Free Invisible by Jeanne Bannon Page A

second thought, I’d love a tea and a muffin.”
    Grandma Rose sits in front of me with a heaped Styrofoam plate of Chinese food. I’ve already started in on my blueberry muffin.
    “ How’s your story comin’?”
    I tell Gran about everything I write. She’s my biggest fan and greatest supporter. “I’m having a bit of trouble with it. But it’ll work itself out.”
    “ Good attitude. I know it’ll be fantastic when you get done with it. You’re going to be a best-selling author someday.”
    Hearing those words, I feel my heart doing a little dance. It’s what I want more than anything. “Do you really think so?”
    “ I’ve read everything you’re ever written and I’m not just saying it ’cause I love you. You’ve got talent! Don’t you dare let it go to waste. You better let me read this one as soon as you’re done.” She narrows her eyes in mock threat.
    “ Don’t worry; you’ll be the first person I let read it.”
    “ How ’bout your parents? Are they warming up to the idea of you wanting to be a writer?”
    I shake my head and think about what my parents want for me. They’d probably be fine with me having a regular-type 9 to 5 job, working in an office somewhere, but they’d never support my dream of being a writer. It’s too foreign to them.
    Gran shovels in a huge forkful of moo guy chicken and continues to speak despite her full mouth. “You’ve got to do what you love.”
    Her words are garbled, but I understand her perfectly.
    “ Don’t be what your parents want you to be. Follow your dreams, Lola. Now’s the time – when you’re young.”
    “ I know, Gran. I’ve also got to decide on a major.”
    “ You didn’t pick one yet?” Concern tinges her voice. “I think that’s a no-brainer … English literature.”
    She’s right. It’s what my heart wants, but it’s not what’s expected of me. “How do I tell Mom and Dad? I feel like I owe them, they’re paying my tuition.”
    “ Honey, they’re your parents, what do you think they’re going to do? Keep you from going to university just because they don’t like your major? Besides, whadda they know about university, neither of them dodo birds finished high school.”
    We laugh until we cry. It’s so wonderful to have Gran on my side. It’s as if we’re the same soul living in separate bodies.
    Gran throws a hand in the air, a finger extended. “I’ve got an idea,” she says, her eyes bright.
    I lean forward. “Lay it on me.”
    “ A tattoo,” she says.
    “ What?”
    “ You need to get a tattoo. Nothing too big, mind you. I don’t really like tattoos, but this would be a symbol, something to remind you of your passion and your dream of becoming a writer. Like a book, or a pen or even a typewriter.”
    I shake my head. “That’s crazy.”
    “ No, it’s not. You can have it put in a place where you’ll always see it. It can be a constant reminder to never give up on your dream.”
    The idea rolls around in my mind for a moment. If it were coming from anyone other than Gran, I’d reject it without a thought, but she does have a good point, and it wouldn’t have to be big, just something small, maybe on the inside of my wrist where I’d see it every day.
    “ There’s a tattoo parlour in the mall. Ya wanna do it?” Mischief plays in her eyes.
    “ My parents would freak. Especially Dad – you know how old fashioned he can be when it comes to his girls.”
    Gran gives a throaty laugh. “Good Lord. He doesn’t have a leg to stand on with all those damn tattoos he’s got. Besides, Eva’s got one, hasn’t she?”
    “ Yeah, but he didn’t like it. She was grounded for two weeks. Besides, she’s over eighteen. Don’t you have to be eighteen?”
    “ I’ll tell them you’re my granddaughter and it’s my present to you for your eighteenth birthday. And don’t worry about your parents, they’ll get over it.” Gran’s eyes flash with excitement. “If all else fails, I’ll give them a