Chapter 11
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Jake kept the rest of his confession to himself. What he had said was enough to shock me.
We reached our apartment complex. He took my luggage, locked the car, and ignored my outstretched hand to head to
the elevator.
We were neighbors. Keeping quiet in the elevator, I looked everywhere but at him. He leaned comfortably against the wall, observing my blushing ears.
The elevator dinged. He led me to my door, respecting my need for space. He ruffled my hair and turned to leave,
adding, “I’ll come over with my parents for
the details of our wedding. Rosie, don’t
forget we’re getting married.”
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His teasing made me blush. I rolled my eyes and opened the door without
saying anything. He didn’t mind, heading cheerfully towards the stairs.
The apartment was quiet. Six years away, and I felt a touch of apprehension.
Hearing the door open, my grandpa
stormed out, cane in hand.“Who’s there?!
Rosie?!”
His words faltered. Seeing me, his
eyes welled up, and then he turned back
into his room.
I rushed in, hugging him as he
reached the bed.“Grandpa, I missed you…”
He didn’t believe me. The last time he
saw me was when I left for college, and he waited for me to come back for six years. He knew I was coming home, but not the exact date.
It was Jake who told him I was
coming back.
The long absence gave him a feeling
that I had forgotten him.“If it weren’t for
Jake, you would hear about
my death
from my lawyer over the telephone!”
I covered his mouth.“Grandpa, don’t
say that!”
But I did feel guilty.“I’m sorry,
Grandpa. I won’t leave again. I’ll stay with
you forever. I mean it.”
He shook his head.“Don’t talk
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< (Late for love) Chap…
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nonsense. All I want is for you to have a wonderful marriage. As long as you’re
happy, I can rest in peace.”
“Grandpa, don’t say that!”
Hearing him talk about death, I felt
even worse. I knew he would leave one
day, but I wished that day would never
come.
