Chapter thirty-three
I helped one of my students put on his backpack and led the class in a line outside the school to wait in the courtyard before the gate, as was customary. While I was checking all the children in my class had picked up their belongings, Holly came closer, and from her smile, I guessed she might end up asking me some embarrassing question.
“Are you going away with the handsome guy today?” He winked at me, and my cheeks flushed.
As happy as I was with my relationship with Thomas, I didn't want people making inappropriate comments, especially as we were dealing with children who could make inappropriate interpretations and comment on them to their parents or family members.
Thomas and I hadn't arranged anything, but I was worried about my grandmother and wanted to see her, but before I could say anything to Holly, my cell phone started ringing, saving me from the situation.
“Hi...”
“Helena?” I hadn't noticed the caller ID, and my heart raced when I heard his voice.
“It's me.”
“I'm sorry, but I won't be able to pick you up or the girls today. Mylon will be there soon because I've got complicated here at work. This is an important matter that I can't leave aside, but I promise I'll make it up to you later. The nanny will keep an eye on the girls, and we'll go somewhere, just the two of us...”
“Not today, Thomas...”
“Why not?” He seemed disappointed with the way I answered him.
“I need to stay with my grandmother.”
“I bet she's fine.”
“She's already an old lady. She can't be left alone for so long without care. I need to make sure she's eating and taking her medication properly.”
“I understand.”
“It's not as if I don't want to see him.”
“I know that.” He sounded a little frustrated on the other end of the line but didn't insist.
“The girls are going with Mylon.”
“He can leave them at home.”
“I can manage with the bus.”
“But by car...”
“I'm fine, Thomas.”
“Okay. If you need anything, give me a call.”
“No problem.”
“Send your grandmother a hug for me,” he said before hanging up the call, and I put the phone away.
“I think he's just answered my question,” Holly commented after hearing my call.
“Her parents must have arrived by now.” I indicated the gate for her to open.
Holly nodded and went to the door. As soon as she was gone, the twins came running and wrapped their arms around my waist.
“Helena!”
“Hi, little ones!”
“Aren't you going home with us today?”
“Unfortunately not.”
“Why?”
“Because your dad has a job.”
“He always works.”
“And I have to look after my grandma.”
“Ah!” They looked disappointed.”
“Twins, Mylon has arrived.”
“Ah!” They looked disappointed but got up and walked to the gate where their father's employee was standing.
“Bye, girls!” I waved to them.
“Bye, Mom!” Anne said goodbye and ran off. I didn't even have time to correct her, and if I had, I wouldn't have known what to say. They weren't my real daughters, but their mother had died, and they missed their mother very much.
The other children who hadn't left yet stared at me but didn't ask anything. It was quite possible that the girls had already talked about it with all their classmates. I had no choice but to deal with the situation.
I went back to collect my belongings from the living room and took the public transport home.
As soon as I arrived at the apartment, I heard a sound coming from the kitchen and didn't find my grandmother sitting in the armchair as usual.
“Grandma, what are you doing?” I asked as I stopped by the door, and she gasped. I'm sure she was distracted and didn't even notice me coming.
“Helena, my daughter!” She turned to face me. “Do you want to kill me with your heart?”
“Of course not! What are you doing?”
“I thought I'd prepare some pastries.”
“Pastries, Grandma?” I crossed my arms with a serious expression.
“Yes, pastries.”
“As well as being greasy, you could risk burning yourself.”
“They're delicious.”
“How about a vegetable soup?”
“Soup?” He twisted his lips.
“That's right.”
“It doesn't look good.”
“It's delicious.”
“Sick food.”
“You're not old enough to stuff yourself with greasy things, you know.”
“Weren't you going to stay with your boyfriend?” she dodged the question.
“Not today, and I have to look after the lady.”
“I raised you, young lady; I can take care of myself.”
“I'm just trying to give something back.”
“The best way to give something back is to enjoy your life. That handsome man...”
“Grandma!” My cheeks flushed at the depraved expression that took over her face; I wasn't expecting something like that.
“What's wrong?” He shrugged. “I'm old, but I'm not dead.”
“You're terrible.” She laughs to herself. “It's more complicated than it looks.” I sighed, leaning my head against the doorframe.
“Because of his daughters.”
“I love them, but...”
“Getting involved with a man who has a past isn't easy, but nothing in life is. You just have to be sure that it's what you really want. At least the ex-wife is dead and won't come back to haunt you.”
“Grandma!”
“All right.” He made a sign of the cross.
“Let's get this dinner ready.” I took a pan from her hand and changed the subject as quickly as I could.
“Pastel?” He looked at me with a childlike expression.
“No. Vegetables.”
“Ah...”
“It's for your health, Grandma.”
“I'm already dying; why don't you let me enjoy the good things in life?”
“You're not dying, Grandma.”
“Just getting old...”
“Why don't you chop some carrots?” I pointed to the fridge. “I'll do the rest.”
She ended up giving up and accepting my decision.