Fall Back Skyward (Fall Back #1)(39)

I shift around to face my grandmother when she calls my name. She hasn’t aged a lot since I last saw her. Her black hair is peppered with white. Her blue eyes are similar to my father’s, except hers are kinder, and laugh lines fan the corners. I’m glad her husband’s character didn’t change her.

She pats the space next to her on the orange-brown lounge seat. I walk over and join her. “How are you? I mean, how are you, really?”

Unable to hold her direct gaze, I drop mine to our hands and take a deep breath. “I’m getting there. My last session with the therapist was more than a year ago. That’s a huge plus, right?” I look up at her and smile.

She studies me, searching for the truth in my words. Then she laughs softly, the worry creases around her mouth disappearing. “Yes. It’s a very big plus as long as you feel strong without seeing a therapist. I never stopped praying for you. Your mother and sisters. Especially your father.”

Her eyes cloud over. “Did he say he’ll visit me?” she asks hopefully.

“Oh yes, I forgot to mention that,” Mom says a bit too enthusiastically. “He has a lot going on at the station. But he said he’ll visit you as soon as things calm down.”

Grandma smiles. She knows that Mom is making excuses for my dad like she always does to lessen any kind of tension.

Mom stands up and goes back downstairs, murmuring something about making a snack.

Grandma watches my mom until she disappears from view before she turns to face me. “Well, I’m extremely glad to hear you’re doing well, darling. How is your mama? I always worry about you all.”

“She’s. . .um. . .some days she’s doing really great. Like today. And sometimes she gets lost in her own world.” I blow out a breath through my mouth. “We’re here now. Not far away from you.”

She hugs me and we pull apart just as Mom returns, carrying a plate of fruit and cheese, smiling. She reminds me of the girl in her photos who had everything to look forward to before she met my father.

Ugh! These are the kind of thoughts that plunged my life to hell. I can’t afford to go there now. Not when my sisters need me and definitely not when my mother breaks apart at the slightest little thing.

Shoving those thoughts away, I kiss my grandmother on the cheek and walk toward Mom, sitting on one of the cushioned wood seats under an awning covered in vines and blooming flowers.

I hug and kiss her on her smooth cheek. “Have a great time with Grandma. I will pick you up later.”

“Sweetheart, you mentioned on the phone that you were looking for a job?” Grandma says, stopping me mid-step.

“Yes. Desperately.”

“I need help at the flower shop,” she says as she winks at me, knowing how much I enjoy working with flowers. I’m bouncing on my heels and clapping when she adds, “I already have someone who drops by two to three times a week to help with big deliveries and anything that requires heavy lifting.

“Also, I was wondering if you’d like to help out at the Lily Rose senior center once in a week. One of the women who plays the piano in our music group hasn’t been feeling too well. The pay isn’t much, though. If you don’t mind working with us old ladies, it would be great to have a pretty, young face around. I thought maybe you’d like to earn a little more money. We would only need you for two hours on Thursdays.”

Unable to contain my excitement any longer, I leap forward and hug her. “Thank you, thank you! I was on my way to town to see if I could find a part-time job for the summer.”

She laughs and kisses my forehead. “I can’t wait to show you off to my friends.” She beams at me, looking at me with pride. “Go on, now. I’ll prepare the flowers and pack them in a box for you.”

I wave at her and head for the stairs that lead to the kitchen.

My mom told me that after Grandma retired as a nurse, she went back to college and took some courses for Senior Care. Now she works at Lily Rose Senior Day Care & Recreational Center once per week, every Thursday for two hours.

I park the car outside an old, quaint cafe directly opposite from my grandmother’s flower shop, Phoebe’s Enchanted Garden. I glance through my window to read the sign swinging gently in the summer breeze.

Spinners Book Emporium & Cafe.

I grin when Megs steps out through the glass door, a huge smile on her face. “You coming or what?”

I nod, grab my purse, jump out of the car, and then race toward the door.

“Holy crap! The heat around here is killing me. I kind of miss Ohio,” I tell Megs, hurrying up in an attempt to escape the heat. She grabs my hand and drags me inside the cafe. Cool air engulfs me immediately once we’re inside. I love the café’s fifties retro look: a jukebox at the corner, black and white tiles, red diner booth sets. Even the wait staff is wearing little frilly red and white checked aprons.

“The summers here are pure torture. Come on. I’ve been waiting for you! You need to taste this. It’s orgasmic.”

A chuckle reaches me from where I’m standing. Megs rolls her eyes and sighs dramatically, before turning to face the tall blond boy sauntering towards us, a little pink apron wrapped around his waist.

He runs his long fingers through his overgrown hair and flashes me a cocky grin. “It’s a talent. My hands have that kind of gift.”