Chapter<b>27</b>


    Avelinewastakenaback.“Wherearewegoing?”


    Lucas,lookingtense,openedthepassengerdoorandpushedherinside,asenseofurgencyinhisactions.


    Oncehegotinthecar,Avelinefrownedandasked,“Whereexactlyarewegoing?”


    Lucasreplied,“Grandmahadanepisode.”


    Barbara?


    Aveline’smindshedtothesweetoldysufferingfromdementia,andshefeltamixofemotions.


    Theentiredrive,shestayedquietuntiltheyarrivedatthenursinghome.


    Lucaswalkedbrisklyahead,withAvelinefollowingbehind.


    Theywalkeddownalongcorridorandarrivedatacharminglittlebuilding.Inside,severalcaregiverslookedflustered,andfromafar,theycouldhearBarbara’scries.


    “Granddaughter–inw,Iwantmygranddaughter–inw.


    Waaa,granddaughter–inw…”


    Hearingthis,Avelinewasstunned.


    Patientswithdementiaoftenhavepoormemory.ShethoughtBarbarahadlongforgottenher,butitseemedshestill


    rememberedafterallthistime.


    Theyquicklyenteredthebuilding,whereBarbarawassittingonasofa,notlettinganyonenear,andcontinuouslycallingforhergranddaughter–inw.


    <b>+15</b>BONUS


    “Grandma.”Lucassteppedforwardandtookherhand.“<b>I’m</b>here.


    Barbarastoppedcrying,butonlyforafewseconds.ShethenpushedLucas‘handaway.


    “Notyou.You’reabadboy.Iwantmygranddaughter–inw,granddaughter–inw!”


    Lucas’stemplethrobbed,andhencedatAveline.


    BarbaranoticedAvelineatthatmoment,immediatelystoppedcrying,andreachedoutherhand.“Granddaughter–inw,you’rehere.Youfinallycametoseeme.Ithoughtyoudidn’twantmeanymore.Waaa…”


    Avelinefeltplexmixofemotions,butshemanagedtoputonasmile.“Madam,Ihaven’tforgottenyou.I’vejustbeencaughtupwiththingtely.”Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    Barbaratightlygrippedherhand,herwrinkledfacestillwetwithtears.“Whathappened?Isthatbadboybullyingyou?Don’tworry,I’llteachhimalesson!”


    ShelookedoveratLucas.“Comehere.”


    Lucaplied,bending down.“Grandma,whatisit?”


    Smack!


    BarbararaisedherhandandppedLucasontheshoulder.


    “Don’tbeafraid,granddaughter–inw.Grandmahastaughtthebadboyalesson.”BarbarapattedAveline’shandreassuringly.


    Lucaswasstunned.


    +15BONUS


    Avelinecouldn’thelpbutburstouughing.


    “She’ughing,she’ughingMygranddaughter–inwishappy,isn’tshe?”Barbarappedherhandsjoyfully.


    Avelinenodded.“Yes,I’mveryhappy.Madam,ifthebadboy


    bulliesmeagain,I’letoyou,andyoucanhelpmedealwithhim,”


    “Good!”


    Barbaraeagerlyagreed,notlettinggoofAveline’shand.”Granddaughter–inw,let’sgohavesomefun,shallwe?”


    “Sure,”Avelinereplied,thinking itbesttokeepBarbara’sspiritsup.SheagreedtowhateverBarbarasuggested.


    Lucaswatchedtheelderlywomanandtheyoungerwomanleavethesmallbuildingandheadtowardsthegarden.Anunbiddensoftnessappearedinhiseyes.


    Justthen,hisphonerang.Helookedatthescreen;itwasacallfromSophia.


    “Hello?”


    Sophia’sgentlevoicecamethrough.“Lucas,I’mheretovisitMadamBarbara.Isawyourcar.Areyouheretoo?”


    Hearingthis,Lucasinstinctivelysaid,“Todayisn’tconvenient.Maybeyoucaeanotherday.”


    Sophia’svoicehesitatedontheotherend.“Isitbecauseyou’rewithher?Isawher;she’swithMadamBarbara.”