Chapter 54: Their Little Slice of Paradise
The next morning...
Thea bounded downstairs, and found her grandma,already busy in the kitchen, preparing their breakfast.
"Grandma, let me help you."Thea exclaimed, eager to assist her beloved grandma.
"You don’t have to help me.." Grandma Grace refused, her hands moving deftly as she cracked eggs into a bowl.
"What are you going to make for breakfast today?"
"You will see.." Grandma Grace replied softly.
"Special? Hearing it only brings water to my mouth!" Thea commented.
"Yesterday, Mrs. Thompson called. They said she would visit our house to invite us."
Thea was aware that Ryder’s mom would be stopping by their place soon to extend an invitation to Ryder’s grandparents’ upcoming anniversary celebration.
"You said you are participating in an art competition" Thea nodded, feeling a surge of nervousness. "Hmm."
"When is the day?" Grandma Grace asked
"On the 4th day of next month. Probably." Thea replied, her brow furrowed in thought and her heart racing with anxiety.
"Where will it be held?"
"In the stadium hall. I heard they have invited some important figures who might be present on that day."
"I believe Ryder might be present." Grandma Grace said, a hint of a smile playing on her lips and a twinkle in her eye.
Thea’s expression turned skeptical, and she felt a pang of disappointment. "I haven’t asked him about it. I am sure he will not be, as he is busy with company matters."
As Thea accompanied her grandma in the kitchen, she thought to herself, "I wished he might be present at the event." Her mind wandered to Ryder, and she hoped he could attend the art competition.
Meanwhile, Grandma Grace was busy preparing a special dish - a mouthwatering Quiche Lorraine, filled with bacon, eggs, and cheese, nestled in a flaky pastry crust. The aroma of baked pastry and savory filling wafted through the air, making Thea’s stomach growl with hunger.
She simply stood there and watched the entire procedure of the recipe, fascinated by her grandma’s culinary skills. "Is it a new recipe?"
"Yes.." Grandma Grace replied, "I saw it in a cookbook and thought it would be perfect for breakfast."
As she completed preparing the dish, Thea helped her set the table, arranging the silverware and glasses. The table looked inviting, and the Quiche Lorraine was the star of the show.
"Grandma, this week you have to go to the hospital for your health checkup.." Thea reminded her, as she filled a glass with freshly squeezed orange juice.
The latter remembered . "Right! It totally went out of my mind."
Thea chuckled and handed her grandma the glass of juice. "That’s why I’m here to remind you, Grandma."
"Hmm, without you, I would become forgetful."
After breakfast, Thea headed to her room, feeling energized and inspired to start her art. She opened her phone to see a message from Ryder, sent the previous day. "Reached home safely.." the message read. She put down her phone and decided to focus on her art.
Previously, she had thought about the theme of her painting, and now she was eager to bring it to life. She set up her painting stand in front of the balcony, taking in the natural light and beautiful view. With a deep breath, she began to create, letting her imagination flow onto the canvas.
She continued to draw and her grandma’s gentle voice interrupted her creative flow. "Thea.."
"Going, Grandma!" Thea replied, putting down her pencil .She walked into the living room, where her grandma was waiting for her with a warm smile. "Can you help me clean the garden, dear? It’s looking a bit messy." Grandma Gfrace asked.
"Of course, Grandma! "
In front of their house, the garden was a vibrant oasis, full of life and color. Various flowers and plants, carefully tended by her Grandma, bloomed in every corner.
Petunias and marigolds added a pop of color, while gentle ferns and ivy provided a soothing green backdrop.
Grandma Grace, had always loved flowers. But Thea didn’t know why until one day, when they were arranging a bouquet together.
"Grandma, why do you love flowers so much?"
"Well, dear, it’s because flowers remind me of happy memories with your mother when she was a little girl. She loved playing in the garden, picking wildflowers and making bouquets for me."
"Really?"
"Yes, really. And as she grew older, she’d help me tend to the garden and we’d spend hours talking and laughing together. Flowers bring back those happy memories and make me feel close to her, even when we’re apart."
Thea went to her room to change into a comfortable outfit, slipping on a loose, knee-length frock and securing a hat on her hair.
As she entered the living room, she couldn’t help but notice her grandma’s outfit. Her grandma was wearing a beautiful, floral print dress with a pair of gardening gloves. Her silver hair was tied back in a neat bun, revealing her warm, smiling face.
"How am I looking, dear?"Grandma Grace asked, twirling around to show off her outfit.
Thea’s eyes scanned her grandma’s attire, and a sudden thought struck her. "One thing is missing, Grandma!" she exclaimed.
She quickly went back to her room and retrieved a beautiful, wide-brimmed straw hat. She rushed back to her grandma and gently placed the hat on her head, adjusting it to perfection.
"Now you’re looking perfect, Grandma!" Thea said, beaming with satisfaction.
"Thank you, dear! I feel like a proper gardener now!"Grandma Grace chuckled heartily.
The warm sunshine and gentle breeze made her feel alive, and she was happy to spend time with her grandma in this little slice of paradise.
"Where do you want to start, Grandma?" Thea asked, looking around at the lush foliage.
"Let’s start with the roses.." Grandma Grace replied, handing Thea a pair of gardening gloves. "They need to be pruned and watered. And then we can move on to the daisies and lilies."Thea nodded, getting to work alongside her grandma Grace.
