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"It was a nice exhibition," she said, as she put her phone on the counter."The paintings were all well-received, even though the artists were unknown."
"I'll take your word for it.I think the love of art skipped my generation."
"Your father's, too.Although James replaced art with music, so I can't say he hasn't contributed to the culture of the world, just differently."
Her words made him wonder what he'd contributed.Certainly not any kind of art.But he hoped he'd made the world a little safer.
"Your work is important, too," his grandmother said, always able to read him better than anyone else.
"I know."
"I hope you do."
He cleared his throat at her pointed gaze and changed the subject."I'd like to see Tomas's letters."
"We can go to the bank tomorrow.I don't know that the letters will be that helpful.They don't mention the woman by name.And she might not be alive anymore Tomas would be over a hundred now, if he had lived."
"Maybe she was younger than him."
"I suppose that's possible."Setting down her spoon, she said, "Now, about Isabella?—"
He immediately held up his hand."Let's not talk about Isabella."
"You never told me what happened.Gloria said Isabella has been vague as well.But it's clear there's tension between you two."
"We didn't have a great date.I wasn't my best self that night, and I don't think she was, either."
"What does that mean?"
"It means you should leave it alone, Nonna.We're here to help you and Gloria.Let's just focus on that."
His grandmother gave a reluctant nod."All right.I won't ask you any more questions, but Isabella is a lovely woman, and maybe you should give her another chance."
"Even if I wanted to, she wouldn't take it.Now, what can I do to help you with dinner?"
"Can I help you, Isabella?"Gloria asked.
"I'm done.I only brought a few things," Isabella replied as she finished hanging up her clothes in the closet while her grandmother took a seat on the twin bed in her very small room, which apparently was usually a junk room.There was a sewing machine in one corner with piles of fabric next to it as well a basket of yarn and a few knitting projects that had been started but not finished.There was also a chaise lounge by the window with a nice view of the river, so that was a plus.And the bed she could deal with.She didn't plan on being here that long.
"I hope you'll be comfortable," her grandmother said."This mattress is rather hard.Maybe you should take my room."
Her grandmother had always been generous, a trait she had not seen replicated by anyone else in her family, including herself."I'll be fine.Don't worry about me."
"I really appreciate you coming, Isabella.You didn't have to."
"I wanted to.I had to," she amended, meeting her grandmother's gaze."You came to the States when I needed you."
"That was different.You were sixteen years old, and your mother had just gone to jail."
"Well, you're eighty-one years old, and you witnessed a terrifying robbery, so both were terrible circumstances."
"I was a little shaken after the robbery, but I'm feeling better now.I can pull it together."
She knew her grandmother believed that, but she could see the frailty in her grandmother's frame, the slight tremor in her hands.She hoped that wasn't the beginning of something more serious and was just nerves."You don't have to handle it alone."
"I have Anna.I'm not alone."
She was actually a little envious of her grandmother's long-term friendship with Anna.She'd never had a friend like that, someone who knew everything about her, and she knew everything about them.But that was on her as much as it was on anyone else.When friends opened up to her, she backed away, knowing she wouldn't be able to reciprocate.
