CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Emma
When I finishthis entry of Grams’s diary, I’m a bit surprised when I look up to see she’s still awake, considering she’s been asleep each time I’ve read to her before. “You’re still awake?” I mention with asmile.
“Well, of course,” Grams says. “You’re getting close to theend.”
I notice that there are only a few pages left in the diary, which makes me sad because I don’t want their story toend.
“Grams, I want to help you find Charlie,” I tellher.
“Sweetie, I know we have technological resources now that can do incredible things, but I’m not very confident that you’ll be able to findhim.”
“If I did, would you behappy?”
Grams grabs my hands firmly. “Emma Hill, if you find that man for me, I will forever be grateful. However, if you can’t find him, I will still die knowing how lucky I am to have such an incredibly lovinggranddaughter.”
“I’m going to find him, whether he’s dead or alive,” I tellher.
“Emma,” Grams says. “If you happen to read the last couple of entries without me…” Her hands loosen from around mine, and she places them over her heart. “Try not to be upset about the secrets I have held inside all these years. I had my reasons, and they were out of love andprotection.”
“Secrets,Grams?”
Her lips turn down into a grimace I’ve never seen on her facebefore.
“I feel as though my life was built on lies, and the last thing I wanted to do was teach your mom, aunt, and of course, you, that lying is the only way to get through life. It may have been the only way back then, but honesty is what sets us free, Emma. Maybe if I had been honest sooner, I would have been freed from this emotional pain that I may diewith.”
“Grams, you can talk to me,” I say, climbing into the bed with her. I lay my head on her shoulder and wrap my arm around her chest. “Please, tellme.”
She drapes her arms around my shoulders and sighs. “I just—it will hurt those people it involves.” I’m already hurting, and I can’t imagine what she’s holdingback.
I rest beside her in silence as my brain pieces together the scattered parts of the puzzle. I’m not sure I’d be able to hold onto a secret for so long. I’ve been an open book most of my life, and secrets, even the small ones, hurt to keep inside. “I think we’re running out of time, Emma. If you think you can find Charlie for me, I would be verygrateful.”
“I won’t stop until I find him,” I tellher.
“Go,” she says, turning her head to kiss me on the cheek. “Be myhero.”
I kiss her on the forehead and slide out of the bed. “Mom sent me a text and told me she’s on her way with Annie.” I’m not sure visiting hours have even begun yet, but Jackson obviously has a little pull with that. “I love you,Grams.”
“You’ll always be my sweetheart, Emma. Thankyou.”
I relocate myself back into the waiting room and plug my laptop in. If I have to go through the records of every single Charlie Crane in this world, Iwill.
Before I’m through the second page of Charlie Cranes, Mom and Annie walk in, forcing me to pause my search. “Did you really sleep here all night?” Momasks.
“Yes,” I say, leaving it simple and without the details of which room I sleptin.
“How is she?” Annieasks.
“She seems okay,” I tell them. “I left her because she wanted to rest a bit before you gothere.”
“Can we go in?” Momasks.
I look down at my phone, seeing it’s nine o’clock. I’m not sure when visiting hours are, but I assume it would be around now. “I’m sure it’sfine.”
“You have your head buried in that laptop every time I see you. What in the world are you working so hard on?” Momasks.
“I have lots of projects to get through. I’ve managed to reschedule most of my clients for next week to give myself a little breathing space, but even that takestime.”
