Wanna Play A Game? {Completed}

What I Didn't Know

Brie's POV

There was nothing abnormal about Colby’s grandmother, Stella’s, house. Well, besides the fact that it was cluttered with porcelain dogs, of all breeds. “She collects them,” Colby told me as my eyes danced around the crowded room of animal figures. 

My green eyes flicked over to him, “Oh really, I couldn’t tell,” I sarcastically replied.

He poked me in my side and I giggled before following Stella into the kitchen. I was not surprised at the fact that she had doggy wallpaper wrapping around the small kitchen wall and cabinets. Even on the black marble counters I saw different things, like a doggy cookie bowl, doggy stove mitten, and so much more. 

“My husband was allergic to dogs; we could never have any, so in return he allowed me to go crazy doggy stuff. 

I gave a nod as I started to think that Stella was slightly off her rocker, I am sorry, but to me, anyone that has this many dog stuff is a tad bit crazy. 

“What are you two hungry for? I have leftover spaghetti, seems Dan, my husband, didn’t want to eat last night ... Oh, I have some turkey, I can make sandwiches,” her soft brown eyes looked at us for an answer.

Both Colby and I shrugged our shoulders, as if anything sounded good. 

Stella sighed and pulled out a container of sauce and some noodles, “Spaghetti it is.” Her lean figure went over to the stove and she moved an empty pot over to the eye of the stove as she turned it on. 

“How’s it been, Grams?” Colby asked as he took a seat at the breakfast bar. I did the same and awaited her answer. 

“Oh same ole, same ole. Dan seems to never want to leave his room. I, on the other hand, have been a busy bee with my garden and taking care of Dan. If he was feeling better I am sure he would come down and say hello. But, as you know he's sick…”

Colby’s face flashed an unknown expression, but as soon as it came it disappeared. Silently, Colby gave his grandmother a nod.

It wasn’t long before Colby and I were eating the delicious spaghetti. Stella didn’t eat, but she still sat at the table with us. 

“So how is school going?” Stella randomly questioned both of us.

However, Colby was the first one to answer. “Its goin great,” he stated with a mouth full. 

I elbowed him in the ribs, while giving him a sour look. 

Colby gave me an innocent expression. “What?” He asked with food still in his mouth. 

“You need to learn to swallow before talking.”

Colby beamed at me, “Thats what he said.”

I mentally face palmed myself at his words. At that moment I had to admit, Colby was quite a hoot right now. 

“What are you two mumbling about?” Stella asked with a curious smirk. 

I shook my head and looked at her, “Nothing important.”

Stella started staring intently at us, at one point her stare was so piercing that I had to wiggle a little in my chair break the heavy look she was giving me. 

“Nothing seems like something…,” Stella replied and suddenly looked away from us. Her chocolate eyes landed on something. 

Looking over I saw she was staring at a photo that was sitting on the breakfast bar. 

Standing up, Stella went over and retrieved the photograph. Her fragile hands clasped the frame, as if she was afraid of dropping it. I could see she was trying not to cry as she resumed her spot in her chair. With eyes fixated on the picture, Stella spoke, “We were good friends you know? Your grandmother and I would talk for hours on end. She was the one that encouraged me to speak to my husband Dan, Colby’s grandfather. Oh, I was so nervous, but Mary told me to do it. I did, best choice I have ever made...” Glancing away from the picture Stella looked at Colby, before settling her eyes on me. “Mary always talked about you and Colby being together romantically when you two grow up.” Stella chuckled like she was remembering something funny. “I refused to believe it, but if she saw this ... she’d surely be saying ‘I told you so’.” 

With that, all of us gave a dry chuckle and allowed silence to fill the room. 

Stella remained still for no longer than a minute before giving off a loud sigh, like she had just gotten something off her chest. “I think you two should be headed home, Dan is going to need me soon.”

I eyed Colby to see if he was ready, but he appeared to be watching his grandmother with sorrow filled eyes. 

Standing up, I grabbed our plates and took them to the kitchen, leaving Stella alone with her grandson. 

Once in the kitchen I placed the plates in the sink and began to wash them, as if I didn’t notice the empty, open, dishwasher beside me. 

When I was done washing and drying the dishes Colby came in the room with a smile that didn’t full reach his eyes. “Ready to go?” He asked me. 

I gave a nodded and followed Colby out of the house. 

“Oh! Wait! Let me give you two a goodbye hug!” Stella called out to us as we got to Colby’s car. 

Stella gave each of us a hug and told us to be good. Colby made no promises but I told her I would, which earned me another bone crushing hug. 

We said our finally goodbyes and got in Colby’s car. Both of us watched as his grandmother retreated inside her home. Before Colby turned on the engine and left, I face him.

“Colby?”

“Hmmm?”

“Why did your dad give my parents custody of you and your siblings? When he could have given it to your grandmother?” I asked him. 

Colby leaned back in his black leather driver’s seat and inhaled before exhaling. He closed his eyes, as if he was going to take a nap, but then he spoke, “Dan is dead.”

I cocked my head to the side as slight confusion ran through me. “Your grandfather is dead? But she was talking about him...”

“Stella has Alzheimers and seems not to remember that Dan is dead. She goes around and acts/talks like he is alive.”

“How long has he been dead for?” I asked. 

“Hmmm, about two years, give or take.”

“How long had they been married for?”

“About sixty years,” Colby replied to me.  

I gasped at the years that Stella and Dan had been married for. It was hard to believe that one person could be with someone for that long. 

It made me wonder that if my grandmother, Mary was still alive if she would still be married to my grandfather.  

"Why doesn't someone take care of her if she has Alzheimers?"

"At this stage she doesn't need anyone watching her ... But there is a nurse that stops by everyday and sees how she is doing."

I nodded and with that Colby started the car and began to drive. I started to think of how long I will be with Colby ... I had to laugh at the mere thought of being with Colby for sixty years, because it was so not likely that would happen ... right?

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Edited by: Victoria (pcgeeksquadgirl)