The Hitting Zone

I opened the envelope and pulled out a card. A thin piece of paper fell out. I picked it up and stared at it. A check.

<strong>PAY TO THE ORDER OF: Our grandson, Jake Atkins

</strong><strong>$10,000

</strong>I looked up at Grampa immediately.

"This-" Kyle jumped up.

"I think I might still be high on the painkillers." Dave commented, holding his head. "I don't think I can believe what I'm seeing."

"What is it?" Dad asked, trying to look over Noah's shoulder.

Noah pulled his check close to his chest. "It's mine. Don't worry about it."

Grampa laughed. "It's no big secret. Gramma and I have thought about this for awhile now. Zeke's in college. Dave and Kyle are just a step away. Noah and Jake should be prepared as well. College ain't cheap." His smile faded a bit. "I just wished she would have made it far enough to give these gifts herself."

Noah was the first to jump up and go hug Grampa. "Thank you, Gramps. Gramma too." He took a step back and grinned. "But I'm not going to need this for college. I'm going straight to the big leagues."

"Noah." Dad called out.

"What?" Noah faced him and took a proud stance. "You can't bully me into going."

Grampa laughed. "No, you can not. As long as you have thought it through, you can decide on your own."

"So I can still keep this?" Noah waved his check.

"Probably best if you put it away in a savings account first." Grampa said. "No future is set in stone." He glanced towards the twins. "You both are looking around right? Don't be like Zeke and worry about scholarships this and that. Go where you want to."

He looked at Zeke next. "You just use that however you see fit. Books. Extra training. Maybe even a date or two."

Zeke's lips twitched. "I see."

"Dad." Mom got up from the couch. "This is just too much. They're just kids. You still have years to spend this money on yourself."

Grampa also stood up. "Mary, my time is short."

"Dad. Don't say that." She went over and put her arm around his shoulders. "We haven't even finished saying goodbye to Mom. You can't leave me just yet."

"I'm in no hurry." He chuckled. "But there are things I want to be able to give out myself." He took her hand and gave it a small pull. "Why don't we go talk in the kitchen? Wayne can handle the checks for the boys."

They left and I quickly handed my check to Dad.

Dad studied the thin piece of paper. "Guess we'll have to work on getting you a bank account, Jake."

I waved my hands. "You guys can hold it."

Dad smiled. "All the other boys have one. It's supposed to teach them responsibility. You can't let your account go in the negatives or you'll get charged fees."

"With this, I think he'll be okay." Dave laughed and gave Dad his check too. "I think when I turn 18 in a couple of months, I'll open up an investment account. Put all this in the stock market."

Dad nodded thoughtfully. "That isn't a bad idea." He glanced at Zeke. "Maybe you should look into that as well. It's never too early."

Zeke handed over his check. "There'll be professionals who do that for me when I become a pro."

"I don't know." Dave scrunched up his nose. "I kind of like knowing where my money is." He looked at me. "Do you know if Jeremy watches his own money?"

I shrugged. Then realized. "Ah, I forgot to text him." I hurried to find my phone and sent him an update. The most important thing was telling him that Gramma passed away before we could see her.

<strong>Jeremy: I'm sorry for your loss, Jake. Let me know if there's anything I can do for you guys. Would it be weird if I showed up at the funeral?

</strong>I paused. I wouldn't know. I don't even know how this works. A funeral. I looked at Dad, hesitant.

Dad finished collecting the other two checks from Noah and Kyle. Both of whom wanted to hold it themselves. Dad noticed my look. "What is it?"

I simply handed my phone over for him to see.

Dad smiled. "Very thoughtful. Just tell him that we'll know more in a couple of days. From what I know, Gramma and Grampa agreed to be cremated so it'll probably only be a memorial service."

I nodded and gave Jeremy the reply.

Christmas Day was an emotional rollercoaster full of up and downs. From fighting to get a flight here to find out that Gramma had already passed to getting a lump sum of money. Nothing really went 'according to plan' even though we had so many hopes.

Mom and Grampa eventually came back to the living room to join us as the boys took turns sharing their favorite Gramma memory with me. I knew they were worried about me and my first Christmas with them just like Dad was at the airport, but I don't think they realized that I was trying to comfort them too. I was sad that Gramma was gone but I also wasn't as close as they were. They grew up knowing this old lady was around to give them snacks, gifts, and...unconditional love. I was a little jealous, but it's okay. Grampa had already expressed Gramma's regret to not see us finish growing up. She still thought of me even towards the end. I had already put on the sweater that she made. It was oversized, but so was everyone else's.

"It's so you can grow into it." Grampa said after Noah brought up the sizing problems. "She knew she wasn't going to do anymore after this." Grampa shook his head.

That comment brought down the room again. There was some kind of guilt that surrounded us like it was wrong to be happy when she had just passed. The rollercoaster continues.

Grampa went to bed first, citing his old age for being so tired so soon. Mom and Dad went to the guest room soon after. The rest of us were stuck in the living room, having to make do with sleeping on the floor and couches. Zeke and the twins were well-versed in getting the quilts and extra pillows out and converting the room to a comfy sleeping area. Being tired from the emotional day, all of us fell asleep quicker than normal.

The next morning, Dad's cooking woke us up. We went through a simplified morning routine before going over to help. There wasn't much space for us, but we could still carry our own plates and utensils. Mom and Grampa were both missing as we ate in the living room.

"They had to meet with the coroner and the funeral director." Dad gave us an explanation early. "Which gives me the opportunity to talk to you boys about Grampa."

"What about him?" Noah stopped eating to ask. The rest of us also slowed up.

"Nothing bad." Dad waved us off. "Last night, he told your mother that he's ready to move now that Gramma is at peace."

"I wonder if he knew that months ago and that's why he didn't want to move." Kyle rubbed his forehead. "Grampa never wants us to care too much."

"Parents don't like to worry their children." Dad smiled.