“Gran, are you all right?”
“How could I be? I love him and miss him so much. Does that make me a fool?”
Vi was confused. “You two haven’t spoken?”
“Not since the day after the accident. We compared notes on our doctor’s appointments, and that was it.”
“Why aren’t you talking?”
“That happened when I let him know I expected an apology. He said I should apologize to him instead of getting angry. The only reason he didn’t shout at me was because yelling hurts his rib. Oh, that man!”
As mad as Gran was, tears continued to stream down her face. Vi tried to squeeze her hand, but was rebuffed. “What are you going to do?”
Looking sad, heartbroken and stubborn all at once, Gran crossed her arms. “Nothing. He was in the wrong—he should apologize.”
“What if he doesn’t?” Vi asked in a soft voice.
“It’s his loss.”
Gran blew her nose and seemed so forlorn that Vi half-wished the couple would make up. “Maybe it’s time to move into an apartment.”
“I like living here too much to let him chase me out.”
“But with Malcom just down the hall, you’re bound to run into each other either up here or downstairs during cocktail hour or in the dining room. It’ll be awkward and uncomfortable.”
“I’m not a child, Vi. I know how to be civil. I’ll get used to it.”
“Then you’re staying right here, in this unit?”
“That’s right. The insurance check hasn’t arrived yet. I expected it sometime this past week, but I’m sure it’ll be here any day now. I’ll check with the insurance company Monday morning.”
Did Malcom know about this? Did he even care? Vi was anxious to talk to Blake and compare notes. Yet she had to offer. “Do you want me to sit with you for a while?”
Gran shook her head. “I’m blue, but I’m all right.”
CHAPTER 14
Blake was finishing the meeting with Ross when Vi called. “I’m about to leave the 709. My meeting with Gran was so sad. I haven’t eaten yet and I’m hungry. Let’s meet someplace that serves lunch and compare notes.”
He’d already eaten, but wanted to talk. “How about the Come on In?” Some five miles south of the retirement home, it wouldn’t take him long to get there. “See you soon.”
It was a beautiful afternoon. Maybe he’d go riding later. He found Vi in a booth reading through the menu and slid into the banquette across from her. “Sure is a pretty day.”
“A welcome change from dark, gloomy Gran.”
A waitress stopped by. Vi ordered a burger and fries, and he asked for a pop.
She looked at him like he was crazy. “You’re passing up a burger here?”
“Sadly, yes. Ross and I ate at Hastings. I’m coffeed out, too.”
“Is he still doing a good job?”
“I’m happy with him so far. That meeting was a whole lot better than sitting with Grandpop this morning. He was in a foul mood.”
“Like I said, Gran was pretty down. She’s still really mad at him. I wish they were less hardheaded.”
“You can say that again. Malcom refuses to apologize.”
