Routine and a great surprise

My alarm clock rang, I woke up scared, my heart was beating, and I felt sweat running down my forehead and back. I had had a nightmare. I touched my chest and tried to normalize my breathing. When I felt better, I got up and went to take a bath. I got ready and went down to the kitchen. I prepared my breakfast and coffee. I sat down and ate, or I tried to. I answered some messages and emails I washed my dishes. I took the keys to my house and looked at a picture on the wall. It was my mother and me. It was the last that I had with her. I wiped a tear from my cheek, patted my face and left for work.

As I walked, I said hello to my neighbours and chatted with them, when I got to the traffic lights I saw that Mrs Lilly was crossing the street. I ran towards her and took her by the arm.

-Hello Mrs Lilly, how are you? -I smiled as I looked at her face.

-Hello my girl, very well, today I didn't see you at the traffic light, so I thought you were sick. I was going to the market to buy things to make you a meal. I'm glad you found me.- She said while she took my hand and smiled with concern.

-Don't worry, I'm fine. I was a little late today. I dreamt that again.- I said as we reached the other side of the street.

-Oh my girl, you know your mum is proud of everything you have achieved, and she is looking after you from wherever she is. I'm going to come and feed you in the library today. You are too thin.- She put her hand in her bag and took out a honey-sweet, she put it in my hand and kissed me on my cheek.

She moved away from me. I saw her leaving while I smiled. It was good to have her near me. She took care of me as if I was her granddaughter. Mrs Lilly was the one who was taking care of me when I was sick, I didn't have my mother anymore, but I had gained a loving grandmother. When I got to the library, I opened the doors, went in and turned on the lights. It was time to work.

My afternoon passed without any unusual event. In the library, students from nearby schools were arriving to look for books to do their homework. Other people were also arriving to read or buy books. It was almost 5 pm when I saw Mrs Lilly come in. She was carrying a bag full of food and sweets. I smiled when I saw her arrive. I got up and went to greet her.

-Good afternoon, Mrs Lilly.- I said as I took her to a place to take a seat.

-Hello daughter, I told you I would come. I made you some soup to eat so you don't get sick. I also brought you some tea and some sweets. - She gave me the bag while she sat down and looked at the library. - You have kept the library for so many years, plus it has grown, and there are more people. I am very proud of you, daughter.- I smiled as I saw a picture of my mother on the desk.

-It hasn't been easy to keep it for all these years, but people have been getting used to the library and come to read and buy books. - I said as I took the things out of the bag and placed them on a small table near my desk.

-How are you doing with your book? - She said as he took off his coat and placed it on the back of his chair.

-It's going well. I'm still correcting some parts and finishing other chapters.- I served the food on two plates and gave her one for us to eat together.

-When you finish or want an opinion, give me a copy, and I'll read it. You know I love your books and your mum's. Come on! It's going to get cold. - I smiled and nodded my head.

We ate in silence. Occasionally a customer would come to the desk, so we would offer them a sweet. It was strange that inside a library, the owner was eating. However, maybe that made them feel more comfortable, and the clients would come back more often. Or maybe, it was Mrs Lilly's sweets that made them come back.

When we finished eating, we cleared the plates. We talked about my book, and I recommended others for her to read. Mrs Lilly stayed with me for the rest of the afternoon and helped me close the library. We both lived nearby, so we left together. When we arrived in front of her house, we saw a parked car with a tall, slim young man with blond hair and casually dressed.

He was leaning on the fence holding a telephone. When he saw Mrs Lilly, he approached with a worried face.

-Grandma! where were you? I was so worried about you, I rang the bell, but you didn't open it. I called you, and you didn't answer. I was about to call the police. - He said as he put his phone in his trouser pocket.

-Hahaha. I'm sorry to tell you, but this old lady is not leaving yet, so I'll still be bothering you for a while and although. I don't look like it. I'm a bit young. - She said while laughing and taking the young man's arm to reassure him.

-Oh, grandmother! I was worried about you. What would I do without you? - He said as he hugged his grandmother, then he looked at me and noticed my presence.

-Look, son, let me introduce you to my little girl.- Said Mrs Lilly when she saw that her grandson was looking at me. - She is Mia's daughter. The one I always talk about. She was with her in the library. Her name is Sasha.-

-Hello, good evening. Sorry for worrying you, your grandmother was with me. - I said as I extended my hand to greet him.

-Hi. Don't worry, it's typical of my grandmother to disappear and scare me. -He said as he took my hand, he kept looking at me, so I felt a bit embarrassed.

-Stop looking at her like that. I know she is pretty, but if you don't let go of her hand, she will think you are weird, and she won't want to be your friend. - Said Mrs Lilly as she smiled and saw her grandson blush and let go of my hand. I smiled to see them together.

-Well, since you're here, why don't you take her home? I mean, she brought me home and always takes care of me. Besides, she's a woman, and it's too late at night for her to be alone on the streets. I don't know why you are behaving like strangers if you already know each other. I think you two have a lot to talk about. - The grandma said while he pushed us and made signs for us to leave.

We both sighed and nodded resignedly. Once that Mrs Lilly said something, she became stubborn. We saw her smile in the distance, and she slowly entered her house. The grandma always got people to do what she said.