First of all let me tell you about myself, I have just finished year 12 at school and will shortly be going to Uni to study nursing, you may say I am a fuller figure, not overly overweight but I have always battled with it. It has meant that I have rather large breasts and wide hips. I have shoulder length hair, brunette, and although I need glasses prefer not to wear them or use contacts with limited success, I am 163 cm tall and well weigh a little more than I should. As I said I have finished high school and I am about to start on a bit of a break before starting Uni, I want to go see some stuff first, then hit the books. The other person in this story is my grandfathers, although I call him Gramps his real name is Roy, he is 65 retired, and although only slightly taller than me weighs less due to his physical fitness and slim physic. He is alone now since my grandmother died of Breast cancer 18 months ago, I could tell he misses her terribly but he seems to be getting on with things. He lives in an older house on the other side of town and although we often go around and tidy up and do some house work for him, there always seems to be stuff lying around. The house is not dirty just messy.
This story begins on one such a house working trip, mum had to do some other things and she left me to carry on. When I went inside I was not greeted with the usual clutter I would normally have faced, but rather a neat and tidy house. I asked Gramps, "What's going on here, did you clean up or what?"
"I am capable of doing that you know, it is just that I enjoy yours and your mothers company," he started, "but I have decided to sell up, buy a motor home and go see this country before I go to be with your grandmother."
"What?" I asked somewhat stunned.
"You heard," he said, "I am going on a trip, this house has too many memories to haunt me and I want to do something not just sit around here and wait to die."
I just looked at him as he went on.
"I had a Real Estate bloke come around and he reckons I can get a good price, I will have some money left after I buy a motorhome and that will allow me to go see some sights."
"Wow Gramps," I said with some enthusiasm, "that sounds great, wish I could come along."
"Sweetheart," he went on, "telling you is easy, I am wondering if your mother will see it the same way?"
"Why not?" I asked.
"Well she grew up here and no doubt has some sentimental reasons, I do too but also a few painful ones," he went on "so onward and upward."
As we spoke Gramps made coffee and we sat and talked about his upcoming adventure, what sort of motorhome, where he wanted to go, and all that stuff, I was so happy for him. He was getting on with his life, it had taken 18 months to get over the grieving stuff and now wanted more.
"Don't get me wrong," he added "I wish Edna, oh grandma was coming along, we always wanted to do the trip, but she is gone and I am not."
When mum came back Gramps told her what he told me and although she put up some good arguments against it she sort of agreed, "But it is such a long trip for you to consider on your own, it will be too hard."
Gramps then added the clanger, "but Kylie is coming with me," he paused then added "she wants to travel before she goes back to College, and she will be looking after me." He had a smug look on his face, as if to say THERE..
Mum looked at me, "what," she asked, "you knew about this?"
"No I just found out like you did," I quickly stated defending myself, "and I only said it would be fun to go along." Then I added "but if Gramps says I can go I really want to go too."
"Of course you are coming," Gramps went on as if mum's opinion didn't matter, "you will be able to watch over me make sure I don't get into any trouble, make sure I eat right and do all the things a good travel companion does."
Mum sat there her mouth slightly open, it seemed all settled, "so when does all this happen?"
"Just like our trip," Gramps said "no time frame whenever, first have to sell this old place and we will see from there."
So just like that it was settled, mum and I quickly did what little cleaning we could and we were on our way home. The silence in the car was unbelievable, mum told dad the plans, all he said was he is old enough to make up his own mind and it seems like Kylie will keep him good company, she will make sure we know any news and keep in touch, it sounds pretty sweet really. So it was settled Gramps was selling up buying a motor home travelling the country and I was going with him. I can tell you sleep was not easy that night, my head was filled with all sorts of things, I was now really excited about going out to see the world, I thought I may have gone on a little road trip to the beach or something but wow never anything as big as this.
I finally got to sleep, but suddenly mum knocked on my bedroom door, and not waiting for an answer she barged in. "Honey, it's your grandfather on the phone he wants to talk to you."
I rubbed the sleep from my eyes as I sat up. I have not worn PJ's or a night gown for a number of years now and mom added quite quickly, "you will need to wear something of a night if you are going travelling with my father."
"I guess so," I answered without bothering to cover up, I took the phone, "Hi Gramps," I said "what's up."
"The Real Estate Agent just left," he said with a deal of excitement in his voice, "a couple have just offered me one hundred thousand more for the house if I can be out by the weekend."
"Holy shit," I said.
"Watch your tongue young lady," mum said as Gramps laughed down the phone.
"They gave me a cash deposit, do you want to come pick out a Motorhome with me?" he asked.
"I sure as hell do," I snapped.
"I will be around in half an hour, be ready I want to make sure I am out, an extra hundred grand will be good spending money."
I tossed the phone to mom as I ran to the shower, all I heard as I closed the bathroom door was mum asking into the phone "what's going on"..