Calista

"Who knew the human body could do that?" Janelle asked, watching the famous Korean actor do headstand push-ups on a bed of nails.

Pop Pop, Janelle, and Calista were in the TV room watching a movie called Ninja Assassin. Calista quickly learned that the elderly man loved anything to do with ninjas.

He pointed at the Korean actor on the television screen. "You see that? I used to have abs like those. You couldn't call them six-packs. We called them eighteen packs."

"Eighteen packs?" Calista repeated.

Janelle rolled her eyes and tossed some popcorn in her mouth. "There's no way you had eighteen packs."

The older man turned his head towards the nurse and scowled. "What was that? You wanted me to fire you? I should tell my grandson that he's paying you to watch good movies."

Janelle blushed. "No, sir. I just meant that I've never seen eighteen packs. Maybe eight pack abs but never eighteen."

"Just because you don't see something doesn't mean you can't believe it doesn't exist," Pop Pop said. He snatched the bowl of popcorn from her hands. "Do you believe in love?"

Janelle stole a glance at Calista who smiled. She grabbed the bowl of popcorn back. "Of course I believe in love."

"Well, you can't see love so why do you believe in it?" Pop Pop asked, taking back the bowl of popcorn.

Janelle turned to her friend. "Are you really going to let me go one on one with him? Why aren't you saying anything, Calista? Does your throat still hurt?"

Calista shook her head and smiled at Pop Pop. "You can't see love but you can feel it. You can show it through your actions." She thought of her husband, Adam Hargrove. "Actions definitely prove love exists. Or that it doesn't."

Pop Pop smiled, showing off his gums. "You always were a smart one, Duckie."

Janelle reached over and squeezed her friend's shoulder. "Calista—"

"I'm fine." Calista smiled before Janelle could finish asking her question. "Really. I'm fine."

"Are you worried about going to work at the company? It's been two weeks since you've been out of the hospital. Physically, you're fine but mentally...do you think you're ready?"

Pop Pop harrumphed. "Of course she's ready. She's a Dover."

Except she wasn't. Calista gave a soft laugh. "You're really sweet, Pop Pop. It's a secretarial position for Sebastian. I can't imagine he'd give me a hard time if I screw up so I'm sure I'll be fine."

"I don't know." Janelle sighed. "He doesn't seem very lenient. He's like an ice statue most of the time."

"Don't worry about Sebastian." Pop Pop patted Calista's hand. "If he gives you a hard time, call me. I'll set that boy straight. He forgets that I can still give him a good whopping if he needs one."

Janelle giggled. "Pop Pop with the pow pows."

Pop Pop raised a brow. "I don't think I like you. You're too outspoken. You talk too much. Your voice sounds like nails on a chalkboard." Pop began making a screeching sound to imitate what he thought of her voice.

Calista covered her mouth to stop herself from laughing. For the past two weeks Pop Pop and Janelle had been arguing with one another. Pop Pop because he didn't like nurses and Janelle because she said he was a feisty codger that needed to argue to stay healthy. Calista suspected that Pop Pop really did like Janelle because he insisted she watch Ninja Assassin with them.