Chapter 49: Since When Did You Have a Grandson?
Adrian Grant: [?]
He figured he must be hallucinating. This business trip was probably getting to him.
A second later, a message from Caroline Whitman popped up.
Caroline Whitman: [I ran into my father at The Imperial Garden today.]
Adrian Grant: [....]
Caroline Whitman: [I’m his godmother now. I already told Ryan that all his grandparents have Alzheimer’s, that it can flare up at any time, and that they can’t be provoked...]
Caroline Whitman filled Adrian Grant in on the story she had concocted for Ryan.
Adrian Grant stared at the chat window in silence.
Sometimes, he truly felt that this world was just too surreal.
After a moment, he typed out a few words and hit send: [This must be hard on you.]
Caroline Whitman: [Heh. Never mind me. When are you back from your trip?]
She felt like she couldn’t keep this up much longer.
Adrian Grant: [Yeah, I was about to tell you... It’ll probably be another week. I have to go to Floria for a few days starting tomorrow.]
Caroline Whitman: [...]
Caroline Whitman: [You can tell him yourself later.]
Adrian Grant didn’t reply.
Caroline put her phone away, planning to take Ryan home.
But her parents were having none of it.
They insisted that the boy had to stay the night.
"The boy told us his parents are away on business this weekend. What’s the harm in him staying with us for a couple of nights?
Besides, Ryan wants to spend more time with us, right, Ryan?"
"Yes! I really miss my grandpa and grandma."
"Tsk, tsk. The poor thing. So young, and he doesn’t even have his grandparents."
Caroline was speechless.
’Hey! You two, stop jinxing yourselves!’
Ryan Grant blinked. "My grandpa and grandma are still alive," he said. "I just haven’t seen them in a long time."
Yolanda Young said, "Oh! So seeing us reminded you of your own grandpa and grandma, is that it, little guy?"
"Yes!" Ryan nodded emphatically, a sweet smile on his face. "Seeing you feels just like seeing my own relatives."
The old couple’s hearts melted at his words.
They just wanted to scoop him up and smother him with kisses.
Franklin Whitman was even more magnanimous. With a grand wave of his hand, he declared, "Tomorrow, Grandpa will take you shopping for toys. You can have anything you see!"
"..."
At that moment, Caroline felt as helpless as a child.
’Wait, is this how things are supposed to be going?’
In the end, Ryan Grant really did end up staying at the old family home.
Yolanda Young even prepared a small bedroom just for him.
Though the little guy was perfectly capable of sleeping on his own, he was especially clingy that night, insisting on sleeping with Caroline.
’Yolanda thought about it and figured it made sense. A child that young, still on formula, would naturally want a familiar adult around in a strange new place. It was perfectly normal.’
Before bedtime.
Ryan Grant hadn’t let the joy of seeing his "grandparents" go to his head.
He hadn’t forgotten about his nightly "check-in" with Adrian Grant.
"Daddy, I saw Grandpa and Grandma today, but they didn’t recognize me. Mommy said they have a really serious sickness..."
Ryan chattered on. A child’s mind jumps quickly; after that, he moved on to how much fun he’d had playing with other kids that day.
After talking about his own day, he asked Adrian what he’d been up to, and just before they finished, he made sure to ask:
"Daddy, when are you coming back? I haven’t seen you in forever."
Adrian took a moment to prepare himself before finally saying, "I have to be away for another week. I need to go to Floria. You be a good boy at home with Mommy, listen to what she says, and don’t cause any trouble."
Honestly, as soon as he said it, both he and Caroline braced themselves to console a heartbroken child.
But to their surprise, Ryan was unusually quiet this time.
He didn’t launch into a sad "Daddy, don’t you want me anymore?" like he usually did.
But the silence only lasted for two seconds before Ryan exclaimed excitedly, "That’s great! That means I can stay at the old house with Grandpa and Grandma for a whole week!"
Caroline was speechless.
Adrian Grant was at a loss for words.
No wonder the little guy hadn’t been upset.
So that’s what he was after.
"Mommy, can we please stay at the old house for a few days? I want to spend more time with Grandma and Grandpa."
Ryan deployed his ultimate weapon: acting cute.
"I haven’t seen Grandma and Grandpa in so long. I really miss them."
Caroline recalled how well Ryan had gotten along with her parents that day. She glanced at Adrian on the video call. Seeing his noncommittal expression, she instantly understood.
’The guy must have agreed.’
’It made sense.’
’He didn’t dare disagree. If he said no, Ryan’s attention would just shift back to his absent father.’
"Alright, we have a deal," she said. "But you have to be on your best behavior. No mischief."
"Mommy, I’m a good boy. I’d never make trouble."
Caroline was at a loss for words.
’Heh. The more he said that, the less I believed him.’
’A kid with the guts to sneak off to a police station to find his family was no pushover.’
"But," Caroline added, not giving him a definite yes, "we have to get Grandpa and Grandma’s permission first. They don’t like being disturbed, so if they say no, we can’t impose. Got it?"
"Got it!"
Ryan agreed instantly.
Bedtime arrived.
The next morning, while Caroline was in the bathroom, Ryan took the opportunity to tell her parents he wanted to stay for a few days.
"Oh, that would be wonderful! Stay! You can stay for a month, it’s no problem at all," Yolanda Young said, beaming.
The old house was usually so quiet. Now, with this little dumpling around, the whole place felt warm and lively. How could she not be delighted?
"Oh, you poor dear. You can stay here with us for as long as you like."
When she came out of the bathroom, she overheard this and nearly lost it.
’Good grief. I had planned to get around my parents by privately telling Ryan they’d said no. But the little rascal had found an opportunity to ask them himself first thing in the morning.’
’This kid is way too smart for his own good.’
That afternoon, true to his word, Franklin Whitman took Ryan to the mall to buy toys.
They even went while Caroline was taking her afternoon nap.
’Unbelievable.’
’They must have been afraid I’d stop them.’
---
On their way back, laden with bags from their shopping spree, Franklin Whitman said cheerfully, "Well? Did you have fun?"
"So much fun."
"You must get bored being cooped up at home all the time."
Ryan nodded. "After my lessons, I just go home. I don’t get to go anywhere else."
"I knew it! You must be so cooped up. Your parents... honestly. They have such an adorable kid and they can’t even make time to play with you."
Ryan said, ever the understanding child, "Mom and Dad have to work to make money."
"You’re a thoughtful little fellow, aren’t you?"
"Well, today Grandpa’s going to make sure you have a great time. Where to next?"
Just as he said that, Franklin Whitman’s phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID—it was Gavin Grant.
"Hey there, old friend! What’s up? Chess? Can’t today, I’m busy with my grandson."
Gavin Grant was taken aback. "Huh? Since when do you have a grandson?"
Franklin Whitman said smugly, "He’s my new god-grandson."
"Hah! A god-grandson, you say? Well, bring him along. I want to see this grandson of yours."