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“He needs to know, darling.”
“I know that, Grandma.”
“There's no reason for him not to be happy.”
“That's what I hope.”
“Come here...” She tapped a vacant space next to her on the sofa.
“Ah, Grandma!” I lay down next to her and rested my head on her lap, receiving a warm cuddle just as she used to when I was a child.
“You deserve to be happy, Helena.”
“I don't think life is about deserving.”
“It's about allowing yourself. You need it.”
“You're right.” I stood up and smiled at her.
“When you and Thomas get married, I want to move here.” She handed me a brochure, and I looked at it for a while until I realized that it was a retirement home for the elderly.
“Grandma, I don't want to leave you.” I twisted my lips, getting irritated and feeling a little tightness in my chest at the thought of the possibility.
“It's not about leaving me.”
“But...”
“Of course, I hope you'll come and visit me whenever you can, at least once a week, but you need to live your life, daughter. You can't be stuck in this house just because I'm here. Besides, it'll be better for me too. I spend all day in this house, alone, with no friends and only the television.” She pointed to the pamphlet. “They have doctors and physical and artistic activities. I'll have someone to live with, other people my age...
“I feel like I'm abandoning you.”
“I know you would never leave me.” She smiled, stroking my cheek lovingly. “Besides, it's not a public place.” She scratched her head a little awkwardly. “You'll have to pay for it. I thought that when you move in with Thomas, you could hand over this apartment and use the rent for that.”
“Of course, Grandma.”
We heard a horn that broke up our conversation.
“Now go!” She encouraged me to leave. “Have a great dinner.”
“Thank you.” I leaned over to kiss her cheek.
I went downstairs, still thinking about her proposal. My grandmother had always been everything in my life. I had never even thought about living in a house where she wasn't, but the possibility that she would be better looked after and could make friends made me think a little. It was something I would need to analyze before I could be sure.
“Hi!” Thomas smiled at me as I left the building, and our eyes met.
“Hey.”
“You look beautiful.” He ran his hand over my face and tucked a lock of my hair behind my ear. “You are beautiful,” he corrected.
“You too.” I put my hand on his chest and moved up the lapels of his jacket until I reached his broad shoulders.
His steady gaze had me completely mesmerized. Even though he was more than a decade older than me, I couldn't remember feeling more attracted to another man at any time in my life.
“Let's go to the restaurant.” He moved his hands down to my waist and then held mine.
“For a restaurant, are you sure?” I joked in a more mischievous tone.
Maybe there was a bit of truth in my desire to take a little detour because my whole body warmed up at the thought of what it was like to be in his arms and dominated by his kisses.