Part 2The Cost of Company

After the kiss, my grandma was beaming, a goofy grin plastered on her face. I don’t even think she heard what he said. She just nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, of course, darling! I love buying you things. When you look handsome, it makes me look good!”

Just then, the apartment door opened again. My grandpa, his bad hip making him slow, had followed us out. He arrived just in time to see the blond kid give my grandma another sloppy kiss, leaving a faint trail of saliva on her wrinkled cheek.

“Eleanor…” Grandpa’s voice was a ragged whisper, filled with more worry than anger.

The kid glanced at him and sneered. “So this is the old geezer you wasted your life with, huh, babe? Poor you. But don’t worry, you’ve got me now.”

Grandma snorted. “You’re right. He’s useless. No romance, no money. Now he’s old and I have to take care of him. Not like you. You just make me happy.” She turned on Grandpa, jabbing a finger in his direction. “Arthur! I’m telling you now, I am sick and tired of you! Stay out of my business!”

The kid’s eyes lit up. He showered her face with more kisses. “So, babe, when are you gonna kick this fossil to the curb and marry me? I can’t wait for our honeymoon.”

I watched them, my stomach churning. I glanced at my grandpa. The light had gone out of his eyes. His hand, which he’d raised as if to reach for her, dropped to his side. He looked utterly defeated.

In that moment, I wanted to wash my hands of the whole thing. My grandma had been complaining about Grandpa for years. She was always yelling at him, claiming she was his caretaker, when in reality, it was him, limping and in constant pain, who looked after her. And now this… bringing this parasite into our home.

I sighed and gently took Grandpa’s arm. “Grandpa, let’s go back inside. It’s not worth getting upset over this.”

But he wouldn’t budge. He just kept muttering, “I have to bring Eleanor back… What if she gets hurt? She’s never had to fend for herself… What if he tricks her… Eleanor, don’t go…”

As he spoke, the elevator doors closed, and my grandmother disappeared with her boy toy, without a single look back.