Page 42 of Rosie
“Tea?” Gram asked.
“I’d love some.”
She led Rosie back to the kitchen as Grandad rose from the bench and followed.
“Missed you, my girl.” He gave her a big hug, then sat at the kitchen table while Gram put the kettle on.
“What’s new in your world, Rosie?”
“I had a rough shift last week. We found out a baby’s lungs couldn’t support him. It was hard.”
“The poor dear. Were you there for it?” Gram sat down with concern wrinkling her features.
“No. But it was my shift where the doctor had to break it to the parents.” Rosie shuddered remembering their reaction. “They never got to take him home.”
“I know you wish you could save them all, but you can’t.” Gram patted her hand.
“That’s basically what Matt said.”
“Matt? Is he a coworker?” Grandad sat forward in his chair. The kettle started to whistle, and Gram rose to fill their mugs.
“No, Matt Lundholm is Olivia’s little brother. I … ended up talking to him after that shift. He’s staying in Olivia’s apartment this semester so he can get to his internship.” Rosie’s whole body warmed remembering how safe she’d felt in his arms. She’d been falling apart, but he held her together.
“That’s so nice of her. Do you want milk and sugar?” Gram brought the mugs of hot water to the table, handing out bags of plain, English tea.
“Yes, please.” She opened the paper envelope and let the water soak the bag, watching as it slowly sunk to the bottom. “Matt and I were in a video game tournament a few weeks back, actually. One of his teammates had to drop out, so he asked me to jump in.”
“What kind of video games?”
“Star Wars,of course.” She smiled, thinking about how Mia had begged her to help. Rosie was willing to bet she’d orchestrated the whole thing. Mia was a little instigator like that. “We did well, we got to the semi-finals.”
“That’s wonderful! It’s good to hear about you doing something outside work.”
“What about you two? What’s new with you?” Gram proceeded to tell her all about her new book club that had formed in the bookstore that the shuttle took them to, and Grandad told fish stories about his latest fishing trip. Both teased the other throughout their stories, and Rosie reflected on the over fifty years of marriage they had endured. They still were very much in love.
Grandad put the kettle back on for Gram’s second cup of tea, and then he pulled out cards so they could play Spades, without Gram even saying a word. He was so thoughtful and knew her so well. Matt had done the same for her, offering to bring their date to her place, and picking up more ginger tea before she even knew she was low. Maybe, just maybe, she’d found what she’d dreamed of for so long.
Mia: So how are things with Rosie?
Matt: Amazing.
Mia: Really? Tell me!
Matt: She came over after that rough shift and I finally got my head out of my ass. I think it’s cause I wasn’t awake yet. It bypassed the block I always had around her.
Mia: She went to your place instead of Olivia’s?
Matt: Yeah, she was really embarrassed but it worked out. I even asked her out!
Mia: Really? What did she say?
Matt: She said yes! We got brunch after her next shift.
Mia: :party hat emoji:
Matt: Mia, can I ask you a personal question?
Mia: Shoot.
