I'm your average girl that's in 8th grade, and I'm 14. I always go to visit my Grandmother over the summer holidays, but for the past 3 years I was very busy with my dad's death and my older brother moving out of our house, and marrying his girlfriend, so as you can see...Things have been too busy for me to be able to visit her and stay over the holidays. But mum said this year is different, that she had found a new man who was just as nice as dad. Even if no-one can ever replace dad, Tim seems okay. So mum is going to go to Tim's house for a while, while I get to finally go to Grand mama's House! I mean, 3 years! I bet she'll be happy to see me. The last time I saw her was on my birthday when I turned eleven. I started going over to Grand mama's house for the holidays ever since her husband, my grandpa, died 9 years ago. Now I have experienced the very same thing. Losing someone important to you is very sad and depressing. I thought for a moment that my mother would never recover. But she did. And I'm glad for that. I am going to go to Grand mamas in 3 days! I'm so very excited "Grand mama!" I ran out of my mother's car and rushed towards her happily. It had been 3 years since I last saw her. She ran up to me and engulfed me and my mum in this big bear hug. I clutched her fur jacket; it was so good to see her after such a long time "Hello Melinda," My Grand mama pulled back from the hug with a huge smile on her face, "I presume your here for the holidays, correct?" She asked, already knowing the answer. "Yep" Well, won't you come inside Margaret?" My Grand mama waved her hand towards my mother with a smile, "I would," My mother responded with a neutral face, "However, I am going to visit Tim for the holidays, and I'll miss my plane if I don't get going!" She winked at me, and then she was gone. I had a feeling she wasn't too comfortable around Grand mama..."Well, Melinda, would you like to go have some tea then?" Grand mama asked, turning to me grinning from ear to ear as we walked back into her house.

"Yeah!" I grinned back as we made our way into the house, unaware of a shadow watching us from behind...

"Grand mama!" I pouted as she placed her cards down. A Royal Flush. She won again, like always. "You always Win, it's not fair~" I said, wishing for once that I'd win.

"Hahahahaa." Grand mama laughed. She always laughs when I say this. She thinks it's just a game. But it's important for me to win! I have never won a single game! Besides the time she fell asleep and I won by default...But that doesn't really count anyways...Does it?

"Well Melinda, Should I let you win then?" She asked me quizzically

"No!" I responded quickly, But Grand mama just burst out laughing when I said that.

"Then what?" She asked once she got over the laughing spree. I pouted, knowing she was right; I would just have to improve my poker if I wanted to win. I flipped on the TV as Grand mama walked into the kitchen to pour some tea. I darted through channels, but I gravely noticed that there was only static.

"Grand mama, don't you have a satellite dish?" I asked, remembering that last time I came she did have one.

"No, it was too expensive."

"So you don't have TV anymore?"

"Nope." She responded, humming a tune as she poured the tea.

I mean, come on, that's not even close to being fair! No TV for a whole 2 months? No way! I'm going to have to find another way for entertainment then.

"Do you have video games?"

"Nope." I sighed, I knew she wouldn't have video games, she thinks there of the devil, and that they rot your brain. Well, it's true in some ways I guess...

"I have all sorts of ways to entertain myself, so they'll probably entertain you too Melinda." Grand mama winked at me lightly, as she poured water into the kettle. Yeah right. Grand mama's ways of entertaining herself include walking, running, and many other BORING things like that. Sigh... So much time, so little to do.

"Time for dinner Melinda!" Grand mama reached for the bell as she set the plates out on the table, but knowing just how loud the bell is, I raced into the kitchen and went:

"I'm here Grand mama!" I said, putting on a fake grin. "Do you want me to help carry anything out?" She nodded and handed me the greens, and I walked over to the table, setting them down onto it.

"Why, how sweet of you Melinda." Grand mama said, as she handed me the chicken and the beef next. She brought in the gravy, and sat down to rest in the chair at the table.

"It's okay Grand mama." I smiled sweetly at Grand mama, knowing that at her age some things were getting harder and harder for her to do.

"Well Melinda, Let's eat!" Grand mama said, handing me a plate, and we served ourselves.

"Melinda, you should go to bed," Grand mama called out from downstairs. Then she walked into my at about 10:00 and started telling me how if you go to bed early, you'll live as long as her. But, honestly, I'm not sure if I WANT to live for that long...So I tried to persuade her that Its fine with my mom if I stay up later on holidays, but that didn't faze her.

"Grand mama, Mum said I can stay up until 12:00," I politely told her, "And you can even call her to confirm that if you want." But Grand mama just said that she doesn't want to bother my mother and Tim. I know that's just an excuse.

So, I ended up going to bed at 10:30 after all, which was kind of disappointing, but yeah. Being at Grand mamas is fun and all, but it would be better if she'd let me like go out and explore and see what types of boys live around here. But she says that there all weirdoes. And I know that's not true. Cause believe me, I've seen some HOT guys around here. Like, HOT, HOT.

"Melinda, I'm going shopping, do you want to come?" Grand mama came into the room wearing some 1870's clothes. No way would I want to come, but I don't want to hurt her feelings, so instead I said

"Well, I guess, but only if I can watch TV at the stores." Grand mama unhappily agreed, I think she just wanted help carrying stuff back.

At the store there was only a few younger people...Most of them were in their 40s-70s. I'll admit it was kind of creepy seeing all of these old men and women walking about...But yeah, I'm just going to go find a TV and a couch.

"Grand mama, this is heavy."

"Don't worry Melinda, were almost home." "You said that hours ago~"

"I mean it this time."

"You didn't mean it the other times?" I asked, tired from walking about 10 miles cause the buses stop at 5:00. Ok, maybe about 1 mile, but still.

"Here we are Melinda." Grand mama took out her keys and opened the door, struggling to keep hold of all the bags at the same time.

"Want me to hold them?" I held out my only free hand, and took the bags while Grand mama focused on opening the door.

"Okay were in!" Grand mama pumped her hands in the air triumphantly as she shoved the door open, taking the bags from me as we headed into the kitchen with them, with Grand mama grinning from ear to ear. I'm sure she hasn't done this much shopping since my mother was here. Or when Tim reluctantly visited her. She made him carry shopping for her too. I guess it's very grandmotherly. Anyway, hopefully I won't have to do this again, also, I passed by a very cute guy with Grand mama in her 1870's clothes on...Embarrassing. Well, other than that, being at Grand mamas is pretty cool! I get lots of sweets and candy, and also I get to do what I want during the day! So yeah, but I still can't wait to get back to mum's and Jessie. Jessie is my BFF! She is so awesome! She always knows when I'm sad, happy, exited, bad, naughty...She knows everything about me, and I know everything about her! When I was in third grade, I got glasses. Everyone made fun of me, and they would laugh at me. But Jessie didn't. And one day after school she asked if I wanted to come over to her house. After that time, we wound up being best friends since now!

"Melinda!" Grand mama stormed into the room, holding out a cutting board and knife. "Stop daydreaming and go out and play! Or if you want you can help me cook?" She asked with a smug smile, knowing my answer. "I'd rather play thanks." I said, flinching as I said the word 'Play' She smiled"Ok, see you later Grand mama!" I said, waving as I ran out of the house. I walked back into the house, worried. Grand mama had stopped her off-tune singing, and she NEVER stopped singing while she was cooking! "G-Grand mama?" I called out into the house, worried and concerned to where in the world she could be. In the garage? I ran into the kitchen, and almost stopped breathing at what I saw. Three men were holding Grand mama by the arms