Chapter 17: Good News for Miss Bennett, Right on Schedule

Walter frowned, still trying to refuse. "I haven't even packed yet"

"Don't lie to me."

Joy cut him off, feigning irritation.

"Aunt Sue said you're basically packed already. We're leaving tomorrow. She'll ship the rest over."

Coaxed and cornered, the old man could only laugh and give in.

The second Joy stepped out of the hospital room, her smile dropped away completely.

She leaned against the cold hallway wall, tears sliding silently down her face.

That night, they stayed at a cheap hotel near the hospital.

Joy sat on the edge of the bed, staring at nothing.

Zoe came back up with two bowls of wontons from the shop downstairs, setting them on the small table.

"Joy, eat something." She pressed a spoon into her hand. "You haven't eaten all day. You'll make yourself sick trying to take care of him if you don't take care of yourself."

Joy blinked back into focus and nodded absently.

She lifted the bowl and the second the smell hit her, her stomach revolted.

"ugh"

She dropped the spoon, clapped a hand over her mouth, and bolted for the bathroom, retching hard into the toilet.

Hearing her from the other room, Zoe's eyes welled up.

She wiped her face quietly, chest aching.

God, could you go a little easier on her?

After a long while, Joy emerged, pale and drained.

She forced down a few spoonfuls of broth and a couple of wontons, fighting the nausea the whole way.

They checked out the next morning.

At the airport, Walter started fretting about money again, muttering the whole way through security.

"Why are we flying? That's so expensive. We could've just taken the train, I'm not even tired"

Zoe smoothly stepped in with a smile.

"Grandpa, I've got a friend who's a flight attendant employee discount. Comes out cheaper than the train, honestly."

"Really? Cheaper?" His eyes lit up. "Well that's wonderful, that's wonderful!"

While he went to the restroom, Aunt Sue pulled Joy aside.

Her eyes were red-rimmed. She pulled a thick envelope from her bag and pressed it into Joy's hands.

"Joy twenty thousand. Take it, for now. Your uncle's already out borrowing more. Whatever it costs, we get him treated. Understood?"

Joy sniffed hard, fighting the tears. "I understand."

The moment came to say goodbye.

Watching her father's stooped shoulders, Aunt Sue finally broke, rushing forward to wrap her arms around him.

"Dad..."

Walter froze for a second, then chuckled, patting her shoulder the way he used to when she was small.

"Oh, come on now. Look at you, all grown, crying like this. I'm off to live the good life in the city. What's there to cry about? People will laugh at you."

Sue's tears soaked straight through his shirt.

"I'll miss you. Please listen to Joy, once you're there."

"I will. Don't forget to ship my things over, especially the family photo pack it careful."

"You've told me that eight hundred times already. My ears are worn out."

"Old men get a little long-winded, that's all. One more thing eat properly, you hear me?"

"I know, I know," Sue said through tears, laughing despite herself. "You really don't stop, do you."

Off to the side, Joy bit down hard on her lip, fighting back everything threatening to spill over.

Zoe had turned away entirely, shoulders shaking silently in the corner.

Walter smiled and waved them off. "Go on home now."

The plane touched down, and the energy of the city hit immediately.

Stepping through the gate, they spotted Derek waving both arms like a maniac, clearly terrified of not being seen.

"Grandpa! Hi, Grandpa! I'm Derek, Joy's friend!"

He rushed over, grabbed the suitcase, grinning so wide his teeth practically gleamed.

Walter blinked, startled by the enthusiasm, then broke into a pleased smile.

As Derek drove, Walter leaned toward Zoe and whispered.

"Zoe tell me straight. Is this young man... Joy's boyfriend?"

Zoe burst out laughing, shooting Derek busy hauling luggage a teasing look.

"Grandpa, he wishes. Not his luck."

They arrived at the new rental.

Inside, everything gleamed spotless, fully furnished, appliances all set up. Joy had already stocked it with everything Walter would need.

He wandered the space slowly, hands clasped behind his back, finally stopping at the balcony.

He nodded, satisfied. "This is nice. Bright. Lively."

"I'm right next door, Grandpa, practically across the hall," Zoe said, helping unpack, voice light. "I'll be over for dinner constantly. Hope you don't mind."

"Mind? Never! You're always welcome here." Walter beamed. "Whatever you're craving, just say the word, I'll make it."

"Then I won't hold back braised pork."

"You got it. Nobody does braised pork like me."

After dinner, Joy made up the bed in the master room.

She smoothed the sheets, back to her grandfather, keeping her tone light.

"Oh almost forgot, Grandpa. My company's running an employee benefits program, full-body screenings at a top hospital. Really expensive package, but tomorrow's the last day to sign up."

At the word screening, Walter's face closed off instantly.

"Not going. Old bodies break down, that's just how it works. It's a fever, I'll be over it in a couple days. You go instead you're the one working yourself ragged."

"I already checked it's a leftover slot. Completely free."

Joy turned, fluffing his pillow, keeping her expression relaxed.

"If you skip it, the spot just goes to waste. It's worth thousands. Seems silly to hand that to the hospital for nothing."

At thousands and free in the same sentence, his frugal instincts kicked in. He hesitated, then relented.

"That expensive, huh... fine, fine, we're not letting the hospital keep it for nothing."

Then a thought struck him. "Wait you'll have to skip work tomorrow. Don't go losing pay over my checkup, that's not worth it."

"Don't worry, Grandpa. I've got paid leave saved up. Won't cost me a thing."

Once he was settled and asleep, Joy slipped quietly out of the room.

Back in her own room, the smile fell away.

She logged into the company system and filed for two days off.

Almost instantly, a notification lit up on Marcus's phone.

He glanced at it, eyebrow lifting slightly, and tapped "Approve" without a second thought.

Looks like Miss Bennett really is getting close to the wedding, then.

Next up marriage leave, prenatal appointments, maternity leave...

Better start lining up her replacement now.