Chapter 23

So on Saturday, Nick picked up Emily, and they drove to where Grandma was relearning to walk again. Then they would meet Gary and Tiffany at the movies.

“You don’t mind stopping by to see Grandma?” Nick asked.

“Of course not. Your grandma’s so nice!” She leaned into him.

“She loves you—especially when you said you wanted to be an elementary teacher.”

Emily smiled and took his hand across the cup holder and gear shift of the Subaru. Once at the hospital, they parked and found Grandma finishing dinner and watching television.

“Emily! Nick! So good to see you!” Grandma pushed away her tray. “I miss your mother’s cooking! She learned from the best. Me!” The old lady laughed at her own joke, and Emily giggled by his side.

They each hugged her and pulled up chairs to sit next to the bed.

Grandma nodded to Emily’s sneakers. “I think I need some like that! Zebra print with purple socks! Just the trick when I get back to Bunco!”

Emily held up her feet and moved her ankles around. “I’m glad you like my shoes. I’ve been collecting sneakers for a couple of years. I have a bunch. My mom’s threatening to get rid of them.”

“So tell me what’s happening!” Grandma said, sitting up straighter. “I’m tired of hearing about everyone’s aches and pains, including my own.”

“Well,” Emily began. “Homecoming’s in less than two weeks, and Nick and I were nominated as Junior Prince and Princess!”

“I hope I’m out of here by that time! If I’m not”—Grandma scowled—“tell your mother to take lots of pictures!”

“I will, Grandma,” Nick said.

“When I’m better and you’ve finished your teacher training, I can help in your classroom,” Grandma said to Emily.

“Thanks, Mrs. Chesterfield, I’d like that.” Emily grinned. “But let me finish high school first.”

“It’ll happen before you know it.” Grandma tried to snap her fingers. “Time seems to race by now.” She rubbed her hands.

“Can I put some lotion on your hands?” Emily reached for the bottle by the side of the bed.

His grandmother held out her thin, vein-crossed hands, and Emily massaged the lotion while Grandma sat back and closed her eyes. “That feels wonderful. Thank you, dear child! I like Emily so much better than that Cat girl with her dance moves.”

Nick saw Emily stop rubbing, and Grandma’s eyes snapped open. “Are you finished?”

“You met Cat?” Emily asked.

“We stopped by before the library,” Nick said with a shrug.

Emily’s mouth formed into a thin line.

“I didn’t like all that black gunk on her face,” Grandma said. “I think she might be pretty if she didn’t use that stuff.”

“I agree,” Emily said.

“But Emily’s a keeper, huh, Nick?” Grandma winked.

“Certainly. Everyone loves Em.” Nick looked at her, but she refused to meet his gaze.

“Make him treat you right!” she admonished when Emily put away the lotion and they prepared to leave.

He’d be disowned if he ever broke up with Emily, but she might disown him tonight if he couldn’t explain what happened.

They left the hospital and walked silently to Nick’s car.

“Em…” He tried to take her arm, but she pulled away.

“I don’t want to talk about her right now!”

“Fine.”

“I wish she’d never enrolled at Laketon,” Emily retorted, fastening her seat belt and looking out the side window and not at him.

“Do you still want to go to the movies?” Nick asked.

Emily blew out her breath. “I guess. Since we promised Gary and Tiff we’d be there.”