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to work, he rose as well. After
tossing cash down on the table for the meal and tip, he escorted the two
scheming ladies out of the diner.
    “Thanks again, dear. I knew I could count on you.”
Octavia stepped to him and kissed him on the cheek. She didn’t immediately step
away, but cupped his face, her gaze full of sincerity as she said, “Soon, life
will look up for you. I just know it will. Don’t fret.”
    Staring into deep set, coal eyes that mirrored his own,
he took her words to heart. “If you say so, Nana, I believe it.”
    Giving her a quick kiss on the top of her head, he turned
and left the two best friends on the sidewalk. Crossing the road he headed to
his truck wanting to get back to work. He’d had enough of the women in his life
for the rest of the afternoon.

Chapter
Three
     
    “Grandma, I forgot how beautiful your home is.” Rena
closed the door to her grandmother’s wagon-style sedan. Taking a moment, she
looked around and just allowed herself to absorb the pure, crisp natural air.
    “Ah, it’s nothing. Just my little slice of heaven,
that’s all.” Her grandmother, still a statuesque woman for almost eighty, came
around the front of the car.
    Turning, Rena smiled at her. “It’s more than that.”
Sliding her arm around her grandmother’s shoulder, she said, “I’m sorry I’ve
stayed away for so long.”
    Wrapping her thin, but strong, arm around her waist,
her grandmother squeezed her tight. “Don’t be. Everything happens in its
timing.”
    “True. I’m still ashamed that I let my mother’s wishes
keep me from yo—”
    Swatting her on the hip, Genma stepped away. “Oh, pooh.
It’s not like I’m going to kick my toes up anytime soon.” Chuckling, she went
to the back hatch of the vehicle and opened it.
    Shaking her head, Rena followed her to the rear of the
wagon, gravel shifting and grinding beneath her feet. “Grandma, you’re going to
hurt yourself. Get the smaller one. I can get the big suitcase.” She reached
out to claim the bag from her grandmother.
    Rena was shooed to the side, as Genma walked past her
lugging a heavily packed bag as if it didn’t weigh more than a handful of
groceries.
    Reaching in, Genma collected the smaller one in her
other hand. “You can barely carry yourself, let alone anything else.”
    Her grandmother was right, Rena did feel weak. The
plane ride from coast to coast had practically done her in. During the two-hour
drive from the airport she had slept most of the way, missing all the tranquil
scenery. Still feeling queasy, she admired the woman before her with a slack
jaw.
    “Close your mouth before you catch something.” Her
grandmother moved toward the house, never breaking stride.
    Amazed, Rena lifted her jaw to seal her lips together.
She wondered how she could contact the people from the Guiness Book of World
Records and get Genma Berend added to it as the world’s strongest senior
citizen. Rena wondered if over the years, with her grandmother’s only child far
away and her husband passing away leaving Genma to take care of herself, if
that was the reason her grandmother was stronger and more capable than most
elderly. Rena wasn’t sure about the details surrounding her grandfather’s passing.
It was something else her mother had refused to talk about.
    She never asked her grandmother about it because she
didn’t want to bring up something that was hurtful. 
    Closing the hatch, Rena went to the house. “I can at
least unlock the front door for you.”
    “No need. Why don’t you sit on the porch or something?
You have plenty of time to get this stuff unpacked and I’ll re-familiarize you
with the house when you’re ready.” Her grandmother set the cases down for a
moment to open the door then collected them and crossed her threshold. “I’ll
get us some warm tea.”
    Country living , Rena thought. In the city where
she lived, no one left their homes unlocked, even if they were just going five
minutes up the street. It