0121

As had become the custom, Claudia and Susan woke up around noon and took a cab to a local diner. The same one they had gone to every day since they arrived at the motel.

All of the staff seemed to adore Susan, and they went out of their way to do things for her. Even patrons commented about her to Claudia, who always explained that she was the nanny.

This day, however, the same woman that smiled at Claudia the day before was there again. It was as if she were waiting for them.

Claudia remembered her from the prior day, and could sense she was there to see Susan.

To Claudia's surprise, Susan stopped in front of the woman and looked up into her face. "You don't need to be sad," she said.

"What?" the woman asked, with a mixture of shock and joy.

"Everything is O.K.," Susan said with a smile before walking on.

"Who was that little one?" Claudia asked once they had found their seats.

"Grandma."

"What?"

"She's my mom's mom."

Claudia looked up at the woman, who was openly watching them. "Are you sure?" she asked Susan.

"Yup."

"Should we leave?"

"Nah, we haven't eaten yet."

The two sat and ate while the woman continued to watch. When Claudia and Susan left, the woman remained.

"Let's walk!" Susan exclaimed.

"To where?"

"The park."

They walked to a park behind the main shopping district.

"Does she know who you are?" Claudia asked, returning to their earlier conversation about Susan’s grandmother.

"Not really."

"She think she know?"

"Yeah."

"Why you not tell her?"

"It's not time yet."

"When will be time?"

"I don't know."

"We should tell the others."

"No, it's not time for that either."

"But Sabastian will be worried."

"Yeah, that's why it's not time. He has other things to worry about now. Bigger things."


[Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005. All rights reserved.]
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