“I guess it was hard on all of us.”
Honey studied Cooper’s face. “How’s your mom holding up?”
This girl was hard to read. “Okay, I guess. Anyway, she’s good at faking it.”
“Faking it?” Honey took a sip of tea.
“Yeah. Mom always acts like everything is just fine. She hates to admit when she’s made a mistake. She can be seriously lost, and she’s like ‘we’re fine, we’ll get there.’”
“So you think she’s made a mistake?”
“Yeah.” Cooper winced. “No offense, but I’m pretty sure she knows it was a mistake to sell everything and come here.”
Honey didn’t know what to say. She was probably right.
“Not that we can do much about it now.” Cooper stood and walked over to Honey’s dresser, where Honey’s framed photos were displayed. “Is this you and Grandpa?” She held up their wedding photo.
“It is.” Honey sighed as she stared at the photo. Such a young couple. Her long dark hair was topped by a wreath of teacup roses and baby’s breath. She’d crafted it herself and arranged the flowers in the church. She’d even sewn her bridesmaids’ simple dresses. CT had worn a plain brown corduroy sports jacket—and no tie. Her grandma had made their wedding cake. It was a shoestring wedding, for sure, but the marriage lasted longer than that of some of their friends who’d gone all out.
“You were so young and pretty.” Cooper set the photo back.
“Well, we were both young. I was only twenty and your grandpa just twenty-two. Of course, we thought we were all grown-up.” Honey laughed. “Funny how that works.”
“Is this Mom?” Cooper held up the photo of a little girl and a yellow lab puppy.
“Yep. She was about seven. And Goldie was just a pup.”
Now Cooper picked up a more recent photo. “Where were you and Grandpa in this one? It looks kinda tropical.”
“That was years ago on our thirty-fifth wedding anniversary.Our one and only big trip. It was always hard to get your grandpa to leave the farm, but he reluctantly agreed to go to Maui with me for spring break that year.”
“Oh, yeah, I remember now. Mom still has a box of shells you sent her. I used to play with them when I was little.”
Honey smiled. “It turned out to be a fun trip. But even then ... I could tell your grandpa was acting different. I think that’s the first time I really noticed how forgetful he was getting. And he wasn’t that old.” Suddenly Honey regretted being so transparent with her granddaughter. Why burden the child with these old people problems?
Cooper put the photo back, then turned toward Honey with a surprisingly compassionate expression. “Is it hard on you? I mean, watching Grandpa like this? Does it hurt a lot?”
Honey felt a lump growing in her throat, but she didn’t want to cry in front of Cooper. “Well, yes, to be honest, it does hurt some. But it is what it is, right?” She lifted her chin and forced a smile.
Cooper came back and sat on the bed again. This time, she took Honey’s hand. “I’m so sorry, Grandma.”
This unexpected act of kindness cracked something deep inside of Honey’s chest. “Th-thank you,” she muttered, struggling to hold back tears. “I guess it’s been a lonely road.”
“Well, we’re here now.” Cooper squeezed her hand. “You’re not alone.”
“I really appreciate that.” Honey leaned her head back, closing her eyes and taking in a calming breath.
“And you can talk to me, Grandma. I’m a good listener. All my friends always tell me that. I think it’s because it’s just been Mom and me, and she’s always talked to me a lot. I mean about grown-up things. So don’t worry, I can take it.”
Honey opened her eyes and stared at her granddaughter. She wasn’t sure how she felt about Jewel talking to Cooper about “grown-up things.” Had Cooper been forced to grow up too quickly? Had she been allowed to really be a child?
“I’m probably talking too much.” Cooper released her hand and stood. “I know you’re supposed to rest.”
“Yes.” Honey barely nodded, but the motion made her head ache. “You’re right. I do need to rest. Thanks for the tea ... and sympathy.” She attempted another smile. “You’re a dear girl, Cooper.”
“Love you, Grandma.” Then Cooper quietly exited the room and Honey allowed her tears to fall freely. It had been a lonely road. And despite having her daughter and granddaughter here, Honey knew it would get lonelier as CT’s illness progressed. After forty-six years together, a lifetime was a lot to lose.
10
