My Year with Grandma

Harvest Party

Okay, okay. The church's harvest party wasn't a total waste of time. It was more like a carnival of stupid games, that were mostly Bible themed and loads of candy. Bethany had fun; no doubt she'll be sugar spun for days. She dressed up as a fairy princess to no one's surprise. Gram bought the twins ragdoll outfits and painted their face to look like old Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls. May's kids dressed up as Ladybug and Cat Noir which makes me understand where all those cat pajamas came from in the beginning of my stay. Mom and Jimmy Dad came as scarecrows, Gram wore a leather dress and moccasin boots. May wore a Viking outfit, which is fitting for her. Jams got called in to deliver a baby. Lucky him.

I dressed as a Minnie Mouse, much to my dismay and Bethany's delight. I never felt so stupid. Backus I looked more like Multi-Mouse since I had put my hair up in two buns for the ears. I don't know who that character is but I'm going to assume it's from the Ladybug show. Mom, Gram and Jimmy Dad took turns taking Bethany around to the games and rocking the twins with me. I did my best to keep to the side lines and just watch only because it's pretty loud and chaotic with all the kids running around. That and it's easier to see all the silly costumes the bigger kids and adults put together. Hot stuff, Darren came as Prince Eric and his wife and kids came as mermaids. Considering she is a really pretty redhead, it's a fitting costume design. Mack and his wife came as warrior angels, while their son was a Roman soldier. I saw someone dressed as ramen noodles, a bottle of ketchup, a Hershey's kiss and Santa Claus. One little kid came as a pop tart. That's a kid after my own heart.

There was this one particular individual that was making me nervous. He was wearing a stocking cap that looked a bit like a sheep face and fleece cape over regular clothes and he was watching me. I could feel his eyes on me everywhere he went. I recognized him from church. He had tried to talk to me a few times at the potlucks and although I was nice like Gram told me to be, I made it clear I wasn't interested in any kind of relationship with him. I don't need friends and I certainly have no need to date. I'm busy. Besides, he just gives me the willies. Creeps me out for some reason. Like all my arm hair stands up when he gets to close.

And just like a predictable horror story, said individual made his way to my side just after Gram took Bethany and Mom and Jimmy took the twins, leaving me alone on the sidelines. I felt him draw close before I saw him as a shiver rattle my spine loose. "Hey, beautiful." He whispered a little to close to my ear.

I pulled away and scooted down the bench. "Hey." Trying to keep it polite. "Let me guess. Wolf in sheep's clothing?"

He slid closer. "Yup. Wanna know what makes me howl?"

"Not really." I push him back as best I could. "Do you mind?" He took my hand in his and leaned down to kiss it. I pulled it away. "Um, no. That's not okay with me." He straightened up without the hint of offense on his face, just determination. "Look..."

"Tyler."

"Tyler. Look, Tyler. I don't want to be rude. But I have told you before..."

"That's just because your scared of getting hurt. If you give me a chance..." He reached out and caressed my cheek, "I promise I'd be gentle." He smirked seductively.

I felt the need to vomit. Not before punching his lights out though. I curled my free hand into a fist and was about to swing when I familiar voice drew our attention away. "Hey Babe! Sorry I'm late." I locked eyes with Josh, slack jawed at his comment but chose to go with it. He leaned in and kissed my cheek sending it on fire. "I had to stop for fuel. You okay?" He looked at Tyler and then me.

"Umm, yeah. Tyler was just keeping me company for a minute while I was waiting for you. You know, keeping me safe from sexual predators and all."