Chasing Nikki(17)

I was very antsy as I waited for the checkout line to move, knowing I was cutting it severely close. Thankfully, I sort of knew where I was going from the address Nikki had sent, and it wasn’t far.

“Well, well. What have we here?”

I turned around to find Brett and Brittney grinning in the line behind me. They each held a box of doughnuts.

“I think someone has scored a date,” Brittney said, winking at me. “Am I right?”

“I don’t kiss and tell.” I smiled.

“Ooh, and he’s already talking about kissing. I think our little Rockstar thinks he’s gonna get lucky today. What do you think, Bro?”

“Did she finally say yes?” Brett asked.

“Called me this morning and told me where to meet her.” I glanced at my cell phone again. “And I’m going to be late if this line doesn’t get going any faster. What are you two up to?” I said, trying to redirect the conversation.

“Just out collecting the breakfast of champions.” Brett gestured to the doughnuts.

“It’s kind of a Sunday ritual with our family. Our parents started it before we were even born,” Brittney added.

“That’s cool,” I replied, happy to see it was my turn to check out. I did so quickly, grabbing the flowers and tossing a goodbye over my shoulder to the other two as I headed out the door.

“Have fun!” Brittney called after me.

“Absolutely.”

I arrived at the location with one minute to spare. However, I was a little confused since I found myself sitting in the parking lot of a nursing home.

I checked her text again.

1225 E. Hillside Ave.

No, I was in the right place—she must’ve given me the wrong address.

I sent a message to Nikki. “Umm … sitting in the parking lot of a rest home. Think you gave me the wrong address.”

My phone buzzed. “No. You’re in the right place. Meet me in room 120.”

This was an awful strange place for a first date.

What the heck was she doing? I stared at the text for a moment longer before I shook my head, wondering what I was getting into. I grabbed the vase of flowers and went inside.

“Can I help you?” a young man wearing a pair of scrubs asked me when I walked into the large lobby.

“I’m meeting someone in room 120.”

“Down that hall to your left.” He pointed.

“Thanks.” I went in the direction he’d indicated, passing several rooms with open doors along the way. There were a lot of people living here.

I found the room number with the name Mildred Wagner etched into a little bronze plate underneath.

“Hello?” I called out, knocking on the door, which was slightly ajar.

“Come in, Chase,” Nikki’s voice replied.

I entered and found her curled up in a chair next to a bed that held a tiny, frail looking, elderly woman.

“Oh! You brought flowers!” Nikki exclaimed, getting up to come over to me.

“I told you I would.” I smiled a little uncomfortably, still not sure why she was having me meet her here.

She took the vase. “Look, Grandma. Chase brought you flowers! Wasn’t that sweet?”

I sighed and smiled, determined to play along with whatever she had going on.

“Chase, this is my Grandma Wagner. She’s my dad’s mom. He used to come and visit her every Sunday before he died. I’ve tried to keep up the tradition since he passed on. Grandma had a bad stroke several years ago and lost some of her motor and speech skills, so she’s unable to take of herself.”

“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Wagner,” I said, nodding toward the lady.

She gave me a half smile and slightly raised her trembling arm.

“She wants to shake your hand,” Nikki said, placing the flowers on the bedside stand and turning to sit back down.

I walked over and took Mrs. Wagner’s small hand in mine, giving it a slight squeeze. I was surprised by the strength in which she responded and found she continued to grasp me, not letting go.

Nikki laughed. “I think someone has a crush. I told you he was very handsome didn’t I, Grandma?”

Mrs. Wagner visibly blushed at this remark, and I chuckled.

“I don’t know what lies she’s been telling you about me.” I cast a glance in Nikki’s direction. “But they’re probably all true.”

Nikki smiled wider. “Let go of him now, Grandma, so he can come sit by me.”

Her grandma obliged, and I made my way around to the other side of the bed, pulling up a chair next to her.

“Every time I come here I make sure my grandma gets to eat her favorite pudding, which is butterscotch, by the way. She can’t feed herself very well, so I like to help her enjoy her treat. Do you mind waiting while I do that first? Then we can go on the rest of our date.”