Free Grayson (This is Our Life Book 1) by F.G. Adams Page A

pastimes is singing together.  Creating a beautiful melody for our enjoyment.  Expressing our love and dedication to each other.  I've grabbed my guitar, Jo, Sage, and Addie have the microphones, and the piano begins to play a favorite tune.  We sing and dance into the wee hours of the night.  Enjoying my sisters and their special gift of time.
     
     
     
     

 
     
    Leaving in two weeks , I sigh half-heartedly to myself.  It’s only been a week since graduation, and time is beginning to close in on me. 
    Ella is snuggled up close to me on the couch at her house, the heat from my body seeping into her colder one.  My dreams are finally coming true.  I’m leaving the View and going to West Point.  But for reasons of this beautiful girl curled up in my arms, I’m sad.
    “Penny for your thoughts?” Ella asks. 
    “Just thinking how perfect this moment is, right now, with you, Bluebird,” I begin to explain.
    She smiles up at me with her beautiful pools of ocean blues, the ones that make me crazy and stir my hunger at the same time.  Leaning in to give her a delicious kiss, I stop when my phone starts to go off.  Startling me at first, I reach over and see my mom’s number.  I give Ella one quick kiss and pick up the phone.
    “Grayson, thank goodness,” mom breathes. 
    She seems distraught, and I’m promptly on alert.  “What’s wrong?”
    “It’s your grandma, son.  She’s....We need you to come down to the hospital,” she chokes out on a sob.
    Jumping up off the couch, I begin to pace back and forth across the small living room.  “What is it?  Just tell me!” I shout louder than intended into my phone. 
    “She fell last night at home, and you know she was alone.  When your Uncle Danny went by to check on her this morning, she was…” the sound is cut off by a blood-curdling cry.  At that I know it is bad. 
    “I’ll be right there, momma,” I hang up the phone and peer over at Ella, who is sitting attentively, waiting for the bad news to fall. 
    “It’s my grandma, Ella.  She’s at the hospital, and I have to go now,” I explain as I anxiously connect our eyes. 
    She gets up without saying a word, grabs her purse as she goes, and we walk out the door together.  Oh God, please, I silently pray.  Please let my grandma be okay.
    When we arrive at the hospital, we are shuffled into to a private waiting room with other family members.  The room is full as I make my way toward mom.  Fallyn is on the floor with Sage, holding hands, as Jo rushes forward to embrace me.  No words are said.  It’s eerily quiet for so many people in this tiny space.  Sniffles coming from Jo catch my attention, and I know everyone is waiting for news on how grandma is doing.  Ella makes her way to my mom and before long, she is leaving the room to find coffee for everyone.  We’ve been here for a few hours, and there has been no update.  My worst fears keep invading my head, and the longer we wait, the harder it is to fight them. 
    That’s when Dr. Peaden walks in and relays the events of the last few hours. “Polly Jean, Wood, Becka, your mother had extensive damage to her heart and we weren’t able to resuscitate her the last time.  She arrived unconscious, barely breathing, and never regained awareness.  We fought hard, but her heart couldn’t take the amount of stress she was under.  I’m really sorry for your loss.” 
    Wailing begins and panic grows to an all-time level.  Denial is in the air.  No one wanted to believe their matriarch was gone.  The woman who was the glue that held the family together all these years has left us all, leaving behind an emptiness that can never be filled.
    I’m stunned. Helplessness begins to set in my bones.  Why didn’t I check on her last night?
    My father stands up from across the room and heads toward our group. I cringe when his arms circle mom.  She’s beside herself with grief, and he doesn’t like displays of emotions,