Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 89265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
The front door was open and I knocked twice on the old wooden screen door before pushing it open. It creaked, and the familiar sound made me smile, as did the delicious smell of something savory in the oven. “Grams?”
“Stella?” she called from the back of the house. “Is that you, dear?”
“It’s me.” I let the door shut behind me and looked around the living room. Same flowered sofa and faded red easy chairs. Same cherry wood tables. Same parade of photos on the mantel and bookshelves. While everything had a slightly shabby look to it, I saw no layers of dust on the furniture or other signs Grams couldn’t keep house any longer. There were even fresh flowers in a vase on the coffee table.
“Well, hello!” Grams came into the room with her arms open and I went into them. “Oh, it’s so good to see you.”
I embraced her small frame—I’d been taller than Grams since the sixth grade—and though she felt tiny, she didn’t necessarily feel frail. Her hug was as strong as ever. When she let me go, I took her hands and gave her a quick inspection. Her color was good, her eyes were clear, her smile was genuine. “You look good.”
“Thank you, dear.” She looked me over too, from head to foot. “Did you bring anything other than blue jeans to wear?”
I laughed. “Why? Are we going someplace fancy?”
“No, no.” She laughed merrily and shrugged. “You know me, I’m old fashioned and I like to see a lady in ladies’ clothing.”
I rolled my eyes and reminded myself she was ninety-two—from another generation entirely. Her beliefs about men and women were not the same as mine. “I have other clothing. Do you want me to change now?” I teased.
“Well, maybe.” She sized me up. “You have such a cute figure. I’d just like to see you in something that … emphasizes that a bit more. Shows it off.”
“I was kidding, Grams. And I’m not much of a show-off.”
“Oh, I don’t mean anything tawdry,” she said quickly. “Good heavens, no. Just something a little more feminine. Something to draw attention to your physical assets.”
I sighed heavily and held out my arms. “This is me, I’m afraid.”
“Never mind.” She waved a hand in the air and smiled. “I’m just so happy you’re here. How long are you staying?”
“Until Friday.”
Her face fell. “That’s not very long.”
“It’s five days.”
“Can’t you stay for the weekend?”
“I’m sorry, Grams. I really can’t. I have things to catch up on before work Monday, and I promised I’d help Emme with something for the wedding.”
She sighed dramatically. “I suppose I should be grateful to have any of you here at all. Oh well. Why don’t you go upstairs and settle in? I put fresh sheets on the bed in the front bedroom and clean towels in the bathroom.”
“You didn’t have to do that. I could have done it. You shouldn’t be up and down those stairs if your hips are bothering you.”
“Oh, I’m all right. And a little exercise is good for me. My hips are feeling better already, now that you’re here.”
Was it me, or did her grin look a little devious at that moment?
“That’s good,” I said, picking up my suitcase by the handle. “But you should keep your appointment on Thursday. Just to make sure everything is okay. How about your eyes and ears?”
“What about them?”
“You mentioned your vision and hearing weren’t good when we spoke on Saturday. While I’m here, maybe you should schedule an appointment with your eye doctor as well?”
“Maybe,” she murmured, already turning away from me and heading back to the kitchen. “I have to check my chicken now. You go on upstairs, and when you come back down, we’ll have five o’clocktails and you can tell me all about what’s new with you.”
“Okay.” I watched her go, more than a little suspicious that her whole senility bit on the phone had been an act. But what could I do? I was here now, so I might as well enjoy my visit with her. Who knew how much longer she was going to be around?
I took my suitcase upstairs and hung a few things in the closet, put my toiletries in the bathroom, plugged in my tablet to charge, then sat down on the bed and texted my sisters and mother. I’d called them on the way up to give them the scoop.
Hey, arrived at Grams house and she seems fine. I’ll keep you posted.
Then I scrolled through my messages and happened to see the last one I’d gotten from Walter. See you tonight, it read. When he’d typed those words, he’d known he was going there to dump me. In public. On my birthday.
When I met Esther, I felt a powerful attraction I couldn’t ignore. She just … does something to me.