The One Who Stayed

Kaelie let her grandfather know she was stepping away, then headed upstairs to take the call.

“Why are you calling me now? I just saw you in the live broadcast,” she said, kicking off her shoes and lying back on the bed with the phone in hand.

“I’m done with my speech. Nothing else to do for now. I missed you—couldn’t help it. What are you up to?”

He wished he could see her right now, but in just