Relations

I didn't tell Max and Aurora what happened. They didn't seem to notice anything either. They had woken up and then asked me where I had gone. Apparently I was the one that had disappeared. I told them that my network connection had been fluctuating and they were fine with it. We then set up camp because I had had enough for one day.

I logged out and removed my VR headset.

"I have to go make dinner" I thought.

I subsequently had another thought, "Grandma has to take her medicine as well."

I did a bit of stretches just to warm up my body and went to the kitchen to get a glass of water. After that I went to my grandma's room and took the medicines off the table. She was still asleep so I decided to wake her up gently.

I sat down beside her bed and gave her a little nudge."Grandma wake up I'm back."

She didn't wake up so I nudged her more.

"Grandma you have to take your medicines."

She still didn't wake up.

"Somethings wrong" I thought.

I felt her pulse and it was weak.

I took my phone and called an ambulance.

10 minutes later the ambulance arrived and took her to the hospital.

When we got there they took her to the ER.

The receptionist, May, who's family knew me and my grandma very well called me and reassured me.

"There's no need to panic, your grandmothers a strong lady"

However what she said didn't matter. I wasn't panicking nor was I even scared. I was strangely calm. Somehow even if the worst happened I felt like I wouldn't be fazed. After all, she was old and she had lived a full life and I could live by myself well. In a way that scared me.

"Oliver", May called. "Do you have any distant relations at least?"

May knew that my grandmother and I were alone, however someone needed to pay the bills. I worked part time but I doubted that would be enough.

"Not that I know of" I responded.

"Maybe you could call any one one of your parents.." May began but I cut her off.

"No" I said. "I don't know where they are or what their doing but even if I could contact them I won't." I added sharply.

My parents were the two people I disliked, no, HATED, the most. They had abandoned me and my grandmother. I didn't know the specifics but there could be no valid reason for according to me for abandoning your child.

"Hopefully, it's nothing too serious" I said.

It was serious.

The doctor came out and turned to me. "Are you Olivia Lancaster's grandson" he asked.

"Yes" I said.

His face looked grim and suddenly my strange calmness vanished. Looking at his face somehow I knew what had happened and I didn't want it to be true.

"Let's talk inside my office" he said.

Once we got to his office he pulled out a chair for me and sat on the desk, in a way that said, "if you cry, I'm here to reassure you."

"That's not good." I thought.

"I want you to prepare yourself to hear this" the doctor said.

I wasn't prepared. I knew what was going to happen but I didn't want it to happen.

"Your grandmother has had severe brain tumour and told nobody about it."

"She obviously didn't want it to affect you" the doctor added.

"I'll save you the details but your grandmother..."

"Only has another 4 hours to live"

Dead silence.

I took a deep breath and asked with a shaky voice, "can I see her"

The doctor looked at me with a pained expression, "Yes" he responded sadly.

I went inside the room and saw her on the bed. She was pale and and her breathing was... like each breath taken with great pain.

I sat down beside her and held her hand.

She looked at me and smiled. "Oliver" she said.

I smiled weakly, "Yeah it's me grandma."

"The doctor tells me I have only little time left. I am not worried. I lived a full life." she said.

That was my grandma. She was always positive.

"Grandma I..." I began.

"It's okay Oliver" she said. "All humans die. My time has come. I have no problems or regrets. Maybe my son was a bit of an asshole as you might say" she laughed weakly.

"But I was blessed with a beautiful smart boy like you to make up for it." she added.

"But how am I going to..." I began.

"You are strong and smart Oliver. Just like your father of course." she rolled her eyes. "But you are also kind. And that is what will take you to great places in life."

"You won't be able to keep your promise to build a huge tower for me and take me flying on a private jet" she added. "But that's mostly my fault."

I laughed. She always knew how to make me laugh.

"I'm feeling tired Oliver. I think my time has come" she said.

A lump formed in my throat.

"I'll miss you Oliver."

She stopped breathing and the machine started beeping.

I couldn't hold it in anymore and the tears fell.

The doctors came in and escorted me out and May stood outside and hugged me as I cried.

She was gone.

My grandmother had died.