"Hell yeah! I think you should do it!" "Really? You think so?" "For what amounts to seventy euros an hour, you'd be stupid not to." "Alright, I'll do it," Grandpa and I were having this conversation in the living room. He didn't seem phased at all that this would be in a strange boy's apartment with no parental authority supervising. Not that he needed to worry…

He yawned, stretching his arms out on the couch's top behind him. He looked fairly satisfied with the situation. "Man, this is great. Keep this up and we'll be all set to go come September." "Yeah…." My eyes rolled downwards thoughtfully. Grandpa caught onto this, glancing at me curious.

"What is it, Mimi?" A pregnant pause ensued. "Grandpa, I…. I've wanted this for so long." "What? Going to Amsterdam?" "Mmmhmm, and I'm so incredibly happy about it. But….." I paused for a moment. "But?" Grandpa prodded me. "I don't feel like I can tell anybody about it, and it causes me so much stress. I'm so afraid of people finding out….." My fingers twiddled together nervously. "Why?! Grandbaby, you should be proud! This is gigantic accomplishment." "That's just it…. Everyone else is still trying to get into university, and I've already accepted an offer at Amsterdam. I… I don't want people to think I look down on them or something."

Grandpa watched me for another moment before tilting his head upwards to gaze at the ceiling. "Do you remember when you were six, and you got those new scrunchies for your birthday?" An organic grin bloomed across my lips as I peered over to him. "And I wore them the next day just to show them off at school?" "You were so proud of those scrunchies. You wore them so much that the elastic expanded and you couldn't tie your hair with them anymore." "Heh, I cried for days when they got thrown out." Grandpa's own smile widened at this.

"You're allowed to enjoy things openly, Mimi. You'd never brag now, so what's the issue? If they're really your friends, they'll be happy for you." That's when my grin began to fade; I peered down at my fingers once more. "I guess I've gotten used to hiding what I want…. what I love from the outside world," my lips freely admitted. Why hide that? It's true. Grandpa's head lowered and his eyes wandered back over to me.

"I know things haven't always been easy for you, but life is better now. You don't have to worry so much anymore; no one's gonna take anything away from you." "I know they won't…. if they don't know I want it," a little bit of the old, scared me slipped out. Grandpa watched me for a minute before sighing. "Is that why you want me to move to Amsterdam with you? You're still afraid they'll take me away from you?" "All I know is that I love you, Grandpa. I don't… wanna lose you." And his hand reached over to give mine a tender squeeze. "You're not going to. Trust me." "Thanks, Grandpa," I smiled gratefully at him.

Then he sighed and stretched out relaxed on the couch again; his eyes reverted back towards the ceiling. He sighed deeply. "My grandbaby, the maid for a boy in her class." "School; he's not in my class." "What's his name?" "Usui. He's quite popular. Heh, have no idea why he's talks to me." "Maybe he likes you." "Oh, I doubt that." "Why?" "Because he has his pick of all girls in school. He could have anyone he wants. Why would he choose someone like me who doesn't fawn all over him?"

Grandpa laughed. "That both makes sense and doesn't make sense." "He's just a friend; if I can even call him that," I reassured him. "Good, cause you know what they say about maids and their masters." "He's not my master." "That's not what society says. But remember, you're there for a job- that's it. Don't let him go take advantage of his authority over you." "What authority? He's my age." "It still counts. Just remember to be careful." "I already am, Grandpa. You know me; absolutely nothing will happen." And he looked at me ponderingly. "Don't get me wrong; I'm happy. But why'd you ever become such a prude?" My eyes scrolled down solemn. "Promise me you'll never fall for any of god-forsaken parasites. The only men who'll ever love you are me and your dad." "I don't know, Grandpa…."