Page 4 of By His Play

“I’ve got quite a few things here, but tea isn’t one of them,” I confess.

There’s a beat of silence before Effie squeals and launches herself from the armchair.

“Oh fuck,” I grunt, dropping everything in my arms just in time to catch her as she flies at me.

“You’re here,” she sings, wrapping her arms around my shoulders, clinging to me as if she hasn’t seen me in a decade, not a couple of months.

“Aw, look at you two,” Grams says, watching us closely.

Effie tenses in my arms, but she doesn’t let me go.

“Hi, Grams,” I say as Effie continues to cling to me. “Looking as beautiful as ever.”

Proving to me that she’s still the same woman I’ve always loved, her cheeks burn scarlet at my compliment.

She might play the innocent, but she’s told us enough stories from her past that would prove otherwise.

Finally, Effie releases me, and after rescuing the bouquet of flowers that hit the floor not so long ago, I walk over to greet Grams.

Her eyes are glassy when I crouch down in front of her.

“It’s so good to see you in person. I thought I was only ever going to see you on a screen again,” she confesses, making my chest ache.

“It’s been a busy few months,” I explain.

“So I hear,” Grams says coyly.

“I’m going to go and get a vase for these,” Effie says before rushing out of the room as if she’s being chased.

Concern fills my veins.

Sure, she was excited to see me, but something isn’t quite right.

Even more guilt floods me. While I’ve been drowning in my own bullshit, I haven’t been there for her in the way I usually would.

“She’s missed you so much,” Grams says as I perch my ass on the edge of the coffee table before her.

I hang my head in shame for a moment.

“I’ve missed her too. And you. How are you doing?” I ask, unsure of how she’s going to respond.

She seems lucid, like her old self right now, but I know from talking to Effie that it can change all too quickly.

It’s selfish, but I can’t help but hope I can get more time with her.

“I’m fantastic. This place? It’s great. The food is outstanding. Better than Effie’s cooking, that’s for sure. Don’t tell her that,” she adds quickly, making me laugh.

I wink. “It can be our secret.” Although, really, it’s no secret. Even Effie knows she’s a terrible cook.

“Are the nurses nice?”

“Everyone is so lovely. And they take good care of our girl.”

I smile.

For as long as I can remember, Grams has been trying to get us together. She doesn’t even try to cover up the fact that she dreams of watching Effie walk down the aisle toward…well, me.

I swallow thickly.

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