“Sevyn? Is that you, sweetheart?”
“Yes, ma’am, Ms. Miriam.”
“Baby doll.” She rushed over to me and kneeled in front of me. “We heard that you had a terrible accident the day that your grandmother died. I’m so sorry for your loss and all you’ve gone through.”
“Thank you.”
“We sent flowers to the hospital and to both your grandmother and husband’s funeral.”
I lowered my head for a moment, and she reached out and lifted it again by tipping my chin up.
“I cannot imagine the grief that you have had to endure. I want you to know that your grandmother was well loved. She touched so many lives and made a difference in the lives of everyone she encountered.”
“I know,” I replied softly.
“Her funeral was well attended. Everything was just as she requested, and honey, that choir showed out for her. The residents, staff, some of the families of the other residents, her church family, and many of the youth whom she had touched through the years showed up. When I tell you that church was packed, there was standing room only. People literally were standing up at the rear of the church.
“Honey, every wish your grandmother had about her homegoing celebration was honored. You may not have been there to carry it out, but your best friend, Waverleigh, and this young man made sure that it was carried out to a tee.”
I looked at Deuce. “You did? But why?”
“After hearing Waverleigh speak about what your grandmother meant to you, and understanding the importance of family, I wanted to give you peace and the gift of knowing that her wishes had been honored. I just worked with Waverleigh and Ms. Miriam to ensure that happened.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, staring into his eyes. There was so much about this man that I did not know. He was more amazing than I had imagined. Not once had he told me all he had done.
“Waverleigh never mentioned it.”
“I asked her not to.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Ms. Miriam apologized.
“It’s okay,” Deuce assured her with a gentle smile and nod.
“And so many people came forward to speak a word on her behalf and yours, Sevyn.”
“Mine?”
“Yes. They couldn’t stop talking about what a wonderful, respectful granddaughter you were. How you always were with your grandmother, taking her on all her errands, accompanying her at every doctor appointment, making sure that she had all she needed in her apartment, and how you were such an advocate for senior rights.”
“That was my job as a geriatric social worker.”
“That may be true, but honey, I know you went above and beyond for many of them. I’ve seen you at work,” she declared with a wink.
“Thank you, Ms. Miriam. That means a lot to me.”
“Anytime.” She patted my hands and stood.
“We’ll get going now,” Deuce professed.
“No need. Feel free to come back any time and visit the garden or the facility,” she stated with a warm smile before she walked off.
“Could you be any sweeter?” I asked Deuce.
“My parents just raised me to be a good person, especially to those in need. I haven’t done anything that anyone else wouldn’t do.”
“I don’t know about that.”
“Well, it gave me a chance to get to know you,” he replied with a warm smile.
