It was a beautiful home nestled in the quiet Almaden Valley neighborhood. “Don’t worry, my grandparents know you,” said Alyssa. Eva looked at her with surprise.
“How? They’ve never met me.”
“Beatrix threw a huge tantrum over your and Alexander’s stay at Phoenix. My parents too contributed. How could they not know?” Eva now dreaded meeting them all the more. “Mom told granny so much about you she knows everything.”
“She must hate me then, just like your mom does,” said Eva bitterly.
“No, she doesn’t. I gave her the accurate picture.” They didn’t get time to catch up more since an old woman resembling Alyssa emerged from the door. She smiled at seeing the two girls while Eva released the breath she was holding.
“Eva?” she said, and Eva nodded with a smile.
“Hello dear! I’m Jane Foster, but you can call me granny Jane,” said Alyssa’s granny. Eva smiled and hugged the old woman, liking her immensely for not judging her despite the negative remarks Jodie Van Every might have passed about her.
“I’m glad to meet you, granny Jane. Alyssa speaks of you so much that I had always wanted to meet you.” The old woman hugged her back, loving the girl her headstrong grandson liked despite his family’s hatred for her.
“Come on in, you must be tired after such a hectic journey with Alexander,” said granny Jane with a chuckle. Eva glanced at a grinning Alyssa, but her cheeks colored profusely, realizing that everyone knew about their road trip together. She led them inside and Eva’s eyes flew towards Alexander who was already at the dining table, helping himself to a slice of granny’s heavenly pie.
“Lisa, take your friend to the guest room upstairs. Eva, you can freshen up before meeting grandpa.” The girls nodded and went ahead to the guest room while Alexander watched Eva like a hawk.
“Why don’t you marry her already?” asked granny Jane, serving him another slice.
“Who?” asked Alexander, but his cheeks colored a little, knowing who she was talking about.
“Eva, who else? I like the girl. She isn’t like Beatrix at all.” Alexander looked a little upset since his future wasn’t in his hands.
“It’s complicated, granny. You won’t understand,” he sighed.
“You make it more complicated. Everyone can pursue their dreams. No one can stop you. Don’t waste your life, son. Everyone isn’t lucky enough to find a perfect match in life. So, if you’ve found your match, don’t let her go. Hurting a soul who truly loves you is also a crime, mind you. Think about it before it’s too late.” Granny went to tend to grandpa, leaving Alexander to ponder over what she just said. He felt guilty for having ignored Eva since the time he heard of his dad’s illness. It wasn’t out of anything else but apprehension that clutched at his heart.
With his dad unwell and Desmond Rotterdam heading for an open heart transplant, things looked bleak for him. He didn’t want to get tied down by his sense of duty. He knew his parents wouldn’t let this opportunity go. They would definitely resort to emotional blackmail and tie him to Beatrix. A deep sigh of hopelessness escaped his mouth.
“Alexander, your grandpa has woken up. Come and say hello to him,” said his granny from a corner room where his grandpa was resting when he arrived. He got up and went inside to see his grandpa lying down on the bed. Apart from aging, he hardly changed much, still having those bright blue eyes and cheerful smiles that he always remembered.
“Hello, grandpa. I’m seeing you almost after twelve years,” Alexander said. The nurse helped his grandpa sit upright, and he opened his arms to hug Alexander. He embraced his grandpa, touched by the warm welcome he received even after so many years.
“Yes, you forgot us, Alexander! You were quite young when we saw you last,” said his grandpa. “You’ve grown quite handsome, I must say.”
“Thank you, grandpa. I promise I’ll visit regularly from now on,” promised Alexander while they beamed happily at him.
“Yes, your next visit should be after you marry Eva,” said granny Jane with an excited smile.
“Where is your bride?” asked his grandpa and Alexander groaned in agony. They had already started setting him up with Eva.
“We aren’t engaged, grandpa, granny. We just went on a road trip since Eva loves adventure as much as I do,” said Alexander, correcting them.
“Oh, I’m sure she loves road trips because you love them and she loves you. Correct me if I’m wrong,” scoffed granny. Alexander’s jaws dropped at her remark. Was it true? Was that the reason Eva loved road trips? Why hadn’t it occurred to him before?
“Your face tells me I’m right.”
“Why didn’t I get to meet her yet?” complained grandpa.
“Because you were sleeping after your physiotherapy. I asked her to freshen up first,” said granny.
“Oh, how is your physiotherapy going on, grandpa? Are you able to walk now?”
“It’s very painful to walk, but I can take a step at a time with the help of my walker. My therapist is very good and we’re going slow. I don’t want another fracture after the surgery. Healing will take time. I can walk properly after 6-7 seven months,” said grandpa.
“What’s the hurry? Rest and give it time. Why don’t you employ a manager to look after the hobby center?” suggested Alexander.
“Yes, Lisa is interviewing candidates who responded to the advertisement for a manager,” said granny.
“Any news of Daniel? The way they rushed home in the middle of the night stressed us a lot,” said granny.
“Mom took dad for a check-up and they admitted him. They conducted the tests today and once the reports are out, mom will call me. We will leave for New York tomorrow morning.”
“I’m sure he will be better. Don’t panic,” said granny. Eva entered the room with Alyssa and Alexander’s eyes flew towards her, watching her like a hawk. She looked so beautiful in the off-white dress she wore, yet her eyes held a tinge of sadness. Gone was the spark he saw in them for the last few days they had spent together. He knew he was the cause. He had again hurt her with his indifference.
“There she is. Come here, Eva. Meet grandpa Keith. He has been waiting to meet you,” said granny. Eva smiled shyly, and tearing her gaze away from Alexander’s, she looked at the smiling old man sitting on the bed.
“Hello grandpa,” she said with a smile.
“Hello, Eva. I heard you can cook very well. I wish you could stay a little longer and treat us to your specialties,” said grandpa.
“We had planned to, but it didn’t happen. I can make dinner tonight,” offered Eva, but granny just waved her off.
“No, dear. Tonight, let me make dinner for my grandson. Next time when you both come over, I’ll surely taste yours,” said granny. Eva nodded, acutely aware of Alexander’s unwavering gaze upon her. She wondered what had changed in him suddenly, that he remembered her after ignoring her since last night!
“Are you guys tired? If not, we could check out the Los Alamitos Creek Walking Trail and then drop in at the hobby center on our way back,” suggested Alyssa.
“I’m not in the mood for it. Why don’t you go?” said Alexander with a sulk.
“Eva?” asked Alyssa, and she nodded eagerly.
“I’d love to go,” she said. Alexander’s head jerked immediately in their direction.
“In that case, count me in too. I can’t let you two wander off to some unknown place all by yourselves.” Granny Jane suppressed a chuckle while Alyssa rolled her eyes at her brother.
“Thanks for your concern, Alex, but it’s not needed. I’ve gone on this trail so many times that I know it very well. We can manage without you,” said Alyssa, pulling Eva with her. “Granny, we’ll be back before sunset.”
Alexander stood up, not listening to his sister at all. “You can use the bikes in the garage, Alexander!” said grandpa.
“Thanks, grandpa. See you later,” said Alexander, rushing after them. He saw them in the garage, checking out the bikes.
“Can you ride, Eva?” asked Alexander with surprise. He remembered she couldn’t ride when he had left for Switzerland.
“Yes, Ashton taught me,” she said proudly. Alexander’s bipolar attitude confused her totally. When she had accepted his indifference towards her, he again switched back to his original self. It was really confusing. They chose the bikes and headed out towards the trail.
For the next three hours, they rode along Los Alamitos Creek from Los Alamitos Park and Lake Almaden south to McKean Road. It was a semi-rural setting full of picturesque scenery, a perfect spot for birdwatching. It was evening when they returned after a visit to the hobby center.
Granny’s delicious dinner awaited them and they all tucked in hungrily. Later, they gathered together in the living room to sip some wine while Eva and Alyssa opted for granny’s hot chocolate.
“Eva, come and sit with me. I need to talk to you,” said granny.