《Pleasant Nothings》 Sweet and Sour Sweetness runs in families. Or so I was told by my grandmother. She said I was sweet as honey and tough as tar. I never understood what that meant until I stepped on a tar patch fixing dad''s driveway, and I could not separate my new Prada heel from the iron-fisted goo. I cannot, cannot talk about how hard and long I persevered trying to get that goo off my investment. Needless to say, the goop one. I still wear the shoes. Gran always said I was sweet. Sweet as nothings said in the ear of a young hearted lover. I would blush when she said that. I could not imagine at a tender age of 10 what that meant, but I knew it was grown-up stuff, and I was not old enough to hear it or process it. Gran loved flustering me. Making my cheeks pink with heat and sweet embracing embarrassment. She was what my mum liked to call fun. Fun for adults maybe, but I did not see it that way when I was just a kid. Now I would give anything for 10 minutes with her. I have so many questions and so many intentions that never got met. I never got to say goodbye. I never got to give her one last kiss. I just was not ready for her to go. No one asked me. I know I am an adult now, but driving to her house makes me feel ten all over again.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. What happened to Gran? Why didn''t she tell me she was sick? Was she sick? My God, I have no idea. I am such a bad granddaughter. When was the last time we spoke? Last April? Last August? I cannot remember. What was the last thing she told me? Life is not the path or the destination but the anticipation of both. What the hell did she mean? I mean, what does that mean anyway? What the heck. She could be so cryptic and I just about had enough when we spoke last. I mean who says that kind of thing? I''ll tell you who she did, all of the time. Gran was the greatest until she wasn''t. I mean, no one could upset mum as fast or as callously as Gran. It was like a ritual between them, and I just got a little tired of being in the audience. I was always in the audience when those two were in the same room. Oil and water are what people said. Gas and flame are what I thought. It was always combustible, and no one knew whose head was going to get blown off, but you knew if you were in the blast radius, it was going to be uncomfortable at the very least. Sweet Music After a few minutes of deliberation, it was decided. I was going to rent a car and drive to Grans. I had never driven that far before. I was uncertain if I would be able to make the trip by myself, but I had to. So, I went to Enterprise filled out the forms and signed my life away to drive away in a Nissan Rogue with only a cd player as comfort. I drove over to mum''s house and picked up a few of my things and some cd''s that mom still had there lying around. She was old school, she said. She liked having music at her fingertips. It did not matter how many times I told her that mp3''s were at her fingertips, and she could listen to her entire album case online. She said the quality was not the same, and she just did not think that way. She needed to see what she wanted to listen to. She needed to allow her cravings for an artist to appear when she looked over her cd cases. It was her way, her method, she said, and no amount of bugging her was going to change that. Luckily, she had not changed much since the last time I was home, so I rummaged through her cd albums and found what I was looking for and left the house. I took one last deep breath before I headed out. Mum''s house smelled of toast and apricots and coffee. It smelled of home. I loved it to my core. I loved her to my core and Gran. I was so worried. I was determined to get there, and I was not going to let a little thing like driving stand in my way. If only I had gone with mum when she asked. I could have missed a few classes. I just hesitated, and I couldn''t make up my mind in time, and she had left to grans.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. I left mums and headed to the highway. I had a twelve-hour drive ahead of me. Going from New York to Tennessee was a long trip. It did not matter the path you took. You were in for a grueling drive. I put in a cd. I did not even look who it was. The music started, and it was Jimmy Buffet. I had not heard mom play this cd in years. She loved Margaritaville, and she and Gran would laugh as they drank their margaritas to that song. Gran had enjoyed it as much as my mum. It was such an odd song for them to both like. Gran was all jazz, blues, and opera, and mom was all rock and roll, country, and alternative. But they shared folk. They both loved folk music and could not get enough of Jimmy Buffet singing Margaritaville. It was one of the best memories I had of mum and Gran. Sweet Rememberance Once I got on I 90, I decided the Ohio path was the way to go. It was the shortest, even with the unending traffic around the major cities. I should be in Nashville in no time. I might make it before the morning visiting hours if I was careful. I stopped at a rest stop right when I entered Ohio, and I called mum to let her know I was on my way. She was careful in speaking with me to let me know that I had time to get there and to be cautious on the roads. She was worried about me driving on the interstate. I was not really a good driver, and I was arguably worse on the interstate, but it could not be helped. She told me Gran was stable and that the doctors were hopeful but that she was too tired to speak with me now. I told mum I loved her and to give Gran a kiss and that I was on my way.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. I got back into the Rogue and put on another cd without looking first at what the cd was and got a David Bowie greatest hits compilation. It was rocking, and I listened to it on repeat for an hour. God, the road is so boring. I started counting barns as I drove and then churches and then horses and then pick-ups. I was counting anything halfway interesting to keep awake. I passed Cincinnati. Not much longer, and I would be within spitting distance of the Cumberland Gap and Tennessee. Traffic started moving much faster than I am used to. People driving 80 mph past me like I was standing still. I sat bolt upright in my chair, squared my shoulders over the steering wheel, and settled into a rhythm matching the traffic around me. Sweet Gran I can do this, I told myself over and over again. And I did. I arrived in Nashville shortly after 9 am after a grueling and sometimes harrowing drive. I drove straight to Princes Hot Chicken and ordered a XXX hot whole hot chicken with fixings and headed to Vanderbilt to see mum and Gran. I knew mum would be starving, and instead of letting her consume the crap out of the vending machines because it was easier than leaving Gran to go to the cafeteria, I was going to show up with her favorite meal. I arrived at the hospital just in time for visiting hours. I parked and left my mess of a vehicle in the garage and headed to the front desk. When I got there, I asked what room gran was in and was told to go to the second-floor room 212. She was out of surgery and recovering nicely, the nurse said with a piercing smile. She knew she overstepped and gave me too much information by the gasp I made when she said the word surgery. I bolted for the elevator and started pumping the number 2 button in the elevator. Three minutes later, I was off and down the hall. I was walking in a daze by the time I got to room 212. The door was closed, and before I could stop myself, I knocked softly. Mum said to come in, and obediently I walked through the door. What I saw scared me. Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.Gran was lying in bed. Tubes in her mouth and nose and coming out from under the sheets. She looked awful, and that is not an exaggeration. Mum looked haggard and frail. "What happened," I asked. Mum looked at me soulfully and said: "She had a heart attack and nearly died." Mom told me she was worse for the wear and had not slept in 72 hours. I gave her the chicken and fixings with a diet coke. She smiled and placed the food on the table beside her and continued holding grans hand. I walked over and put my hand on her shoulder and told her it was time for her to go home or at least eat. She smiled and gave me Gran''s hand and got out of the chair. I sat and took Gran''s hand. Her hand was so soft and frail and lifeless. Not like Gran at all. I looked at mum. She sat in the recliner in the corner of the room. She leaned back and closed her eyes¡ªa piece of chicken in her hand with one small bite. A nurse came in and took the chicken from her hand and put it on the paper plate and said in a whisper, "Thank goodness. She really needed to rest. Hi, I''m Annie, you must be Claire. I have heard so much about you, all good. We will talk soon." She winked at me and headed toward the door. I gazed into Gran''s face. Her eyes closed. Her face was ashen. I was really worried for the first time that I might not ever speak to Gran again. Annie This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Asthma Sucks Annie looked back, smiled at me, and motioned for me to follow her again as she walked toward the elevators. We got on together, and she pressed the button for the first floor. We exited, and she motioned back to me that we were going to head left down the hall. Annie was walking at a clip, and it was hard to keep up with her. I had experienced this on campus before when I tried to follow Katy the first time we met at the library. She was so excited to show me the facility I could barely keep up with her. I had asthma, and it always seemed to kick in at the most inopportune moments, like now. "Wait," I gasped. Annie turned to look at me and asked, "What is wrong?" I looked at her forlorn and said, "I cannot catch my breath. I have asthma, just give me a second. My inhaler is in my car. I just need a moment. " That is when I guess my face started to turn blue. Annie screamed something with the word code in it. The next thing I remember, I am in a hospital bed. I looked around the room. No, Annie, no mum, no one. I called out, and no one came. Then I looked around and saw the buzzer attached to the bed. I pressed it, and a nurse came into the room. "How are you feeling, Hunny?" She asked with that Tennessee drawl I had missed so much. I''m good. I feel much better, can I get up. "Not yet, hun, you have an IV attached. Let me get the doctor and see what he wants to do with you". She left, and a few minutes later, a woman in a lovely suit walked in and asked: "how are you feeling, Claire?" I said I felt fine and that I was ready to leave and go back to mum and Gran. She said she understood and asked me to sign a release, which I did. Once that was out of the way, I got up and started collecting my things and headed to the bathroom to get dressed. Once I got dressed, she was waiting for my return. Her name was Doctor Rey, and she said she was just leaving when my emergency happened. She scolded me for not having my inhaler on me. She said that the crisis need not have happened if I had my inhaler on me. I acknowledged her, and then she handed me my inhaler. She smiled, and I winced. I realized she had gotten it out of my car. Mum must have given her my or someone my keys. I was embarrassed for the mess they say. I admit it I am a pig when it comes to my car. Who has time to get trash in a bag when you are sailing down the highway at 80 mph? I thanked her and put the inhaler in my pocket. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.I promised her to be careful. She left, and I put my clothes on in the bathroom, tidied my hair, and started back toward Gran''s room. I got there just as mum was rousing awake. Sweet Mum "Hey mum," I said as I walked into the room. "Where have you been?" she asked. I told her I had gone to eat something and had just gotten back. There was no sense in upsetting her yet another asthma attack. "How is gran?" she asked. "She is fine, mum, how are you? Are you getting enough rest? Do you want to go home, rest, and get a shower?" "No," she said in a very forceful manner. "I am staying right here until she wakes up, do you understand me?" I acquiesced and sat down on the chair by Gran. Mum looked over, smiled, and rested her head on the side of the recliner so she could look at us. "I missed you, you know," she said with a smile. "I missed you too, mom," I said. Her eyes started to look heavy, so I started humming quietly. My mum could never stay awake when I started humming. I had learned this trick when I was a pre-teen and tried to get her to let me play video games just a few minutes longer. I found if I hummed really quietly, she would fall asleep. It really did not matter what I chose to hum just so long as I did it quietly. That was the trick. Sure enough, within a few moments, mum was out like a light. I smiled to myself know she really needed the rest. I resumed my vigil with Gran. Instead of humming, I started telling Gran everything that I had been up to since the last time we spoke.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. Memories not so sweet I squeezed her hand while I told her about my life without her. I did not notice when the tears started streaming down my face. I did not register when mom woke up and started crying softly behind me. I poured my heart out to Gran, and I could not stop talking until finally, I did. My heart felt lighter, and I let Gran''s hand go and kissed her on her forehead. Before I could turn around, mom pretended to be asleep. I could see her eyes were puffy. She had been listening, and I did not mind. I softly walked out of the room and toward the elevator. Right as I entered, I saw Annie standing in the elevator. She looked like she was considering what to do. She smiled at me and hit the first-floor button. "Let''s talk," she said. I was in no mood to argue. This time we made it to the cafeteria. I went through the line, grabbing my favorites, and not caring how many empty calories I was ingesting. I got pudding, a coca-cola, and a hot dog. I knew I was going to regret the heartburn later, but I just wasn''t in the mood to discipline myself. We sat down and tucked in. I looked up at Annie. She had made much better choices. She had a coffee and what looked like a very healthy salad. She looked at me and said, "I cannot eat like that anymore, Claire, I will be up all night long." I told her I understood and agreed. She could tell how distraught I was, and she said: "Claire, your grandmother''s prognosis is excellent, and I am not just telling you that to make you feel better." I thanked her. I started fidgeting with my fingers pulling the dead skin off my cuticles. It drove mum crazy when I did that, but I could not help it. When I was nervous, my cuticles suffered. At least I had stopped eating my nails. Annie looked at me with deep brown soulful eyes and said: "Claire is there anything that I can help you with?". I had not realized how much I had needed a friend until then. I began weeping loudly, and I did not care. Annie looked around quickly and picked up my elbow and lead me outside the cafeteria to the enclosed outside eating area. It was hot outside, so other than the smokers huddled in the smoking area, we had the place to ourselves. This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. Sweet Annie "Claire, what is wrong?" I looked at her and began telling her my sob story. It all started a few months ago. Gran called and left a message for me to call her back. I didn''t do it. I was still mad about her and mom, and I could not bring myself to call her back. My roommate said she sounded fine, so I just ignored the call. I was going to call her back, but then midterms started, and then it was spring break, and I was planning on going to the beach, and I knew she was going to want me to come home. I was so tired of always being dependable. I just wanted to have some fun. Then mom called and told me Gran was in the hospital. The guilt was too much to bear. I should have called her back, and I could have gone to see her at spring break. I just didn''t understand that she needed me. Annie grabbed both of my hands and looked deep in my eyes and said, "Claire, you have not idea what your grandmother wanted. Maybe she just was calling to say hello. Maybe she just was thinking about you. She was young once. I am sure she did not mind you not calling back. Claire, you need to be strong now. Your Gran and your mom are going to need you, and getting bogged down in needless guilt helps no one." I dried my eyes and nodded my head in agreement. We walked back inside, and I sat down with my pudding, hot dog, and cola and finished eating.Stolen novel; please report. Once I was done, I stood, and Annie smiled at me and said. "I am off duty and headed home. Try not to worry so much, Claire. We can talk more tomorrow during my break if you want." I thanked Annie, and before I could help myself, I had given her one of my bear hugs. I smiled and walked toward the elevator. I got in, pushed two, and watched Annie as the doors closed. She smiled at me with a look of relief. As I waited on the elevator, I thought what a kind person Annie was. It never failed to amaze me how kind people can be when you need them most. Centenniel Park When I got back to the room, mum had resumed her position sitting with Gran and was holding her hand. I gestured to her that I was in the room and took my place on the other side of Gran in a chair. I picked up her hand. There we were. Mom holding her right hand and me holding her left hand. Gran was still out like a light, but I felt suddenly safer and warmer. I knew somehow that Gran knew we were both there. I looked over at mum and whispered, "I think she knows we are here" Mom whispered back, "I think you are right." She smiled at me that warm smile she does when she is tired and content. We sat like that for what seemed like hours. I sat until I could sit no longer and told mom I was going outside for a walk. I reminded her to text me if she needed me or if Gran woke up. She smiled and nodded. I left. I found myself walking for a long while. I ended up in Centennial Park. It is one of my favorite parks in Nashville. With 132 acres, it is my favorite walking park. I love visiting the Parthenon every time I am in Nashville and Lake Watauga. When I am bored, I often will visit the Centennial Art Center. My favorite space is the sunken garden, but I had spent many hours at the bandshell and the exercise trail. It felt for my mum since I pretty much I lived there when music festivals were in town. I visited the dog park just about every week when pup was alive. It was hard walking by the dog park. The memory of pup made me start crying. He was the greatest mutt ever. Mom was frustrated that I never named him. He was always just pup to me. He didn''t need another name. Pup was enough. Pup was a very small furry mess. All of nine pounds wet. He was completely black except for a small patch on his chest that was pure white. It looked like he wore a tuxedo.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. There never existed feet he did not want to lick. It was kind of gross when I came home and took off my smelly shoes, and he went to town on my very gross toes. I could not resist disgusting mum; she loudly protested how unhygienic I was being. Dad had given me pup before he died. That was 12 years ago. I was seven. Pup died last year. I still was not over it. I caught sight of him out of the corner of my eye every time I visited familiar places we went together. It was just my memory playing tricks on me. Sometimes though I wished it was true, that pup was back with me. This park brought the memories back again, and within ten minutes, there he was. I pretended not to notice pup, but my melancholy was just too much to deny how much I had missed him. His specter came up to me, and I leaned down to pet him. He wasn''t there, but I did not care. I was so alone at that moment. It was good enough. When I reached out my hand, it went right through him. His ghostly presence licked my foot as he always used to do when he was alive. I accepted his sweet nature and walked down the path with him trailing behind me. The week had been too rough and if I had a ghost dog, well, so be it. Ghost Dog It started to get dark, and I started back toward the hospital. I heard something like a flute playing. I looked for the source, but I could see no one playing any instruments. A couple passed by me giggling and waving. They were in love. It was obvious. It had not been that long ago that I was in love too. My heart grew heavy, and pup started doing circles around my feet. He always did that when I was sad. I wished I could bend down and pick him up and scruff him on the neck, but that was impossible. I told myself my little fantasy of my ghost dog was not hurting anyone, and I continued toward the hospital. Eventually, I looked behind me, and pup was not there. I guess he wasn''t going to leave that park. It made me wonder a little bit why but I just had too much else on my mind to worry about that too. Ghost dog wants to stay at the park, then ghost dog gets to do as he wants. The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. When I got back to Gran''s room, mum had just finished eating. She told me to get to the cafeteria and get something. One of the nurses had brought her a plate because she refused to leave Gran even for a moment. She was starting to get a little ripe, but I knew better than to say anything to her. I hugged her with my bear hug that I usually only gave her on special occasions and headed toward the cafeteria. All of that walking had made me thirsty and hungry. I was looking forward to eating something salty, for sure. When I got to the cafeteria, it was pandemonium. I asked what was going on, and the response was TACO TUESDAY. The staff understood something that I did not. The cafeteria made delicious tacos, and on Tuesday, they were cheap. I smiled and said, I''m in. I can use a taco. Taco Tuesday The tacos were delicious, and I got to meet Sally, Frank, and George. They all worked the night shift on the 3rd floor. I might not run into them again, but it was delightful to eat dinner with them. George was hilarious. He told terrible jokes and laughed at them before anyone else could causing a cascade of laughter. Frank caught this hometown girl up on everything that was going on in town and the surrounding area. I had missed how friendly people were here. Sally did a ten-minute download of her favorite show, survivor. I had seen a few, but I believe I was an expert on the current season after our conversation. I thanked them all for the discussion and for inviting me to their table. They told me that they enjoyed the company. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. When I got back to the room, mum had claimed the recliner again. She looked up at me and said there was no reason for both of us to stay overnight and that I could go home, get the mail in and straighten a bit. She promised to call if there was a problem and kissed me good night on my forehead. I wanted to protest, but there was only one recliner, and it was clear I was not welcome. I leaned over Gran and gave her a kiss goodnight. I whispered in Gran''s ear I loved her and that I would see her soon. I thought I caught her smile a little, but I believe that it was wishful thinking. What are you not telling me? The drive back to the house was surreal. It was late by the time I headed out, and the air was cold on my skin. It was so quiet. I was not used to that kind of quiet, but I usually was sleeping by 1 am. I grabbed my stuff out of the back of the Rogue and headed inside. I got the key from mums hiding place under the potted plant on the patio. I figured just about everyone who knows her knows about that plant. She often will just go for that key rather than rummage through her purse for her house keys. I told mum at least a hundred times just put them all on one ring. She said she does not like the bulk of keys in her hand. It wasn''t an argument I wanted to have or that I thought I could win. So, I just let her be mum. When I got inside, I flicked the switch to turn on the lights. Mum''s house was just as I remembered it being. I picked up my stuff and closed the door with my foot. I dropped my junk off at my old room and headed back to the door to lock up. Afterward, I went to the kitchen to see what mum had to eat. To my surprise, the refrigerator was full of all of my favorites. She must have known in her heart I would come home. God bless her. She was a good mother. I pulled a chair up to the kitchen table and ate some peach Yoplait and contemplated how little my mother''s kitchen had changed since I was last there. Finally, sleepy, I walked to my room, changed into my tank top and shorts, and got into bed. I was ready to sleep and sleep I did. I woke up around 12:30. I sat up and checked my phone¡ªno news from mum. Gran must be ok. I took a much-needed shower and changed into suitable hospital casual jeans and a tee-shirt. I put my hair up in a ponytail. I went to mom''s room and made a night bag for her, including essentials from the bathroom and her toothbrush. I got a cooler and filled it with some of our favorites from the refrigerator and headed out.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. When I got to Gran''s room, mum looked up at me from beside Gran. She looked exhausted. I smiled at her and waved her bag at her. "Mum, the nurses said you could use the shower if you want. She got up and grabbed the bag and headed for the shower. I sat with Gran and picked up her hand and held it close to my cheek. "How did you sleep," I asked her. "Fine," I heard over my shoulder. I looked around me, and no one was there. It sounded like Gran but could not have been. She had a tube down her throat. She wasn''t awake yet. She was sedated. I calmed myself and stood up and went to the nurse''s station. I asked them if they could tell me when Gran would wake up. They said soon and that they were keeping her in sedation until she was out of the woods. I asked why she was still in any woods, and the nurse said I should speak with my mom. That scared me, so I headed back to Gran''s room. Mom was finished getting ready and came back out of the bathroom, there was steam billowing behind her. She gave me her dirty clothes in a garbage bag and asked me to wash them for her. I nodded in agreement. "Mom, they say that Gran is under sedation for her own good and that you could explain that to me." Aneurysms suck "Come, sit with me, Claire." Mum took me by both of my hands. She was sitting on the recliner and me on the stool. Mum looked deeply into my eyes. "You know how Gran is darling. I begged her to tell you, and she said she tried calling but never got you. I told her she could have left a message with your roommate that it was urgent, and you would have called. Well, that''s in the past. It doesn''t matter now. Sweetheart, Gran has a brain aneurysm. They found it after she had an episode a few months back. We thought it was a stroke. They told her it was inoperable but that she could lead a full life with it, but she would need to be careful. She is sedated because the doctors feel for right now it is best. They told me she looks good and that all things considered, I should be grateful. Things could be a lot worse. They told me they will wake her soon if everything keeps going the way it is going now." I looked at her in stunned silence. I did not know what to say. It was all too much. I was not in the loop of what had been going on at home. I squeezed mom''s hand and rested my head on her shoulder. She hugged my close and said, "I know it is a lot to take in. Gran is an old lady, and so am I. It is just part of aging, Claire. We all get old; we all die. " The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. I nodded, "I know mom, I am sorry I did not call her back or call you more often. Why didn''t you tell me?" Mum smiled wearily, "she made me promise I would not say anything to you and that I would let her do that herself, what do you expect, she is my mom." She shrugged her shoulder with a winsome smile. We both laughed. I understood later why she had kept quiet. Neither one of them thought it was an issue. The doctors had told Gran she could live with it to the ripe old age of 100 without it ever causing her worry. "Mom, did the aneurysm cause the heart attack, or did the heart attack make it worse?" Mom shook her head, "I don''t know yet, Claire, but I will let you know when I do." I nodded, "thank you, mum, I am sorry I wasn''t there for you." I began weeping and placed my head in my hands. Mum stroked my hair, "hush now." We stayed like that for a bit. Mum got up and went back to holding Gran''s hands. I walked over and played with her feet. I made sure the blankets were not too tight and that she had a little pinkie toe wiggle room. She hated when sheets were too tight on her feet. I smoothed the blankets and kissed Gran on the cheek. Then I sat on my stool and held Gran''s other hand Dancing in the kitchen We sat vigil like that for a few hours. Talking about life and including her in the conversation or humming songs we knew she liked. Mom told me stories about when she was a little girl playing on her grandparent''s farm. She talked about feeding the chickens and pigs and milking the cow. She said her grandmother made the best biscuits. Mum told me in a whisper that the nurses said talking about familiar things helps or memories or of people Gran knew. She told me Gran was crazy about her parents. Mum said she did not want to talk about grandad because it was still too painful for her. I had never met my Grandad. He died years before I came along with lung cancer. He was a heavy smoker, but back then, everyone was a heavy smoker. Mum said he smelled like burnt molasses. He always wore a three-piece suit on Sunday. He never passed up a chance to gab with someone even if he had just met them on the street. Mom said Gran would laugh and tell her that you never knew who he would drag home for dinner. She put a stop to it once mum was born. He was still friendly, but he always asked Gran before he showed up with a stranger at the door. As long as I had known Gran, everyone was welcome at her home. She had the gift of gab. I guess my grandfather did as well. Mum said they were a striking couple. She told me she remembered them dancing in the kitchen after dinner to the radio. It was one of her favorites of her father. She said he loved dancing the two-step with mum around the kitchen more than watching any old tv show. Mum said she was all talked out. Gran had a grimace on her face, and her lips were tight. Almost without thinking, I grabbed for the lotion the nurses left on the side table. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. I put some lotion on her hands and rubbed her hands the way she had taught me when I was little. She gave the most fabulous hand massages ever. She would grab my hands when I was tense, scared, or angry and massaged them the same way¡ªfrom the out to the in, taking time at each group of muscles to use her thumb and release the pent up frustrations. Every muscle relaxed. I swore you could feel all your muscles relax. Gran would smile and say, "I think we are finished" then she would tap my nose three times and say "are you ready for cheese little mouse" and into the kitchen, we would go for cheese and crackers. Little mouse go home It is odd, but no one knew quite how to get me to relax like Gran. It is strange not talking with her every day. This last year I grew so distant from mum and Gran. I had no idea how things were going, but that was all going to change now. Around 9 pm, I gave Gran a big kiss on her cheek and gave mum a hug and kiss and headed back home. I offered to stay the night repeatedly, and mum said no. She was not giving up her recliner, and she said besides, "Gran would be furious if she woke up and saw her Claire sleeping on the floor. Go home and rest. I will see you tomorrow." I told mum that I would. I then looked at her and asked, "Tomorrow, can you tell me more stories about your childhood? I don''t know that much about your youth or Gran. She said her family used to live on a farm near here and that she used to play on the hills. Mum looked at me and said, "shew." I laughed a much-needed laugh and headed out.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. I had returned the Rogue and was not sporting around in mum''s car. She had a very respectable Honda Accord. I sometimes would swear if she had to decide whether to keep me or that accord, she would pick the Honda Accord. I loved the car too. It was a smooth ride, and it was fun to pretend I was a race car driver. I drove by Centennial park on the way to mum''s house. I stopped and looked at the Parthenon. I always loved looking at it at night. It felt calming to me. The sturdy stone was going nowhere. No matter how far I roam, I know some things won''t change- Nashville hot chicken and the Parthenon. Home is where the heart lives When I arrived home, the house felt so empty. It was craving Gran and mum. I decided that it was no use trying to sleep, and that may be a run would do the trick. I put on my favorite running shoes that smelled to high heaven but got the job. I put on my headphones and chose my favorite jams on my phone and started. My phone was on my hip with a clip. I almost looked like I was wearing a walkman. As I headed down the driveway, I had a sinking feeling like something was ending, and something else was just beginning. I had gone for a run from this very house a million times but never with this kind of weight weighing on me. I wondered to myself if this is what it meant to be an adult. Learning to live with an invisible ton in your stomach and acting like it was not there. I got about a half a mile from mum''s house when I saw a possum. I always got a kick out of how awkward possum are. This one was walking across the street, and she was fat. I laughed out loud. The possum looked straight at me with a hiss and seemed to say that you too might waddle if you were as pregnant as I. Once she was out of view, I continued my run until I passed by my old grade school. I stopped and sat on a swing. I must have sat there twenty minutes before I started home. I got back and found the door open. I cautiously walked in with my finger on the 911 speed dial. I saw my mum. "What are you doing here?" I asked. "Well, I live here," she said and then disappeared. I sat down hard on the floor. What had just happened? Was mum here? What did I just see? It was more than I cared to deal with at this moment. I took a shower and went to bed as if nothing strange had happened. You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.The next morning I got myself together very quickly and headed toward the door when I heard a knock. I opened the door, and there was Annie. She smiled and raised a cup of coffee at me. "Care to have a cup of coffee with me before you head over?" she said. I looked at her like she was an alien. Manners trumping nerves, I invited her in. Annie gracefully sat down at the kitchen table and looked at me expectantly. I sat down and looked at her with curiosity. "So, Annie, what brings you to my home?" I asked with a note of both interest and worry. Annie smiled said that she was friends with Gran and that she had often helped her out over the last few years when she needed someone to watch over the house. She said she was familiar with the plants and had offered to Mum to come to water them. I asked why Mum had not just asked me to do that. Annie looked at me softly, kindly, and said that these plants were unique to Gran, and it was essential not to overwater them. She said it would just take a minute and that then we could talk awhile about Gran''s status before I headed over to the hospital. Gardens She walked out to the patio. Gran''s patio was otherworldly. She had planted all sorts of flowers and plants: orchids, succulents, cacti, and a myriad of other types of flora. I was always amazed by her gardening skills. She called it her patio. It was more like a horticulturalists daydream. There was a sliding door onto the courtyard that I used to pretend was a gateway into another dimension when I was little. I imagined fairies and elves lived in Gran''s garden. It smelled so otherworldly. It was a beautiful place to play as a child. Gran''s yard was fenced in on all sides by an eight-foot wooden fence made of redwood. It looked so pretty when it got wet I used to aim the hose at the fence and let the water hit it for what seemed like hours just to see the color change. My favorite part of the garden was the well that was in the center. It was a real well with real cobblestones¡ªa rarity in the city. Gran made them leave it when she moved in. By the time she and grandpa purchased the house, the entire block was on city sewer and water, but she said the well would add a certain element to her garden that she knew she would like. Gran got her way. The well stayed, uncapped, but she had to agree to fence in the yard with 8-foot tall fencing and not access to it for the public. The top of the well is made out of some thick oak. It was removable. Gran would remove the lid and bend over to catch the rope. She would pull up the line and the bucket attached would be full of the coldest water you could imagine. Gran told me that we could not drink the water because there was no knowing what had seeped into the groundwater from the city, but we could use it to water the plants and trees in her garden, and that is what we would do. When I stayed at Grans the first thing she did after a cup of coffee each morning was to go outside and get water from the well and water her plants. She started with the trellises first because she said they were the most thirsty. Gran grew her grapes, and they were delicious. She watered their roots with the cool water and then moved on to her potted plants on the porch. From there, she methodically watered each quadrant of the garden. There were the eating plants as she liked to call them. That was the part that had the tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers, among other produce. She then would go to the seasoning section. That was where she grew her basil, thyme, oregano, and dill. From there, she would go to her fruits, where she grew her fig bush, raspberries, and strawberries. Then she rounded it out with her medicinal herbs where she rose camomile, mint, and other such plants. I did not pay as much attention when I was little to watering the plants, but now as an adult, it was as natural as breathing. I did not mind that Mum had asked Annie to do it. I am certain mum knew how distracted I was and thought it best a more relaxed hand take on Gran''s garden. Annie asked me to join her by the well. I walked over. She asked if I minded holding the top while she fished for the bucket. "You know it would be a whole lot easier if Gran would use a hose to water her plants," I said offhandedly. "Why would she do that ?" Annie winked at me as she said it. We both laughed. "You are fortunate to have such a loving family. Your mom and grandmother are so wonderful. You know I have known them both for a long time. Do you remember me from when you were little?" I thought for a bit and then said, "Yes, you used to help Gran out when I was a little kid in the garden and the house. You were her helper if I remember correctly." I said. " Yes, I was a teenager needing spending money, and your mom asked me to help out with the garden and with you. I know it has been a long time. I wanted to make sure you remembered me before we talked anymore. I was feeling a little strange about that. Now that it is all sorted let''s get to work." Annie picked up the bucket and began watering in the routine that I had seen Gran do a hundred times. Annie looked at me and smiled. "I would like to be friends with Claire. I know I am somewhat older than you, but I have always liked you, and I don''t see any reason we cannot strike up a friendship if you would like." I found what Annie said a little odd, but I thought about it and realized she was trying to include me in her friendship with Gran and mum and not treat me as a child. I appreciated the effort and said, "I think that would be wonderful." I had always liked Annie too. She was kind and quiet like me, and I loved how she made mum and Gran laugh. I was getting used to adult friendships. I am glad that Annie was making it so easy for me. The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. We were about to finish up watering and tending to the garden when Annie took out a pouch from her pocket and began sprinkling the roots of the grapes. "Annie, what is that?" She smiled at me and said that it was a fertilizer that I was going to learn to make this last summer but that since I was gone, she ended up having to make again. Annie walked over and placed her hands on my shoulders and looked deeply into my eyes. She said that I was going to have to learn a lot of things in a minimal amount of time that I had with Gran. She said that she was going to help in any way that she could but that ultimately it was up to me to figure out how much I could do in the time I am given. Annie said she had a riddle for me. I said ok and she asked me "what flies morning, noon, and night and never lands?" I thought for a bit and said I did not know. She slapped her thighs and told me, "Time." Annie looked at her watch and said we have to go, so we headed out the door to the hospital. Once we got there, I headed straight for mum and Gran. Annie said in parting that she would see me in two days to water the plants, if not sooner. She had given me her cell and said to call her whenever I wanted. I nodded and headed out. Getting Gran back Gran was still sleeping, but mum was up and reading the paper by the bedside. I knocked on the door as I walked in so as not to startle her. "Do you want the light on?" I asked. "No, that''s fine. I am enjoying the backlight from the sun," she said. "How was your night?" I asked. "It was fine," she said. Then mum stood up, walked to me, kissed me on my forehead, and asked if I had helped Annie in the garden. I told her that I had, but it would have been nice if she had given me some warning that she was on her way last night. Mum nodded in agreement and told me it was an oversight. She patted me on my left shoulder and made her way toward the door. "I am going to go get some breakfast. Sit with Gran, and I will be back soon." She said as she walked out the door. I could tell she was exhausted. I sat in her seat and picked up the paper she had been reading. There was an article about the Centennial Park and the Spring Tennessee Craft Fair that was coming up. Gran loved taking me to the park during festivals. I loved the craft fair as much as she did. We would visit each booth and ponder the various treasures we would find there. My favorite was the carved wooden bears that were made by a man who lived near the smokies. Those bears were the cutest. I always wanted to get one for Gran. The festival started in two days. I started reading the article to Gran, and when I finished it, I told Gran it was time for her to wake up so we could go to the festival together. No sooner than I said it than I regretted it. I caressed Gran''s hand, and I said: "You wake up when you want to Gran, I just miss you so much." I cried softly and hugged her arm. After a bit, I wiped my face and found the crossword puzzle. I pulled out a pencil and started to try and solve some of the questions. It was so hard. I was seriously out of practice. I passed half an hour that way when I caught myself humming a song Gran had taught me years ago when I was a young girl. I could not remember the words, but I had the tune. I hummed it to her and stroked her hand. I knew I was going to have to go back to New York in two weeks or take the semester off.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. I could deal with that later. Maybe Annie would go with me to the Craft Fair, and we could get Gran that bear. I texted Annie, and she texted back that she was in for the festival. When mum got back to the room, I told her my plans about getting the bear, and she said it sounded like a good idea. Mum told me the doctor would be dropping by in a few hours to discuss Gran''s progress. We started doing the crossword puzzle together. Both of us were too nervous to talk about Gran''s health. Almost as if by not discussing it, she would suddenly get better. When the doctor arrived, we were both ready to pounce. The doctor was a young man of maybe 35. He had a mustache and mischievous brown eyes that danced when he spoke. He told us he was happy with what he was seeing on Gran''s chart and said that it was time to encourage her to wake up. He said that the nurses were going to ease up on the medication slowly, and she would be exhausted for the next few days but that it was a safer and easier way to bring her back up. We thanked him, and mum and I hugged each other, and both of us smiled for the first time in a long time we both felt relief. I sighed, and so did she. We were getting Gran back.