Clash Into Clasp

CHAPTER 23 - Developed

Carl saw how she shook her head and he frowned. "Is there something wrong?" He studied her face intently.

"No," she waved her hand. "I just remembered something."

She became nervous with the way he looked at her just now.

What's really going on? She was intensely confused.

Minutes after, she stood still in front of the building, feeling her heartbeat intensify. She just went down from Carl's car and the nervousness inside her grew.

"Let's go," Carl called her and stepped ahead towards the door.

She looked at the door again and was stuck with uneasiness.

Carl noticed that she didn't move so he went back. "Come on," he encouraged and gently pulled her forearm.

Alexis blankly staggered behind him and stared on his hand on hers.

Warmth gush in her heart and she felt complicated. What's happening to her?

Before she knew it, she stood in front of an elderly woman, sitting on the couch.

"Grandma," Carl went over and hugged her.

She was in daze. The old woman looked like her Grandma Mabel!

"Is she her?" she heard the woman question Carl.

"Yes," Carl smiled tightly at her.

"Come, Alexis. Meet my grandmother," he beckoned at her.

Alexis blinked and looked again. It was then that she realized, her eyes had played trick on her.

She is not that similar to Grandma Mabel at all.

She moved towards them and smiled. "Nice to meet you, Grandma!" She then gave the woman a hug then a peck.

"I'm glad you came." Stella smiled sweetly at her. "Let's go at the kitchen. I believe you two are hungry now."

She reached for her walker and stood as Carl assisted her.

Soon, they settled in front of the table  served with delicious-looking traditional meals, giving Alexis a memory of Grandma Mabel. She used to cook two of the dishes served at the moment.

"Alright, Mina, sit down and let's say grace." Stella gestured at her nurse to join them.

Mina smiled shyly. "Thank you Madam but I'll just eat later. I have a laundry on hold." She bowed her head before she retreated at the washing area.

"Alright. It's only just us, then." Stella spread her arms out on the table.

Seeing Carl copied her position and held the old woman's hand, she also did the same. Stella smiled at her as she placed her hand on hers while Carl held her hand nonchalantly.

Stella offered the prayer and Alexis' can't hold her mind to flash a memory. Grandma Mabel also prayed grace that way.

"So, Alexis, tell me about yourself." Stella looked kindly at her after she prayed. "You're from Phoenix?"

Alexis focused her mind on the present and nodded. "Yes."

Stella asked further questions about her as they eat and her warm kindness eventually made Alexis comfortable, giving her the feeling of being treated as a grandchild again.

After their pleasant dinner and a round of board game, Carl offered to send her home.

"Your grandmother's great. Thanks for allowing me to get to know her," Alexis spoke after she fastened her seat belt along with him.