I hadn’t seen them since I had moved away, so that would probably be a little awkward. I think I sort of blamed them for their son not wanting me. Don’t get me wrong, I loved my grandparents. They lived about two hours away from my old hometown and I had spent almost every summer with them, and those were best I had ever had.
I glanced out the window, looking at the scenic drive that was so different than Connecticut. I really didn’t even feel any kind of sadness for leaving the place that I had called home for almost the past five years. All I felt when I thought of it was guilt. Guilt for turning into the person that I had become and guilt for my actions. Now was the time to forget my past and just move forward.
“Oh my, you look worn out.” Grams voice interrupted my thoughts. “I’m just so excited you’re here. I’ll zip my lips for the rest of the trip home so you can get some shut-eye.”
“Thanks, Grams,” I managed to mumble before my eyelids drooped shut and I partially listened to my grandparents hushed conversation before drifting off.
I was jolted awake when we pulled onto the gravel driveway, and I looked up at the log cabin that had always felt like home to me. I rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand and rubbed my neck. Sleeping in the truck did not equal a very comfortable nap.
“C’mon now, Della. Let’s get out of this truck and stretch our legs. I’m sure you’ve missed this place.”
I looked up at the house again, and it was like Grams had read my mind. My grandpa had built it when he and my Grams had first gotten married, and it was simply stunning. The backdrop of the lake, that about a dozen houses were situated around, made it even more spectacular. They were always making some kind of renovations, never letting it get stuck in the past and always making it look modern with a rustic feel. My mom had hated this place.
I quickly breathed in the fresh air, my lungs feeling relieved by it. Sure, Connecticut was great, but it always felt so suffocating to me. Here, I felt like I could breathe freely for the first time in awhile.
I glanced over at the neighbor’s house that probably sat about a half a mile away, but my grandparents were friendly with all of them. The house seemed to be still with no movement, and I peeled my eyes away when Grams tugged lightly on my hand.
“Right this way, Della. I can’t wait to show you your new room. I know you’ll only be staying with us for a week or so before you move into the dorms, but I figured you might need a place to get away sometimes. Hopefully, you come back and visit us old people on the weekends every once in awhile.
I’ve been watching that HGTV channel lately, it’s like an addiction. I think your Grandpa’s tried to block it a time or two. He wouldn’t if he knows what’s best for him. Now your coming was a little short notice, but I hope you like what I fixed up for you, darlin’.”
I followed her through the open living room and kitchen that still had the same furniture, for the most part, with a few added things here and there. The winding staircase led to an open hallway that overlooked the downstairs and three rooms that were normally set up as guest rooms and a sewing room.
“Here we are. This used to be your fathers room, you know?” she called out over her shoulder before I followed her into the room. She had transformed it since the last time I had been there.
The walls were painted in a pale pink with wide vertical white stripes placed around the bottom half. A full-size bed was pushed into one corner and a fluffy comforter that matched the pink paint covered it, along with a homemade quilt I recognized as one my Grams had made for me when I was a baby. A small antique looking desk was against the other wall and an overstuffed white chair that I recognized, sat underneath the wide window that overlooked the lake.
I immediately went and sat down in the chair that had brought back so many memories. It used to sit in the living room, and it was my favorite spot to sit when I stayed here. My grandpa would bring me breakfast almost every morning while 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.”