"Are you serious?" I asked Mom incredulously. "He is really going to let me go?"
I had been wanting to see my Grandma for so long, I just couldn't believe that my step-father was going to really let me go. Gram lives over 1,000 miles away and I would have to take the bus. He always said that kids couldn't be trusted when you could see them, let alone when you couldn't.
"How did you ever get him to change his mind?"
"Your Uncle Scott is going out to Denver for your grandma's birthday and he called to tell us that he would like to take you with him." Mom said, with a smile that I had not seen in way too long. Mom hadn't been very happy lately. Things sure changed when she married Tom, that's my step-father. That's also a whole different story, so back to the happy one.
"So, when is Uncle Scott going to be here? When are we leaving? This is so great! I have to call Chrystal. She will probably get kinda mad. She was expecting me to help her watch her brother next week. We will be going before next week, right? Gram's birthday is Monday. We should be there before then." It all came out in such a rush, I didn't give Mom a chance to answer or anything.
"Slow down, Sweetheart. Uncle Scott will be here tomorrow morning and you will be leaving at 1:30 in the morning on Thursday." Mom's smile was getting bigger.
"1:30? The bus station is closed at 1:30. Is Uncle Scott going to drive all the way there?" I knew that it would be an awful long drive and I have had a hard time spending much time with Uncle Scott since Daddy died. They were identical twins and it took me over a year to admit to myself that it was really Uncle Scott there and not Daddy. I was in the hospital, recovering from my own injuries that I had gotten in the accident, so I didn't go to Daddy's funeral. It made it even harder to accept the fact that he was, is, gone.
We had been coming home from Grandma's house four years ago. Daddy had driven us out to visit her. We were almost home, just a few blocks left of the over a thousand mile trip, when the truck ran a red light. It hit Daddy's side of the car. I had gotten a broken leg, arm, shoulder, and some cuts and bruises. But, Daddy was gone forever.
"You are going to be flying out." I heard Mom saying. "Gram will pick you up at the airport and you will be staying for two weeks. Uncle Scott has some meetings to attend to and that will give you plenty of time to catch up on things with Gram."
"Mom, you are the greatest! Two whole weeks in the Mile-high city with Gram. I am sure to be feeling better when I get home. I have to call Chrystal right now, okay?"
"Run along, Honey. I will be up in a few minutes to help you pack."
"Chrystal, you will not believe what Mom just told me! I'm not going to be able to help you next week. Uncle Scott is taking me to Gram's house for two whole weeks! And we are flying out there! I know, isn't it just amazing?"
"I know I promised, but I haven't seen Gram since she came here last Christmas. I miss her so much. July is such a great time to go to Denver. And she bought me my own kayak."
"No. She won't buy me a motorcycle until I am 18. Mom made her promise."
"Can you come over? Uncle Scott will be here in the morning and then we are going to leave very early the next morning. The only time we will have is today. Come help me pack."
Everything went without a hitch. Uncle Scott arrived right on time. We made it to the plane on time and Tom even came along to see me off. I was so excited I was sure I wouldn't get any sleep, but just after the plane took off I was out. Next thing I knew Uncle Scott was waking me up to put on my seat belt. It sure is a lot faster trip in a plane than in a car. I didn't even have to use the ladies room.
It seemed like it took forever to get inside the terminal, but we finally made it. She was right there waiting for us. My lovely, loving Gram. We ran to each other and hugged fiercely.
"Look at how you have grown! You are becoming quite a beautiful young woman."
"Oh, Gram. I am almost 13, you know. I won't stay a little girl forever."
"No more than your Daddy stayed my little boy. Children grow up. So, are you ready to go see that new kayak?"
"Mom, is it possible to get a shower and something to eat first?" Asked Uncle Scott. " I am exhausted, hungry, and I smell."
It was about a half hour drive from the airport to Gram's house on 17th Avenue. She lived right across from the City Park. I hope we will find time to visit the zoo. I wonder if you can kayak in City Park?
Gram's house was just as I had remembered it. As I walked through the door it hit me. I had not been here since Daddy died. This will be good for me, I demanded of myself. Daddy wouldn't want me to give up my life to grieve for him.
"So. Gram, where are we going to take those kayaks?" I asked trying help myself think of the here-and-now.
"I thought we could spend the day at Sloan's Lake tomorrow. Your Uncle has the first of his meetings then and we will have the whole day to ourselves. How does that sound?"
"Wonderful, glorious, superb! I love you, Gram."
"I love you, too. Now, go get freshened up and I will toss together a late lunch. Do you still eat the same things?"
"I never eat mustard anymore. But, everything else is the same."
My time with Gram was just as glorious as I could have dreamed. The second week was drawing to a close and the time to return to the routines of home was looming large in my mind. I really did not like my step-father and I knew he did not like me. I was wishing that I could stay here forever when I heard Gram calling me downstairs.
"Your mother is on the phone. She wants to say hello."
"Hi! How are you? Fine. Of course I miss you. I have been having a wonderful time. See you in two days. Love you, too. By."
"So, you interested in going to Red Rock on the bike?" Asked Gram.
"Interested? Of course! That will make my stay here with you just perfect."
We gathered a lunch, put it in a backpack, and headed out to Red Rock, the most beautiful mountain park I have ever seen. The day was perfect and we had a wonderful time. Too soon the sky was turning amazing shades of red and purple and it was time to leave.
"Thanks so much, Gram."
"What for, Child?" She asked. She really didn't know how much I hated the thought of going home. I missed Mom, but Tom would still be there, as well.
"Just for being you, Gram, and loving me the way you do."
Uncle Scott had not been around much during our visit. He was busy and left with little time for fun. The next thing I knew we were back on the plane to Michigan and he was regretting not having had more time with Gram and I.
"It sure sounds like you had a great time. My mom is one heck of a woman. She can keep most anyone busy and entertained."
"Gram sure is wonderful. I am going to miss her even more now. But, I want to thank you for taking me. It was nice to get away."
It was dark when we landed. Mom was there alone to pick us up. That made me happy, but I wouldn't tell her that. I never let her know just how much I disliked my step-father. She had enough problems.
Leaving the airport, we went a different way.
"Where are we going, Mom?"
"You'll see. Just be patient."
We pulled up to a duplex I had never been to before. When we walked up on the porch, I noticed Mom with a key to open the door. Inside were all things familiar. Our furniture, knickknacks, and bric-a-brac.
"What's going on, Mom?" I asked, feeling very bewildered.
"Welcome home, Honey," was all she said.
I went upstairs and checked the bedrooms. Mine was awesome! I loved the way Mom had set it up. But, my big surprise came when I looked in Mom's room. It was just her stuff.
"I used the time you were away to move out and fill for a divorce. It won't be easy. It is only my income now. We won't have any extra cash."
"Oh, Momma! Really? Do you mean it? You really left Tom? Oh, thank you! This really was the best ever visit at Gram's!"