Chapter 70: An Unfriendly Visitor

For an hour, Ash sat beside the bed while her Grams slept. Her breathing was shallow and rattling, but Ash didn't want to wake her no matter how much everything she had recently experienced burned on her tongue.

When Grams stirred, Ash leaned over her. "Hi! May I get you anything?"

"A shot of tequila." Grams smiled, sitting up partially.

"What about some water or coffee instead?" Ash fluffed up her pillows. "Are you hungry? I can make pancakes and bacon."

"No." She patted Ash's hand. "Coffee is fine."

Ash kissed her grandma's cheek, then dashed to the kitchen. Her hands shaking slightly with the news she had to tell her Grams and that she knew about the cancer. She returned with a cup of coffee with extra cream and sugar. "Careful, it's hot."

"Thanks." The old woman set the mug on the nightstand, then grasped Ash's hands. "So tell me what it is you've been dying to tell me since you got back."

"You were sleeping? How'd you know I was back already?"