Chapter 17
Zinnia lugged her stuff into the room, set it down, and pulled out her suitcase. Inside was a big, wide wooden case with a little mortar and some cut-to-size papers. She took everything out onto the balcony.
The balcony had a cute round table and a hanging chair. Jackson had really decked this place out.
The wooden case was a special gift from Zinniaโs master. When she opened it, the smell of herbs hit her. A bunch of the 64 compartments were empty, and the rest were almost gone.
Zinnia sat down, opened an herbal pack, and started sorting the herbs into the boxes. When she got into her work, she was a different person.
After neatly arranging all the herbs, Zinnia picked out a few specific ones. She found some cotton gauze in her suitcase, wrapped the herbs up, and tied the bundle. Then she grabbed different herbs, wrapped them in paper, folded them up, and set them aside.
By the time she finished, it was past 1 PM. She yawned, packed up, and went to her room for a nap.
When Zinnia woke up, it was dark. She rubbed her temples, still half-asleep. She hadnโt slept well at the Shaw residence, but at the Lynn residence, sheโd already had two good naps.
Downstairs, Sofia was gone, but Henry was on the couch, watching financial news.
โZinnia, youโre up. Your grandmaโs out shopping with her friends, and Jacksonโs at the office. Itโs just us two,โ Henry said, chuckling at Zinnia.
โMm,โ Zinnia replied softly.
Henry had been watching TV too long and had a headache.
โGrandpa, you okay?โ Zinnia asked, looking worried.
โNah, itโs nothing. Old bones ache sometimes. My eyes just need a break,โ Henry said, putting on his reading glasses from the coffee table.
โGrandpa, I know some massage stuff. Wanna give it a try?โ Zinnia offered.
โSure,โ Henry said, smiling. When Zinnia first came to live with them, they found out sheโd stayed with village healers who knew medical skills.
Henry didnโt expect much, but he wanted to humor his granddaughter. His headaches came and wentโit was annoying, but not a big deal.
Zinnia stood behind Henryโs armchair. He put down the glasses heโd just picked up. โReady, Grandpa,โ she said softly.
โGo for it, Zinnia.โ Henry leaned back and nodded.
Zinnia put her hands on Henryโs head, massaging his pressure points with her fingertips. โHowโs the pressure, Grandpa?โ she asked, adjusting her touch.
โPerfect! Your hands are magic, Zinniaโbetter than the therapist Benedict hired,โ Henry exclaimed. โMy eyes already feel better.โ Whether it was the massage or just wishful thinking, the fog in his head was gone.
โIf you like it, Iโll do it more often,โ Zinnia offered.
โBut your hands are for jewelry, not chores.โ Henry chuckled. โYouโre our little princess now that youโre home.โ
โThen Iโll teach Benedictโs therapist. Youโll get massages even when Iโm busy, Grandpa.โ
Zinnia thought about leaving the Lynn residence someday. Henryโs health wasnโt too bad yetโregular massages should do the trick, and there was no need for medicine.
โGreat idea. Youโre amazing, Zinnia,โ Henry smiled and patted her head. His mind felt clearer already. Then he ordered the butler, โBenedict, go get Raymond. That old man studied medicine for decades but canโt outshine my girl.โ
โRight away, sir.โ Benedict stood behind them, grinning, watching the warm scene.
The Lynn residence was a lot livelier since Zinnia arrived. Henry and Sofia smiled more often. Even Jackson and Charlie visited more. As Benedict dialed Raymond, he smiledโZinnia was truly their lucky star.
Not long after Benedict finished dialing, booming laughter echoed through the foyer. โHenry! Whereโs that amazing granddaughter of yours?โ Raymondโs voice boomed before he did, like thunder.
Zinnia looked up to see a Santa Claus look-alike striding inโcomplete with a neatly trimmed white beard shaped like a triangle.
โRaymond! Over here.โ Henry waved at his buddy and pointed to the mahogany-smelling leather couch. He then said, โBenedict, bring out that fancy coffee.โ
โOn it, sir,โ Benedict replied.
โThat girl behind you must be the granddaughter youโve been bragging about,โ Raymond walked in, spotting Zinnia massaging Henryโs shoulders. He laughed like a happy bear.
โZinnia, meet Mr. Spence.โ Henry introduced.
โNice to meet you, Mr. Spence,โ Zinnia said, smiling sweetly. Sheโd learned to be polite around eldersโfold her hands, soften her voice.
โThere we go!โ Raymondโs gruff voice softened. He noticed Zinniaโs sweet smile. Some grandpa instincts woke up in him.
โYou didnโt have to bring anything,โ Henry said, eyeing the insulated container in Raymondโs hand.
โFresh crabs from Yannis. Since I was coming, I figured Iโd bring some,โ Raymond said. The Lynn and Spence houses were just a ten-minute walk apart. He handed the package to the housekeeper and sat down.
โYannis took off again?โ Henry asked.
โThat lazy kid. Heโs got nothing going on, but always claims heโs โtoo busy!โ Who knows what heโs even doing? Barely sat down before he split,โ Raymond sighed, talking about his good-for-nothing grandson.
โKids these days have their own stuff. Yannis included. Donโt let his lazy act fool youโI think heโs doing okay. You really want to relive ten years ago?โ Henry tried to cheer Raymond up.
โYannis is better off this way.โ Raymondโs heart sank at the memory. โWhat? Trying to teach me a lesson? Letโs see it.โ He sat, sipped coffee, and looked at Henry.
โZinnia knows some massage stuff. Itโs great. I thought you should learnโgive me a rub later.โ Henry changed the subject, sensing Raymondโs discomfort.
โZinnia does massages? Letโs see it.โ Raymond grinned, looking up at Zinnia.
Zinnia didnโt hesitate. Her hands went back to work on Henryโs shoulders. Raymond watched her smooth, practiced movesโreal skillโbefore moving behind her to check out her technique.