Ash checked the flowers in their hand. They already seemed to be drooping, even though it hadn’t been that long since they got them.

The hospital waiting room was busy, but quiet. Ash’s attention drifted sometimes to the TV hung on the wall. The news showed a masked yellow figure, flying between buildings, although the picture was really blurry. The news reporter said she wasn’t sure whether it was because the photographer took a bad picture, or if the figure was moving so fast. Ash knew it was the latter.

“You are going to go visit Grandma Grace.” Ash’s mom sounded stern over the phone.

“Right now?” Ash responded.

“Yes, right now! Drop whatever you’re doing and go see her!” Ash’s mom was always getting after them about not making time for family. They had missed Christmas three years in a row, and hadn’t really been to any other family gatherings longer than that. Ash didn’t like missing out, but they were … busy.

“I don’t think I can make time right now, mom.”

“No.”

“What?”

“I said no. You will make time right now.”

“Mom I’m serious-“

“And I’m serious too!” Ash’s mom sounded like she was yelling, but more than that she sounded like she was crying.

“Mom? Mom what’s wrong? What happened?”

“What happened,” Ash heard their mom choke back tears. “You would know what happened if you made time!”

There was silence. Ash felt guilty, and didn’t have anything to say.

“It’s not my place to say, so just make time and go visit your grandma today. Please.”

Ash didn’t say anything for a bit. They looked around, watching the people bustling around, scanning their faces. Nothing caught Ash’s eye.

“Okay.” Ash responded. “I’ll head over to her place now.”

“Ash, she’s not at her house.”

“Where is she then?”

“This is her room.”

Ash was led up a few floors and down a hallway to a spacious hospital room. The room felt too big, like the furniture was spaced too close together, leaving a large space between the door and the hospital bed, where grandma Grace was laying.

“Hi grandma. It’s Ash. I came to see you.” Ash moved around to Grace’s bedside, as the receptionist closed the door behind them. “I brought you some flowers!”

Grace turned her head to look at Ash. Her wrinkled face seemed to narrow slightly as she tried to recognize Ash’s face. “Oh, hello Ash. It’s good to see you.”

“It’s good to see you too.”

“It’s been a while. How are you?”

“I’ve been doing alright, grandma. How about you?”

“Oh … You know.”

Ash looked down at Grace, their grandma. Lying in this bed, looking so … alien. They never imagine they’d see their grandma like this.

“Mom said you were here, but she didn’t tell me why.”

Grace paused, and then said:

“Well, I’m just old. These things just happen when you’re old.”

Ash knew she was just trying to be polite, and there must be so much more happening to her, but Grace just smiled.

“I’m … I’m so sorry grandma.”

“Oh no dear. What are you sorry for?”

“I just-“ Ash’s chest tightened. “I should’ve seen you more.”

“You are seeing me now. I’m still here.”

Ash could feel the tears welling up, when Grace reached her hand slowly to Ash.

“Did you bring me those flowers?” She pointed to the bouquet. “Could you show them to me?”

Ash wiped their face, and held the flowers up so Grace could see them without moving around too much.

“Thank you Ash. This is a wonderful gift. I don’t get to see many flowers in here, so thank you for this.”

Ash took the flowers back, and rested them on the bedside table.

“So, what have you been doing since I last saw you, Ash?”

Ash felt apprehensive. This was a common question that Ash always had to lie about.

“Well, I work at-“

Ash stopped. They looked into Grace’s eyes. Those warm, and yet emotionless eyes. Eyes that had lived through an entire lifetime of joy and sadness, and Ash could feel that they were almost about to see for the last time.

“Actually, grandma, I won’t lie: I’m a superhero. I’m the one on TV. I’ve been helping people, and I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”

Grace looked into Ash’s eyes, and thought silently to herself, before speaking:

“I understand. You’re secret is safe with me.”

Grace smiled and closed her eyes while Ash cried.