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It must be Cal he was talking to. Just then, the nurse motioned for her to come to the desk. “Your grandfather is in room 219.”
“Thank you,” she said.
Nathan took her elbow and together they walked the long, cold hallway toward the elevator. Nothing felt real at the moment. Just this afternoon, she’d been busy trying to find someplace for him to live and now she feared he would never leave this place.
They rode the elevator, and when the doors slid open, she saw the room. This floor seemed to be occupied by mostly elderly people. People in the last stages of living.
With a sigh, she gripped Nathan’s hand.
“I’m so glad you came with me today. I’m so glad you’re here by my side,” she said, glancing up at him.
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else,” he told her, his dark brown eyes saying more than his words.
When they walked into the room, her grandfather opened his eyes. He looked tired.
“I’m sorry, Lillian,” he said.
“For what?” she asked, fearing what he would say.
“I’m not going to make it,” he said with a tired sigh.
“Hold on,” she said. “The family is on their way. They should be here shortly.”
He closed his eyes, and she feared the worst. Taking his hand in hers, she stood beside his bed. “Do you know how happy you made me as a kid? You were always there for me. Some of my happiest memories are of us together.”
A smile spread across his face.
“It was so hard after I lost everything,” he said softly, not opening his eyes. “But I’m so happy you’re here with me now. I always thought I would die alone.”
Tears filled her eyes. It was so unfair what had been done to this man. He was innocent, and Ron Thomas had tragically destroyed his life.
Ten minutes later, her grandmother, Kenneth, and her mother rushed into the hospital room.
“Paul,” her grandmother said, and Lillian stepped back to give them access to her grandfather.
“Mary,” he said with a gasp. “I’m glad you’re here. And Kenneth and Nancy. It’s so good to see you.”
“Lillian has been telling me what she’s learned. I’m sorry, Paul. I should have believed you.”
Tears welled in her grandfather’s eyes. “You don’t know how long I’ve waited to hear those words. To be exonerated of what I was accused of. Hearing you say that, I can now let go and die in peace.”
Her grandmother started to cry. “Paul, please, if you can, stay with us. We want to take care of you. We want to be here for you.”
A smile crossed his face. “And you are here for me now. I’m tired. I just want to rest. Seeing you all one last time makes me so happy. Lillian, darling, I love you.”
Her chest seized with the tears she was trying so hard not to shed.
“I love you, Grandpa. You rest. We’ll be right here at your side,” she said, coming close to the bed and grabbing his other hand.
His face was gray, and the light in his eyes appeared to dim. The man was dying, and he would not want them to keep him here any longer.
Nathan stood back in the corner of the room, letting them be near her grandfather. Slowly, the elder’s eyes closed, and the color drained from his face. With a loud gasp, the air left his body, and the heart monitor emitted that steady sound that announced death had arrived.
Her grandmother began to sob. “Oh, Paul, you were a good man. Go in peace.”
Kenneth wrapped his arms around her and held onto her while Lillian held her mother. This was not how she’d wanted this to end.
A nurse came into the room and turned off the machines.
