Ever since the stormy night that Allison's parents died in a fatal car crash, her dear Grandpa had been beside her, offering her his broad shoulder for her to lean on. Having had his own share of tragedy, he could understand her pain. It was only two years before that his wife, Allison's Grandmother, had lost a devastating battle with lung cancer. From the moment that Allison had heard the news of her grandmother, she dropped every plan in her adolescent life to care for her Grandpa. With his kind smile and generous ways in mind, Allison had no problem abandoning her teenage social life to tend to him during his time of need. She knew that her Grandmother had done all of the chores and cooking. So, before Grandpa could protest, she would be at his house after school, in her burgundy catholic school girl uniform, preparing his favorite dinner, and doing his laundry.
She could remember how lifeless and drained Grandpa appeared. He was always dragging around in the same green and red flannel robe that he had for as long as she could remember. He didn't even have the energy to ready the daily newspaper, something Allison couldn't remember him without. Since she couldn't bear to witness him withering away, she did everything she could think of to take his mind off of the events of the past year. She would put old western movies, positioning Grandpa on the couch in front of the television, feeling as though she were watching the movies alone.
After a year of taking care of Grandpa, Allison noticed the laughter slowly returning to his deep green eyes. He'd comment during one of the old movies she'd put on, or compliment a dish that she'd put her heart into just to please him. Sometimes his old sarcasm would return, and he'd even crack a joke. Allison couldn't begin to show how pleasing this was to her. Finally, it seemed like all of her hard work was beginning to show some results. Strangely she felt the bond between her and her Grandfather growing to a whole new height. They'd always been very close, of course... she was his only grandchild. There were times that she'd imagine she were his wife, she'd linger a few moments longer when giving him a hug and kiss good night...or fuss over him a bit much if he didn't eat enough of his dinner. She'd even shaved him, and set his underwear out with a fresh outfit. By this time she had practically moved into the three story Tudor style home with Grandpa. It was much more serene compared to the cramped condo where she and her parents resided in an urban setting. Both her parents being divorce attorneys, kept them extra busy. They had invested in opening up their own practice, and everyone thought it was rather ironic that a happily married couple ran a practice specializing in divorce. Due to her parents' demanding careers, Allison was always home alone, so taking care of Grandpa gave her something constructive to do as far as she was concerned. Grandpa's piece of property was just twenty minutes outside of the city...he had peace and quiet with the convenience of the city within arms reach. Whenever something was bothering her, Allison would retreat to her Grandfather's home on the lake. She'd either lie in the grass and stare at the clouds or climb up the big tree in the backyard and hide out in the tree house that Grandpa built with his calloused, big hands.
It was a stormy evening and Allison had just settled in after a long game of chess with Grandpa, when she received the news of her parents. She'd just taken a long, hot bath overflowing with bubbles. Her long mahogany hair was in a heavy, wet braid down her rear, leaving a wet trail down the back of her cotton night tee. She was lying on her back, eyes closed, enjoying the feel of the plush, cotton comforter surrounding her. The French double doors to the balcony in her room were wide open. To Allison, there was nothing like breeze coming off of the Lake during a storm. She was planning on falling asleep to the rhythmic pitter patter of the rain dancing on the tin roof of the barn out back when she felt the overwhelming presence of....
Allison's ice blue eyes flew open.
"Grandpa..." His 6'5" frame stood towering over her petite body. His glare was intense. Allison instinctively began to admire his solid frame. For a fifty four year old man, his body was chiseled, exposing his former years as a professional athlete. He still owned a full head of dark, grey streaked curly brown hair. She wanted nothing more than to run her fingers through... What was she thinking?!! This was her Grandpa she was thinking of.
Rocky had no idea how he was going to break this news to his precious Allison. She was such a good girl...a wonderful granddaughter. When his wife died, Ally was beside him before the bat of an eye. He had to pull it together and be there for her now...stop mourning the lost of his own wife, and now be as much support to her as he'd been to him. As bad as it hurt him to lose his only son and his daughter in law, he had to be strong for his sweet darling Ally.
"Grandpa?" asked Allison. She sat fully erect...her intense blue eyes were full of alarm. She could sense that something wrong was amidst. Ally had always been perceptive. All Rocky wanted to do was scoop her tiny frame into his arms and hold her, comfort her. He had convinced himself that was all he wanted to do. Even through his stint of depression, he couldn't help but notice what an exceptional woman Ally was blossoming into. She was a junior in high school when her Grandmother passed. He was sure she was just being nice by coming over the first few days, but a year later, he couldn't help but notice what a determined, loving granddaughter he'd been blessed with. She just wouldn't give up on him. A year later, she had graduated high school and instead of going to parties and dating young guys, she'd been fussing over him. He tried to encourage her to be young and have fun, but she'd dismiss him with a shrug and a wave, flashing her pretty smile. Yes, the tables would definitely be turned now.
