annoyed. "Just go ahead and ask."
"Ask what?" I say innocently.
She sighs. "Yes, Walter and I are dating. Does that satisfy your curiosity?"
"You're dating again?" I pretend to be surprised. "What changed your mind?"
"It doesn't matter. Now can we stop talking about this and make dinner?"
I smile. "Okay, but for the record, I'm glad you're back with him. I really like Walter."
"I do too," she says with a smile as she stirs the soup.
I'm happy for her, although being with Walter will mean either giving up her condo in Florida or staying here and not selling the house. Or she could sell it and live with Walter. I'm assuming they've talked about that, or maybe it's too soon. They just got back together. They have time to decide.
The week goes by and Grams spends all her evenings with Walter. Every night she has dinner with him and stays there until nine or ten. She always invites me to join them but I don't want to be a third wheel. And being around Walter or at his house just reminds me of Tyler, who I'm trying not to think about.
The weekend is cold and dreary with dark clouds and a misty rain. It's perfect weather for snuggling with your guy and binge-watching TV shows on the couch. Except my guy took off and I doubt I'll ever hear from him again. I texted him just to ask if he's okay but he didn't text back. His mom and Walter haven't heard anything either. It's like he just disappeared.
On Monday I tell myself I need to make a fresh start. A life without Tyler. I told myself the same thing when I broke things off with Tom. I focused on getting into grad school, working out more, and reconnecting with friends. It wasn't long before I was feeling better and moving on. It won't be that easy with Tyler. I loved him too much to just get over him. I'm not sure that I ever will.
When I get home after class Grams is pulling into the driveway. Walter is with her.
"Where have you two been?" I ask, greeting them as they get out of Grams' car.
"Just out for a drive," Grams says in a fake cheerful voice, and the smile on her face doesn't look sincere.
"How far did you go? When I called home at lunch you didn't answer."
"Sorry, dear, I didn't know you'd called. I must've been out in the gardens."
"I'll be at the house," Walter says as he walks off. He's not his usual smiling self. He didn't even greet me.
"I'll be over soon to make dinner," Grams tells him.
"I left a message," I say to Grams. "You didn't get it?"
"I didn't check," she says as she walks to the house.
Grams always checks her phone messages. If she didn't get my message, it means she wasn't home. But why would she lie and tell me she was?
"Were you guys out all day?" I ask as we go inside.
She whips around to face me. "Faith Elizabeth, I am your grandmother and I do not need to check in with you in regards to what I'm doing every second of the day. So I would appreciate it if you would stop badgering me about this and let it be."
Stunned by her sudden anger, I'm not sure what to say, so I just nod. She turns and goes up the stairs and moments later I hear her door shut.
Having no idea why she reacted that way, I call my mom to see if she has answers.
"Hey, Mom," I say when she picks up.
"Hi, honey, how was class?"
"Good, but when I got home Grams was acting strange. She'd been out with Walter and when I asked her how long they were out she about bit my head off."
"That's odd. Maybe she didn't want to tell you where she was."
"I didn't ask where she was. I just asked if she'd been out all day."
"Honey, this is all new for your grandmother. Dating a man that isn't your grandpa? She probably feels like you’re judging her when you question her about Walter."
"But I keep telling her how happy I am that she's dating him."
"Yes, but it's still a sensitive issue for her, and until she resolves her feelings about this I think it's best if you just don't ask her about Walter."
"Yeah, you're probably right. Okay, thanks, Mom."
She laughs. "Is that it? Don't I get to hear about your day?"
"There's not much to say. I went to