When I opened my eyes, I had no idea where I was.
Tubes ran into my arm, and a monitor stood beside me.
Later, I learned I’d been unconscious for eleven days after a car accident.
Then I spotted my nine year old grandson, Walter, curled up next to my bed, one hand still gripping my blanket.
I’d been unconscious for eleven days.
He’d lived with me since my son died four years earlier. I packed his lunches, walked him to school, and knew which night light stayed on when he couldn’t sleep.
“Walter?”
His eyes flew open.
For one second, he simply stared at me.
Then he threw himself against my chest. “Granny!”
Walter curled up beside my bed.
He was crying so hard I could barely understand him.
A nurse hurried in and smiled. “He’s been waiting for this. That boy has hardly wanted to leave your side.”
I stroked his hair. “Sweetheart, you’ve been sleeping here?”
He nodded.
“Why aren’t you at home with Aunt Lisa?”
That boy has hardly wanted to leave your side.
At the mention of my daughter’s name, his whole body went rigid.
Rather than answer, Walter suddenly glanced toward the door.
His expression changed.
He crawled closer and whispered right into my ear. “Granny, next time Aunt comes, pretend you’re still asleep.”
I stared at him. “Why?”
His whole body went rigid.
He squeezed my hand painfully tight. “Please. Then you’ll understand why I haven’t left you. You need to hear what she says when she thinks you’re asleep.”
Before I could ask another question, footsteps halted outside my room.
Walter’s eyes widened. “Granny. She’s coming.”
I barely had time to shut my eyes.
The door swung open.
Pretend you’re still asleep.
Lisa walked in. “Still waiting for her to wake up? That’s pathetic, Walter. You really don’t know when to give up, do you?”
Walter didn’t answer.
Lisa stepped closer to my bed. “Fine. Since you’re so determined to sit here, let me tell you a little secret about your grandma.”
