“Omigosh! I am so sorry. Are you ok?” I stammered as she looked me up and down.
“None the worse for the wear, Janelle.” She smiled brightly. “You have grown up. That happens.”
Now I was puzzled. I knew I hadn’t mentioned my name. “You know me?” I was astonished.
“I never forget a face. You are Helen and Harmon’s second granddaughter, right?”
While I pondered this extraordinary turn of events, the man got to his feet. “Ok, Sara, take my arm. You are going to have to lead. It’s just dark enough that I can’t quite track.” I looked around at the twilight. I looked over at the elderly couple getting set to walk away from me and my life.
“Can I take the two of you to dinner someplace? You could tell me more about my grandparents? Grandfather’s Alzheimer’s has gotten so bad, he thinks I am my mother.”
“Sure we can, Janelle.”
As we three walked away together, I spared a moment to look up. “Thank you, grandmother.” And from somewhere, on the cool evening breeze, I heard, “you are welcome, child. I love you.”