Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Fortune could never sit still. Even at sixty–three, he had taken a job as a janitor in the apartment complex.
Every morning, he started work at seven–thirty, and in the aftemoons, he clocked in again at four thirty. He only got one day off a week and earned about six hundred dollars a month.
After Caitlin got married, Fortune, wanting to save money, rented out his own bedroom to a coworker, But he worried that Caitlin wouldn’t have a place to stay if she ever came home, so he set up a small fold–out bed for himself in the living room.
Recently, his roommate had suffered a work injury and was recovering in the hospital, so for now, Fortune had the place to himself!
About twenty minutes later, Fortune came over holding a steaming bowl of homemade noodles. “Catie, dinner’s ready. ”
“Thank you, Grandpa, Caitlin said, taking the bowl and digging in
Fortune watched her with anticipation. “Catie, how does it taste p>
“It’s delicious!” Caitlin quickly slurped up the noodles and flashed him a thumbs – up. “No one makes noodles like my grandpa. Best in the world p>
Fortune’s face lit up with pride. His eyes crinkled as he grinned. Then have some more, sweetheart. There’s plenty left in the pot p>
“Okay” Caitlin nodded and kept eating.
Fortune just watched his granddaughter eat, his eyes full of both pride and concem. Over the past year living with the Chandlers, she must have gone through so much just to fit into that world.
He remembered how, when she was younger, Caitlin had never been so careful or poised at the dinner table.
But now, even the way she ate seemed so refined.
Thinking about how Caitlin had shown up at his door in the middle of the night, Fortune’s worry only deepened. He chose his words. carefully before speaking. “Catie.. Tell me honestly–did something happen at the Chandlers? Did they treat you badly?
Caitlin put down her bowl and looked at him. “Grandpa, Julian and I are divorced.
She said it so calmly, but it was like dropping a boulder into a still lake–shockwaves rippled through Fortune’s mind. He stared at her in disbelief.
Divorced?
Caitlin was actually divorced p>
How was that possible?
For a long moment, Fortune could hardly find his voice. Finally, he stammered, “Catie, did the Chandlers bully you? Don’t be afraid, I’m here. If they dared to hurt you, I’d risk everything to protect you p>
A year ago, when Caitlin had wanted to marry Julian, Fortune had been against it
Now, a year later, learning they’d divorced, his first instinct wasn’t to blame her, but to stand up for her
Caitin looked at him and spoke softly. “Grandpa, don’t worry. No one could bully your granddaughter, I was just foolish before–I thought Julian was someone special, but now I see him for what he really is. I’m done with him. I want a better life for myself.
Hearing that she hadn’t been mistreated, Fortune finally relaxed. But he still asked, “So.. so you really are divorced p>
He sull couldn’t believe it. To him, Caitlin had been head over heels for Julian. During that terrible time when she’d refused to eat, she’d gone two whole days without a single sip of water. She had loved him so much–how could she just end it, just like that?
Carlin didn’t explain further. She simply took a document from her bag and handed it over. “Here’s the divorce agreement. You were right, Grandpa. I’m still young–1 should focus on my studies, get into a good university, and chase my dreams. I won’t waste my youth or let myself down again.
Nineteen years old
The best years of her life.
They should be for pursuing dreams, not getting married too soon.
them
Seeing the divorce papers, Fortune finally realized she was telling the truth. His hands trembled as he held the
Caitlin looked him in the eye and spoke slowly and clearly “Grandpa, I know I was immature and stubbom before. I broke your heart, and I’m so sorry for all the worry I’ve caused you. From now on, I’ll study hard and make sure we both have a good life p>