The Academy

Sixty

Tink:

"Grandma? It's me, Tinkerbell," I say, coming into the house. We left all three of our kids home with Dad and they are just watching movies right now. I've been getting hour by hour updates. "Well hello Tinkerbell, wait a second, that's me," she laughs. "Don't be silly grandma, that's both of us, remember?" I ask, squatting down and putting my hands on hers. "I don't remember much these days no, but oh my do I remember you. Peter Pan! The one and only great Peter!" She says, looking up at him. "Grandma this isn't funny," I say, running a hand through my hair. "I know that. I really don't think I know you dear. Your eyes look like my daughter's though. Have you seen her anywhere?" She asks.

"No, I'm sorry. Peter may I speak to you for a minute?" I ask, dragging him into my room. "Peter what's happening to her?" I ask, tearing up. "She's dying. Her memories are fading and her heart is slowing. The best we can do is talk her through it. She's got about two hours left," Peter explains, holding my hands. I shake my head, not daring to believe a word he's saying. "Come on," Peter says, pulling me back out into the kitchen table. We sit down across from Grandma and she looks at us. "Would you like to hear about my adventures in Neverland?" She asks me, looking directly into my eyes. I nod, needing her to know how I am.

"One time Peter had gone to show my daughter to the mermaids and sent me away, which wasn't very nice but life goes on, so instead of leaving Neverland I followed my son's. Michael and John. They wanted to go play with the red skins, they sung the silliest song the whole way there with all the lost boys," she says, laughing to herself. "When I first met Peter, he had no idea what Neverland was. I was the one who showed him. He came to my husband and I's small house and it was cold out so we gave him a steaming mug and a seat by the fire. Somehow I knew that he was destined for more that wondering aimlessly," She says, looking at Peter like old women do. He gives her a smile as if encouraging her to go on. 

"Where is George these days? I haven't seen him in ages," Grandma says, looking around. "George died right after we went away," Peter says, holding my hand tight. "George didn't know how to have fun," she laughs. "You know, I have a gift. I can read people exceptionally," she tells Jace. Of course I knew this. She always called me her open book. "I used to have a boyfriend just like you. Blonde and pretty with those blue eyes. Unfortunately he was a little grabbing for my taste, something Wayland. He was obsessed with monsters and such. It was awful. But he had a good heart, then he married another girl and had a son and lived his life," she says, going on as if reciting 'I will not tell lie'.

She closes her eyes and blinks for a minute. "Guess it's time for me to go now lovelies. I see George and John and Michael waiting by the door must be my turn to follow them into the light," she laughs. I reach out and hold her hand before there isn't a breath coming anymore. "Bye grandma. Thanks for everything," I mutter, kissing her head. I go into her room and shut the door softly. I curl up in her bed just like a girl in a nightmare and inhale the smell of my loving and caring grandmother. "If it's all the same to you, the faeries would like to pay their respects," a shimmering girl asks. "Go away," I groan.