Grandmother

Frank didn't like it, but he had to do it. Frank had to bring his grandmother to business meetings in the afternoon. So far, the older woman hadn't been that much of a bother. But his next stop would be a little longer. He pulled into the Tormino's parking lot, spotting his quarry from the window. Norman was sitting at the bar, talking to Anita as usual. Miles seemed to notice Frank but said nothing to his co-workers as he continued working.

Frank stepped out of the car, walking around while keeping an eye on Norman. He opened the door for his grandmother, helping the older woman out of the vehicle.

"Thank you, dear. So thoughtful of you," his grandmother praised him as she tried to reach to pat his cheek, Frank obliging her by leaning down. He escorted the older woman at a snail’s pace, surprised Norman still hadn't noticed him.

"Afternoon, Frank," greeted Miles, grabbing everyone else's attention. Except for Norman, who had been knocked out by Shasta's ladle and was now lying on the floor.

"Everyone," he nodded as they all shifted their attention from him to the small lady. Anita was the first to say something as she moved from behind the bar.

"You must be Frank's grandmother. It's a pleasure to meet you finally. Would you like to sit down?"

"Oh, yes, please. What a nice young lady. You would make a perfect wife for my grandson."

"No! No!" Both Shasta and Norman, who had woken up, cried.

"Oh, what a shame, he's a nice young man and takes such good care of his grandmama."

Anita smiled and led the older woman to a booth nearby while Norman got back on his stool.

"Frank! The person I wanted to see. Here are the documents for this Tormino's." Norman passed over some papers encased in a pink knitted folder. "And would your grandmother like a scarf? I still have a lot of wool left." Norman held up a ball of pink yarn.

"What?"

"Oh, I've taken up knitting now. Although yarn bombing my apartment or crocheting might be something worth a try. Or should I try the loom?"

---

Anita helped the old lady into the booth.

"Are you sure you don't want to marry my grandson? He is a very nice man, but I worry he'll be alone after I'm gone."

"Thank you, but I already have love problems with two boys; adding a third would be a challenge."

"Ah, young love. Cherish it well, dear." The older woman settled into her seat.

"Is there anything I can get you?"

"Oh, tea would be lovely."

Anita nodded, scurrying off to behind the bar.

"I'm sorry, Norman, but because of your inattentiveness to the other Tormino's in the district, Corporate is demoting you from district manager. You'll be going back to the filing department at the end of the week."

Norman looked down to his lap, like a guilty puppy who knew he had messed up.

"Alright, sir. Thank you for the opportunity, and sorry for not working up to the company's expectations."

---

The grandmother sat, tapping her toes together since they couldn't reach the floor. She looked around the room, spotting Ramona.

"Excuse me," the elderly woman called out. Ramona turned her attention towards her, tripping over her feet as she did so. As she started falling, Miles was under her in a moment, saving her from the fall.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"No worries." The teens were both pink as Miles stood her up, Ramona walking over to the grandmother.

"Yes, ma'am."

"What?"

Ramona cleared her throat, speaking up at a reasonable volume as she did, "Yes, ma'am."

"Oh, right, never mind."

Ramona sighed before walking off. The grandmother smiled, looking between Ramona and Miles. 

"So that's how the young men catch girls these days."

---

"So, will I be working at the main office?"

"No, still the local office."

Norman turned to Anita, taking her hands in his before she was able to take the tea to Frank's grandmother. 

"Anita, this situation is most unfortunate, but I will continue to do my best with the new job they have given me."

"This wouldn't have happened if you had done your job right in the first place," snapped Shasta.

"But I promise I will visit you when I can. So know I have not abandoned you or our connection."

Anita nodded while Shasta rolled his eyes, only to see the old lady Frank had brought in with him entering the kitchen. He stared at her with a hellish glare as she wandered around.

"Oh, you must be the chef," the old woman commented as she approached him.

"Anything I can help you with?" He gritted his teeth.

"Hmm? Oh, nothing. The nice young lady was to bring me tea, but she looked busy with my grandson."

"No, that was Norman. He works for your grandson."

"Does he? That's nice." The older woman continued her stroll about the kitchen. Shasta's gaze was less murderous than before as she wasn’t touching anything, just wandering around.

---

"I know Norman. I look forward to your lunch visits."

Anita pulled out her hands from his, taking the tea over to the table where the grandmother once sat.

"Frank." Anita turned as she called his name. "Where's your grandmother?"

Frank gasped and went running through the restaurant, searching for the tiny woman.

"Norman, have you seen my grandmother?"

 "If I find her, will I get my job back?"

 "I don't make those decisions, Corporate does."

Norman pouted but got off the stool to look.

Frank's grandmother had left the kitchen, finding several closed doors further down the hall. There was a room without a door forbidding entrance. She was going to walk into the breakroom when one of the doors opened, revealing the tallest man she had ever seen.

"Oh my."

"Who are you?" Cyrus asked, finishing the last of his drink.

"I'm Frank's grandmother. I was looking for the tea, but I can't seem to find it."

Cyrus sighed, walking past her.

"Follow me," he ordered, the old woman wobbling after him. When they entered the floor, Frank and Norman were searching around the area like men on fire. Anita searched as well but was more apologizing to the other patrons about the situation. The men's dashing tripped Ramona a few times, Miles holding her steady as if his life depended on it. Norman ran outside, calling out for the grandmother.

Cyrus continued walking, the old lady unable to see over the bar followed him. Cyrus filled an empty cup with hot water for the older woman, grabbing a tea bag for it. He made her the tea and then gave her the cup.

"Here you go," he offered the woman.

"Thank you. What a nice young man."

The older woman reached up to pat his cheek, only able to pat his leg. She wobbled along, holding her cup steady as she walked back to her spot in the booth.

"Oh." Anita noticed the grandmother as she was making rounds. "Frank, she's right here!"

Frank stopped his searching, hair askew.

"Grandmother, you shouldn't wander when I'm working," he scolded as he sat beside her.

"Sorry, dear, but the people here are so lovely."

"I'm sure they are."

Anita came back over with the tea set, setting the cup before Frank.

"I think you can spare a little break before you go."

Frank nodded, taking the teacup. Anita looked outside, seeing Norman across the street searching for the grandmother.

"Maybe I should let him know we found her," she commented to herself. She was about to go outside when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up to see Cyrus still there, drinking his tea.

"Let him be for a while. He needs to learn to get out every once in a while. Plus, it's entertaining to watch."

Anita frowned, not liking Cyrus' logic. But Norman had already crossed the bridge searching for Frank’s grandmother.

Frank and his grandmother continued drinking their tea, Frank calming as they drank.