Secret Ties and Prying Eyes

Chapter 1: It's For You!

It was a crisp autumn afternoon when I pulled up into the long driveway of my grandmother Katrina's house. It was just like I remembered it. Rural area, spacious fields, and a quaint cottage style home. I was glad that I chose to stay with my grandmother after I had graduated from college. I wanted to show her my new associates degree and catch up on lost time.

As I walked up the driveway with my suitcase and backpack in hand, I could already see her exit the front door and run towards me.

"Evie Beevie!" She called out to me.

"Hey, Grandma!" I waved before she caught up to me and hugged me so tightly, my breath hitched, "Ulp!....Grandma....tight!"

"Oh, pardon!" Grandma giggled, "I'm just so excited that you decided to stay with me for a little while!"

"Yea! I thought we could catch up on lost time." I explained "It's been a while since I visited last."

"Do you have the degree?"

"I do!"

"Well, then let's not waste any time! Come, come!" With those words, Grandma patted my back to guide me towards the house and led me inside.

It hasn't changed since the last time I was here. It still had the same 70s decor, mainly because Grandma once said she felt very connected to that era in her life. I didn't mind, because I knew how the feeling felt. Mainly for me it was the early 2000s.

Inside, Grandma guided me to the couch and drummed her lap, "So, come on, hon! Show me that degree!"

I smiled and pulled out the degree from my backpack to show her. Grandma's eyes widened as her smile did the same, "Graphic Design and Illustration...my granddaughter...with an associates degree in Graphic Design and Illustration! Oh, Evie, I'm SO proud of you!"

"Thanks, Grandma." I smiled, "It was...rough...the classrooms weren't the easiest to sit through. However, my professors were very nice to me, and half of my studying was done online."

Grandma nodded in understanding, "Well, I am still so proud of you for pushing through, darling, regardless of your anxiety. Your determination knows no bounds," Grandma shot me a warm smile, "So, what do you plan on doing with that nifty degree of yours?"

"Honestly, I don't know yet." I shrugged, "Maybe some illustration? Logo design? Vector design? It's all a lot to take in right now."

"Well, let's not worry about that right now," Grandma suggested, "And celebrate! How about I get us some ice cream from the freezer and put in a VHS of Welcome Home?"

Once Grandma mentioned Welcome Home, I nodded eagerly and helped get the VHS tapes as Grandma got the ice cream.

Welcome Home was my favorite TV show when I was younger and STILL is! It's been a comfort show of mine for a long time, getting me through good and bad times in my life. The show's star, Wally Darling, was my absolute favorite. He was someone I could relate to and admire. I loved him so much that Grandma got me a plush of him when I was just four years old. His plush was my comfort item, and his presence got me through the worst moment in my life....I don't want to talk about it. 

Grandma herself had a strong connection to Welcome Home herself, mainly because she used to work on the show. She worked on the animated segments of the show and would point out her work when she and I would watch the show together. Her role on the show also allowed her to get perks to the merchandise and give me some of them for past birthdays. 

Once Grandma got the ice cream and I got the VHS player going, we sat and watched an episode of Welcome Home, drinking in the nostalgia we both had, since I would come over to watch the show with her when I was a little kid. I admired the screen as the characters interacted and had fun with each other. The animated segments were my favorite parts when I was younger, and I still loved them.