My entire week was shit, and it hasn't gotten better. Entire week, I had to stay up and do school work I didn't even know how to do. I got like, three hours of sleep each night. I also lost a 'friend,' but in all honestly, they were toxic so it was for the best. I was so stressed, exhausted and in pain.
But happy mother's day (to those of you with mothers, without, with only fathers, who are mothers, etc.) I painted my mom an American goldfinch (cause she loves finches and the color yellow)
Chapter 8
It was a very nice day, I noted as I took the pointer finger of Mom in my small hand. She led me outside and we began walking from the base.
A few weeks have passed since my first birthday, summer is coming to an end within a month or two. I've been outside numerous times, and each fascinated me. I could walk on my own, mostly without the support of anything else. Ops was there for my first official steps. He was so proud, and went about boasting.
"My granddaughter took her first steps," he would say.
That wasn't too long ago, a week or two at the least. His pride encouraged me to do it again, and better. I wanted to impress him in any way I could. Though, I've been seeing him less and less as of late. He tried to make time for me, and I could appreciate that. He had a lot of work, like Uncle Prowl.
Mom and I walked out, I watched as I picked up my feet and put them back down on the ground. I wasn't as graceful as Mom was with her walking, but I could manage.
She brought us out of the base grounds and past that. We were in town now, and I spotted a large grassy area with trees.
Tugging Mom's hand, I pointed to it, glancing up at her to make sure she saw it too. I wanted to go over there.
Smiling, she complied and we crossed the street, her carrying me. When we made it to the curb, she set me down and I took her finger in my hand again. We walked onto the grass and enjoyed the gentle breeze that brushed across the little park.
Other people were walking about too, ones on the curb were busy going where they needed to be, but a couple saw me and smiled. They looked so friendly!
A man appeared from the base, making his way across the street and towards us. He was glancing around a lot with a critical eye, but looked more relaxed than ever. It was Ops!
I smiled and clumsily approached him, reaching up with my hands. I squealed in delight when he picked me up, holding me close.
"She's growing up too fast," he stated. He looked me in the eye and spoke again, "Aren't you? Growing too fast for your old man to keep up with."
Laughing, I patted his cheek with my hand. It was prickly from the neat stubble lining his jaw. His eyes were bright, from both color and joy. He didn't show it much outwardly, but I knew he was happy.
Mom took a seat in the grass, sitting cross-legged. It was an invitation for Ops to sit down, which he did. He handed me off to Mom, who settled me in her lap.
"Your mother would have loved to see you and how far you've come. She would be proud," he said, looking down at me, but addressing my mom. Then his eyes flicked up to hers, "Just as I am."
She gave him a sad smile and played with my little hands, "Yeah."
I didn't have grandmothers. I didn't know what it'd even be like to have one, but my aunts seem to fit the spot just fine.
As long as I had my grandfathers, I was happy. I'm grateful for the family I have now.
"Tell me about her," Mom stated after minutes of silence have passed.
Ops gave her a faint smile, one that also looked sad, "She was compassionate. And definitely knew how to make good coffee," he chuckled, "She worked as a barista, at a small café."
"This already sounds like something off the Hallmark channel," Mom laughed.
He simply shook his head, amused, "She was my waitress every time I went to the café. I was interested in her, in a sense where I just couldn't leave her for long. I had to see her again," he sighed, "It wasn't entirely romantic until we recharged together."
I didn't pay much mind to the story, I was more interested in the grass I could easily pull out of the ground. There were little flowers all over the place too.
Mom reached out - still listening to Ops - and plucked a few, bringing them in front of me. Her fingers started working on the stems of the flowers, twisting and turning them.
"I tried my best to stay with her throughout the pregnancy. I didn't know what I was thinking," Ops watched her as she messed with the flowers, "It was like being an irresponsible teenager. I accidentally sparked her with three sparklings."
A small circle was made from the flowers, they were woven into each other. I watched with wonder as she carefully lifted the little crown and set it upon my head, smoothing out my soft dark hair.
Ops smiled down at me, "That looks very pretty, Sterling."
I returned the smile, baring my gums that were just beginning to give way to baby teeth. If it was possible, his smile widened.
"I was there when you three were born, but I wasn't allowed in since it was 'family members' only. And she had to get a C-section," he frowned, "I didn't know what to do when you were born."
He looked guilty as he fiddled with the extra flowers Mom had, she was twisting more into a little band.
"Running away from you three isn't my proudest of moments, but I am glad to have met you again and see my granddaughter," he tucked a flower behind my ear. He looked fascinated with me as he muttered, "My granddaughter..."
"Ya!" I clapped up at him. That's me, his granddaughter!
Mom slipped the itty bitty band around my wrist, "I'm glad I met you too." She took my hands again and playfully waved them around, "Wanna say Optimus? Can you say that?"
"Ops!" I sent her a goofy smile, "Pa!"
May 13, 2018, 10:31 pm
