Grandma Mary Loves Me (rarely updated)

Chapter 12

It was just as early as eleven in the morning.

Gandma was in the kitchen preparing for lunch. She always cooks early before every meal.

The fragrance of her dishes filled the house.
I was busy in my room working on something on my laptop, but I finished it quickly, so I got down to the living room. Graphic designers are still busy even when on vacation due to unadjustable schedules of some clients.

She then called everyone in the house, who was just me and Aunt. She was placing plates in the table when we arrived in the kitchen.

"Lunch is ready!" Grandma shouted dearingly.

"What's the occasion? You seem jolly today?" Aunt curiously asked her.

Grandma responded raising her shoulders and smiling, "I'm always jolly. Does it need an occasion to be happy?"

"That's isn't necessary though. I'm just surprised to see you this happy."

While we're having lunch she asked:
"When will your husband arrive from abroad? He hasn't return for almost a year already."

"I haven't had any updates from him yet lately. But he said he would be here anytime this month, depending on what their agency will say." Aunt continues, "He is just too busy."

"I can't deny that your husband is such a good man. He does his work to provides for you and his son. But he should spend some time with you, after year of staying at Japan.
Being physically present is still different."

"We both understand our situation. But we are planning on taking Mark to college next year, as we promised him. I will not deny that I miss him, but we're doing this just for Mark's future."

"Why don't you try enrolling Mark on vocational courses? That would be less expensive." Grandma suggest. "And also you can learn and hone new skills."

"Maybe we can consider that. We just have to talk with Mark about it when Martin comes home."

"You should. That would be a great opportunity for Mark!" she states. "Haven't you three already talked about it?"

"We'll do. In the near future."

The whole day went peacefully. Everyone is on each of their own businesses and everyday errands.

I gone out to have a seat in the front yard when I was called by Grandma suddenly and asked my help on house chores.

"Coming!"

The moment I approached her, she was struggling lifting some boxes, "May you please help me carry these boxes out?"

"Sure, Ma.". I obeyed gladly.

Together we carried all the boxes one by one, I carry the heavier ones, containing mostly old books and heavy blanket and covers. "Are you already gonna throw these away?" I asked.

"I just check what in these boxes. Maybe some old clothes of mine and Dominador." she replied, panting lightly.

She started opening some of the boxes. The first box contains some old books and journals of Grandpa, along with photo albums. She opened another box containing Grandpa's clothes.

"Oh, these are your Grandpa's garments. He wore good clothes back in the days. Even his everyday clothes are here. He really likes to wear beautiful shirts.

As we dig through the boxes, a letter fell from a button-up polo. The paper seem so old and a bit crumbled. Grandpa wrote that note and it had a his sign on it. It was his last will and testament.

"To my dear, Maria, my heart's other half. I'm sorry I had left you so soon. Yes I know we're old but I felt like I hadn't ready you enough for my departure. I'm sorry for all . I haven't been the best husband for you, but your heart's as big and bright as the sun

"As I leave this world, I can't help but be in grief just in the thought of leaving you, and our family. I just wished that I could stay longer, so I can still enjoy your braces and wake up every morning with you. But what can we do if it's the Lord's will?

"But... before I leave, I just want to say and let you know that I love you. I will forever treasure you, my Maria. My love of my life. Hope your grandsons take care of you, as I did. I know Mark and Arnold will love you like I did. They're also our sons, though they're not from us directly. They complete our family. We are blessed to have them in our lives.

"I will also instruct for them to own my belongings. Give them my clothes, my shoes and hats, give my bike to Arnold. And I hope they could take of my farm and our house, but I won't force them if they don't want to.

"Maybe that would be all for now. Until we meet again....someday. May our cherished memories always stay with you. I love you. Farewell, my love."

Grandma's tears slowly flow down her cheeks as her fragile heart breaks from reading Grandpa's letter. Just from the sight of her shedding tears also broke me.

"Ma, I'm sorry." I said out of sympathy for her, hoping at least it could help ease her pain. "But don't worry. I'm sure he's in a better place now." In sympathy I held her while she's crying. I was also devastated by his departure. He completed my childhood as he was the jester of the family. He always makes people happy. He sheds light to any place he goes, making everyone smile. "And we're also here for you. I will never leave you."

She held on to me and embraced me weakly. I openly welcomed her in my arms as she calm herself, "Yes. I'm sure he is. It's just so painful to think that now, he's not with us anymore."

"I understand you. It's really painful for us all, even I hadn't moved on from it. But we need to move on and continue living, for him. I'm sure that is what he want. He doesn't want to see you, or anyone he loves, sad right?"

"Well, I guess you're right." she breathed in, calming herself down.

She took a deep breath and continued searching through the old boxes.

"Are you okay, Ma?" I asked out of concern as I see her breathing heavily.

"Huh?" she zoned out shortly, "Ah, yes. I'm fine, my love. There's nothing to be worried about." she quickly gained composure before continuing. "It's just the boxes are a bit dusty, and you know, my lungs isn't that healthy anymore like I was younger." she chuckled lightheartedly, hiding her sadness and longing.

"Just help me with these boxes." she continues, "I will look at the things that are still important or useful, so I can already declutter and throw the unimportant things away, or if you want, You can also check for things you might like to get, you can take it for yourself as well."

We continue cleaning up, still her eyes are swelling in tears, but somehow she manage to calm down. She saw some old clothes and she realizes it fit me. She gave me all the button ups and pantaloons she saw in the boxes. After we finally finished cleaning, Grandma rested on her rocking chair after we organized the boxes back in the attic. I carried the remaining boxes to the attic. "You can have rest already, Arnold. Thank you for helping me, my son." She said, smiling. "I don't want to strain you too much."

"It's okay, you're welcome. I'm always happy to help you." I replied, smiling as I took the stairs going up to my room. "You can always call me if you need anything,  Grandma."

I went to my room and placed the clothes in my table, then I lied in bed. As I rested in bed, I feel fulfilled helping her. It felt like I wasn't like a robot programmed into a routine. It was like I had an entirely new life. As I lay, my eyes slowly dropped until I finally fell asleep. I slept for almost an hour until Grandma called everyone for lunch.