A Twist in the Tale
Walking down the hallway to the apartment I share with my Nana I notice that someone is moving into the apartment next to ours. I glance inside and see a boy a few years younger than me. I continue on my way to our apartment and walk inside.
"Nana, did you know someone is moving into the apartment next to ours?" I question as I close the door. An overwhelming aroma of freshly baked cookies reaches me as I turn around.
"Of course, that's why I baked cookies," Nana comments as she greets me with a smile and a hug. "We'll go over after dinner and welcome them."
"I'm gonna go do my homework. Let me know if you need any help with dinner."
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Nana knocks on the door and we wait patiently for a few moments before the boy I saw earlier opens the door.
"Hello, young man," Nana greets him. "My name is Ruth but everyone calls me Nana Ruth and this is my granddaughter Madison. We live next door."
"Henry, who's at the door?" we hear a woman question from inside the apartment. Henry opens the door wider as the woman walks our way.
"I'm Ruth and this is my granddaughter Madison and we live next door," Nana greets.
"We brought cookies," I inform them as I hold up the plate in my hands. The woman regards us for a moment before speaking.
"That's very nice of you," the woman says as she takes the cookies from me. "My name is Emma and this is my son Henry. Uh, would you like to come inside?"
"We don't want to intrude. We just wanted to say hello and if you need anything, don't hesitate to stop by." I watch as a frown crosses Henry's features.
"We would really appreciate the chance for a break," Emma comments. "I'm already making some hot chocolate. It will go well with the cookies." Henry's face brightens at this and Nana relents.
"Well, we wouldn't want to decline an offer for hot chocolate and homemade cookies." Emma motions us inside and we enter the apartment.
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We sit in a somewhat awkward silence as we eat our cookies. I take a sip of hot chocolate and notice Emma has added a little something to it.
"Is that cinnamon?" I inquire.
"Oh, yeah, I'm sorry. Henry and I like to put cinnamon in ours. I should have asked." Emma apologizes profusely.
"It's okay," I assure her. "It tastes good." She smiles in relief and we fall back into an awkward silence.
"So, Madison, I'm guessing you're sixteen. Am I right?" Emma questions as she tries to start a conversation.
"Yeah, I just had my birthday last week. How did you know?"
"Mom's great at guessing things like that," Henry chimes in. "My birthday is in a couple weeks. I'll be twelve."
"Cool," I say giving him a small smile.
"Henry, why don't you go show Madison your room while I talk to Ruth?" Emma suggests. Henry nods his head and I turn to look at Nana. She motions me on with a nod of her head. I take one more sip of my hot chocolate and follow Henry to his room.
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Henry and I sit on his bed after giving me the brief tour of his room and all his possessions.
"So, it's just you and your mom?" I question him after a moment.
"Yeah, my dad has never really been in the picture," Henry answers sadly.
"I'm sorry."
"I'm not," Henry comments. "He got my mom in trouble and then left her." I nod and smile at him sadly. "Is it just you and your grandma?"
"She'll make you call her Nana Ruth, and yeah it's just us."
"What happened to your parents?"
"They died when I was really young. I don't remember them. My Nana is the only family I have left." Henry nods his head in understanding.
"Madison, it's time we let them get back to unpacking," my Nana calls from the other room. I turn back to look at Henry.
"If you get lonely, you can always knock on my door. I wouldn't mind getting to know you better."
"You wouldn't mind having a kid as a friend?" he questions me skeptically.
"Not at all, kid. I just met you but I can already tell you're special." He smiles at me.
"My mom calls me kid. You can too, if you want," he adds a little shyly.
"Alright, kid, as long as you call me Maddie."
"Deal," he states adamantly with a huge grin.
"See you later, kid," I say as I walk toward the door.
"See you later, Maddie."
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A couple months later…
"Hey, kid," I greet Henry as he steps out of his apartment as we meet up to head to school together.
"Hey, Mads."
"Henry," Emma calls rushing up to the door, "you forgot your lunch money." She hands him the money.
"Thanks, Mom."
"Hello, Maddie how's your Nana?"
"She's doing well today Emma," I answer with a smile.
"Alright, kids, you better get moving." We wave and head down the hall. We walk in silence for a couple moments before Henry speaks up.
"Why does my mom always ask how Nana Ruth is doing?" I sigh as my good mood disappears.
"Nana has a bad heart. Some days she's her usual self and other days she has trouble getting out of bed," I answer truthfully. "Your mom always asks because she makes sure to check on my Nana when she's having a bad day." We fall back into silence as we make our way out of the building.
"She's having more bad days than good days, isn't she?" Henry questions sadly. He looks at me and I can only nod. "Are you scared?"
"Terrified," I admit to him. "She's all the family I have left." Henry surprises me by taking my hand.
"You have me and mom. We're your family now, too." I smile at him and give his hand a squeeze.
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Later that day, I return home after a long day of worrying about my Nana and honor classes at school. I close the door to the apartment and lean against it. Sighing, I drop my bag at the door. I look around but don't see my Nana.
"Nana, I'm home," I call out as I head toward her bedroom. "Nana, are you here?" I question as I stop at her door. Knocking, I listen for an answer. I wait a moment before opening the door and I find her lying on the floor by her bed. "Nana!" I race over to her side and find that she's still alive. Quickly I grab my phone and dial 911.
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My knee bounces anxiously as I sit in the waiting room waiting for an update from the doctors. A million thoughts race through my brain as I try to keep from freaking out.
"Maddie." I turn to see Emma and Henry hurrying toward me. I stand up and let Emma engulf me in a strong hug. "Any news?" she questions as she pulls away.
"They haven't told me anything yet," I say with a sigh. I slump back into my chair and Emma and Henry sit down on either side of me. "She was having a good day. I don't understand how this could happen." Emma places her hand over mine and gives it a reassuring squeeze. Before she can comment the doctor walks over to us. Fearfully, I stand up and brace myself.
"Madison, it seems that your grandmother had a massive heart attack." Emma places a hand on my shoulder. "We were able to stabilize her, but I'm afraid there is nothing more we can do for her."
"What does that mean?" I question as my voice shakes.
"It means that you might want to say your goodbyes." The doctor smiles at me sadly. "Rachel will take you to her room." He motions to the nurse next him and then walks away. Emma moves her hand to my back and gently nudges me to follow the nurse. She stops outside one of the rooms.
"She's right in there," Rachel motions in before placing a hand on my shoulder and squeezes. I turn to look at Emma.
"You should go in first. Henry and I will wait out here." I nod and slowly make my way into the room. Nana smiles at me weakly when she spots me.
"There's my beautiful granddaughter." Her voice is weak but strong at the same time. I take her hand and the tears fall. "Don't cry, baby." I wipe at the tears with the sleeve of my free arm and take a deep breath.
"I thought we would have more time," I finally manage to say. "What am I going to do now?" Nana smiles and takes a labored deep breath.
"Don't worry, Nana made sure to get everything in order." She squeezes my hand.
"I love you, Nana," I whisper as my resolve starts to break.
"I love you too, baby," she replies as her voice becomes weaker. I kiss her on the forehead and then I quickly rush out of the room. Out of the corner of my I see Emma head into the room. I lean against the wall and slide down until I'm sitting on the floor. The tears fall fast and unchecked.
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Later that evening, I find myself sitting on the couch in Emma and Henry's apartment. A cold cup of hot chocolate sits on the coffee table in front of me. I stare at it, lost in my own little world. The couch moves and I look over to see Emma.
"When your Nana's bad days came more often than her good days, she stopped by to talk." Emma pauses and takes my hands in hers making sure she has my full attention. "She knew that she wouldn't be here much longer and she wasn't sure what would happen to you. I offered to take you in if anything happened to her." I let the words sink in for a moment.
"You don't have to do that," I reply. Emma squeezes my hands.
"She didn't ask, Maddie. I offered." She gives me a reassuring smile before looking over to Henry's room. "Hey, kid, come here for a sec," she calls out. Henry emerges from his room and joins us on the couch. "Tell Maddie she's staying with us."
"Like I said this morning, Mads, we're your family now. I think you're stuck with us." Despite everything I give a small chuckle.
"Thank you," I manage to say as my emotions begin to build again.
"Come here, kid," Emma says as she opens her arms. I fall into her embrace and let myself cry. I feel another set of arms wrap around me. In the arms of my new family, I feel like things just might be okay.