Part One

    Bailey Winters looked down at her directions one more time to make sure she was going the right way. She turned down the radio when she realized she was almost there and pulled her sunglasses on top of her light blonde hair. "Turn right on Windsor," she mumbled to herself and then squinted her eyes to read the street sign that was coming up. "Ah-hah!" she said and then turned on her blinker before she made the turn.
    All she had to do was stay on this road until she saw the big red building on the left. "Easy enough," she said and then turned the radio back on. She leaned over and rumaged through her purse in search for a peice of gum as she swerved on the road. She smiled when she found it and then quickly unwrapped it and popped it in her mouth.
    She was looking forward to this assignment, she thought to herself with a smile as she comped on her gum. She loved to learn and her favorite way to learn was listening to stories. Stories of the past, stories that happened way before she was born. The class was called "Intro to Senior Citizens," and she had to keep a journal of daily visits with a person over seventy. She could have easily used her grandmother as her person, but since she lived with her and practically knew every story about her, she didn't want to. She wanted to hear new stories and new experiences from someone she didn't know.
    She smiled when the building came to site. It was nestled far back from the road--nothing but green grass surrounding it. She turned into the long driveway leading up to the nursing home, which was lined with colorful flowers and bushes that were carved into weird shapes. She circled the building and found a parking place right away and whistled happily as she pulled her backpack over her shoulder and made her way in the building.
    Bailey saw an elderly woman walking her way through the clear doors. She smiled and opened it up for her. "Hello," she said sweetly.
    The woman gave her a smile. "Thank you, child," she said as she huddled over her walker.
    "My pleasure," she said and then walked in the building. It smelled funny. The building almost smelled like a hospital. A mixture of smells tickled her nose and she itched it aggressively.
    "You get use to it."
    Bailey turned toward the wary voice and saw a man in a wheelchair. The man was hunched in his chair and the gray hair he had left swaying slightly from the air blowing from the vent. His emerald green eyes were focused on her blue ones and he said, "The smell.....you'll get use to it."
    "Oh," she said with a smile. "It's not that bad."
    "Smells like crap," he mumbled and then looked down at his lap and wheeled his way through the narrow hallway.
    Bailey watched the man disappear in a room, leaving her intrigued. Not the most friendliest man, but he caught her attention. She didn't know how or why, but he did. "Can I help you?" she heard a voice say and she turned to the front desk. "Oh, yes...sorry, um...my name is Bailey Winters and..."
    "Yes, Miss Winters, your teacher called us and told us everything," she said with a smile and then handed her a clipboard. "Here is a list of our patients seventy or over...plus a description on all of them."
    "Okay," she nodded. "Um...that man in the wheelchair...is he over 70?"
    "Him? Yes he is, but I don't think you want to use him."
    "Why?" she asked, even though she had an idea already.
    She sighed. "No one can get through to him. Doesn't talk to anyone, only his grandson James, when he comes and visits. I'm surprised he even talked to you."
    "Hmm, well if it's all right with you, I'd like to try and use him."
    She sighed again. "Okay, but don't say I didn't warn you."
    She laughed. "Okay....what's his name?"
    "Uhhh, Bass....James Lance Bass."
    "Okay," she sad as she pushed aside a strand of hair that escaped her ponytail. "So, do I just go in his room."
    "Yes, dear go right ahead," the middle aged woman said. "Good luck."
    She smiled and then slowly walked down the hall. Her flipflops smacked against her heels as she walked towards the room he had disappeared in earlier. She leaned up on her toes and peered into the narrow window. His back was too her and he slumped in his wheelchair while he gazed out the window.
    She felt pity for him, as her heart went out to him. She wondered what his life was like. What have those green eyes seen? Was he ever in love? What did he do for a living? She didn't know any of these questions now. "But I'm going to find out."
    "Find out what exactly?"
    Bailey gasped as she whipped her head towards the deep voice. The same pair of green eyes she saw earlier pierced through her, yet it belonged to another man. "Um...sorry I didn't know you were there."
    "Obviously," he said. He also with held the fact that he had made sure she didn't know he was standing there by staying quiet....and studying her. He had admired the way her long tanned legs looked as she was up on her toes. Her eyes were the color of the sea, he noticed as he looked at him now. Is that possible? he wondered. Because he certainly has never seen a color more beautiful. He cursed softly as he pushed that asided and reminded himself that it didn't matter if she had killer legs and intriguing eyes...he was still annoyed with her. "Who the hell are you?"
    She sighed. "My word, hostility must run in the family."
    "Excuse me?"
    "You're James right? Mr. Bass's grandson?"
    He studied her closely. "I don't know you, do I?"
    "No, the lady at the desk told me he had a grandson and since you share the same eyes I...." She cleared her throat when she realized what she said. "Um..well I just figured it out."
    He noticed her embarrassement and almost smiled. But didn't. "Mind telling me why you're spying on my grandfather?"
    "OH! Well.....I..um...you see I am a student here and I..."
    "What's you're name?" he asked curiously.
    "Bailey. Bailey Winters."
    He nodded. "Continue, Bailey."
    Her name out of those lips made her shiver. She ignored it. "Um, well....I'm taking this class...Intro to senior citizens. And we have to talk to someone over seventy and keep a journal and..."
    "And you want to use Pops?"
    She smiled at the nickname he used. It made it clear that they were close. "Yes."
    He nodded his head. "Nice...but use someone else," he said curtly and started to walk by her to the door.
    "What? Wait!" she exclaimed as she cut him off and placed her hand over his on the doorknob.
    He stopped short of her and they were nose to nose. He looked at her small hand that covered only half of his and then back at her as he raised a brow. She quickly pulled her hand away and bit her lip nervously, but she didn't back away. "What?" he asked as he took a deep breath of annoyance. Bad mistake, he thought when her scent flew over him.
    "I'm sorry but....This isn't YOUR decision to make."
    "He's my grandfather," he pointed out. "So yes it is."
    "But..."
    "Look, there are plenty of other interesting people here, okay? I'm sure you can find someone else."
    "I don't want someone else, I want your grandfather," she said sternly.
    "Why? What is it about him that makes you SO determined, because THIS I have to hear."
    "I...I don't know," she said softly and then tore her eyes away and peered into the window. "I ran into him in the lobby and.....I don't know there's just something about him that intrigues me."
    He looked at her profile and watched her closely. "I don't want you to use my grandfather just so you can get a good grade in your class and impress daddy."
    Her head snapped towards hers and anger filled her eyes. "My 'DADDY' is dead, MR. Bass...I'm not doing this for anyone but me!"
    His eyes softened and he sighed. "I'm sorry."
    "Whatever," she mumbled and then looked back in the window.
    They were both silent, neither one not knowing what to say. Finally James took over. "All right, Bailey," he said softly. "You can ask Pops himself, okay? I'll give you that much."
    She looked at him angrily. "Gee, how considerate of you, but if you think I'm going to forgive you for say..."
    "I know, I know," he said as he put his hands up. "That was wrong, and I AM sorry....I'll get out of your hair and let you in....but if my grandfather says no....then you have to leave."
    She looked at him and then back at the old man. 'Please say yes,' she thought. "Okay," she finally said.
    He gave her a nod before opening the door and walking in. James walked straight in, while Bailey stayed back by the doorway. The old man turned himself around with his tiny stick that controlled his chair and smiled at James. "Pops," he said and then leaned down and kissed his wrinkled cheek.
    "James, good to see you as alwa...." He froze when he saw the young girl standing at the door. The same girl he saw earlier. "James, you're not gonna start bringing your flings with you now?"
    He turned to Bailey and noticed her cheeks were flaming read. "No, Pops....believe it or not, this woman is here to see you."
    "Me?" he asked and his eyes narrowed at her. "What do you want?"
    Bailey put on a smile and walked into the room. "My name is Bailey Winters and I would like it if you could do me a favor."
    Lance studied the young girl. She seemed harmless. Hell, she seemed like a sweet girl, but he didn't want to get attatched to anyone else. So he did what was best. "Whatever it is I can't help you."
    Bailey sighed. "Oh, sir, but you can, I mean...."
    "I'm sorry," he said and then turned his chair away from her.
    "But you don't even know what...."
    "Bailey," James said softly. "I'm sorry, but you have to leave."
    She sighed and stomped her feet. "Dammit, is EVERYONE in your family as stubborn as you guys!"
    James jaw dropped and Lance swerved his chair back around and looked up at his grandson in shock. Bailey wished at that moment that she could go back through time about two seconds ago and take that back. "I...I'm sorry it's just...."
    "Actually my wife was more stubborn," Lance finally said.
    Bailey shut her mouth and James brows arched in surprise. He never talked about his grandmother. Ever since she passed away, he was never the same.
    "Mr. Bass," she said in a soft pleading voice. "That's all I want to know."
    He gave her a weird look. "That my wife was stubborn?"
    She let out a laugh that made both men ache, but in different ways. "No...yes....I mean, I would like you to tell me what your life was like."
    "My life?" he asked and managed a chuckle. "That's quite a tale, Baaailey, is it?"
    She nodded. "Yes, Mr. Bass, and I would love to hear that tale. It's for one of my classes...I have to keep a journal."
    He nodded. "Why me?"
    She shrugged. "I don't know, I guess I was interested after the encounter we had back there, and when the lady told me not to use you, it made me even more determined."
    He managed a smile. He liked her. He liked her a lot. And that scared him. He didn't want to care about anyone else, it was going to be hard enough leaving James. "I don't know, Bailey," he said uneasily. "I can't afford to..."
    "Oh..please, sir," she pleaded. "I won't dig into your life, I promise....You can tell me just what you want me too and I won't pry, I mean..."
    "Bailey," James said quietly, but silenced her. "I'll walk you out."
    "But..."
    "Come on," he said as he lightly grabbed her arm.
    "That's okay James," Lance blurted out. He didn't mean too say it, but it just kind of came out.
    "What?" James and Bailey both said at the same time.
    Lance looked at Bailey. "What do you want to know?"
    "Huh?"
    "What's your first question?"
    "Pops," James said warily. "Are you sure?"
    He nodded. "Yes....I'm sure. Pull the chair over for her, would you?"
    "Uhh, yyeah, sure," he finally said as he walked over to the chair that sat in the corner and pulled it over to her. "Here you go."
    She smiled at him as she sat down and pulled out a recorder and held it up. "Is this okay?"
    "It's fine. James, feel free to leave or stay," Lance said as he shifted in his wheelchair. "Up to you."
    "I'll stay," he said forcefully, almost warning Bailey that he was watching her closely and that she better be careful. "I'll be here every visit she makes."
    Lance rolled his eyes and then smiled at Bailey. "Now...what's your first question."
    She smiled and then leaned forward. "What was your stubborn wife's name?"
    Lance's heart ached when he thought of her. "Heather. Her name was Heather Chasez."
    She smiled. "How did you meet?"
    "Oh, to explain that, I'm going to have to start at the beginning."
    She let out a laugh. "Okay."
    "Where should I start? Should I start at I was born on a cold winter's night? Or should I just go with it."
    She laughed again. "Whichever, Mr. Bass, it's fine with me."
    "Okay, but call me Lance," he said with a smile. "Well, I was born in Laurell, Mississippi, May 4 1979, but moved to Clinton when I was ten."
    "Did you have any brothers or sisters?"
    He smiled. "Yes, her name was Stacey. She was older than me."
    James sat on the edge of the table while he watched his grandfather smile at Bailey. She was sweet with him, he thought. She always smiled at him and looked intrested in whatever he said. He loved whatching her laugh. Her eyes wrinkled at the corner of her eyes and her giggle made his stomach turn. He quickly turned his head away from her when she laughed again, and pouted while he stared out the window. 'You gotta girlfriend, James,' he thought to himself. 'Remember her? Auburn hair, green eyes? Her smile is just as breathtaking....when she does smile. Uggh, of course she smiles...she's just not as chipper and...and....how the hell DO you describe her personality?? Bouncy? Sweet? Hell, whatever it was, Gina was the complete opposite.'
    A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts and him, along with Bailey and Pops turned towards the sound. A nurse popped her head in and gave them a sympathetic smile. "Sorry guys, but visiting hours are over."
    James nodded. "Okay,"
    The nurse blushed and then giggled before she closed the doorl. Lance let out a laugh. "All the younger nurses have a thing for the kid," he explained.
    "So I noticed," she said as she got up and then smiled at him. "Thanks again, Lance."
    "I'm sorry we didn't get much done," he said. "Will you be coming back tomorrow?"
    In her assignment she only had to see him once a week for ten weeks, but she could tell she would want to visit him more than that. "If you want me to I will. We can space it out too, just so you don't get sick of me."
    "Get sick of a pretty girl with a smile like an angel? Naaah."
    She laughed. "Thank you....I'll be here tomorrow."
    "Good."
    "Bye Pops," James said.
    "Bye, James," he said as he leaned down and kissed his cheek. "See you tomorrow."
    James nodded before opening the door for Bailey and she waved one last time before she walked out of the room. "I feel so sad leaving him," she said to James closed the door.
    "Tell me about it," he said as he ran his fingers through his dirty blonde hair. "When are you going to be here tomorrow?"
    "When does visiting hours start?" she asked as they walked down the hall towards the lobby.
    "Two."
    "I'll be here at two," she said.
    He looked down at her sternly. "Well, then so will I."
    She sighed. "What is it about me that you don't like, Mr. Bass?"
    "Well, MISS Winter's, I'll tell you. You're a nice girl... almost TOO nice."
    She gasped. "Are you calling me fake?"
    "I just don't want my grandfather to get hurt," he told her. "That's all."
    "You actually think I would hurt him intentionally?"
    He shrugged. "Well, I don't know you , Miss Winters, that's the whole point."
    "YOU..Mr. Bass, are impossible," she scowled.
    "That may be, but I'm just looking out for him," he said. "His life wasn't normal, and I know that a lot of memories are painful for him, so I'm just...."
    "THERE you are!"
    Bailey turned to see a long legged redhead push the door open, completely ignoring the old woman who was on her way out the door. "I've been waiting outside forever," she pouted as she put her hands on James' hips and kissed him softly.
    Bailey rolled her eyes and then walked to the door to hold it open for the old woman. "There you go, mam."
    She beamed. "Thank you, sweetie. Your mom raised a good daughter."
    She smiled. "Thank you."
    James watched Bailey smile sweetly at the woman while she made her way through the door. He was so distracted by her smile, he didn't hear Gina call his name. "I'm sorry, what?" he finally said as he looked away from Bailey.
    Gina rolled her eyes and then turned to Bailey. "Who is that and why were you talking to her?"
    Bailey turned Gina and walked to her angrily. "My name is Bailey and I was taught to be considerate of others....like opening doors for people? Wouldn't hurt you know."
    "Well, excuse me if I didn't see her."
    "Gina," James said before a cat fight broke out.
    "Of course you didn't," Bailey continued. "People like you are oblivious to anyone but themselves."
    "Bailey," James warned. "That's enough. She didn't see her, okay."
    "Yeah, whatever," she mumbled. "See you tommorow.....Mr. Bass."
    James frowned as he watched her angrily shove the door open and run outside. He had the biggest urge to go after her, but he put it aside.
    "Well, who the hell was that?"
    James looked down at her and shrugged. "Some girl who goes to school here and working on a project involving my grandfather."
    "What kind of project?" she asked. "Why does she have to work with YOUR grandfather."
    "Long story," he said. "I'll tell you about it in the car."

Part Two