Let's Forget Everything (Michael Clifford)

Chapter 11

"Hi I'm here to see Stacy Clifford." I leaned on the front desk, having to stand on my tip toes to reach the top.

"Sign in and take out your i.d please," said the lady sitting behind the desk. When we walked in Michael said she wasn't the same girl he always saw, which would work in our favor.

"How are you related to Ms. Clifford?" asked the secretary.

"I'm her granddaughter, and this is my friend..Mark," good thing there was a different secretary working the night shift, otherwise the lady would have recognized Michael. We didn't think this plan through before we got here.

I still wasn't even completely sure why Michael's parents didn't want him visiting his own grandmother.

"Okay so in case you don't know the drill, I'm gonna take you back and Mark will stay here. Then when we get to Stacy's room, we'll go in and make sure she's doing okay and wants to see you. If she's up for visitors then i'll send Mark back. Are you aware of your grandmother's condition?" she asked, handing me and Michael visitor stickers.

"Yes, I know there's a good chance she might not know who I am." Because she doesn't.

"She has her ups and downs, hopefully tonight will be an up," the secretary smiled, leading me back down the hall.

"Bye Mark," I turned around, smiling at Michael who in turn smirked and rolled his eyes.

I didn't expect to be this nervous to meet her, but I was.

"Hi Stacy, you have a visitor. It's your granddaughter Jessie. Are you up for a visitor today?" The secretary asked calmly.

As I walked in, I was surprised. I was expecting to see a frail, sick, old woman lying in bed. Instead, she was sat up at a small desk playing cards with herself. She didn't look frail, or sick. She was lean and looked strong. Her hair was a light brown and her roots were gray, showing that she dyed her hair. She wore red nail polish, earrings, a necklace, and a lot of rings on her fingers. She looked....Healthy. I would have never known she has alzheimer's.

"Jessie?" She questioned, like she was trying to remember if she was supposed to know me. For a second I was scared she was going to figure out that she didn't know me, and then Michael wouldn't be able to see her.

I was thinking of what I should say, when she spoke up again, "Jessie.....Oh Jessie, you're Michaels girl!"

I smiled so hard I swear my face was sore afterwards.

"I'll leave you two alone for a couple minutes before I get Mark," the secretary smiled before shutting the door and leaving us alone.

"Should I know who Mark is?" She smiled, raising an eyebrow.

I pulled up a chair and sat down next to her, explaining everything about Michael's parents not wanting him to come, and our little plan about me playing her granddaughter. It felt a lot more exciting than it sounded.

I wanted to talk fast so I could ask her how she knew I was "Michael's girl" but I couldn't get it out in time before Michael walked through the door.

Stacy and Michael talked for a while, I didn't want to interrupt because he was telling her about his parents. Soon I got back into the conversation and we all talked about school and Michael's graduation. She didn't remember he was graduating, but at least she remembered him this time.

When it was 11:30, my mom called saying I had to be home before 12:00. I was sad to leave Stacy, and I could see Michael looked even more upset.

She hugged Michael goodbye and as he walked to the door, she pulled me in for a hug. Right when I was about to pull away, she whispered in my ear, "I like you, and so does he. I know you'll keep him safe."