"Is that Dr. Morgan?" Grandma''s gentle voice floated from the room.


    Granger, eager to make a good impression, stered on his best smile and hurried over.


    He figured, sure, Effie might be keeping him at arm''s length, but at least her grandmother liked him.


    If he could win over the family, clear the obstacles, then maybe just maybe-he and Effie would finally have a chance.


    "Oh dear, child, slow down-watch out, don''t..."


    Granger stopped short, his eyes widening at the mountain of gifts stacked around the hospital room.


    "It''s okay, Grandma, I''m being careful. I won''t trip," he said, tiptoeing forward, determined not to embarrass himself in front of her.


    Grandma nced at him with a twinkle. "I''m not worried about you, dear. I just don''t want you to knock over all these gifts my inws brought me."


    Granger''s smile faltered for a split second. Wait-so he was just ttering himself, thinking Grandma was worried about him?


    Hold on, did she say "inws"?


    Just then, Grandma turned to Effie. "Effie, your mother-inw is far too generous, sending all these things over. There''s no way I can finish it all. Why don''t you take some home and share with the neighbors?"


    “Sure, Grandma," Effie replied.


    Granger was floored, but he forced a smile and said, "Grandma, let me check on you see how your recovery''sing along."


    Grandma looked at him, feigning surprise. "That''s odd, didn''t my attending physiciane by earlier? Still, I have to say, Dr. Morgan, your skills are quite impressive. And you''re such a handsome young man surely an excellent doctor, right? With all those patients needing you, and you still take time to check in on an olddy like me... That''s truly touching."


    Effie couldn''t help thinking that Grandma''s words were a masterss in backhanded praise.


    Granger replied, "It''s nothing, really. Just happy to help. Effie and I are old ssmates-it''s the least I can do."


    "Well then, we won''t keep you any longer, Dr. Morgan. Goodbye!" Grandma said with a sweet smile.


    Granger beat a hasty retreat, feeling utterly defeated.


    He''d thought that being close to the family would give him a head start with Effie, but the olddy saw right through him and delivered a gentle warning.


    He was too embarrassed to linger a second longer.


    Once Granger was gone, Grandma remarked, "That Dr. Morgan does seem like a good sort. The other day, when the nurse wheeled me out for some fresh air, saw him being so kind to others."


    Effie shot her a puzzled look, not quite sure where this was going.


    Grandma caught the look and patted Effie''s hand. "Granger''s a nice boy, but you''ve found someone even better, haven''t you?"


    She gave Effie''s hand a gentle squeeze. "At my age, I''ve realized there''s nothing more important than your own happiness."


    She paused, then asked quietly, "Effie, are you happy now?"


    A sudden tightness gripped Effie''s heart. For some reason, Grandma''s words sounded just a little off.


    "Grandma, don''t scare me," Effie said anxiously.


    Grandma saw her worry and hurried to reassure her. "Oh, sweetheart, I''m fine. I


    think I''m just feeling a little downtely, probably because your mother''s anniversary ising up."


    The mention of her mother''s passing tugged at Effie''s heart as well.


    Her mother had been gone for years, but the loss hung over both her and Grandma like a cloud that never quite lifted. Every time they spoke of her, it hurt all over again.


    Yet, strangely enough, this year felt different. In the past, as the anniversary approached, Effie would be gued by insomnia and headaches, lying awake for nights on end.


    But this year, though she remembered the date, the old pain didn''te back the same way.