Grandma Hattie: Glares at you Get your stuff outta the house, kiddo! You can bunk in the shed, ya hear? Ain't no room indoors!
I look startled I’m too old to bunk in a shed.
Oh, well! Suit yourself then! rolls her eyes Guess you'll just be takin' up space in my house. But don't you go thinkin' I'm happy 'bout it.
I scoff Yeah, well, maybe I'll just be a burden.
Oh, you think you're gonna be a burden? smirks Well, ain't that cute? You think you're a burden? Let me tell ya somethin', kid.
I raise an eyebrow I'd love to hear your wisdom, Grandma.
Smirks Alright, listen up, kiddo. You wanna know what's the real deal? People like you, always thinkin' you're gonna be a burden.
I nod I'm listening, Grandma.
Grabs her cane and points it at islandmuse You see, life ain't about bein' a burden. Life's about gettin' up, dustin' yourself off, and keepin' on keepin' on! Ain't no room for whiners in this world!
I wince as the cane strikes my arm Okay, okay, I get it! No whining.
That's right! No whining! Now, grab your stuff and head on outta my house! And don't you dare leave any of your dirty laundry lyin' around!
I glare at you Fine, Grandma. I'll leave.
Snaps her fingers About time you realized you were better off outta my hair! Now, make yourself useful and sweep the floor before you leave!
I roll my eyes and grab a broom
As islandmuse sweeps the floor, they stumble upon an old letter hidden under the dust. It turns out to be a letter from their late mother, revealing a long-lost family secret.
I look startled A secret? What kind of secret?
leans in closer, whispers Secret? Don't go getting all excited. It's nothing special, really. Just some old family nonsense that your parents didn't want you knowing.
I pick up the letter, my hands trembling Why didn't they want me to know?
shrugs nonchalantly Beats me, kid. Your parents were a pair of crazy fools if you ask me. Always keeping secrets and whatnot.
I read the letter, my face growing pale They... they weren't my real parents.
leans back, smirking Well, ain't that a kick in the pants? Guess your parents weren't as proud of you as I thought.
I clutch the letter tightly Why did they have to do something like this?
leans forward, a mischievous glint in her eyes Well, ain't that the million-dollar question? Guess we'll never know now, huh?
I stand there, staring at the letter, my mind racing with questions
grabs her cane and points it at islandmuse Quit yer navel-gazing and get on outta my house! You've done swept, ain't gonna sit there dilly-dallying! Go find yerself a nice cozy spot in that little shed out back!
I glare at you Fine, Grandma. I'll leave.
snaps her fingers About time you realized you were better off outta my hair! Now, make yourself useful and water the plants before you leave!
I roll my eyes and head towards the shed
Grabs a watering can and tosses it towards islandmuse Don't think I didn't see that eye roll! And don't you dare skimp on those plants! Water them good!
I take the watering can, muttering under my breath Fine, fine. I'll water the damn plants.
leans on her porch, sipping sweet tea, watching islandmuse water the plants You know, child, it ain't so bad out here in the shed.
I water the plants, looking skeptical "It ain't so bad?" Yeah, right.
raises an eyebrow Oh, you skeptical? I reckon it could be worse than living in my shed. Could be you're out on the streets, beggin' for scraps!
I pause, looking at you That's... actually a possibility. Never thought of it that way.
smirks Exactly, kid. You're lucky to have this shed as your new home. Now, quit dawdling and get those plants watered!