Part I
*Knock* *Knock*
I knocked on the big wooden door of my grandma's house. It had been years since I last visited because of school, but now I was back for the summer.
After receiving no response, I knocked again. Was Grandma home? She didn't know I was coming. She lived alone. Her children had once tried to convince her to live with one of them, but she declined for reasons they didn't know. They respected her decision.
"Grandma? I'm here!" I shouted.
My face lit up when the door finally opened, and I saw Grandma, smiling so wide with her arms open to welcome me.
"Tia, welcome back," Grandma calmly said as she embraced me tightly.
"I missed you, Ma," I said. It had been years since I had seen Grandma in person; we had only FaceTimed due to my studies, limited by school rules.
We entered the house together, and I couldn't deny the rush of nostalgia and excitement spreading through me. Finally, I was home again.
"Go on, your room is ready for you. It's been waiting," Grandma said with a nod. I gladly nodded back before excitedly putting down my briefcase, adjusting my backpack, and heading upstairs.
As I ascended, memories flooded back of sliding down these railings, despite Grandma's warnings that I might fall and break a bone — which I did.
Turning the knob on the door, a familiar warmth greeted me. My room was neatly arranged. I absentmindedly dropped my backpack and grinned, jumping onto my bed with laughter.
"Ahh, I missed this," I thought happily.
I spent the whole afternoon roaming around the house. When evening fell, Grandma called me from downstairs.
"I'm coming, Ma!" I shouted back, walking out of my room and down the hallway. across
I remembered asking once about the other room upstairs since Grandma slept downstairs. Grandma had simply replied that it was where she kept her valuables, important documents, and their old room when Grandpa was alive — a sort of walk-in vault.
"I made your favorite food," Grandma said cheerfully.
I ran to Grandma, hugged her tightly, and thanked her before sitting down to eat. As I ate, I asked, "How's life without Grandpa, Ma?" I noticed how Grandma paused for a moment before continuing to eat.
"It's not easy, but it's bearable. Does that make sense?" I understood. Losing a partner must feel like losing a part of yourself that keeps you grounded.
"I'm sure he's still around. His love wouldn't keep him from being with me. And I'd love that too," Grandma added with a nod. I agreed silently, remembering how much Grandpa had loved Grandma when he was alive. Since my mother had left me, Grandma and Grandpa had been my family. I didn't know my father, and Grandma had chosen not to tell me — believing it was for the best. I was fine with that; I had Grandma and Grandpa, and that was enough.
