When my grandmother found out she didn't have long to live, she embarked on a crazy trip-jumping out of airplanes and scuba diving with sharks.
After I repeatedly voiced my concern, Gram blocked me-her own grandson-on text and social media, leaving me only her travel companion Eleanor's number.
Eleanor started sending me pictures of Gram's adventures. At first she seemed nice, but when I attempted to persuade her to talk some sense into her friend, she told me where I could stick my advice. After that, photos arrived with snarky comments, and Eleanor and I got into it on more than one occasion.
When I heard Gram's upcoming plans were more dangerous than ever, I hopped on a plane.
Since I arrived late, I headed to the bar for a drink, figuring I'd surprise her in the morning.
To my delight, I met a gorgeous woman looking for a no-strings-attached night. Nora was just what I needed. She invited me back to her room, telling me to give her a ten-minute head start. But when I went to pay her bar tab, I realized how much she'd had to drink. As much as I wanted to ignore it, I couldn't. So I stood Nora up.
I knew she'd be pissed, but I also knew I'd never see her again.
Except never came a little early. Namely, the next morning when I went to meet my grandmother and her evil-spinster friend. Because old Eleanor turned out to be young Nora from last night. And if I thought the woman disliked me before, that was nothing compared to how ticked-off she was now. Or how unhappy she was going to be that their party of two was about to become a party of three.