• “Welcome home, Hailey! How was your day?” asked Grandma when I arrived at my house. Her hair was pinned tidily at the nape of her neck as usual and she was wearing a too-bright floral print dress for her skin tone.
    “Hectic, but I enjoyed it”, I responded, locking the door behind me and then bending over to kiss my grandmother, who was sitting in a low rocking chair knitting a yellow baby blanket.
    “That’s good for you. In my day we were always running about, trying to complete chores and homework and playing board games in between. Teenagers these days”, she clicked her tongue twice, “they seem so lazy. Video games and eating and movies. That’s all they do. I’m glad that your not one of them”, Grandma said, patting my shoulder as she walked into the small kitchen.
    “Aw, Grandma, don’t busy yourself over me. I’ll get myself something to eat”, I said, trying to usher her into a chair.
    “No, no, I insist. I made just the loveliest apple pie today, and you and Joseph better eat it all up before Grandpa gets to it. It’s not good for his cholesterol”.
    “Well, then, I’ll get it myself. Would you like some tea, Grandma?” I asked, filling the teakettle with water from the faucet, and placing it on the stove.
    “That would be lovely, dear”, she sighed and nestled herself into the squishy chair. “I must say, this can’t be good for my back”, she said while she adjusted the pillow.
    “You do yoga, Grandma. You couldn’t have a better back”.
    She laughed. “Oh, Hailey, you’re a real sweetie”.
    I smiled to myself as I gathered mugs from the cabinet, and cut the two of us thin slices of pie.
    “Well, here comes Joseph”, Grandma said as the door unlocked and Joseph appeared.
    “Mmm. Someone’s been cooking”, he said, sniffing the air. “You Grandma? Is that cinnamon I detect?”
    She laughed as Joseph walked in; his shaggy honey colored hair was tousled by the wind.
    “Yes, well, I was just explaining to Hailey here that I made the two of you some apple pie, and it needs to get eaten up before Grandpa finds it”, she explained again. “It’s not good for his cholesterol”.
    “Why, Grandma, I would be delighted to help you!” he said and picked up the half-pie and lumbered up the stairs to his room.
    “Don’t make a mess!” Grandma called up to him.
    “I won’t!” he responded, but his voice was muffled because his mouth was stuffed with pie.
    “Oh, that Joe. He’s a sweet, too. But not nearly as sweet as you, sweet”, she said. I laughed as I poured steaming water into our mugs and added tea bags.
    “Well, I try my best. Joseph, well, he has room for improvement”, I joked and brought the tea and pie to the dining room where Grandma had reseated herself at the head of the table.
    “Tell me about your day”, said Grandma, stirring sugar into her tea.
    “Naw, Grandma, you know what I do every day. What about yourself? How’s Eleanor?”
    “She’s recovering. Slowly. Elaine and I went down to the hospital to visit her earlier today. The poor dear could barely remember our names!”
    “That’s a shame. I do wish her well, Grandma. She’s a very kind woman and a very good friend to you. Let ‘s pray she makes it out of the hospital soon”.
    “You’re a sweet”.
    “I’ve heard that before. What else did you do today?” I asked, feigning curiosity, as I was just watching the clock for 5:00 when Will would pick me up.
    “Well, Elaine and I went to the second-hand store and got the cutest baby clothes for her great-granddaughter. There’s a pair of pink over-alls with a little brown bear on it and this little yellow striped sundress with a matching bonnet. I hope you don’t mind, dear, but I gave Elaine your little purple butterfly blanket that you used when you were two”.
    “Oh no, I don’t mind. I’m glad to help”, I said, slightly hurt that my own grandmother would give away my favorite blanket, but I didn’t show it.
    “Thank goodness! I was worried that you were going to be upset. I know I’ve said this multiple times, but, you’re a sweet”.
    I glanced anxiously at the wall clock. 4:49. Just ten more minutes.
    I wasn’t expecting it when the doorbell rang.
    “I’ll get it Grandma. You just sit down and relax”, I offered, hoping it was Will, arriving early.
    I unlocked to door to, what a surprise, Devin.
    “Hey, sorry I’m late”, he said, kissing me on the cheek.
    “Late? Late for what?”
    “W-we were going to the movies, remember?” he asked nervously. The color drained from my face.
    “Yes. Yes, we were, weren’t we? Um, something just came up. I mean, I have something to – I mean, can I call you later? Next week! How about we go to the movies next week!” I offered and closed the door abruptly. It rang again and I opened it reluctantly.
    “Hails, are you okay? Is something wrong? What’s wrong?” he said in a worried voice.
    “Nothing!” I said loudly. “I’m ill! Very severely ill”, I lied, coughing into my hand for reinforcement.
    “Hails, what’s going –” he began to ask but was cut off by the blaring of a car horn behind him. We both looked surprised at the car. Will waved from the front seat.
    “Oh”, he began, his eyes watering. He looked down at his feet. “I’ll go, then. Bye”.
    “Wait Devin! He’s a friend – l-let me introduce you!” I called. Devin picked up his bike from the sidewalk and began peddling quickly down the street.
    “Who was that?” asked Will. I grabbed my coat from the front closet and climbed into his car, with out saying a word.