I swallow.
He twists the key in the ignition.
“You’re allowed to say no to me,” he says, surprising me. “Really, I promise. You kids never come, and I thought it was because of me, because I never thought to ask. You’ve been so strong for me since the start, so I didn’t think it was because maybe you didn’t want to, maybe you’re not ready. That’s okay.”
“I hate cemeteries,” I say.
“Me too,” he says. “But someone’s gotta keep the flowers fresh for her, you know?”
I take a deep breath, willing my heart not to shatter into a million pieces.
“I know.”
Gramps backs out of the parking lot, because it’s time to leave this sad place. I shift in my seat, reclining a few extra inches. Close my eyes because emotions are exhausting.
“I’m going to miss this,” Gramps says in the quiet.
My eyes pop open.
“What?” Ollie asks.
“It’s March,” Gramps says. “This, our time together, it’s almost over.”
I blink.
Ollie blinks.
I’m pretty sure it’s the first time this has occurred to either of us. He’s right. School ends the beginning of June. Then, Ollie and I are supposed to spend the summer in Israel with our parents, until they wrap in August. Then it’s college for me. For Ollie? It depends on Mad and Ari’s next project.
“I’m shook,” Ollie says.
Gramps frowns. “What?”
“Reality, Gramps,” Ollie says.
“Reality,” Gramps repeats. “Reality is I don’t know what I’m going to do without you kids. Seriously. It was so hard being in that house alone.”
It didn’t hit me because my goodbyes have always been inevitable. Graduation, a stretch of summer, and then leaving for New York, fingers crossed. I am leaving Middleton regardless.
It’s not simple for Ollie and Gramps—they’ve built a life here.
Ollie looks like he’s going to be sick.
“Can I stay?”
He asks so softly I’m not sure I heard him—and Gramps most definitely did not. Ollie clears his throat and repeats the question, louder, with more confidence.
“Can I stay?”
“Oh,” Gramps says. “Um—”
“Please? I don’t want to move again.”
“That’s not up to me, Oliver,” Gramps says.
“But you’d let me? If Mom and Dad say yes?”
“Of course.” Gramps doesn’t hesitate in his reply. And judging by the stupid smile spreading across his face, he likes that idea too. I hope it works. I hope Mom isn’t too stubborn to say yes. Ollie and Gramps are the most adorable duo, and staying in one place will be good for Ollie, I think. Middleton will be his home.
