Red Riding Hood's Mate

Visiting Grandma

I realised I hadn't told Mama or Papa about how dirty Grandma was before they came.

When Papa left for his first day at his new job, I quickly pulled Mama aside. She was much more likely to agree, so it seemed like a perfect plan.

"Mama, when I got to Grandma's yesterday, she looked dirty." I said, opening up the conversation and seeing how Mama reacted.

Mama looked pensive and nodded.

"Are you referring to the bit of dirt on her neck? Sometimes, when we get older, we can forget things or not see as well." Mama said, making excuses for her.

"I hadn't noticed any dirt on her neck. But that just means she needs more help than I initially thought. I was referring to her legs." I said, pursing my lips. I wondered how an old lady could get so dirty. Didn't they just stay home and knit all day anyway?

"So it's good we are closer to her now. We will be able to keep an eye on her to make sure she's okay," Mama said. I saw her frowning. Grandma was so loving. Even though she wasn't a blood relative of Mama's, I could see the love Mama had for her whenever we spoke about her.

"Do you think as people age, they need family around more?" I asked, hinting at the reason why we came in the first place.

"Yes. However, Grandma is a strong, independent woman. She's only 61." Mama looked at me and pre-empted what she thought I was going to say.

"I'm sure she appreciates her own space. It's been many years since Grandpa died. She's probably used to her own routine in her own house," Mama said. I think she thought I was hinting at having Grandma come to live with us, but it was telling that she didn't say she thought it a bad idea - only that Grandma wouldn't like it.

"Do you think she would like it if I went to her cottage after college and dropped her off some dinner?" I asked, looking into Mama's eyes.

She was quiet for a little, before saying,

"Papa warned you about going in the forest by yourself. You've only been once yourself." Mama reminded me.

To be honest, it wasn't my favourite thought either, but the tablets seemed to make us uninteresting to the wolf yesterday.

"I will have the tablets like Papa said, so I wouldn't attract the animals. I have my bike and my hood which has its own smell on it, too..." I said. I saw Mama frowning at the entire idea of me visiting Grandma by myself.

"Grandma needs more help. At least this way, I could keep an eye on her. Who likes cooking just for themselves anyway?" I said, trying to say any reason I could think of to let Mama agree with me.

"What about Papa?" Mama said. It was more of a statement than a question, but it wasn't a no, so she was still considering it.

"He works until sunset. I'll be home before then. You know how I haven't complained about my lack of freedom until now, but Grandma needs help." I pleaded.

"Keeping secrets from Papa isn't a good idea. What if Grandma tells Papa? You can't ask her to keep your visits a secret." Mama said, worrying.

"Grandma isn't as controlling as Papa. No one is as controlling as Papa. Grandma and I keep tonnes of secrets from Papa!" I said. I had no concern about Grandma telling Papa. She is really good at keeping secrets. She didn't even tell anyone about my first boyfriend last year. She disapproved, saying I had to be at least 18 or 19 to date. Not that it lasted. Holding hands under our desks during English and a few stolen kisses for a couple of weeks before he started flirting with Amy and we broke up. But Grandma didn't tell anyone.

"What about Papa?" Mama asked again, as if she knew what I meant by Grandma being good at keeping secrets.

"I'm seventeen Mama. I'm not a baby anymore. Francesca goes on dates-"

"Francesca is older than you. Besides, that's the family's rules. What if you get hurt?" Mama said, gently scolding me.

"If I fall off my bike, I can get back on but the path is very clear and flat. It's just half an hour away. I can use the phone at Grandma's if I need something. I'm sensible and responsible. Please Mama." I said, giving her puppy dog eyes, holding her hands.

"If Papa finds out, it'll be hell to pay." Mama said, giving in to her smile.

I wrapped my arms around her and squeezed her tight.

"Thank you Mama."

"Cant... breathe..." Mama said.

I let go immediately.

"Sorry!" I said, forgetting my own strength.

Mama smiled at me.

"You have to be back at least one hour before Papa. You know how protective he is of you," Mama said. "if he sees you coming home when he does, it will open more questions than either of us will have answers to."

Over protective, more like.

"I will. I promise!" I said, jumping up and down in excitement.

"Just make sure Grandma is clean, fed and looked after. Straight there and back. No talking to strangers. I'll make some extra dinner each night so you can give it the next day. Call me if there are any problems," Mama said.

"If you're late, even once..." Mama threatened, but I could see she worried about Papa more than anything.

"I won't be. If I can be trusted to go to the city and back, with all sorts of dangerous walking around, I think I should be fine going to Grandma's." I said, smiling.

We both knew I was stronger than most girls my age. Most guys, too. I felt able to defend myself if I needed to, thanks to the self-defense classes Papa made me take.

I found it so strange that Papa felt more comfortable letting me go to college by myself than visit my own Grandma in her cottage in the woods.

I phoned Grandma to see if this plan could work.

"Hello?" She answered.

"Hi Grandma! How are you?" I asked.

"Amber! I'm much better for hearing your voice!" She said warmly, as she always did.

"I was wondering if I could drop some dinner off for you around 4pm?" I asked. I didn't want to go there and get stuck in that forest by myself.

"Yes! That would be lovely of you. Thank you." She said.

I could hear her smiling though the phone. I would hate to just be by myself at 61 and have to cook just for myself every day.

"You're welcome." I responded automatically.

"Does Papa know about your visit?" She enquired, knowing us too well.

"No. But I'm old enough now, Grandma." I said, defending my decision.

"That you are my love. Eighteen soon. That is a big milestone-" She said, but then stopped herself.

"Almost an adult." I boasted, liking how that felt.

"I will keep our visits to ourselves. See you soon, love." Grandma said.

We ended the call. I knew I wouldn't have to ask her. She was the best Grandma ever!

Mama looked satisfied at the call and she went to work. I rode my bike on my first day at my new college.

I got to the city without any problems. The campus is huge and it seems like I will need to do a lot of looking around and using map skills to find my way.

Eventually, I saw my class. It was pretty full. I sat near a group and the girl next to me smiled.

"Hi. I'm Clara." She said as we waited for class to begin.

"Hi. I'm Amber. This is my first day." I said, awkwardly, half waving.

"First days are great. You never know what to expect. Everyone, this is Amber. Amber, this is Scott, Leo, Simon, Alice and... Maya?" She said, pointing at everyone around us, asking the last girl for reassurance.

The last girl nodded.

"Nice to meet you Amber. I'm new to the area, too." Maya said in a broader accent to the others.

"Hi." Everyone else said.

Scott's flirty smile caught my attention. He had dark brown hair and dark rounded eyes and a bumpy forehead, but he was still cute.

Leo was cute too, although I saw Clara had her eye on him.

Simon, Alice and Maya looked like total geeks and I made a mental note to study with them.

We settled down for the class.

"Come to lunch with us." Scott demanded playfully after our classes were finished.

Being the new girl, I appreciated the offer. We went to the campus cafeteria and I sat next to Clara. Scott sat next to me on the other side as the others joined us around the table. We all got to know each other a bit more before our next class.

"Who wants to go to the arcades after our last class?" Clara asked. "No one can beat my street fighter score!" Scott boasted.

I wanted to go with them but I had told Grandma I would be there at 4pm and I didn't want to worry her or get to an empty cottage, so I told them, "I've got to get back early today."

"Same here." Maya said. Even though she was new too, she was definitely the quietest one in the group.

"OK, you can make excuses today, but what about tomorrow?" Scott asked, looking at Maya, then at me.

Maya nodded and I followed her lead, the edges of my lips curling in a mischievous smile.

I went to Grandma's after school, after picking up her food and told her about my day.

"It's good to make friends." She said, emphasising the word friends.

"Scott's cute." I said, waiting to see her response.

"You'd do better waiting like Papa wants you to." Grandma said.

"I'm seventeen Grandma. I've waited seventeen years and I've only kissed one boy." I protested. "I know lots of people my age have done a lot more than that."

"Others have done a lot less. It's better to wait for...the one." She said.

I thought that was really old-fashioned.

"How will I know if he's the one if I don't look? Just because I'm on a diet, doesn't mean I can't admire the menu."

"When you find the right one, you'll know before you even kiss them." She said firmly.

Don't I have to kiss some frogs to find a prince?" I jibed.

Grandma gave me a knowing look and said, "I keep a lot of opinions to myself, but I really want you to respect this one rule."

I left it at that. I didn't want to start an argument, so I started talking about how I would come an hour later tomorrow, as I was getting to know my classmates. She was happy with the company, I think; even if she did go out a lot more than I anticipated she would.