“ Yes, I have as of late why do you ask grandma?” I answer with some concern asking her
“ Just curious honey that’s all. Heath I feel so relaxed here by the ocean. I guess that’s why I talked my husband to move here.” May tells me as I feel worried all the sudden
“ May what…what is going on your scaring me.” I say with a tear for some reason
May turns to look up in my eyes and sees them. She gets up kneeling by me placing her arms around my neck and left cheek to my right looking at the ocean.
“ Sorry Heath for scaring you just talking that’s all. Your not losing me honey I am right here so calm down grandson. I love you so much.” May tells me as I sigh holding her in my arms
We watched the the waves a bit longer until going in to watch some t.v. until dinner. That evening was filled with May spending time with me. That night was one of a grandmother holding her grandson with nurturing love towards his soul.
The next few weeks May and I were inseparable. I didn’t celebrate my birthday as I felt there was no reason to. I did spend the day with the woman in my life who was like a grandmother to me. She helped me get ready for college those next weeks. As the day got a day away May led me down to the spot we always sat on the beach. She handed me a small jewelry box. I accepted it as to not be rude. I opened it up and then my eyes went wide. In the box was a ring of gold with a black onyx with a lion on it. I turned to look at May who had a smile on her face.
“ May this is very nice.” I tell her as she nods sweetly
“ Yes that is what Lonny said also.” She tells me catching me off guard
“ Wait this was grandpa’s? I can’t accept this grandma you should keep this.” I tell her as she shakes her head
“ No I want you to have it hun. I am sure Lonny would agree with me on this from up above. Look Heath you have made a old woman feel happy and Joy the past two months so don’t reject this gift.” May tells me as I nod then resumes “ Thank you now put it on, and wear it with pride as Lonny did.”
I do as she asks placing it on my right ring finger. I am actually surprised that it fits. May smiles with tears as I have my own. We hug each other as I thank her with a kiss on the cheek. We spend that day enjoying each others company. She evens holds me that night as we sleep as a grandmother to a grandson. That night we both slept with no worries, concerns, or nightmares that use to haunt me. I knew that night I was loved by a woman that took me in as her grandson that second day I was here.
It was the third week of August on a Monday morning that I was to start orientation. May walked me out to my truck as I was putting my duffle bag in the passenger seat from the drivers side that May had me turn towards her. May had tears in her eyes as she didn’t want me to leave.
“ Heath I want to give you something that will show your always welcomed here.” She tells me taking my right hand
May places a key in my hand. I look to see it’s a house key as I look up to see her sweet smile.
“ I’ll be back on weekends grandma as college is just 20 minutes away.” I tell her with a smile
“ Honey you don’t have to I will be ok. You just go be a college man and make me proud of you.” Grandma tells me with a smile
“ Ok, but I will me back on weekends to get peace and quiet.” I tell her as we laugh
With hugs shared and kisses on the cheek I left making my way to college. I looked in the rear view mirror to see May in tears smiling as I had tears just the same. It was tough for me to leave someone that showed me care, compassion, and more important love.
After making my way to college I found the auditorium to attend the orientation. It was about 10 a.m. when I took my seat. There were quite a a lot of new students. I already decided to stay to myself as it would be better that way. After a morning of paper work and rules of behavior we were let go for lunch around 12:30 p.m. I made my way to what was their version of a cafeteria. I was about to sit at a empty table when I look across the way to see a guy I guessed my age. He looked 6‘1, 224 lbs, shoulder length mousy black hair with shades on. I made my way over to his table to find him alone. Once to the table he occupied I stood with a grin as he noticed me.
“ Mind if I sit here man?” I asked him to get a nod
I sat placing my bag pack by my chair extending my hand after towards him.
“ My names Heath and yours?” I introduce asking after
“ Adam, nice to meet you Heath.” He answers taking my hand to shake
We start some light conversation getting to know one another. I find out he wants to be a person to help people like rescue or medic. I tell him I want to be a good, successful business man like my father was. He is friendly, but quiet like I am at times. It’s about 30 minutes later that we hear a wild voice coming to us. Adam and I look to see a guy standing 6‘2, 234 lbs, with short blonde hair and blue eyes. He comes over smiling to the table Adam and I occupy.
“ Hey bro’s hows it hanging?” He asks making Adam and I feel put off by his statement
“ It’s hanging how about you?” Adam replies as the guy turns the chair around and sits
“ To the right searching for the one. Names Jack and you two?” Jack says extending his hand
“ Heath, and this is Adam.” I say as Adam and I each shake his right hand
“ Heath, Adam nice to meet you. So excited about College I hear the dorm rooms are good here.” Jack says to us as we nod
We talk the rest of the time learning of one another. Adam and I find out Jack is from California in which I go cautious as to not talk so much. He starts talking about being a bully when he was younger, but changed when he was 15 years of age after seeing he was no better then others. He changed his life around wanting to go on the right path of life. After he told Adam and I about his life I started to feel at ease around him. By the end of the day after that I found my way to the dorm’s for the guys. I made my way up the stairs to the second for then down the hall. I came to the room on my paperwork. I turned the doorknob to open. Once I did I walked in to find two familiar faces.
“ Holy Shit no way bro your our third roommate sweet. Here have a beer we can celebrate. Adam and I already chose our rooms. You have the one in the middle man.” Jack tells me as I see Adam with one on the couch
I drop my bag on the floor by the couch. I accept the beer as to not be rude. I sit a bit from Adam as he is listening to his Ipod until he sees me then grins nodding his head.
“ Hey how about a toast guys?” Jack says asking as Adam and I shrug our shoulders standing up
“ So what’s the toast?” I ask as Adam nods in agreeing
Jack stands there thinking then smiles lifting his beer in his right hand.
“ To new friends, new path in life, and to all the ladies that are here.” Jack says as Adam and I just grin clanking our bottles together then take swig to drink the toast
Adam and I return seated as Jack sat in a chair. We all talked about college and what we each wanted from our classes. As I sat there listening to the two new friends I had a thought. Maybe being in college wasn’t going to be so bad. I knew it wouldn’t be boring with these two especially Jack he was the joker type and horn dog. While Adam was the quiet type until you start a good conversation. As they talked I looked at my ring that Grandma May gave me and smiled knowing I would be just fine on this new life of mine.
That first week of college was very interesting as Adam, Jack, and I had to get into a routine getting to our classes on time. All three of us during the evenings fixed up our rooms, and the living room we shared. It was nice having them as friends. Because each one brought something to the friendship. Adam was quiet and more laid back, while Jack was the joker at always catching Adam OFF guard. He also made it clear he liked the attention as well as a good party. I though tried to keep to myself as to not bring up my past to either of them. That week I was approached by a few young women, but turned down their offers to have lunch or a fling as they called it. I wasn’t ready to be with a woman as my heart was still running cold. Some told me it was ok no problem as a few called me a few names that I ignored. I focused on my classes that week once I got into the groove.
Friday had finally came as I told Adam and Jack my plans around 5 p.m. that evening. They both told me to have a good weekend as I left with a smile plus nodded walking out the door. I made my way to a florists picking up some lilies to take to my adoptive grandmother. It’s was a 20 minute drive in which felt longer. I pulled up in the drive parking next to her F100. I got out of my truck grabbing the lilies as I did. Making my way to the door I noticed it was 5:45 p.m. as I had to fill my truck up with gas on the way. Once to the door I was about to open it just to see it open. On the other side was a very happy woman.
“ Oh Heath you did come like you told me. Come in honey and give me a hug.” May tells me as I smile
I step in to give her a tight hug in which she returns just as tight.
“ I missed you had to spend the weekend with you.” I exclaim feeling a nod against my chest
“ You even brought me flowers how nice, and my favorite.” May says breaking the hug to just take the flowers before continuing “ Have a seat while I put these in a vase then return with some tea. Have you had anything to eat yet honey?”
“ Actually no as I was hoping for some of you great cooking.” I answer getting a concerned, but loving smile
“ I think your spoiled to my cooking. Be right back honey.” May says making her way to the kitchen
I look around to see nothing had changed, but as I looked at the mantle above the chimney I see a new picture in a gold frame. I take a few steps over to look at the picture the frame holds. I smile as it’s the same picture in the locket I gave May. I stare at her smile knowing that was a good day. I feel a poke at my side to only turn to see May standing with two glasses.
“ I wanted a bigger picture then the small one of you and I. I wanted the very few people that come over to see my grandson.” May tells me as I keep my smile
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