Chapter 13 Grandpa's Girl
The specialist walked over to Andrea’s mother. “I have reassessed your father. For now, I think the surgery we have performed is working. He just needs some more rest. I’m afraid he will need to stay in the hospital longer than expected.”
Karen sighed in relief, and Andrea felt tears in her eyes once more. She was so happy to hear that Grandpa didn’t need another surgery for the time being. “Can we see him?” Karen asked.
“Yes, but only two people at a time,” the doctor instructed. “We don’t want to overwhelm him.”
Everyone thanked the doctor, and then Andrea’s mom said, “You should go in first. He’ll be so happy to see you. Take Case. He’s so excited to meet him.”
Andrea agreed and hurried to the door, so glad to see Grandpa Jack at last.
He was in his bed, looking smaller and frailer than he had the last time she saw him. But when she walked in, his smile lit up the room. “Is that my Andy?” he asked.
She practically flew across the room but was gentle when she leaned down to kiss his cheek and stroke his balding head. “How are you, Grandpa?”
“I’m fair,” he said with a chuckle. “Didn’t stop the old ticker yet.” He looked up and saw Case standing near the end of the bed. “Oh, my! If it isn’t my favorite racecar driver in the flesh! Case Meyer! Well, I’ll be.”
Case’s face was red as he stepped over and offered his hand. “It’s wonderful to meet you, Mr. Testa.”
“Please, call me Jack!” Grandpa shook Case’s hand with the vigor of someone half his age. “I can’t believe I’m actually meeting you.”
Case glanced at Andrea, who was smiling at him proudly. It warmed her heart to see her grandfather so happy. “It’s an honor to meet someone whose been watching the sport for so long. I’d love to chat with you about it when you’re feeling better.”
“I’m looking forward to that.” Grandpa’s voice sounded a little hoarse, like he was getting warn out from so much excitement. “Will you stick around for a day or two?”
Again, Case looked at Andrea. “I would love to.” That brought a blush to her cheeks. She reminded herself he was staying to talk to Grandpa, not because of her.
“Good, good! I’d love to hear you talk about racing some of the greats who are retired now, folks like Jim Willis and Cat Man Taylor. Those folks were legends.”
“They sure were,” Case agreed with a fond smile.
“And I suppose you know Will Hanson?”
“I do. He’s been like a mentor to me since I started racing. Will’s a great guy.”
Grandpa Jack chuckled again. “Andrea and I used to watch him race when she was little. Then, when he retired, whenever she’d come to visit, we’d both cheer for you.”
Realizing Grandpa was about to say something to contradict what she’d said in the car, Andrea interrupted. “Okay, Grandpa. I think it’s time you got some rest. Mom probably wants to see you before you go to sleep.”
Case had one eyebrow raised, indicating he wanted to hear more of what Grandpa had to say about Andrea’s racecar driver preferences, but when Grandpa said he was tired, Case let it go. “I’ll come back to see you soon,” he said.
“I sure hope so.” Grandpa smiled, his eyes heavy. Andrea kissed his cheek and patted him gently on the shoulder. She didn’t want to say goodbye again so soon, but it was clear he needed to rest.
Out in the hallway, Leslie and Brent were having a heated discussion. When he saw Andrea, his expression shifted into a grin. Brent was no longer listening to his girlfriend.
Andrea ignored him and said to her mother, “I think he wants to see you before he goes to sleep.”
“Okay, dear.” She hugged her daughter and then said, “Case, you will be staying a few days at least, won’t you?”
“Yes, I promised Grandpa Jack I’d swap racing stories with him.”
Karen’s smile beamed. “Oh, good. We’re so happy to have you.” She touched his arm, her hand lingering longer than Andrea liked. Her mom was such a flirt! “Andrea will show you the upstairs guest room next to her room.”
“I will?” She looked from her mom to Chase and back again.
“Yes. Brent is staying in the other guest room down the hall.”
Andrea had assumed Leslie’s boyfriend would stay in her room. She looked at her sister, and Leslie rolled her eyes, like it had already been an argument. At the moment, though, she was probably glad Brent wasn’t sharing her room. “Okay. I will.”
Karen tittered and went in to see her dad, Tim following her into the room.
Leslie and Brent followed Andrea and Case to the elevator. He continued to try and talk to her about his acting roles in college, but she was so tired, she really didn’t care, and she didn’t’ like the way he was looking at her either. When they walked past the reception area on the way out, the nurse from earlier shouted her name.
Andrea stopped and looked at her for a second. “Do you have time for a photo now?” She looked hopeful, but Andrea remembered she hadn’t been too friendly before and was kind of annoyed at her.
“Not right now,” Andrea said. “But I’ll be back soon, and I can then.”
“What if it’s not my shift?” The nurse seemed agitated.
“I’ll find you before I leave to go to California. I promise.” Andrea was done discussing it and hurried on while the nurse seethed.
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