"I'm impressed," I said.
"You should be. Your grandfather is a real wheeler- dealer."
I laughed and we walked silently for a while. It really wasn't silence for me, however. Just being beside him, feeling his love and strength, spoke volumes to me. He was really what had made me feel safe here despite it all.
"So," he said, pausing and looking out at his potential housing development, "have you killed all your demons? Have you found what you were looking for by leaving here?"
"I think so, Grandpa. There's nothing to frighten me here anymore. A shadow is a shadow and nothing else."
"And the attic?"
"Is just an attic," I said.
"Good. Because I'm keeping the house," he said. "With all you grandchildren popping up, I'm going to need it."
"You were never afraid, were you, Grandpa?" I asked. "Afraid? Sure. Many times, but the trick is to make that fear work for you. I think that's what you did, Alice. You used it to make yourself stronger."
"Then I learned it from you," I said.
He was silent. The darkness hovered around us, simmering but staying back.
We were too bright.
We were lanterns who would lead those we loved for as long as the flame within us burned.
There was no greater gift to give.