Chaotic (Imperfect Perfection) - By C.A. Williams Page 0,13

I sat there watching cartoons, and Grams and I would snuggle up when I was younger and watch her afternoon soaps.

“You really shouldn’t have gone to all of this trouble, but I love it Grams. It’s perfect. Thanks for putting all of this together on such short notice. It was kind of a surprise to me too. Dad didn’t even call to tell me what was going on.”

“He didn’t?” Her brows bunched together in surprise, and she placed a hand on her hip. “Well, I think I’ll need to be giving that son of mine a call. You know I’m not making any excuses, but he is pretty busy with his job. He should always make time for his daughter though, and I think that’s one of his biggest regrets.”

I knew that much at least. His job was pretty demanding, and he traveled a lot. Shortly after my mom handed him divorce papers, he was giving a promotion at the restaurant company that he worked for and now traveled all over the US helping new franchises get started up. It was kind of ironic that my mom had left him right before that happened. She had always wanted a better life and as soon as she decided to drop my dad, he was able to provide one.

“No worries, Grams. I’m sure we’ll catch up eventually.” I crossed my fingers hoping that was the truth, but I wasn’t holding my breath.

“Okay, Della. Well, I’ll let you get all settled in and then if you would like, you can come down and help me fix some supper.” I answered with a nod, and she quietly shut the door. I dropped down to the floor to start unloading one of my bags that I figured I would need for the week. I still hadn’t warmed up to the whole idea of living in the dorms. I hated to say it, but my mom was right when she said I was pampered.

It was hard to believe that my life was all packed away in five suitcases, granted it was all pretty much clothes, so I guess it did end up being a lot. I’m not sure if my style would really fit in down here. Fashion was pretty much everything back home. The tag on a shirt pretty much guaranteed you a spot in society.

I slid tank tops and dresses onto empty hangers in the small closet that was in the connected bathroom. There was only room for about half of my stuff, so I had no clue what I was going to do about that dilemma. I was sure the dorms would be even worse. I texted my mom before I headed down stairs, figuring she would at least want to know I got here safely.

“Hey Grams, what can I do to help?” I entered the kitchen, inhaling deeply the scents wafting through the air. I couldn’t remember the last time I had a home cooked meal, my mom certainly never stepped one of her stiletto heels into the kitchen.

Grams wiped her flour covered hands on her apron that was cinched at the waist and handed me an armful of vegetables. “You can chop these all up. I’m making chicken and dumplings for supper. I know that used to be your favorite. And I even have a rhubarb pie for dessert,” she added with a wink before going back to work on the dumpling dough.

“That sounds fabulous. I’ll have to watch what I eat though, or I’ll be gaining ten pounds in the week that I’m here.”

“Oh honey, no need to worry about that. As long as you stay active, you can keep it all off and enjoy some home cooking. It would do you some good to have some meat on those bones anyway.” Oh Grams if you only knew.

We worked together like we had never been apart. I had always loved helping Grams in the kitchen, it was her domain, and I liked to think it had rubbed off on me a bit. After setting the table, the three of us sat down together, and I savored every last bite. Grandpa was silent the whole time until his pie was completely cleared off his plate.

“Now Adelaide,” he said, clearing his throat and swiping at his mouth with a napkin. “We need to set some ground rules around here. I know you are an adult now, but you need to prove to us that you can act like one.” I groaned internally