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Anita’s first impression of her was a small fireball. She laughed easily, asked a dozen questions, and teased mercifully. Her dark hair, brown eyes, and petite frame were similar to her grandfather’s, making her older brother even more of an anomaly.
“I wasn’t sure if you were here for Gramps or my brother.” Paula gave Anita a broad smile.
She had to laugh. “We’re here to visit the residents and ended up at your grandpa’s table.”
“Ah.” Paula’s eyes flashed with amusement. “I told Wyatt coming here on the weekends was no excuse not to date. He acts like he’s too busy for all of that, but now that I see you, I understand why he’s here two weekends in a row.”
“Hey,” he cut in. “I can hear you, sis. You know I try to come every weekend.”
Paula grinned. “I came more than you last month, so that’s not true at all.” She leaned toward Anita. “He’s one of those numbers guys. Stiff and boring. Doesn’t even know how to flirt.”
Wyatt’s ears pinked, and Anita wanted to laugh, but she held back.
She guessed Wyatt to be close to her age, yet he could still get riled by his sister. And what did Paula mean he didn’t know how to flirt? Had he never had a girlfriend before? She found that hard to believe. He was articulate, handsome, hygienic, and although he seemed a bit opinionated, he was well-mannered as far as she could tell.
She’d also caught him watching her more than once. Not that she could read his expression or decipher his thoughts, but she didn’t think he was someone to back down from a challenge. Which meant if he was interested in a woman, surely he’d pursue her.
“I’d rather not be known as a lady’s man,” Wyatt told his sister. “We can’t all be flirty like you or no one would ever be in a serious relationship. Which means that neither of us would exist.”
“You’re such a sweet talker,” Paula said. “When you’re not literal about everything.”
“Don’t make me sit between the two of you,” Mr. Davis said. “You’re setting a bad example for the kid at our table.”
Anita didn’t mind the banter between the siblings, and she noticed that her daughter was soaking it all in. After another round of Scrabble, with Carly beating everyone, it was finally time to go.
“I’ll walk you two out,” Paula said, pushing up from the table.
After saying goodbye to both Mr. Davis and Wyatt, they headed out of the dining room. Paula looped her arm with Anita’s.
“Thanks so much for spending time with Gramps,” she gushed. “He’s tickled that you’d play games with him. He doesn’t get any other visitors.”
“It’s been fun,” Anita said. “And as long as Carly wants to keep coming, I’ll keep bringing her.” She paused. “If that’s all right with you and your brother.”
“It’s wonderful.” Paula squeezed her arm. “Now, just ignore Wyatt’s fussiness. He always overthinks things, and I think it’s fine if Gramps’s mind wanders a bit.”
“Do you think Susan is real?” Carly asked suddenly.
Paula bit her lip. “I’m not sure, but I’m surprised my brother hasn’t launched an all-out investigation yet.”
“What would be the downside if Susan was real?” Anita asked.
Paula released her arm as they reached the outer doors. “Wyatt was really close to Grandma, so I think he sees it as a nuisance. Or maybe even a betrayal.”
“Well, either Susan was real or she wasn’t,” Anita said. “It might give you and your brother peace of mind to know once and for all.”
Paula nodded. “I agree. Thanks again for visiting Gramps.” She hugged both of them, then waved them off.
Anita and Carly headed outside into the cooling evening air. The sun had nearly set, the sky darkening with deepening twilight.
As they climbed inside the Bug, Carly said, “I like Mr. Davis.”
Happiness swelled inside of Anita, who was pleased her daughter had found so much value in visiting the assisted living home. “Me too.” She started the car, but the ignition only clicked, then nothing.
She released the clutch, then pushed it in again. Turning the key, she whispered, “Please start. Please start.”
Nothing.
“The parking lot’s flat,” Carly observed, otherwise sounding nonplussed that they were once again faced with a dead car.
