[ WP ] A child that never knew their grandparents has just learned what grandparents are , and thinks that they sound wonderful . The child sneaks out to go to the nearby old folks home to choose their very own grandparents .

As the automatic doors slid open, I reflexively glanced over to check who was entering the building. It took me aback to see a young girl confidently striding in -- if'striding' as a word could be applied to such short legs. I was used to a wheelchair rolling through those doors, or a tired adult coming after work, still bedecked in their cubicle finery. 
 
 
 The most striking thing about the little girl was her clothes. She was adorably dysfunctional, in the way that only kids can be. A purple shirt, with a little denim dress over it, and striped stockings and bright green sneakers to complete the look. Her hair was pulled into pigtails, with small curls barely contained by the hairbands, and hair almost too short to even make pigtails. 
 
 
 The second most striking thing was the fact that she was alone. I may not know much about kids, but I'd always figured they were pretty similar to the elderly people I talked to every day. Just... smaller and faster. And, just like the 80-year-olds I kept an eye on, I knew that she should n't be *striding* around all by herself. 
 
 
 As she started to turn away from the desk, I half-stood up from my chair and called out, `` Hey, um, you!'' What on earth should I call her? Company policy dictated'ma'am' for women, but I really did n't feel like that applied here.'Little kid' also sounded a bit rude... `` Uh, miss! Please, wait a moment.'' 
 
 
 She cast a look over her shoulder, looked me over, and seemed to find me worthy. A huge smile lit her face as she trotted dutifully towards me. I had to stand and peer over my desk just to see her as she focused her attention on me. 
 
 
 `` Hi, I'm Marie, and I'm six, and I'm here to find some grandparents, please.'' She put the emphasis on the last word and seemed very pleased with herself. Her hands went behind her back and she rocked back and forth on her feet as she waited for my response. 
 
 
 This, at least, I knew how to handle. `` Okay, well, do you know what room or floor they live --'' No, wait. I had to defer back to my second observation about her, not my usual spiel. Pushing my glasses up, I looked at her with an uncertain smile. `` Um, do you have any parents with you, miss? Are they already inside the building, or are they parking the car?'' Maybe her mom or dad was just distracted by something and lagging behind -- it was n't impossible. 
 
 
 `` No, Mommy's at home,'' Marie replied, staring at me unerringly and making me a little uncomfortable with her intensity. `` I'm here to pick my grandparents by *myself*, like a big girl.'' 
 
 
 `` I'm afraid that I ca n't let you do that, uh, Marie,'' I said slowly, trying to go with my own judgment on this matter. I did n't want to just let a little girl wander around looking for her grandparents, for obvious reasons. How did she even get here? `` Do you know your mommy's phone number?'' 
 
 
 She nodded strongly. `` Yeah! Do you?'' 
 
 
 `` D-do I? No, I-I do n't know your mom's number,'' I stammered. 
 
 
 `` No, silly, *your* mommy's phone number!'' 
 
 
 Well, great, now I was being made a fool by a six-year-old. I could even see old Miss Mel laughing at me as she reclined on one of the couches nearby. Though, that sight calmed me. I know this place, I know how to deal with every one of these sweet and grumpy and sly old people. I know how to do my job, so I can definitely handle a six-year-old. 
 
 
 `` Yes, sweetie, I know my mom's number. However, I'd like to know yours so she can go for a visit with you, okay? Then you do n't have to be alone.'' I say, picking up a pen. 
 
 
 Her eyes narrowed and I tried to keep my stomach from dropping. `` No. I'll tell you after I've picked my grandma and grandpa. It's going to be a *surprise*.'' 
 
 
 `` I'm sorry, but I ca n't let you do that. You see, if -- Wait.'' What she was saying just hit me then. ``'Pick?' What do you mean by'pick?''' 
 
 
 `` Everyone else has already picked their grandma and grandpa, so I need to pick my own. I want my own!'' Marie stated, her big grin instantly coming back as she sensed my interest. 
 
 
 And, indeed, my interested was piqued. Did she think that a person could just choose their grandparents? I mean, she had to have some sort of understanding about the way families worked, right? Six was pretty young, but how old do you have to be to realize that you could n't choose your family? 
 
 
 `` Sweetie,'' I said, deciding to stick to calling her that, `` you ca n't pick your grandparents.'' 
 
 
 Her face creased in confusion. Ah, kids, so easy to tell their emotions, and thank God for that. `` Why? They sound really fun! I want a grandma who bakes me cookies, and a grandpa who tells me stories, and I'll come over after school and they will help me with my homework, and they'll tell Mommy and Daddy to buy me more toys, and they'll --'' 
 
 
 I got the feeling that I needed to interrupt her, or else she'd keep going on for the rest of my shift. `` Look, uh, it's not you. I mean, no one can just pick their grandparents. That's not how it works.'' 
 
 
 `` But I want to pick my grandma and grandpa,'' she explained again, slowly like I was the one who could n't make sense of it. 
 
 
 `` Honey, listen to Laura,'' Miss Mel piped up, and I almost heaved a big sigh of relief. Mel was a grandmother herself, she had to know how to deal with this girl. `` You just have them. They're the mom and dad to your mom and dad. But hey, if you want, I'll adopt you.'' She winked at me as I did let out a sigh, this time in annoyance. Well, affectionate annoyance, if that was a thing. 
 
 
 `` I wish I could choose my grandkids. Maybe then I'd have some who are n't so lazy as to never visit me,'' Doris, the woman sitting next to Mel, grumbled. 
 
 
 `` Oh, come on, Doris. Your grandson just visited you on Wednesday!'' I reminded her, and she contemplated that. 
 
 
 `` Huh. Guess he did,'' she mentioned with a shrug, like it did n't matter to her. `` But do you know how many grandkids I have?'' 
 
 
 `` You have ten, right?'' 
 
 
 Another shrug. `` Ten is too many for only one visitor on Wednesday, bah.'' 
 
 
 `` But you have us,'' I said with a smile, and Mel nudged her. My heart ached for her -- she was just lonely. Every employee tried to always have activities going on and keep them happy, but there were just some facts you could n't avoid. 
 
 
 `` I'll be your grandkid and I'll always visit!'' Marie chirped, and my attention switched back to her. I had nearly forgotten she was there in my familiar banter with the residents. By now, the whole group in the siting area had their eye on the little girl and me. Oh, how they loved their gossip. 
 
 
 `` Hm, well, now that you mention it...'' Doris mumbled, a glint in her eye as she smirked at me. 
 
 
 I walked out from behind me desk, my hands at my sides so I did n't throw them up in frustration. `` Marie, look, I really need your mommy's phone number, so if you could please --'' 
 
 
 This time, I was the one who was interrupted. `` You know these people. Yes?'' 
 
 
 I took it in stride, this time. `` Yes, I do know these people, because I work here. Now, I'd really appreciate it if you --'' 
 
 
 `` You know these people, so you can show them to me and then I can pick my grandma and grandpa,'' she went on, acting oblivious. 
 
 
 Okay, so if that was the only way I could get her to give me that phone number, then I could play this game. Despite all that she had heard about how you could n't pick her grandparents, she was certainly stubborn. 
 
 
 `` Then you'll give me that number?'' I said, looking her in the eyes, and she gave a prompt nod. Still, she could n't hide her own smile of delight. I could guess that she got her way pretty often. Either that, or I'd just be a terrible parent. 
 
 
 With another sigh, I crossed my arms over my chest and looked around the room. Yes, I did know these people. There was Tom, who would wheel over to my desk after going on a trip to the city and give me a Starbucks drink. Betsy sat on the armchair across from him, a book lying open on her walker, but her attention fully fixated on me. The primary gossiper of them all, with friends in every level of the building. To her right, Nancy, who always wanted to hear about how school was going and give me little fashion tips. Ralph was deep in conversation with Ann, gesturing animatedly. He was the one who would always stop at my desk and talk to me for twenty minutes about this or that, usually a terrible joke that he would laugh uproariously about. One time, he was in the elevator with me, and kept trying to tell a joke I had heard before, even after we'd been at my floor for two minutes. Ann was the sweet old lady you always wanted to imagine, with a ball of yarn in her lap and knitting needles clacking as she listened intently to Ralph. 
 
 
 These were my residents, and if a little girl wanted to talk to them, then I would show them off. They'd love the company, too, I was sure. And so, if everyone was happy, then I would be. And maybe -- if her mother ended up not being too angry when she came to pick her up... Maybe this could happen again. All these people could be her grandparents, in a way. 
 
 Marie reached up her hand to mine, and I let her take it as I guided her over to the sitting area. 
 
 
 -- -- - 
 
 I hoped you liked this!: ) It was fun to write, and I hope you excuse me for getting a little sappy at the end, haha.
