Page 91 of Teach Me 2x

“How can you be so sure? I mean, I get it. I have to stay positive and strong, but it’s so difficult when we’re struggling so much. I’ve been without a job for so long, and our savings are almost completely depleted.”

“You’re smart, Bree. You’ll find the answer. I remember waiting for a job for more than five years! Imagine that. Those were different times, and if there wasn’t your grandfather, Thomas, we wouldn’t be able to survive at all, but I believed things would be okay in the end, and they were.”

Her eyes clouded for a moment at the mention of my grandfather. He’d died from cancer before I even met him, so all I knew about him came from what my grandmother had told me. According to her, he was a kind man who liked to help everyone, and people liked him. He was a sailor, often away from home, but their marriage was always strong—their love never dying, just like in the romance stories my grandmother constantly read.

Maybe that’s why she read so much, trying to remind her of her own great love story.

“Do you miss him, Granny?”

She sat on the sofa next to me. “Every day, but I know he is in a better place, so I don’t feel sad. I have so many fond memories of him, and they are enough.”

I took her hand. “If only people nowadays could have the kind of love you and he had. I feel like love isn’t what it was before.”

She squeezed my hand. “Love is the same, honey. You just haven’t found the right person for you. You’re such a beautiful girl, and I have no doubt that some prince in a shining armor will come soon and sweep you off your feet.”

I returned her smile. “You think? All I’d been seeing lately are some immature jerks who don’t even know what they want in their life.”

“There are those kinds of people too, yes, but don’t dismiss all men as unworthy.”

So far my experiences with men weren’t positive at all. My first boyfriend cheated on me, and my second boyfriend was an alcoholic. Then I had a series of short relationships that didn’t lead anywhere because I wasn’t able to build any deeper connection with them. All they cared about was themselves. Their career. Their families. Their lives.

It was never about me, or us. So much for men putting women first. Not in my experience, not yet anyway.

“I wish I could meet someone as sweet and thoughtful as your Thomas. Someone as romantic and caring as him.” Maybe this mystery man would even help me with a solution to my epic financial problems.

Ha. As if.

“Oh, you will. I already imagine you with six children, two dogs, and a gorgeous looking husband in a huge house next to the sea.”

; “Granny, your imagination knows no boundaries.” I shook my head. “That happens only in movies.”

“Now that’s where you’re wrong. It happens to those who believe, so you should believe in it.”

“If you say so.”

She was right, though. Lately I was feeling down and slightly pessimistic, which wasn’t usual for me, maybe I should listen to her more. She always gave me good advice and only wanted the best for me.

“I know so.” She tapped my hand and stood up. “Alright. I’m ready to go to bed now. I hope you won’t stay much longer out here.” She caressed my hair. “You need your beauty sleep, gotta find that prince, right?” She winked at me.

I snorted. “Don’t worry. Let me just finish this and I’ll go to bed too.”

“Okay. I love you, Bree.”

My heart swelled and I smiled at her. Seriously, why was I so worried about everything when I had her next to me? I had this wonderful woman who loved me more than anything, and she was always there to cheer me up and support me, no matter what I did or how bad things were.

“I love you too, Granny. Thank you for the advice. You’re right, I know you are. Everything will be okay. Things are a bit complicated now, but they can’t be like that forever. Right?”

“Absolutely. That’s the spirit. Good night.”

“Good night.”

I watched her leave, feeling better. I looked back at my screen, rubbing my tired eyes. I’d been without a job before and we’d managed, so I had to believe something would come up soon. Nothing came out of negativity and doubt. Nothing good anyway.

I went to one more job search website and skimmed over its contents, thinking about that mysterious guy who would sweep me off my feet, like my grandmother had said. I couldn’t help but wonder what he was like and when I was going to meet him.

My insides churned with anticipation. What if he was going to ride up on the horse soon? What if the right man for me was right around the corner? Could I really be able to experience the love my grandparents had shared?