“And why didn’t you come to visit me sooner?”
Magnolia glances back at me with wide eyes. I didn’t have time to go into the details.
“Remember, she was gone?” I ask, trying to make eye contact with Magnolia, even though I’m answering Grandpa.
Magnolia’s eyebrows go up even higher.
“Did you like Florida?”
“Wonderful. The fami?—”
I clear my throat loudly, willing her to read my mind.You like to travel on the weekends.
“I mean, the fountain was beautiful where I stayed.” She picks up on my not-so-subtle clue.
I can’t believe I forgot to tell her where her family was from. I can only blame it on my preoccupation with the inevitable.
I told Grandpa that she was away on a business trip in Florida.
His gray face looks ghostly in the curtained room. The pall of death doesn’t seem to mind that it’s only late morning.
“You two look like you’re going to a funeral. I hope you don’t look sad for me.”
“My betta fish died this morning. The wake’s at noon,” Magnolia explains in a cracked voice.
A smile flits across my grandfather’s face—albeit a tired one.
“I’ve never been so…” He pauses to take a deep, shaky breath. “So happy to be wrong. About a person.”
Magnolia slides forward slowly and sits down on the mattress beside him.
He reaches for her hand and grasps it like a lifeline. “Take care of him. Magnolia. Such a nice name. Miss Magnolia. You will, won’t you?”
“I will what?” she whispers.
“Take care of Nash.”
“Of course.” She reaches over and pats his hand. The lamplight reflects the moisture in her eyes.
Grandpa looks over her head at me. “I’d like to speak to her alone.”
“But—” I say.
“Come back in five minutes.” His whispered words still carry the command.
I nod once and step into the hall, leaving him in there with a complete stranger.
I pace back and forth, wondering how long five minutes can last.
I can hear the soft murmur of voices, but don’t understand their words. After an eternity, Magnolia opens the door and just stands there, staring at me.
Her eyes are puffy, and tears trail down her face. “He’d like to speak with you now.”
“What did he say?”
She searches my face, then finally says, “He told me how wonderful and special you are and made me promise again that I would take care of you.”
“Thank you for speaking with him,” I whisper, then hurry past her to stand next to the bed.
