Chapter 8 Fortune could never sit still . Even at sixty - three , he had taken a job as a janitor in the apartment complex . Every morning , he started work at seven - thirty , and in the aftemoons , he clocked in again at four thirty . He only got one day off a week and earned about six hundred dollars a month . After Caitlin got married , Fortune , wanting to save money , rented out his own bedroom to a coworker , But he worried that Caitlin wouldn't have a place to stay if she ever came home , so he set up a small fold - out bed for himself in the living room . Recently , his roommate had suffered a work injury and was recovering in the hospital , so for now , Fortune had the place to himself ! About twenty minutes later , Fortune came over holding a steaming bowl of homemade noodles . " Catie , dinner's ready . " " Thank you , Grandpa , Caitlin said , taking the bowl and digging in Fortune watched her with anticipation . " Catie , how does it taste ? " " It's delicious ! " Caitlin quickly slurped up the noodles and flashed him a thumbs - up . " No one makes noodles like my grandpa . Best in the world . " Fortune's face lit up with pride . His eyes crinkled as he grinned . Then have some more , sweetheart . There's plenty left in the pot . " " Okay " Caitlin nodded and kept eating . Fortune just watched his granddaughter eat , his eyes full of both pride and concem . Over the past year living with the Chandlers , she must have gone through so much just to fit into that world . He remembered how , when she was younger , Caitlin had never been so careful or poised at the dinner table . But now , even the way she ate seemed so refined . Thinking about how Caitlin had shown up at his door in the middle of the night , Fortune's worry only deepened . He chose his words . carefully before speaking . " Catie .. Tell me honestly - did something happen at the Chandlers ? Did they treat you badly ? Caitlin put down her bowl and looked at him . " Grandpa , Julian and I are divorced . She said it so calmly , but it was like dropping a boulder into a still lake - shockwaves rippled through Fortune's mind . He stared at her in disbelief . Divorced ? Caitlin was actually divorced ?? How was that possible ? For a long moment , Fortune could hardly find his voice . Finally , he stammered , " Catie , did the Chandlers bully you ? Don't be afraid , I'm here . If they dared to hurt you , I'd risk everything to protect you ! "? A year ago , when Caitlin had wanted to marry Julian , Fortune had been against it Now , a year later , learning they'd divorced , his first instinct wasn't to blame her , but to stand up for her Caitin looked at him and spoke softly . " Grandpa , don't worry . No one could bully your granddaughter , I was just foolish before - I thought Julian was someone special , but now I see him for what he really is . I'm done with him . I want a better life for myself . Hearing that she hadn't been mistreated , Fortune finally relaxed . But he still asked , " So .. so you really are divorced? " \ He sull couldn't believe it . To him , Caitlin had been head over heels for Julian . During that terrible time when she'd refused to eat , she'd gone two whole days without a single sip of water . She had loved him so much - how could she just end it , just like that ? Carlin didn't explain further . She simply took a document from her bag and handed it over . " Here's the divorce agreement . You were right , Grandpa . I'm still young - 1 should focus on my studies , get into a good university , and chase my dreams . I won't waste my youth or let myself down again . Nineteen years old The best years of her life . They should be for pursuing dreams , not getting married too soon . them Seeing the divorce papers , Fortune finally realized she was telling the truth . His hands trembled as he held the Caitlin looked him in the eye and spoke slowly and clearly " Grandpa , I know I was immature and stubbom before . I broke your heart , and I'm so sorry for all the worry I've caused you . From now on , I'll study hard and make sure we both have a good life . " %