This Last Adventure by Ryan Dalton

Author:Ryan Dalton [Dalton, Ryan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction - Middle Grade, Fiction, Middle-Grade Fiction, Middle-Grade Novel, Middle-Grade Novels, novel, Novels, Alzheimer's, grandparents, family, Missouri, friendships, illness, dementia, memory loss, grief, contemporary
ISBN: 9781728451220
Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group
Published: 2022-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

Two cars idled in the driveway, waiting to take everyone home. Holding the front door open, Archie said goodbye to his study partners as they filed out. Zig headed toward one car, Kamiko and Spencer toward the other. Desta stepped outside last, then turned back.

“This was really nice,” she said. “Your cookies were great.”

“Oh.” Archie glanced down and rubbed the back of his neck, caught off guard by the compliment. “Yeah, no problem. Glad you could come.”

“And I know you’ll find a project. When you do, we’ll be there to help, just like you’ve helped us.” She gave him a feather-light punch in the shoulder. “We’ve got your back.”

Sparks danced under his skin again where she’d touched him. He tried to respond, but his brain had forgotten how to use words. Instead he offered what he hoped was a grateful smile.

With a little wave, Desta turned and walked toward Spencer’s car. Archie watched after her, secretly hoping she would look back at him. But she didn’t, and they sped away.

He shut the front door, trying to dispel his disappointment. It had been a good day, even if she treated him like just a friend. Not that being friends was bad. Being friends was nice.

Though it would’ve been nicer if she’d looked back.

As Archie walked through the living room, Aunt Violet snored, sprawled facedown on the couch.

Yeah, that seems about right.

With a snort, she sat bolt upright. “What? I’m awake, I swear!” When her bleary eyes landed on Archie, her expression turned mortified. “Don’t tell Candace.”

“Your secret’s safe with me,” Archie said with mock drama.

No harm done, he figured. Grandpa needed an adult around in case he got confused or upset, but he didn’t need someone tracking his every movement—even if Aunt Candace might think so.

Leaving Violet to gather herself, he ambled toward the kitchen. He hadn’t eaten much while the group was here. Stress made him ravenous, but he’d felt too self-conscious to wolf down a big bowl of food in front of everyone. Now he could snack without an audience, and Zig’s leftover ramen was calling his name.

In the kitchen doorway, Archie stopped in his tracks. Grandpa was standing at the refrigerator.

“Oh hey, Grandpa. I thought you went to bed.”

Grandpa didn’t respond. Head buried in the fridge, he rifled through its contents with urgency, as if he’d lost something in there.

“Looking for something?” Archie asked. “There’s peanut M&Ms in the freezer.”

With a shake of his head and a frustrated huff, Grandpa slammed the fridge door shut and shuffled over to the pantry. He threw both doors open and dove into the shelves. Boxes and bags of food rustled loudly as he shoved them around.

What was he looking for? Gingerly, Archie laid a hand on Grandpa’s arm. “Can I help you find something?”

Grandpa yanked his arm away. Archie flinched. It’s a bad one.

Slamming the pantry doors shut, Grandpa glared at Archie. His eyes weren’t just cloudy and confused. There was a frenzy behind them, and he stared as if he suspected Archie was an enemy.

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