RUBI
I turned around and exhaled a shaky breath of relief. There she was. Grandma, standing just behind me, her eyes gentle, her smile as soft as always.
“Hope I didn’t scare you, my dear?” she asked with a knowing warmth.
I wiped the tears off my face with the back of my hand, embarrassed. “Just a little. I didn’t hear you coming. I’m sorry. I’m kind of a mess right now.”
“Don’t worry about that.” She reached into her purse and pulled out a neatly folded white handkerchief. “Here. Take this.”
I accepted it gratefully, dabbing at my damp cheeks, though I knew the redness and puffiness in my eyes still betrayed me. I met her gaze, and her expression made my heart squeeze. Sympathy lined every wrinkle on her face.
She took my hand in both of hers, the gesture tender and grounding. “Why
