Consider Yourself Lucky

Sixteen

Maybe it's a coincidence. He said they don't have contact with each other. Then again what are the chances his "landlord" is also named Cece. I can't find anything else about her. It doesn't say if she's in a relationship or not. I don't want to ask him and look like the crazy girlfriend. Especially since we literally just started officially dating a couple hours ago. Accusing him of lying is the last thing I want to do. I'm not going to say anything yet and just see what happens. If anything happens like before when his phone kept ringing, then I'll bring it up. But until that time comes, I'm just going to keep this to myself and act like I didn't go snooping on his old social account. I delete the search history of his name on my phone and decide to call it a night.

I wake up to Flake kneading on my chest. Making biscuits as I call it. Her purring is loud and if she wasn't so adorable, I would say obnoxious. I grab my phone to check the time. Eight thirty.

"You couldn't let me sleep in for just one more hour, could you?" I pet her for a couple minutes before dragging myself out of bed. My plan for the day was to go visit Grandma to see if there was any new information and if she could possibly come home soon. It gets lonely without her here. It's weird not waking up to the smell of bacon cooking or coffee brewing. Don't get me wrong I don't want her home just so I can have meals made for me. I miss her presence and seeing her get all happy when I come downstairs as if she didn't just see me the night before. I sort through what little clean laundry I have left and settle for jeans and one of my new shirts from when I went shopping with Grandma. I comb my hair through and just leave it for my natural waves to flow. Before leaving the house, I make sure Flake has food and I toast a bagel to eat on the way there. There isn't any more cream cheese, so I try to find something else to put on it. Ah, peanut butter. I head out the door, making sure everything is locked. As I pull out of the driveway, I decide what better way to greet Grandma at the hospital than with a bouquet of get-well flowers. I know the perfect place to get them from too.

On the ride over to Collin's store I try to forget about my findings on his old social media account. It's something I should keep to myself. At least for now. When I pull up to the store, the only vehicle there is Collin's. The little bell on top of the door dings to let him know a customer has just walked in. He comes to the front counter but doesn't notice it's me at first. He's paying attention to a clipboard.

"I'd like a bouquet of your prettiest roses, please." He immediately recognizes my voice. He walks around the counter and gives me a big hug and a kiss.

"The prettiest roses? Hmm, might cost you a bit."

"You can put it on my tab." I wink and he kisses me once more. "No really. I want to bring Grandma a get-well soon bouquet, but I only want the prettiest roses possible."

"Give me ten minutes and I will put one together that will not disappoint." He returns to the back of the store, and I browse the rest of the arrangements as I wait for him to be done. I get closer to the front windows and notice a man across the street, staring at the shop. I look closer and I realize it's the same creepy man I saw peeking into the windows of the store the same day Grandma was taken to the hospital. He must see the store is open, so I don't understand why he just stands there all weird instead of coming inside to look. Just as he said, Collin comes back out ten minutes later with a gorgeous array of roses, and he was right. He did not disappoint. He even stuck a little balloon in the middle that says, "Get Well Soon".

"Do you like it?"

"No." He looks a little shocked at my response. "I love it." He exhales slowly as if he was waiting for me to say exactly that.

"Could you tell Grandma that I'm thinking of her and hoping she feels better soon? I would come with you but-"

"Collin, you don't have to drop everything to be there for me. I can manage. You have a business to run, and I won't let you get distracted by worrying about me."

"Well you see Addy, a boyfriend IS supposed to drop everything to be there for his girlfriend. And if I'm not mistaken, we took on those titles as of yesterday." He hands me a singular red rose from a vase behind the counter. "Happy one day anniversary." I take the rose from him and laugh.

"You're so corny. It's cute." I grab the bouquet from the counter and give him a kiss goodbye. "I will tell Grandma you're thinking of her, and I will keep you updated on things."

"You better." He walks me out of the store and opens my car door for me. He gives me one last kiss before I get in my car and pull off. As I'm driving away, I can't help but notice the weird guy from across the street and Collin just staring at each other. It was as if they were business competitors saying "bring it on" with a stare down.

The receptionist at the hospital already remembers my name. She gives me the okay to head up to Grandma's room. When I get up there, there's a nurse in her room.

"Oh, just in time!" I set the flowers on the little side table next to Grandma's bed and kiss her cheek.

"Just in time for what?" Grandma looks at me with a slight grin. She still looks exhausted.

"I have decided I wanted to try to get rid of my tumor with chemo radiation. I just don't feel like having someone open up my skull for something that could possibly be taken care of in an alternative way. If that doesn't work, then I will agree to surgery." I haven't even been here a whole two minutes and that's the first thing she says to me. I mean I'm glad she was able to make a decision but a "hi honey" would have been a better conversation starter.

"That's wonderful Grandma. I may have some good news too." She looks at me and raises her eyebrows to tell me to spit it out. "Collin asked me to be his girlfriend." She claps and screeches as if she's a little girl whose parents agreed to buy her an ice cream cone.

"And? What did you say?"

"I said yes."

"Ahhhh! I'm so happy for you Adelaide. You really deserve to be happy. Tell me all about it." The nurse leaves the room and I tell her everything. Well, almost everything. I skipped over the details about losing my virginity and about freaking out to Collin because I thought someone was watching me through the back door window. I don't want to make her feel nervous about coming back home. She has enough on her plate and with her starting her treatments soon, I want her to be as relaxed as possible. The doctor came in and explained that Grandma was able to go home and that he would grab her discharge papers. She has to come back to the hospital to the treatment wing in three days to start her first round of radiation. Until then, he suggested she stay home and not overwork herself. A nurse helped bring Grandma to my car. They wheeled her down in a wheelchair while I went to get my car to pull it up to the front entrance.

"Please call us if any new symptoms arise or if you have any questions."

"Will do." The nurse closed the car door for Grandma, and we watched as she walked back into the hospital.

"Alright Adelaide. Let's blow this pop stand."

"Grandma, nobody says that. It's not cool."

"Oh honey, let your old grandmother have a little fun won't you." We finally get home and Grandma is eager to get in the house for whatever reason.

"Let me help you. Don't go too fast."

"I am capable of walking into my own house thank you. I will let you know if I need any help." She walks up the front steps with no problem. We get inside and she instantly greets Flake with the biggest smile.

"Oh, my sweet baby, I've missed you so much." She's technically my baby but whatever you say Grandma. I'm just happy she's finally home. I set up the couch for her since she doesn't want to walk upstairs yet because of her knee. After she settles in and gets comfortable, my phone dings with a text message. Collin.

"How's Grandma?"

"She got discharged and we just got home. Call later?"

"I'm going to stay a bit later at the store today to catch up on some paperwork. I can let you know when I'm done."

"Sure. Sounds good." I go and take a seat next to Grandma on the couch. We flip through channels until she finds what she wants to watch. Of course, a cooking show. I don't mind. As long as Grandma is happy, I'm happy.