++
As a child, Harper’s grandfather had always scared her. He had big bushy eyebrows and a beard that always made her think he looked like a bear. Between the eyebrows and the facial hair that made him look like he had a perpetual frown, at the ages of three and four she had always cowered behind her father when it was time for visits. However, as she grew older she found that Mr Jones was anything but scary. He may’ve looked like he was scary but he was just a big softie, and his granddaughter had him wrapped around her small finger.
Harper’s father being raised in a middle-class family, Mr Jones was not used to events and the places they’d attend and make public attendences with their families, which is why he could often be found right next to Harper, her arm linked through his. They would walk around together, quietly chatting as Harper’s parents would deal with the people who came up to them. Ocasionally, Harper would spot people she knew from school and give them a small smile or a wave before having to spend the next ten minutes explaining to him who they were to her grandfather.
Naturally, it wasn’t long before she spotted someone else. The socialites and upper class of New York were such a selective community that it was usually pretty much the same crowd at each event. She recognized Carter and his father and gave him a small wave. She didn’t know him that well, but they always seemed to run into each other at events. He always was kind to her and chatted with her, making her feel less like a loner, so it would be nice to return the favour right? She decided to head over, leading Mr Jones along beside her.
“Hey Carter,” she said, with a warm smile, her grandfather’s arm still in hers, “How are you?”
She felt her grandfather’s elbow prod her in the side and she rolled her eyes at him, “This is my Grandfather, he’s pretty much the only reason I haven’t found you to complain about something tonight,” she said, letting out an awkward chuckle.
Mr Jones shook his hand, a smile breaking onto his usually stoic face, “Not bad” he commented, “You know a handshake makes a man.”
