Come in 17
Posted on July 07, 2025 ยท 0 mins read
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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 Zinniaโ€™s 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 hadnโ€™t slept well at the Shaw residence, but at the Lynn residence, sheโ€™d already had two good naps.

Downstairs, Sofia was gone, but Henry was on the couch, watching financial news.

โ€œZinnia, youโ€™re up. Your grandmaโ€™s out shopping with her friends, and Jacksonโ€™s at the office. Itโ€™s just us two,โ€ Henry said, chuckling at Zinnia.

โ€œMm,โ€ Zinnia replied softly.

Henry had been watching TV too long and had a headache.

โ€œGrandpa, you okay?โ€ Zinnia asked, looking worried.

โ€œNah, itโ€™s nothing. Old bones ache sometimes. My eyes just need a break,โ€ Henry said, putting on his reading glasses from the coffee table.

โ€œGrandpa, I know some massage stuff. Wanna give it a try?โ€ Zinnia offered.

โ€œSure,โ€ Henry said, smiling. When Zinnia first came to live with them, they found out sheโ€™d stayed with village healers who knew medical skills.

Henry didnโ€™t expect much, but he wanted to humor his granddaughter. His headaches came and wentโ€”it was annoying, but not a big deal.

Zinnia stood behind Henryโ€™s armchair. He put down the glasses heโ€™d just picked up. โ€œReady, Grandpa,โ€ she said softly.

โ€œGo for it, Zinnia.โ€ Henry leaned back and nodded.

Zinnia put her hands on Henryโ€™s head, massaging his pressure points with her fingertips. โ€œHowโ€™s the pressure, Grandpa?โ€ she asked, adjusting her touch.

โ€œPerfect! Your hands are magic, Zinniaโ€”better than the therapist Benedict hired,โ€ Henry exclaimed. โ€œMy eyes already feel better.โ€ Whether it was the massage or just wishful thinking, the fog in his head was gone.

โ€œIf you like it, Iโ€™ll do it more often,โ€ Zinnia offered.

โ€œBut your hands are for jewelry, not chores.โ€ Henry chuckled. โ€œYouโ€™re our little princess now that youโ€™re home.โ€

โ€œThen Iโ€™ll teach Benedictโ€™s therapist. Youโ€™ll get massages even when Iโ€™m busy, Grandpa.โ€

Zinnia thought about leaving the Lynn residence someday. Henryโ€™s health wasnโ€™t too bad yetโ€”regular massages should do the trick, and there was no need for medicine.

โ€œGreat idea. Youโ€™re amazing, Zinnia,โ€ Henry smiled and patted her head. His mind felt clearer already. Then he ordered the butler, โ€œBenedict, go get Raymond. That old man studied medicine for decades but canโ€™t outshine my girl.โ€

โ€œRight 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 smiledโ€”Zinnia was truly their lucky star.


Not long after Benedict finished dialing, booming laughter echoed through the foyer. โ€œHenry! Whereโ€™s that amazing granddaughter of yours?โ€ Raymondโ€™s voice boomed before he did, like thunder.

Zinnia looked up to see a Santa Claus look-alike striding inโ€”complete with a neatly trimmed white beard shaped like a triangle.

โ€œRaymond! Over here.โ€ Henry waved at his buddy and pointed to the mahogany-smelling leather couch. He then said, โ€œBenedict, bring out that fancy coffee.โ€

โ€œOn it, sir,โ€ Benedict replied.

โ€œThat girl behind you must be the granddaughter youโ€™ve been bragging about,โ€ Raymond walked in, spotting Zinnia massaging Henryโ€™s shoulders. He laughed like a happy bear.

โ€œZinnia, meet Mr. Spence.โ€ Henry introduced.

โ€œNice to meet you, Mr. Spence,โ€ Zinnia said, smiling sweetly. Sheโ€™d learned to be polite around eldersโ€”fold her hands, soften her voice.

โ€œThere we go!โ€ Raymondโ€™s gruff voice softened. He noticed Zinniaโ€™s sweet smile. Some grandpa instincts woke up in him.

โ€œYou didnโ€™t have to bring anything,โ€ Henry said, eyeing the insulated container in Raymondโ€™s hand.

โ€œFresh crabs from Yannis. Since I was coming, I figured Iโ€™d 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.

โ€œYannis took off again?โ€ Henry asked.

โ€œThat lazy kid. Heโ€™s got nothing going on, but always claims heโ€™s โ€˜too busy!โ€™ Who knows what heโ€™s even doing? Barely sat down before he split,โ€ Raymond sighed, talking about his good-for-nothing grandson.

โ€œKids these days have their own stuff. Yannis included. Donโ€™t let his lazy act fool youโ€”I think heโ€™s doing okay. You really want to relive ten years ago?โ€ Henry tried to cheer Raymond up.

โ€œYannis is better off this way.โ€ Raymondโ€™s heart sank at the memory. โ€œWhat? Trying to teach me a lesson? Letโ€™s see it.โ€ He sat, sipped coffee, and looked at Henry.

โ€œZinnia knows some massage stuff. Itโ€™s great. I thought you should learnโ€”give me a rub later.โ€ Henry changed the subject, sensing Raymondโ€™s discomfort.

โ€œZinnia does massages? Letโ€™s see it.โ€ Raymond grinned, looking up at Zinnia.

Zinnia didnโ€™t hesitate. Her hands went back to work on Henryโ€™s shoulders. Raymond watched her smooth, practiced movesโ€”real skillโ€”before moving behind her to check out her technique.


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