Meet the Grandparents

Your Grandpa soon appears at his wife's side. He had on loose comfortable beige pants, leather sandals without socks, and an old faded red and yellow floral cotton shirt. A leather stringed necklace was around his neck, you couldn't see what was at the end. Like your grandma he looked in great shape for a guy in his seventies; he was thin, fit, and had a sun kissed look about him. He grins and they both step into the apartment. Soon you and Chloe find yourselves in the embrace of both grandparents. Their clothes smell of weed, beach sand, and patchouli oil.

Your grandparents, Patricia and Harold, had retired a decade ago and had been living the beach bum lifestyle in Vietnam ever since. They'd always had a bit of a hippy bent to them, but it had magnified significantly since they checked out of life in the states and made the move abroad. You'd only seen them a handful of times since they left for overseas and the last time was 4 years ago. They seemed perfectly content with each other in their golden years and were very poor at staying in contact with the rest of the family. Seemingly happy enough just to know everyone was healthy and doing well. Seeing them again so suddenly had you reeling.

As the embrace is released your grandma says. "Oh wow, look at you two! Elsie, you've grown so much!"

You hesitate. "Uh...I'm Jesse." You inform them.

They look at you with blank expressions before both bursting into laughter. "We haven't been gone THAT long! We still recognize our own grandkids!" Their laughter continues.

You and Chloe look at each other at a loss as to what to say. Finally your cousin speaks. "Wow...uh...wow! We didn't know you were coming for a visit."

They smile and nod and share an impish glance to one another. "It was meant to be a surprise. And I'd venture to say it was one." Grandma laughs. "Do you guys live together now? You haven't even graduated yet, have you Elsie?"

You say with a smile. "No I don't live here. Actually...he he...what we were doing was...ouch!" Chloe had suddenly kicked your foot. You look at her. Chloe had wide nervous eyes and was shaking her head quickly back and forth.

"Elsie came down to visit me for lunch." Chloe corrects you emphatically. "That is all we were doing was having lunch." She is staring straight at you even though she was speaking to them and she was emphasizing every word. It takes you a moment to clue in...ohhhhhh shit! Grandma wasn't in on the secret! The **** half of it. You had just assumed it was a family tradition going back a ways, obviously you were wrong. This part of it had started with Peg and Helen.

Chloe looks at the clock in her hallway. "Shoot. I'm so sorry but I've really got to get to work. I can't afford to be late again, my boss will flip." She kisses her grandparents, each on a cheek, then ushers the whole group of you out of her place. She locks the door behind her. She looks at you with sympathy. Speaking to her grandparents she says. "I'm so happy to see you again. Go with Jesse back to Helen's place. I'll see you guys as soon as I'm done work and I can get there."

She looks at you apologetically. "I'm so sorry, but I've really got to go." With that Chloe is off jogging down the hallway leaving you alone with your grandparents.

Your grandpa calls after her. "Don't tell anyone we're here. It's supposed to be a surprise."

Chloe calls back as she hits the stairwell. "Okay Grandpa! Love you guys, see you soon."

Your grandma is laughing as she puts an arm around you. "He he he. She called you Jesse too. You kooky kids."

Your grandpa laughs along with her. Their laughter was warm and genuine and easy, as was their interaction with each other. They just seemed so natural and right for one another. Grandpa strokes your cheek. "My little flower Elsie, you grew up so beautiful." Then he asks. "How is Jesse doing anyways? Have you guys finally let that poor boy in on the 'big secret'." He uses air quotes for those last two words.

You laugh a fake laugh along with them. "He he...uh...yeah. He knows."

You were at a loss. Until they actually saw you and Elsie together you had a feeling they just weren't going to believe you. In your moment of thinking of your twin that horrible disconnected feeling comes flooding back, more powerful than ever. It was like having your heart and soul suddenly ripped from your body. You let out a little cry of distress as your knees give way. Thankfully your grandparents catch your fall.

"Woah there my little flower!" Your grandpa says as he supports you, concern in his eyes.

Grandma is also worried. "Oh my, are you okay? What happened?"

Focus...focus...focus... It was harder than ever but you stare intensely at the pattern and weave of your grandpa's old shirt. You concentrate on their earthy aroma. You feel their supporting hands against you. With every bit of will at your disposal you get back into the flow of focusing and distracting. "Sorry. I'm okay. Really." You add after a moment. "Let's go home. Everyone...will be so happy to see you."