A Second Dance with Fate

Chapter 4

Chapter 4:

    Ring! Ring!

    I sit up in my bed and immediately regret that decision as the world begins to spin. I had too much to drink last night and not enough water. I look over at my bedside table and see GRANDPA on the caller ID of my cell phone.

    I slide the bar to answer, "Hello?" I answer groggily, rubbing my eyes.

    "Hi Alexa, how's my honey doing? You sound like you're just waking up," my grandpa's voice responds cheerily on the other line. I inwardly groan, that is too cheery for—I glance at my phone—twelve o'clock in the afternoon! I flop back on my bed, I've basically wasted half the day!

    "Alexa, are you okay?"

    I rub my hands down my face, "Yeah, I just didn't realize how late it was," I reply. "How are you?"

    "Oh, I'm good! I wanted to double check that you were still planning on coming over next weekend?"

    I chuckle. Every month, like clockwork, my grandpa calls the second Saturday to confirm that I'll be at his house the following weekend. It's not like this is a new routine of ours, we have been doing this since I graduated college last spring and I moved in with John and Brittany. I figured John and Brittany would appreciate a weekend where they could have the house completely to themselves and since my grandpa is getting older I thought it would be good quality time spent with him. It's a win win for everyone.

    "Yes grandpa, I will be there next Friday for dinner," I reply.

    "Good! And you'll be here until Sunday?"

    I smile. Gosh, I love this old goof ball. "Yes, I'll leave after church next Sunday."

    "Good. Maybe on Friday for dinner you can bring McDonald's?"

    "Yes, I can do that. I'll make the taco casserole for dinner Saturday, that way you'll have leftovers for after church Sunday."   

     "Okay, yeah, that sounds like a good plan." There's a quick pause before he continues. "Okay, well, I'll let you go. I look forward to seeing you next weekend."

    I smile. "Me too, it'll be fun. I love you."

    "I love you too. Okay, bye now." And without another word the line goes dead. I roll my eyes, so typical of my grandpa. He likes phone conversations to be short, sweet and to the point. My dad thinks it's because he's not much of a talker, I think it's because he has a hard time hearing and doesn't want to deal with turning up his hearing aids.

    I settle back in bed and look to see who has texted me since last night.

    The first text I notice is from an unknown number and my heart immediately begins to race.

    Landon: Hi Alexa, it's Landon. I enjoyed dancing and talking with you last night. I look forward to seeing you again—hopefully with less accidents ;)   

    That wasn't a dream. That really truly did happen last night. I gave my number to some random guy at a dance. Careful, calculated me gave a guy she barely knew her number.

    Alexa: Me too. Maybe we shouldn't do something that involves drinks, haha.

    I decide it's best to move myself downstairs while I still have the motivation to get out of bed. So, I quickly pull a hoodie on and throw my hair up in a messy bun, and open my bedroom door and head down the stairs. As I walk down the narrow staircase I can hear the sound of the TV speakers going and someone moving around in the kitchen. When I reach the landing I see Brittany laying comfortably down on the couch with multiple blankets covering her. I take note of her appearance as well. Her hair is up in a messy bun, it looks as though she's still wearing the makeup from last night based on the mascara goop around the corners of her eyes, and she is still wearing pajamas.