AVA

I sat on the small stool beside grandmother with my book in my hand. I was reading it aloud to her. I heard her make groaning sounds at some point, as a maid was massaging her feet while she lay in bed.

I heard her clear her throat as she sat up. I adjusted on the couch and closed the book because I was done.

"That was a good one," she said weakly.

"Thank you, grandma," I responded.

She raised her head in the direction of the room. I did, too. It was the direction where her wall clock lay.

"It is getting late," she said to me. "Almost...