Chapter 58 The whole pill

“Ok, where is she?” Joana asked without reservation, she hoped that Sandra wouldn’t say what she thought she would. She wanted to read her thoughts to find out, but before she did, Sandra had already begun to speak.

“Grandma Jen is dead Joana, she died a few months ago. She had lost faith that you were still alive, and couldn’t bear the thought of you being dead. Everyone told her to hold on and at least wait for them to find your body. She tried to, but I guess the loneliness and depression was eating her up and she couldn’t bear it anymore. She was found dead in her house three days after she was last seen. Her one regret she had always mentioned was allowing a stranger take you away from her.”

After Sandra finished, she watched as a fresh wave of tears began to run down Joana’s cheeks. It hurt her to see her friend like that, and she didn’t even know if Joana was going to be able to hear the news about Andrew after this.

“Take your time dear, I’ll leave you alone to gather yourself,” Sandra said before leaving to her room.

Joana couldn’t believe it, her own grandma Jen was dead, and she didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye. Why did grandma Jen had to leave her like this? Couldn’t she have at least waited a little longer? A huge wave of emotions began to cloud her heart, the strongest of which was regret. How come? This was too much to handle, and with the way Sandra was talking, it sounded as if she had more bad news to tell her about Andrew.

She really missed her grandma, but it was no use moping about it now, her grandmother was gone forever, she would miss her of course, but if Sandra had anything to tell her about Andrew, then she would rather hear it now so that she could swallow the whole pill.

The news of grandma Jen’s death was heartbreaking news for her, but she wasn’t the same Joana of a year ago. This Joana had been through a lot and this Joana was now stronger than she ever was. She could take anything.

She got up from the chair and went upstairs to Sandra’s room. Luckily, Sandra’s parents weren’t around, so she had a lot of time to cry privately in the arms of her best friend if there was any need to.

Sandra sat on her bed, staring into an empty space. She also appeared distraught by the news she had just broken to her. Of course, grandma Jen was an angel, and anyone who knew her well and didn’t feel the impact of her absence should be questioned.

Joana went to sit beside her best friend and held her hand. She continued the conversation.

“It’s ok,” she told her with a smile amidst the tears. “I know I’m supposed to be rolling on the floor with my hands on my head and all but somehow, I feel happy because I know that grandma Jen is in heaven with my father, and now I have two guardian angels watching over me.”

“Of course, you do,” Sandra said. “I’m glad you were able to take things well.”

“Has she been buried?”

“Yes, right after she died, the whole neighborhood did a special goodbye service for her on the streets. It was beautiful, with lighted candles and all.”

“I wish I hadn’t missed it.”

“Well, I’m not sure you would have been able to handle seeing your grandmother being lowered into a grave.”

“Where was she buried?”

“In the city’s cemetery, where else?”

“Ok then, after our discussion, I’ll go and pay my respects, you’ll come along with me, won’t you?”

“Of course, I will, silly,” Sandra said with a giggle.

“Ok that’s settled then, but before we go, I need you to tell me where Andrew is, you were quite reluctant to tell me where he was at first. And also, his parents acted strange when I went to their house and mentioned him. At least I know where my grandma Jen is, but no one wants to tell me about Andrew. Please tell me the truth, and don’t leave any detail uncovered.”

Here we go again, Sandra thought. Even though surprised, she was glad that Joana handled the news of her grandmother’s passing well, too well in fact, even better than she did when her father died. It was now time to tell her about Andrew, she knew it would hurt her, but if Joana were able to have taken the first news well without batting an eyelid, then she knew she was well prepared for the second one.