Dirty Chai

chapter 3: Grandpa

Chapter 3

Frankie had just walked through the door when she heard her grandpa.

"I gotta pick Frankie up from school. She'll be waiting for me." Grandpa told Seth.

"Hi Grandpa! I walked home by myself today." Frankie smiled at her grandpa.

"I woulda picked you up princess. Something could have happened to you. You gotta be careful!" Grandpa said walking to her and cupping her face in his hands.

"I know grandpa. I'll be careful I promise." Frankie smiled. Today was a good day. She was glad he hasn't had many of those recently.

"Good." Grandpa kissed her on the forehead like he's done everyday since before she remembered. "Let me get you a snack."

Frankie didn't want a snack but grandpa was in a good mood. So she let him make her one and she would nibble on it to make him happy later.

"Was it a good day today, Seth?" Frankie asked. Hoping she was right.

"Yes, a very good one. He has started to sundown though just FYI" Seth said as he started to pack his things up. "We went for a short walk around lunch, fed the ducks at the pond and he ate a good lunch but still favored the sweets. He just had his afternoon meds too."

"You're an angel, I just know it." Frankie smiled at Seth.

"I'll be back tomorrow 9:45am" Seth said, taking his leave.

"Sounds good, thanks again! See you tomorrow." Frankie walked Seth out the door.

"Frankie! I have your snack." Grandpa handed Frankie an apple and half a cookie. On a small plate.

"Thanks grandpa." Frankie smiled at him. He had gotten shorter in his old age but his eyes still held the light they used to. He patted her on the cheek and went to sit down in the living room.

The rest of the evening went by quickly and grandpa seemed he was going to go to bed at a decent hour tonight. Frankie got him ready at 7 like always. It was early but he usually needed the extra time to calm down. She got him tucked in bed. And had turned on the news for him to fall asleep to. She sat with him a while looking up nursing homes on her phone and sending the decent ones to Liz so she could do more research.

Her phone rang. An unknown number. And it was now 8 o'clock. She smiled. He had done what he said he'd do. She answered but before she could say anything Oliver spoke.

"Sandy!?!" Oliver hoped she'd get this one but judging from earlier today she should.

"Tell me about it, stud." Frankie smirked. She loved some good playful banter and old cheesy movie quotes. "You really know your way to a girl's heart huh?"

"Well the girl in question has a rather unique heart and I'm a quick study." Oliver said. This man was flirting hard.

"Tell me Oliver," Frankie let his name linger on her lips for a moment hoping it would drive him crazy. "Do you like old movies and shows?"

"I like most things, but there is nostalgia with them. Like I said, my grandma would watch Turner classic movies with me after school."

"Technically you said it was 'I love Lucy' reruns." Frankie smiled. She hasn't had a connection like this in a long time.

"Technically, that played on TCM." Frankie could hear the smile in Oliver's voice when he spoke. "Would you like to go to the drive-in with me on Saturday?"

"I'd love to. However I might not be able to. I take care of my grandpa. Gotta find him a babysitter." Frankie said she needed to rip this band-aid off asap. If he can't deal with this how can he deal with other things when it got real?

"A babysitter? For a grown man?" Oliver asked, he was questioning but not rude just seemed curious to Frankie and that's fair.

"He has Alzheimer's and I haven't found a nursing home yet that can take a memory care patient. Also he's a runner." Frankie was joking about the last part. But grandpa has gotten loose from a nurse or 2 before they had Seth.

"Ooooh. That makes sense. Let me know what happens. I can always bring the drive in to you." Oliver said. Frankie blushed a bit she was flattered he had actually sounded like he was going to do just that if Liz couldn't sit with grandpa this Saturday. She was the only other person that Frankie trusted to do so.

"Ok, sounds good. I have one question before our pending date night." Frankie was curious and had to satisfy one small itch that she just had to scratch.

"Shoot." Oliver's husky voice sounded.

"What's my name saved as in your phone?" It was an odd question. But one she liked to have answered.

"Dirty Chai" he said.

"Hmmm I like it."

"What will mine be?" Oliver wondered to her.

"I haven't decided yet but when I do I'll be sure to let you know." Frankie was pleased with this conversation.

"Frankie! Frankie! Where are you? Frankie, come here!" It was grandpa. Hopefully Oliver didn't hear him. With a sigh Frankie said goodbye and that her grandpa needed her. Oliver wished her well and said he'd text her later.

…

Oliver sighed in pleasure as he hung up the phone. He had a date. His first in a very long time. Even if it was pending a babysitter. He only hoped Liz would take pitty on Frankie and let her have some fun. He decided to take a shower and to ready for bed. Then he texted Frankie.

Good night dirty chai ?

Good night lover boy ?

Lover boy?

I was testing it out kinda like it. Reminds me of dirty dancing.

I like it. ? But i'm definitely going to be more than a lover to you.

You're bold. I like that.

I'm confident. As are you. I like that.

I just don't have time for shyness. You never get what you want when you're shy.

Your grandpa taught you that?

You better believe it.

Good man.

The best.

Good night Frankie. Maybe I'll see you tomorrow when I get my coffee.

Good night Oliver. Maybe you will ?

Oliver went to bed. She was so easy to talk to. He wanted to know everything about her and her life. All in time he thought to himself, as he rolled over to turn the light out and pull the blankets up.

Oliver woke up to the sound of his alarm. Yawning he stopped it and stretched as he got out of bed. He decided he'd wait a little before he texted Frankie again; he didn't think she would be able to respond if she was taking care of her grandpa. Once showered, clothed and teeth brushed he got a banana from his kitchen and walked outside.

Good morning beautiful. Did you sleep well?

Good morning handsome. I slept ok. Had another late night with grandpa. Definitely need a coffee.

I'll see you soon then.

Yes, you will. ?

I wanna kiss that smirk off your face.

I got chills.

They're electrifying

And I'm losing control.

Oliver left their conversation at that, getting in his car and driving to the coffee shop. Knowing he'd see her he checked in his mirror to make sure he looked good. My God this woman has got me in her clutches already. Not that he minds. At that thought Oliver grinned to himself and got out of the car to walk up to the coffee shop. Once inside he looked around for Frankie.

He didn't see her yet so he ordered his usual and grabbed a seat by the door. Maybe she was walking again. Looking out the window he watched the sidewalk and street traffic. That's when he saw her on the crosswalk. She was so beautiful. Her hips swayed as she walked in her skin tight jeans and her blouse was low cut to show a little cleavage but not much. Her large breasts bounced a little as she walked. He wondered what she was wearing under her clothes. She owned a lingerie store she'd definitely have some matching set on.

She was at the door now, noticing him she smiled.

"Good morning Oliver." God how he loved how she said his name. Stretching the o out slightly and biting her lip on the v.

"Good morning Frankie." He looked up at her round face. Her eyes were shining again. She turned them to get in line. Luckily the line was short and she would be able to get her back to him soon.

"Did you get a Dirty Chai today too?" He asked as she walked back to his table.

"I did." She sat down across from him. Moaning again into her cup like she did yesterday.

"You're going to drive me crazy doing that." He was hiding a smirk behind his coffee. She looked at him from under her lashes.

"Maybe that's the idea" her phone rang. She looked down at her phone and frowned. "It's the home care nurse I should get this. Hey Seth, is everything ok?" Silence as she listened to Seth, Oliver assumed it was the nurse. Her eyes widened and her face paled. Worry lines invaded her brow. " Oh my God I'll be right there." She hung up. "I gotta go. My grandpa fell." She looked panicked. Then Oliver remembered she walked here.

"Let me drive you, it will be faster." Oliver insisted.

Frankie swallowed. "Okay fine I gotta call Liz anyway." Frankie followed Oliver out to his car

She got in the passenger seat without hesitation and directed Oliver where to go as she called Liz. "Lizzy! Hey, can you open the shop today? Grandpa fell and I'm trying to beat the ambulance back home." A pause. "Thank you so much, I love you. I'll keep you posted." Sighing she looked over to Oliver. "Thank you."

"You don't need to thank me. I'm just doing the right thing. I would expect anyone to do the same." Oliver said as he turned on her street.

They could hear sirens in the distance and Frankie seemed to be holding her breath.

"Which one is it?" Oliver asked he wanted to hold her hand but the were clutching the seat belt strap where it crossed her chest as if that was the reason she couldn't breath.

"The pink and white one with the pine tree out front." He pulled up to the house.

"Breath beautiful. We'll get through this." He looked at her. She was worried and seemed to be panicking. He took a deep inhale and looked at her expectantly. She also took a deep inhale and held it for a second then together they slowly exhaled through their mouths. He reached out to squeeze her hand that dropped to her thigh.

"Do you want me to come in with you?" He didn't think she would but he had to ask. Another deep breath from her.

"No, I'll be ok. Thank you again." She unclipped her seat belt and got out. He watched her walk up to the door not wanting to leave until he saw her go inside.

"Oh baby girl, what am I going to do with you?" Oliver said to himself. He pulled away once she was inside. He resolved to check in on her later today. Oliver drove to work in silence, and thought about Frankie. Was she ready for a relationship? He could date her until she was ready. He could wait for her as long as she needed, but only if he could still see her sometimes. He would become her escape and when she was ready he'd be there for her.