“So you don’t miss any of it?” he pressed.
I sighed. “I mean, sure, if I really think about it, I miss having someone cook for me since I’m crap at it.” I smiled though I really shouldn’t be. My cooking was deadly as I’d discovered over the last year. Thank God I’d just been cooking for myself and once for Jill. After that attempt, she always just had me over. “I miss my bathtub; it was killer. But I guess as far as possessions go, I still regret leaving my grandmother’s necklace. She gave it to me when I turned fifteen. It was beautiful and one of the few sentimental things I owned. But I couldn’t find it in my rush to leave.” I bit my lip and looked away from his penetrating gaze. “Other than that it’s all just stuff.” I shrugged. “Do you need dish cloths?” I asked, ready to change the subject.
He looked at me for a moment longer before he nodded. “Yeah, babe, we probably do.” He made sure to emphasize the ‘we’ as I threw a few into the cart.
Chapter 6
“I’ve got somewhere to take you two,” he stated after loading everything into the back of the truck.
I turned to him in surprise. I assumed we’d be headed back to his place. Maddox was going to need a nap soon.
It was as though he knew I was considering protesting when he turned to look at me. “It’s important.” There was a weighted silence as his jaw flexed. “To me,” he added gruffly.
That was all he needed to say. “Okay,” I nodded. It was early yet, hopefully Mad would hang in a while longer.
We drove north for a few miles, my curiosity growing though I held back from asking any questions. He’d share when he was ready. He always allowed me that space and I’d give the same to him.
The answer was soon clear without my having to ask.
When we pulled into the Oakcrest Nursing Home and parked, he sighed. “She has good days and bad days,” he shared, looking straight ahead and rubbing a hand over his beard. “But I’m hoping today’s a good day. Regardless, I want her to meet Maddox – and you.”
I knew little about Axel’s family but I did know through passing conversations that his grandma and late grandfather had been pivotal for him and Ry growing up.
I was moved that he was so intent on introducing us.
I reached over, tentatively placing a hand on his forearm. “We’d like to meet her, too,” I assured him softly.
He threw me a rueful smile and cut the engine.
The smell hit me first – like old food and disinfectant. I fought the urge to wrinkle my nose against it and instead held Maddox closer. As I tried to keep up with Axel’s long strides down the hall, I noted that although outdated, the facility looked clean and well cared for.
“She’s in here,” he nodded, indicating an open door to the right.
Axel’s grandmother was sitting up in a bed that nearly swallowed her small frame. She looked over at us when we walked in, her face blank for a few moments before her expression warmed.
“My boy,” she smiled, holding her hands out. Axel stooped down, allowing her to cup his face. “I’ll never get used to this beard,” she tisked.
“Had it ten years, Gran,” he chuckled, stepping back and looking over at me.
“You’ve brought company,” she nodded, looking over at Mad and me curiously.
Axel brought his arm up putting it around my shoulders and bringing us closer. “I did, very important company,” he told her. “Gran, this is Sophie, my girl,” he explained and my heart fluttered. “Sophie, this is my gran, Sybil.”
I gave her a little wave.
“And this is our son – Maddox.”
For a moment, she didn’t react and I braced for a variety of reactions. I hoped she didn’t have a heart condition because that was quite a ball to drop. Before I could grow too concerned, a slow smile spread across her face.
“Bring that baby closer so my old eyes can see him,” she beckoned. Axel lifted him from my arms and brought him closer.
“Aren’t you beautiful,” she crooned to him, her hand moving over his chubby cheek. “I see your grandfather so clearly,” she stated, her voice full of wonder as she looked up at Axel. “Don’t you?”
He nodded once, his jaw flexing. I bit back tears at how moved he clearly was.
“And you, beautiful girl, let me see you.” She raised a hand toward me. I moved closer, offering a tentative smile. “Well, aren’t you a looker,” she grinned, cupping my cheeks the way she’d done Axel’s.
“Thank you,” I murmured. “It’s great to meet you, Sybil.”
“It’s wonderful to meet you; though, you’re giving an old lady quite the surprise!” she chortled.
Axel cleared his throat. “It’s a long story, Gran,” he responded.
That was one way of putting it.
She waved her hand. “I’m sure. All I care about is spending time with my great grandchild. Will you bring him on your visits?” she asked Axel.
I wondered how often he came here. He’d never mentioned it.
“Sure, Gran,” he agreed, sitting Maddox on the bed so he could play with the remote control.
“Maddox,” she whispered reverently, her eyes moving over Mad though I could tell her thoughts were elsewhere. “He would have loved to meet this baby,” she sighed.
“I know,” Axel agreed.
We stayed until Maddox made it known that he was done. It always amazed me how quickly his good mood could take a turn toward a full-blown meltdown.
“We’ll come back soon,” Axel assured her as we gathered our things.
“Good,” she clapped her hands together in glee as he leaned down to kiss her cheek. “You too, Sophie, or come back without these boys so I can get the full story,” she winked.
I blushed. “Okay.”
“Love you, boy,” she told Axel.
“Me, too,” he returned, hoisting Maddox up into his arms and leading us out of the room.
Maddox fell asleep in the truck on the drive back to Axel’s. I knew I shouldn’t bombard him with questions so I cut my thousand questions down to a few.
“Why is she in a home?” I asked, looking over at him as he watched the road ahead.
He sighed. “She started forgetting things, leaving the stove on, shit like that. It just wasn’t safe. Ry and I felt like shit putting her in a home but she actually seems to like it. She has friends, so when she’s having a good day, she plays cards with them. The nurses love her,” he smiled.
“I bet,” I was already in love with her myself. “So that was a good day I take it?”
“Yeah,” he nodded, sounding relieved. “Even on bad days she still knows who I am, but she doesn’t always remember the year or that my granddad’s gone. She gets confused and agitated. It’s not easy.”
“I’m sure it’s not,” I agreed as we began ascending the mountain.
“How often do you visit her?”
He shrugged. “Ry and I trade off weeks, but when I have time, I go every week.” His jaw ticked and I could tell the conversation was making him agitated. “When we get back, I’ll help you unload all this shit and then I gotta make some calls,” he added, indicating the subject was closed. For now.