Lost In Time

At Risk

*Grandma's pov*

It was Saturday morning, June 20th. I went about my routine like it was any other day, getting up early to cook breakfast for my daughter and her family, experimenting like I like to do in the kitchen. We all sat down and ate like we have been doing for years. Eliana was quiet, reaching in and grabbing an apple to go. The others never saw her, nor did they hear her. I only noticed because I was looking for her. She has never eaten with us. At first her mother and I tried to get her to eat with us, but she simply left earlier in the morning to avoid us. Eventually we gave up, and she became like a ghost in our household. Arianna and Trevor didn't mind, Madalene seemed to be rather snide to her whenever no one was around and Victor, well, was always in his own little world.

Why would she never join us, if she didn't have something to hide? I wondered.

As everyone finished their breakfast (fruit stuffed French toast) and Arianna began to clear off the table, I rose and went about my usual day. I got showered and dressed, ready to do my gardening and dusting; I snipped the leaves and carefully dusted our esteemed ancestor's portraits in the halls, their reproving eyes looking down at me. Since I had long since retired, I did a lot of things older women did; garden, cook, and bingo. Sometimes Risk, if the senior citizens down at the senior center could handle the strain of adrenaline.

I kept a close eye on the phone; I was waiting for the other families to let me know about their heirs. Finishing inside the now sparkling brownstone home, I attached the headset to the modern wireless phone, grabbed my gardening gloves and shears, marching outside. I took great pride in my roses and shrubs lining the front, the many different colors bringing a pop to the reddish brown brick.

As the sun made its way across the high sky, the phone rang, over and over, confirming what I already suspected. Charlotte. Jackson. Alarik. Vivian. Isabella. All were confirmed to be heirs. I heaved a heavy sigh, taking a moment to wipe the specks of dirt off of my flowered garden apron. Next, I called the Dede and Montenet households, inviting both Evangeline and Susan over.

I dusted my knees off, grabbed my gardening items, and headed inside to freshen up. Arianna and her husband had left over an hour ago, and it was now 1 o'clock. Trevor had some sort of important business luncheon and needed to bring his "trophy wife." I scowled at the thought as I applied powder to my petite nose. I had never thought Trevor was good enough for my little girl, but she never listened to me, otherwise she would have stayed with that Bishop boy from so long ago.

The doorbell rang, interrupting my thoughts. I heard the thuds of my grandson, Victor, running flat out to get it. Madalene yelled at him as he ran past her door; no doubt watching some sort of teen TV show that was very dramatic. I would never understand the appeal. I heard the mumbling of voices, and a scoff. Oh dear. I hurried down the rickety old stairs, in good need of some repairs, just in time to see Eva and Susan snapping at each other, with Victor uncomfortably between them, stuck. Help! He mouthed at me, sparkling grey eyes wide with apprehension and panic.

Smoothing my sundress, I cleared my throat and marched down the rest of the stairs, my white sandals making slapping noises as I walked towards them. "Ladies, enough. Honestly, it's a wonder the world hasn't blown up yet with you two occupying it. Can you not resolve your differences? I called you both here for help, not for a potential visit from the mortal police." Gently scolding them and grasping Victor in my hands and tugging him away at the same time, I gave both of the smoldering women disappointed looks. Evangeline looked sheepishly embarrassed, while Susan just scoffed and glanced away. Victor tapped on my shawl-covered arm.

"Grandma, I'm hungry. Can we make lunch now?" I smiled adoringly at him; he was my youngest grandchild, and only grandson after all.

"Yes, Victor, we can. Run on up and go play, and we'll call you and your sister down when it's ready, ok?" He nodded and scampered up the stairs. Susan raised an eyebrow at the "we" but humored my unspoken request as the two of them followed me to the kitchen.