"It's understandable. No need to be sorry, grandpa, that means more quality time with you!" I smiled really big, trying to make him feel better. I cou...d tell that he was disappointed. He knew how much I was looking forward to see my grandma. "Now what can I help you with?" "Well, I just finished with the evening's chores, so that is taken care of. I'll just go in the kitchen and fix us some supper. If you want you can help me with that. I figured spagetti would be good enough, whatcha think?". Just then, Joey came out and I wondered if I was that quick. Probably."My turn," Ralph said, acting cocky, "Always save the best for last." Best bullshitter," I quipped."Best acne," Joey added."Assholes," he said, going into the room.Joey said, "Let's leave him here." Sure," I nodded, something we often did to him when we went places. It was an asshole thing to do, but we thought it was funny.As we headed back, I noticed that my mom's blue Chevette was across the street at the grocery store. I. "My dear, you really are worried about nothing at all. It is all in hand." How is it in hand?" I said, amazed at his attitude. "You will easily graduate. All your tests are being done for you by our best students. You are passing with flying colours. In a few months you will get grades good enough to go to any university in the world."I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "Of course," he said. "You could leave if you want but that would mean going back to the ladies college. You are not well. I could hear her breathe, I could see her heartbeat. “We believe what we want to believe.” She whispered softly before she blanketed herself. “I think you have always known that.” Seven years collected in memory- where delusions rise to the surface and hold me condemned to die by my own thoughts, my own feelings, my love. I still remember those words as if they were being spoken at this very moment through her raspberry pouted lips. “I think you have always known that.” I have. Even now there.