Don't Hesitate

Chapter XIII

Thirteen 

I've slowly gotten in a routine ever since I started living with Gram and Gramps. On the weekdays I work with Uncle Rick at his book shop from 8 am to 1 pm. He insists on paying me even though I don't need the money. My parents have talked about supplying me with allowance every month. And it's more than I can hope for. On Fridays he lets me go early to get ready to spend time with Jesse-- Friday nights are when we hang out. Weekends are spent with him too but on Sundays I sometimes spend it just by myself and work on some art. 

Probably the one thing I missed living with my parents was being alone. But I hardly miss that. The short time I spent here has already made me realized how surrounding yourself with people were very valuable. Especially surrounding yourself with people that actually make you happy. It really changes your day. But for me, it's been changing my life. 

Wednesdays and Saturdays are for Jesse's practice, and I haven't missed one session yet. It's hard to get used to hanging out with people my age again, considering the only person I really hung out with back then was a 50 year old crazy french lady who happened to be my art teacher. Who I miss very much. 

From Mrs. Mercier to a group of loud, obnoxious, teenage guys-- I have a lot to get used to. 

But I'm slowly getting the hang of it. 

Anyways, I've gotten the gist of how my days usually goes. But mornings are always unpredictable. 

"Grams! Grams the camellias are blooming!" I say, kneeling down to smell the little budding beauties. 

"Oh lemme see lemme see!" Grams comes running from the porch to crouch next to me. "They are beautiful! I can't wait to see them in full bloom!" 

"Yeah," I smile. "Me too Grams! I'm done watering the plants now." I say as I help her up and we make our way to the french doors. We pass the bright dining room, and go to the kitchen where we're greeted by the sweet smell of coffee and bacon. 

"I'm so glad you're taking care of the garden Laura, the flowers haven't looked this good! Fairies could live in our garden now!" Gram says enthusiastically. 

"Yeah! I tried tackling the garden before," Uncle Rick says, taking a break from flipping pancakes so he could turn to face us and show his big hands. "But my hands aren't made to handle delicate things." I laugh. 

"The garden would be fine if Grams would just remember to water it everyday!" Gramps says, turning a page from the book he was reading. 

"Oh you," Gram slaps him lightly on his arm. He just chuckles. "But Laura's hands are like magic! Everything she touches turns beautiful!" 

"Grams," I groan, suppressing the smile out of my face and covering the blush of my cheeks. I look at her smug face through my fingers. 

"See what I mean?" She says proudly, brushing a piece of hair away from my face. Before any of them embarrass me more, something that sounded like a stampede came down the stairs. Jesse zooms into the kitchen. 

"He hasn't broken the stairs yet?" I whisper to Grams, while she rolls her eyes at him. 

"I heard that!" He says, grabbing a pancake from his dad's spatula and shoves it in his face.

"Hey!" Uncle Rick says, whacking Jesse with his spatula. Unfortunately, Jesse was not phased. Nothing can affect him when he's hungry.  Jesse turns to the kitchen table where we were sitting and grabs three pieces of bacon. I look at him in disgust and he just grins in return, little pieces of pancake falling out of his mouth. I just shake my head and try to hold in a laugh. There's no use in pretending to be serious with Jesse. He'll never let me.