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stepped one of her stiletto heels into the kitchen.
    Grams wiped her flour covered hands
on her apron that was cinched at the waist and handed me an armful of
vegetables. “You can chop these all up. I’m making chicken and dumplings for
supper. I know that used to be your favorite. And I even have a rhubarb pie for
dessert,” she added with a wink before going back to work on the dumpling
dough.
    “That sounds fabulous. I’ll have to
watch what I eat though, or I’ll be gaining ten pounds in the week that I’m
here.”
    “Oh honey, no need to worry about
that. As long as you stay active, you can keep it all off and enjoy some home cooking.
It would do you some good to have some meat on those bones anyway.” Oh Grams if
you only knew.
    We worked together like we had
never been apart. I had always loved helping Grams in the kitchen, it was her
domain, and I liked to think it had rubbed off on me a bit. After setting the
table, the three of us sat down together, and I savored every last bite.
Grandpa was silent the whole time until his pie was completely cleared off his
plate.
    “Now Adelaide,” he said, clearing
his throat and swiping at his mouth with a napkin. “We need to set some ground
rules around here. I know you are an adult now, but you need to prove to us
that you can act like one.” I groaned internally but kept a smile on my face. I
knew this would be coming, and I wasn’t sure if I was prepared for it.
    I just had to keep reminding myself
that this would only be for a couple of months and then eventually I would be
able to prove myself. I was hell-bent on getting my credit cards and car back.
I wasn’t quite sure how I would live without them.
    “You’re going to need to earn our
trust first of all. The things your father has told us, well, are simply unacceptable.
Grandma all ready has all of the information for your enrollment. Apparently,
that stepfather of yours was able to pull some strings and get you in at the
last minute. You just need to go to the registration office on Monday. We
expect you to check in every day to let us know how your classes are going and
so we can make sure that you are keeping up with your studies. I picked up a
bus schedule for you while I was in town, so that should be helpful.”
    Whoa, hold up. The bus? That word
alone made me break out in hives. I was seriously going to have to ride on a
bus? Didn’t they know how germ-infested those things were? The look of horror
that passed over my face must not have fazed Grandpa because he continued on.
    “You will also help your
grandmother around the house with chores on the weekends in between studying.
Now, I understand you’re still young and you’re going to want to do things with
friends, that’s understandable, but we need to know what you’re doing and who
you’re doing them with at all times.”
    Yeah, right. I figured I could
behave myself for the most part, but there was no way in hell my grandparents
would be knowing my whereabouts every single minute of the day. I let out a
deep breath. “Okay, I don’t think I’ll have any problems following those
rules.” Hopefully. Sometimes I just needed an escape, but I’m sure if I
explained that to Grandpa, he wouldn’t find my explanation acceptable.
    “And one last thing,” he added,
wagging a finger at me. “You will be attending church with us every Sunday.”
    “Wh-at?” I stammered out. “I can’t
do that.” I couldn’t remember the last time I had been to church and I was
pretty sure if I stepped into one, I would probably catch on fire.
    “Adelaide, God is very forgiving.
Now is the time that you need to be looking for guidance and the church is one
of the best places for that. It is not up for discussion, so be ready at nine
o’clock sharp.” He pushed in his chair and stood with his plate in his hand
before heading to the kitchen. Grams gave me a small, reassuring smile before
doing the same, leaving me at the table alone.
    Today had