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"Oh, right. My bad," she said. Then she patted the small bag she was holding as we stood in front of the door and I knocked.
"I brought her a small 'get well' gift. I hope she likes it."
"Damn it, why didn't I think of that? Can we tell her it's from both of us?"
"No," she said. "This is me. All me. Besides, trust me, even if we do say that, she'll know."
Zoey was probably right. Grandmother would be pleased that Zoey did something so kind.
Grandfather opened the door. "Hi, Colton, Zoey. Nice to see you again."
"And you, too, Mr. Whitley."
"Please, call me Abe."
"How's she feeling?" I asked in a brisk tone.
"She's good."
"Is she taking it easy?"
"Yes. I’m onto her. She's trying to get away with things, but she can't. Honestly, I'm having a lot of fun."
"Why?" I asked as Zoey frowned.
"Payback for how much she warded over me the past few years."
I glanced at Zoey out of the corner of my eye. Her mouth hung open. She still had a lot of things to learn about my family. Sometimes my grandparents managed to surprise even me. I didn't know my grandfather was one for vendettas.
"Come on. Don't party out there without me," my grandmother called from the living room, and we all headed there.
"Zoey!" she exclaimed when she saw us. "Oh, it's so nice of Colton to bring you again."
"Of course," Zoey said. "I wanted to see how you were feeling. And I brought you these," she said, setting the bag next to Grandmother.
"What's this?" she asked.
"My favorite romance novels. I've read them about a million times. They always put me in a better mood, especially when I'm sick and can't do much else besides read."
Zoey was right. Grandmother would never have believed it if we'd told her that I'd pitched in on the present too.
"Thank you, Zoey! Everyone usually brings flowers, and then what am I supposed to do with so many of them? Romance books! Nowthatis going to keep me occupied for a while."
"How are you feeling?" Zoey asked as Grandmother took out a book.
The dude on the cover was mostly naked. Grandfather jerked his head back. It took a lot of effort not to laugh at him.
Grandmother looked at the rest slowly, turning around each cover as if she wanted to give my poor grandfather a heart attack—all the guys were half dressed —before putting them back. "I would like to say I feel just fine, but my headaches are still popping up if I overdo it. I can read though. I just can’t move around a lot. Luckily, Abe here is hot on my heels no matter what I do.”
"That's great," Zoey said. "You know, I think it's easier for most of us to let others care for us because we’re not used to caring for ourselves."
"I guess I never thought about it like that," Grandmother said. "Now, what can we get the two of you? I made some scones earlier."
A vein pulsed in my temple. "You what?" I asked.
"Oh, young man, don't use that tone with me. The doctor didn't say I was bedbound. He said movement is important for circulation, but he advised I stay around the house because everything is familiar. at least until I get my strength back."
"He did say that, actually," Grandfather said. "And she wasn't overdoing it," he added quickly, anticipating my next question.
