Just So I Could Call You Mine

Chapter 1

                                Jess

The leaves were slowly falling from the trees as I walked down the avenue. My white sneakers were getting wet in the small puddles on the side walk, and the big whitewashed building ahead of me was like a beautiful oil painting.

As I approached the building I readjusted my heavy tote bag, the straps digging into my shoulder. I brought some spare art supplies to make fall decorations with the residents that live here. I pray it will not turn into another one of my Pinterest versus reality fails.

My parents were so proud that I love to spend time with my grandpa, and that I better be this nice when they have to live in a old folks home! But lately I have sensed a shift in their attitude. I compare my parents to Taylor or Aubree's parents and yearn for the transparency they have with them.

My parents never listen to my view on things, or consider my feelings, so why stay at home and do homework, when I can do fun activities (and homework) with Grandpa!

Grandpa Rob is the only one left who I can vent to, who will actually listen. That, and he also believes in me. Grandpa Rob and I are inseparable, and I can't let that go to waste. He's too important to me.

Grandpa Rob has dementia and forgets a lot of things, especially lately, but he will never forget me. I need him. He's my rock. I have friends, don't get me wrong but I feel different from them somehow. Disconnected.

Taylor and Aubree are great friends, but I feel like the odd one out in the trio. They seem much closer with each other than with me. But that's what happens with trios right? Someone has to be left out by default, but I'm still their best friend, well they are to me.

I don't think they mean to put out the vibes "let's exclude Jess" I think maybe they just click better. We are probably just going through a bump in our friendship.

I walk through the double doors at the entrance, and wipe my wet sneakers on the red, musty carpet. The warmth of the retirement home immediately hits me and I'm grateful to be out from the cold.

Summer has left slowly, and Fall is definitely in full swing. Time to be in my Rory Gilmore era.

"Hi Mary-Anne, I'm here to see Grandpa Rob."

"Hi sweetheart, just sign your name in the book as usual," Mary-Anne says, smiling brightly. I sign my name in the book, and state who I am seeing, and what time it is -the protocol.

Mary-Ann is the sweetest lady. She was the one to show me around, and comfort me the first time I came to see Grandpa here.

I turn and walk down the corridor to the main living area, where grandpa spends his evenings. It's a quaint open room with comfy yellow armchairs that I helped pick out when they were doing renovations.

I walk over to his usual chair between Tom and Anne but he's not there, and I stand awkwardly and confused, not sure where to go for a few seconds.

Lisa spots me from the corner of the room where she was trying to find Mr Reynolds' glasses, and walks over to me. Mr Reynolds huffs at her, declaring his glasses won't find themselves! I giggle a little at his remark.

"Hi Jess, your grandfather isn't feeling so good today so he is in his room resting." "I can get him up if you would like?" Lisa says kindly.

"Oh no, Lisa that's fine I'll just sit with him for a while," I turn to head outside of the living room, when I remember the supplies I brought with me.

"Wait Lisa, here is some supplies for the fall decorations I had at home," I take out all the decorations and paint and give them into Lisa's arms. I found sequins and fake leaves from my artsy faze that could definitely be more enjoyed here.