Page 92 of The Perils of Pretending
I laugh. “That’s perfect for you, but not me.”
“I’m getting it.”
“You should.”
We keep searching throughout every gift store, making it a game to see what we can find that’s the most ridiculous thing. In the end, I purchase a travel moose keychain with a card that says “Through forests deep and mountains tall, may this moose be there through it all. A little charm to bring you cheer, and guide you safely far and near,” a Christmas ornament with “Merry Moose-mas” on it in a cute swirly red font, another ornament that says “Just a girl who loves moose,” and a sticker with the saying “Always be yourself. Unless you can be a moose. Then be a moose.” I couldn’t leave without a black shirt with a moose and the words “Don’t moose with me” in a cute white font on the frontwith matching white-and-black buffalo plaid pajama bottoms for both Max and me. I fully intend for us to wear these at Christmas together.
We experienced so many other things here in Alaska. Captain BR is on the top of my list of memories I’ll treasure, but Max is number one.
Max turns down a cute, quiet neighborhood. “My grandparents' house is just up the street.”
I bounce my leg. “I’m excited to meet them. I'm a little nervous too. I’ve had enough of crazy old people the last nine days.”
“They’re nothing like Alice. I promise.”
If they’re like my Grandma Sue and Grandpa Tim, I’ll be fine. “That’s a relief.”
Max pulls into the driveway of a charming two-story with tan siding and white shutters on the windows. Flower boxes hang off the porch railing, bursting with colorful flowers.
Max cuts the engine. “This is it.”
I’m already at ease with the normal size of the house. “It’s cute. Have they lived here your whole life?”
“Yes.” Max unclicks his seatbelt. “They built this house in the seventies. My parents had it repainted for them before they moved to Florida because the original brown was faded and dare I say ugly.”
I try to imagine the home as brown. Yeah, that’s a hard pass for me. “Should we take our luggage in now, or come back for it?”
“Let’s come back.”
We get out of the car. Max takes my hand in his, leading me up the walkway to the front door. My stomach clenches.
He walks right in. “Grandma? Grandpa? We’re here!”
The head of Max’s grandpa pokes out from behind the wall along the front entrance. He’s bald, with white eyebrows and silver-framed glasses. “My boy! Welcome back.” Max’s grandpa fully emerges. His frame is large, but bent with old age. He hugs Max like he’s the prodigal son returning instead of his grandson he saw a week ago. It’s adorable.
They break apart. Max gestures between me and his grandpa.
“Grandpa, I’d like you to meet my girlfriend, Sadie. Sadie, this is my grandpa Alex.”
My body gets all warm and tingly hearing Max call me his girlfriend. “Hi, Alex.” I wave. “Thank you for letting us stay here tonight.”
Alex puts his arms around me, pulling me in for a bear hug. “Are you kidding me? We’re delighted to have you visit us for the night. Marjie went to the store to pick up some steak and lobster for dinner. She made banana cream pie right after you called, Max. I haven’t had food this good since…well, since you came last week!”
Max smiles fondly. “Glad we can help you, Gramps.”
“Come in, come in.” He gestures for us to follow him into the living room.
I feel like I’ve been transported back in time. The carpet is brown. The couch is pink floral. In front of a blue fabric recliner is a metal folding table set up with a puzzle on top. From what I can tell, the only thing from this decade in the room is the flat-screen TV in the corner of the room sitting on top of a TV stand from the seventies. Family photos in tarnished gold frames hang on every available wall space. I spot a few pictures that show who I know is a younger Max, but I don’t know the majority of the people photographed. Something I’ll have to ask Max about later.
Alex sits in the recliner. Max and I take the couch. The second we sit, Max reaches for my hand. He rests our joined hands on his thigh. For looking old, the couch doesn’t smell, which is good. In fact their house is fairly clean, just outdated.
“How was your family reunion, Sadie?”
Oh man. That’s such a loaded question. I keep my answer short. “It had its ups and downs, but once Max got there, it made everything better.”
Alex smiles lovingly at Max. “He’s a good one. You hold onto him, dear.”
I turn my head, staring at Max. He meets my gaze, smiling. His cute dimples show through his scruff. My heart swoops. “I plan to.”
