved her. She gave her all in everything she did; up until the very end, she worked hard in the little antique shop she opened decades ago."
"Was it in Owensboro?" I was curious if Hayes was from the same city as I was, or if he was only there to catch our flight.
"It still is. It's called Grandma's Attic and is on 24th Street."
"I know that place," I nodded. "I've never been inside, but I pass it every day on my way to work."
"Where do you work?"
"Interlock Business Solutions. It's the tallest building on 37th Street."
"I know that place too," Hayes answered with a tight smile. "It's where I wanted to work after college."
"Did you go to school for business?"
He nodded and I was surprised by how much we had in common. "I did. When I came back into town after graduation, I planned on applying at Interlock as an auditor, but I saw that Grandma needed me; she didn't want to step away from her work, but the daily operation was getting to be too much for her. So, I worked alongside her to keep her business moving."
"That was very sweet of you." He'd given up his dream so that his grandmother could live out her own.
Hayes shrugged. "I enjoyed it. I learned a lot from her, and I wouldn't trade the past few years with her for anything." It was abundantly clear that Hayes was a special man with a good heart. "And like I said, I learned a lot; not only about business, but the antiques themselves. I found a love for them and their history, and now I run the shop. I've been able to hire a few more employees and am actually looking to expand the warehouse."
"That's impressive." I was sure that with his know-how and work ethic, he could be successful in any branch of business. "And it's lucky for me."
"How so?"
"That you like old things."
Hayes tried to hide a smile by taking another sip of his drink, but I saw it, and my heart beat a little faster.
The two of us chit-chatted for the remainder of the flight. Conversation flowed easily between us, and I found that Hayes was an intelligent, funny young man. And while I felt bad when he got scared again when the plane began its descent, I was thrilled when he held my hand again, squeezing me tightly until the wheels touched the runway.