It's early Saturday morning. The young man is getting ready to go visit Grandma. He thought twice about his attire, then grinned and threw on his regular weekend clothes, including his favorite tee shirt.
Grandmother is extremely proper, he mused. She had been raised in London, England. Her mother, his great grandmother, had been involved in high society.
The weeks he spent with Grandma were always a joy, but at the same time he wished for more action. He was fifteen, after all! A growing boy needs to stretch his legs!
Yes, last year he had only spent a few weeks with her out of an entire summer. Both of them were getting older, with Jimmy now a "strapping lad" and Grandma a stately seventy seven years old. These visits were usually taken in three to five day intervals, which made them more of a treat than an obligation. This year he had spent less than a week total with her.
Jimmy had mixed emotions about his visit. A new water park was scheduled to open in a few hours, and he had been eagerly anticipating being one of the first to try out the Cyclone, their wild roller coaster style ride. The new park was said to have something for everyone!
But when Grandma had called yesterday after supper, he readily agreed to pay her a visit. School would be starting next week, which would prevent them from having more than a day or two together. And part of this time would be spent on homework and assignments.
Sighing, Jimmy was disappointed about the water park. But he also knew that he wouldn't always have a grandmother to enjoy spending time with. Grabbing a duffle bag, he ran downstairs to eat breakfast before the long ride out to the estate.
His parents went with him inside, and had a brief but pleasant visit. Jimmy suspected that they were not entirely comfortable around Grandma for some reason.
After they left, Jimmy and Grandma went into the garden, to plant some seedlings she had purchased for his visit. This was one activity both enjoyed.
Grandma gently brushed the rich soil from her hands. "Please go wash up, Jimmy. It's tea time. We will be going out today."
As Jimmy washed his hands, he wondered. They had never gone out to eat, except for special occasions. Grandma had been trained by a famous French chef, and was very proud of her ability to prepare delicious food.
Unsure of where they were going or what the dress code would be, he decided the safe thing to do was put on the suit he had brought for Sunday morning church services.
When he found his grandmother, he had the shock of his life. He had never seen her that way before in his life! She sat smiling, in a brand new white tee shirt, featuring a picture of the Cyclone on the front.
"Jimmy, I told you it's tee time. Why are you wearing your good suit? We are going out. There's a new water park, and I thought we would try out some of the rides together. Would you like that?"
Jimmy grinned, and flew up the stairs to grab his favorite tee shirt.
Greetings, @wrestlingdesires. Welcome to this community!
You bring us a nice story about the strengthening of a very important relationship in life. The meeting that will allow a grandson to really get to know his grandmother in a direct relationship. The grandmother has a reputation and seems a bit intimidating to a teenager, but he lets himself go and discovers that the two may be more alike than he thought.
You write with accuracy and in a warm, settled manner. Perhaps you'd like to check out some of the props @theinkwell offers as writing tips.
Thank you for posting this story in the Ink Well community.
Be sure to read the work of other writers in the community and share comments with them. We urge everyone who posts on The Ink Well to take this step, in the future, to ensure that our community members support each other. (We also have this in The Ink Well community rules on our home page and in our weekly writing prompts.)
Thank you so much for the kind words, and the suggestions as well :) I started reading in here, and I expect to be spending time enjoying stories fairly often! I saw some talented writers who I already am a fan of, such as Cesca Jove!
Greetings, @wrestlingdesires. I like that grandmother who was able to get in tune with her grandson, even though she doesn't seem to have optimal relations with the parents.
I like the way you described their need to fit in with each other, symbolised by the clothes they wore for teatime and going out.
I liked your story, intimate and delicate, full of details that allude to teatime.
Thank you so much, it means a lot that you enjoyed it :) I hope to post here often, at least as long as my stories are read and people like them.
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STOPAwe, that was such a sweet story. I remember feeling conflicting emotions like Jimmy when I was a kid. There were times you had to chose between something you really desired to do and to spend time with someone who mattered, and you really did a great job describing the angst it puts someone through when they encounter that phenomenon.
Love, love, love the happy ending!
I'm so glad you liked it :) I think almost everyone has had to make a similar choice. It shouldn't be hard, but it can be. Especially if you are young, or the event seems really important.
This story is too sweet! Jimmy is such a mature young man to pick his grandma over the water park he’s excited about. I love that she surprised him and it all worked out in the end. Nice work!
Thanks :) !!! And thank you for the feedback too, I am loving this community so far! Is it always so active and supportive?
You’re welcome! Yes! It is always this active and supportive. It really is a wonderful community. :)
Then you guys have found a new member - as long as you will have me, of course :)
Oh my, what a great mix-up. Grandma knows what young boys like to do! You did really well with the story development, the character building and your story resolution — as well as writing for the prompt!
Wow, thanks so much for the compliments :) Is this the same Jayna I already know? If not, it's a pleasure to meet you :)
Yes, it's me! Are you still on Uptrennd? (Edit: Oh! I guess it's now Trodl!)
We lost all of our data, except for what we backed up - I got my posts, and a few others did as well. We used archive.org mostly. I miss that place already!
Oh, I forgot to ask, how many posts per week are considered appropriate for The Ink Well?
Wow. I had no idea about Uptrennd being sucked into Trodl until today. I made an exit months ago. I guess I should have done something with my 1Ups. Oh well.
As for The Ink Well, we have never stated an appropriate number of stories, or a limit. The most active writers typically post once or sometimes twice per week. We look for quality, and highlight some of the best stories in a weekly magazine. What we do ask is that everyone who posts in The Ink Well reads and engages with other writers' work by reading and commenting — two other stories for each one posted.
I have read a few, and enjoyed them :) It's actually hard to stop once I get going, lol
Oh my gosh!!! Jimmy thougt it was tea not knowing that what her grandmother meant is tee. As in T for Tee shirt... hehehehe
Going to new water park will be a great house for Jimmy because he was planning to go before, his grandma makes his plan to work out.
Jimmy got a Grandma with the swag, the Tee shirt Will Make her look like sweet 16 .... loloololo.
Nice story anyways
I think that they both had loads of fun :) I'm really happy you enjoyed the story Mary, you have a wonderful day :)
smiles
Now jimmy won't be upset anymore
Grandma is such a lovely fellow to make his dream of visiting the new water park a reality
Great use of the prompt, dear. Thumps up for you
Thank you :) Based on the feedback here, I will definitely be back for next week :)
You are welcome, sir
Looking forward to more of your stories, buddy
You are welcome, sir
Looking forward to more of your stories, buddy
I would happily post another sooner. But I don't want to flood the community. Would more than a post a week even be welcome?
I am new here, so I really have no idea
But I think you can get more clarity from @gracielaacevedo or @jayna, they are both admins
Yes, I didn't think to ask when I replied to them. Thanks again :)
You are welcome, sir
Cute story, and I loved the little play on words at the end.
Thanks ;) I'll definitely be posting more stories here soon!
Lovely story. It's funny.
Lovely story. It's funny.
Thank you :) I will read yours later today :)
This reminds me of the friendship I enjoyed with my grandmother ... worthy to be loved, wise enough to know just how to love me in return. This is a sweet, wonderful story!
Thank you, she sounds like an amazing lady :) She must have taught you a lot about life
She did ... it is wonderful to see the reflection of her goodness in other grandparents, fictional as well... thank you for this lovely story!