Fixing broken hearts

Chapter 4

"Grandmother I am home." I spoke up when the uneasy feeling that I was feeling earlier started to go away. I put my bag down next to the door and removed my shoes. Placing them by the door so that I could put them on again when I went out.

I headed into the room where my grandmother usually is. I smiled softly when I entered. She turned to face me and a rather soft smile was also there on her face.

"You are rather late Tadase." It was the first thing she said when I entered the room, she is feeling a bit better. She is a bit more active and talks a bit more than she did before.

"I am sorry grandmother." I spoke as I sat down next to her. "I walked home with someone in my class and we ran into Ikuto. We talked for a bit and I must have forgotten the time."

The smile faded and the look on her face turned into a frown. Most likely because I mentioned having talked to Ikuto. While it was my mother that didn't like it, my grandmother knows more about what happened between us.

I don't think I have ever told her that we are on talking terms right now, never seen were it would fit into a conversation. When the time must have come I very likely had already gotten so used to it that it wasn't news to me anymore.

"It's fine grandmother, we get along well now. What mother said doesn't influence me anymore. All people have the ability to bring misfortune as much as they have the ability to bring fortune to people around them." A kind smile finds itself on her face.

"We should not focus on whenever they do or not and just try to get along the best of our ability." I finished speaking and looked at the old woman sitting in front of me.

"I am glad that you were able to figure that out yourself Tadase. You growing up to be a strong but kind young man. It makes me happy to see that." It was genuine, the words she spoke, she wasn't lying to me in any way. She meant what she said.

It made me feel more at ease, I was worried that the way I decided to go would make her sad. Hearing that she is proud of me means a lot to me. I don't see my parents that often, they live so far away.

So, for the past couple of years she kind of has been like a parent to me. Likely that is why her opinion means so much to me. She isn't just my grandmother, she is my 'caretaker'.

Even though I do most of the household, she still tries to keep up with what is happening at school or just in general. She is looking out for me, like I am doing for her.

"And I am glad to see you happy and sitting up." I looked at the vase behind her. "Oh the flowers...if I had known they were in this kind of state... I would have brought you new ones."

I hadn't visited her this morning, since I was in a hurry. So I didn't notice the state of the flowers. I really would have bought new ones if I had known they looked like this.

"I appreciate you bringing me these, it is a very kind gesture. It shows you really care about the people around you. But you should feel guilty because you were busy." She paused and ran her fingers over the petals.

"You should not feel guilty because of things you can't control, don't let others be the ones to control your life. Keep yourself in mind, it is most healthy thing to do."

I listened to her talk and nodded, I guess she is right about it. If I put others before I will one day start to suffer from the side effects of that. Though it is easier said than done.

I never have put myself before anyone to be honest. It is not a think that I am not familiar with. But for my own sake I guess I should start trying to do that.