Return to Neverland

Chapter 5

Dad left before anyone else was awake to go to work. He promised me that he'd be back at four to help me out. I was grateful for the offer, although I felt guilty that he was waking up earlier for me just because I couldn't handle babysitting three people. I knew that to prove to my parents that I could try to make this work, I would have to try to have a conversation with Grandma.

Mom had her phone glued to her ear, and she was talking frantically. We watched as she paused, bobbing her head, then continued to talk. She was so focused that she forgot to kiss our heads before she left.

My grandmother was gone before the door even closed. I looked at the bowl of oatmeal patiently, finishing mine before placing both of ours into the sink.

I made sure that Jamie and Charlie were appropriately dressed and had their teeth and hair brushed before they ran wild. I could hear them jumping and screaming as they tried to get out of the door and into the backyard first. The door slammed behind them, the noise bouncing off the walls and disappearing.

I sighed and waited out of my grandma's door. I spent a hundred years just standing there, staring at the knob. I couldn't decide on whether to knock or to just barge in. After awhile my hand shot to the knob and turned it without warning.

Grandma was sitting on the edge of the mattress, her back hunched over.

I cleared my throat, "Um, Grandma?" she turned at my voice. "Would you like to come out of your room?" She shook her head. I walked slowly, ducking my head to dodge the bottles. I sat next to her on the mattress, and she scooted over to give me space.

In her fingers was a small photo. It was a young couple, a man resting his head on a woman's and the lady's arm wrapped around his waist. Their smiles were from ear to ear as they stared at the camera. Their faces looked familiar. Grandma smiled, touching the man's figure.

The two people came to my mind. It was Grandma and Grandpa when they were younger.

"You remind me of him," Grandma sent me a smile. "You have his hair and his personality."

I stared at her, dumbfounded. "I do?"

She nodded, "He had younger siblings, too. He was the oldest and was so mature. Just like you."

I felt my cheeks turn hot. I was reminded of someone that she admired and loved. But was that the only reason she loved me, because I reminded her of her husband?

She placed her arm around my shoulders, squeezing me closer to her. She smelled like cinnamon and pine, and I hugged her back, embracing the delightful smell. I relaxed, finally understanding what Dad had told me. I found my grandma once again.

On the image, I was able to see words shakily written. On it were the words: To my dearest Wendy. May our love remain until our deaths.

Wendy? I assumed that Wendy was the younger Grandma. I had never known her name. Mom and Dad never called her Wendy, so I hadn't ever thought about it.

As I looked around at the jars full of wings and other random things, a thought came to my mind. What if the death of Grandpa made her suddenly think...I shook my head. I hoped it wasn't true. But what if it was?

That night Grandma read Charlie and Jamie a fairy tale from my book. I didn't mind, either. I hung around to listen to the read aloud. She seemed happy. After the story, she hugged and kissed us good night. Grandma flashed me a small smile before closing the door.