I arrive in front of Gramps’ room and take a deep breath.
Normally, I would open the door without hesitation, but today I’m nervous. I could already feel my heart beating faster.
Don’t worry, I was sure there was no bad news. Because things had been going so well.
I pulled myself together and knocked on the door.
“Yes?”
I heard Gramps’ voice. That was enough to put my mind at ease.
“It’s Gilles.”
“Gilles. What are you doing here so early in the morning?”
Saying so, he opened the door for me.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtIt was the usual kindly Gramps. I looked into his left eye. These golden eyes reminded me of Alicia’s.
“I wanted to ask you a few questions.”
“Well, come on in.”
I couldn’t keep a straight face in front of Gramps. He would have noticed right away that II was giving off a gloomy vibe.
The room was neat and tidy, and there were many papers on the desk.
How could such a talented person disappear?
“What happened?”
Gramps asked as he sat back in his chair. I adored the calm tone Gramps always had.
I hesitate for a moment before speaking.
“Is Gramps sick?”
I could hear a slight tremor in my voice, and Gramps looked a little troubled by my question.
This response was not good news. I knew it intuitively.
A pleasant, cool breeze was coming in through the window.
“Answer me, please, honestly.”
I again asked Gramps, who said nothing.
“Ah, indeed, I am sick. …Was Gilles the one in the hallway yesterday?”
“Are you going to die?”
“No, I’m not dying yet. However, one day I will die. We are all going to die. This is a fact that cannot be changed.”
“I don’t want you to die.”
I almost cried, even though I decided not to cry after Alicia’s departure….
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmBut I couldn’t stop myself from crying.
“Gilles, I’m still alive and well. I won’t die, at least not for a while.”
“Really?”
Gramps nodded with a smile.
But I knew that Gramps was telling me a soft lie to reassure me.
“I have a big job to do. I need to rebuild this country. However, when I’m done, will you let me have my rest? “
I couldn’t nod at Gramps’ words. I didn’t want to let the thought of him dying cross my mind.
But if that was Gramps’ fate, I had no choice but to accept it. I couldn’t complain about it.
“Okay.”
I said, holding back my tears.
Gramps said, “Thank you,” and gently patted my head.
My heart was aching at the thought that one day I would no longer be stroked by Gramps’s big, rugged hands.
Still, I should look forward to the future, and do my best as long as Gramps was still alive.