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We rode in thick silence, the quiet hum of the radio softening some of the tension. It was ironic really that she was trying to lecture me about life when she was one of the most stubborn people I’d ever met.
Finally, we reached the center. “Ooh, it’s fancy,” Grams stuttered over the words a little.
“You sure we shouldn’t call Doc—”
“Stop fussing.” She tsked. “I’ve been looking forward to this. Park close so I can walk in.”
I rolled my eyes.
She was right, it was fancy. But it was hardly surprising given that it was on the edge of Old Darling Hill.
A couple of people entered the center ahead of us, and they looked normal enough.
“It’s rude to stare, Zane Thackeray.”
“I’m not… come on.” I held out her stick and stuck close by in case she needed me. It was a slow process, her coordination weakened by the disease ravaging her body. But in true Grams style, she managed to walk inside with her head held high.
“And who do we have here?” A tall woman in a gaudy pink pantsuit greeted us.
“Mrs. Washington,” Grams said.
“Ah, yes.” She checked her clipboard. “It’s so lovely to meet you. I’m Claudia Hancock. And you are?” Her assessing gaze swung to me.
“Zane.”
“My grandson.” Grams shot me a disapproving look.
“Will you be joining us?” she asked, and I shook my head.
“I was hoping there was a cafeteria where I could grab a drink or something?”
“There is, just down the hall. They make the best pie.”
Pie. Great.
Schooling my bemusement, I gave Grams a kiss on the cheek. “Try and stay out of trouble. I’ll see you in a bit.”
“Shouldn’t that be my line?” she murmured.
Claudia chuckled. “The youth of today. If you’d like to follow me, we can get you settled.”
I watched Grams shuffle down the hall toward a set of double doors with a strange ache in my chest.
She needed this; I knew that. But it didn’t make it any easier.
Celeste
“Celeste, so lovely to meet you.”Mrs. Sinclair motioned to the chair opposite her desk. “Please, take a seat.”
“Thank you,” I said, fighting off the urge to yawn.
The hangover from hell had lingered all day. It had been so bad that at one point I’d almost fallen asleep in math. Mr. Vance was not happy, but my classmates thought it was more than a little amusing.
Perfect little Celeste Rowe falling asleep in class, how scandalous.
“Your mother speaks very highly of you.” I smiled unsure of how to answer that. “And we’re excited to have you here for the rest of the year.”
“Rest of the… yes.” I swallowed over the lump in my throat. “Well, I’m excited to be here.”
