My Year with Grandma

And My Year Here Comes to an End...

"Hey Mags?! Can you come up here for a minute?" Jimmy's voice came from the top of the basement stairs. I looked at Brittany who nodded letting me know she'd be okay by herself with the little ones for now. I kissed little Bethany's head, telling her I'd return shortly. I bounded up the stairs and followed him into the living room.

Gram sat in the large, overstuffed chair near the couch. May stood behind the couch where her husband Jams was sitting Jimmy moved across the room to join his wife on the couch. "What's all this?" I asked nervously. "Am I in trouble?"

"Not at all, Magpie." Gram smiled. "Come. Sit by me." She patted the smaller padded chair next to her. I sat still unsure of the purpose of this meeting. "As you know," she began. "Your sentence here ends today. You are officially released to the care of your parents. I am no longer your warden and these fine folks are no longer your guards."

I couldn't help but smile. Then my worries surfaced. "So, what now? Do I have to move out of this house? Do I go back to public school? What?"

"Worry ages you." Quipped Gramma

"You don't have to move in with us, Melissa. If you want to stay in this house, you can." Offered Mom.

"You are being given options, likes and wants now, Sweetness." Beamed May.

Clearly, I wasn't digesting the news in a way that satisfied the matriarch of the family. Gram reach to her side opposite me and retrieve the jars of jewelry she had taken from me when I arrived and set them on the side table between us. "You are no longer my ward, child. You are now and forever just my granddaughter. You have the freedom to choose what you will wear, what color or how long you want your hair, and where you wish to finish high school. We have decided to allow you to choose whether you remain here in this house with me or move with your parents. Although, you must understand that as a minor, you are still subject to the house rules. You have simply earned a level of freedom of choice today. Choose wisely."

I picked the jar up of my piercings, studying the contents intently. I could really put all these back on? No catch? "Wait. Are you saying I can my jewelry again? Even if I live with you here?" The question was posed to my grandmother. I knew my mother wouldn't mind. "I thought you hated these."

"I do. But then I never had any desire to dive face first into a tackle box like your generation seems to enjoy."

"A tackle box? Really." I laughed at her analogy. "I remember you calling it shards of shrapnel."

"Kettle. Pot. Same thing. But to answer your question. Yes, you can wear it all. I won't like it, but I don't have to because I love you and that's enough for me to tolerate it."

"So, think about what you want, Magpie. Really think about it. Don't choose to quickly. And don't let guilt or obligation sway your decision." Jimmy added. "We all love you and will support your choices." He was talking about my living arrangements. I know Mom wanted me back with her and a big part of me wanted that too. But then, there was Bethany. If I moved out, I couldn't take her with me and that made my heart ache.

Josh, Mackerel, Alexis and Backus had come in while we were discussing the terms of my release. "We just came in for lunch," Backus said sheepishly. "Should we go?"

"Go ahead, Backus. You're fine." Gram said.

I was about to say something when the doorbell rang. Gram pulled the curtains back to see the visitor's car. "Shit! Already?" She muttered getting up. I peeked through the curtains to see what had aggravated her. A police cruiser and a black SUV had pulled up. "Sarah, make sure kids stay downstairs, will ya? Jimmy? Take the boys out to fix a fence or something."