“Not today. I’m feeling kind of tired. Let’s just talk. Tell me all about the weddings and the flowers we’ll have to order.”
For the next two hours, Hailey and Patty talked, laughed, and reminisced. Her aunt loved talking about the business as much as Hailey did, so she filled her in on all the goings-on at the store.
When the physical therapist came in, Hailey stood up and said her goodbyes. Promising to see her soon, Hailey left the room and walked down the hallway.
During the day, Cherry Vale was a flurry of activity with the nurses, aides, doctors, and techs bustling about. Residents congregated in the lobby either watching the birds flit in the aviary or the traffic whiz by on the street in front of the center. Hailey walked slowly and looked at the names posted on the residents’ doors.
When she reached the end of the hall before the lobby, she glanced at the name on the door by the entrance. On a gold background in black lettering, she read “Helen Humphries.” The name sounded familiar. Then she remembered it was Garth’s grandmother’s name. A tickle rode up her spine.Can there be two Helen Humphries in Alina?She supposed it was possible, but it seemed like too much of a coincidence. She stopped at the doorway, then went in quietly.
The early afternoon sun beat against the closed drapes, making the room not quite so dim. A woman in her early eighties with white hair dozed on a dark green recliner as the images on the television screen blinked. Padding over to the woman, Hailey glanced around the room and noticed several framed pictures. She paused and looked at one on the wall. Standing beside the Helen she remembered were Garth, his sister, Monica, and his brothers, Chad and Dylan. She smiled when she saw Garth’s smartass smirk and his blue eyes full of devilishness.He must be about thirteen in this picture.“I had such a crush on you,” she said out loud.
Helen moaned, and Hailey darted her gaze to her. The woman’s eyes fluttered open, and a vacant look searched Hailey’s face. She went over to her, bending down in front of her.
“Mrs. Humphries? I don’t know if you remember me, but I’m Hailey Shilley. Ryan’s sister. It’s been a long time.”
“Is that you, Susan? Where’s your father? Did he come home from work yet?” she asked in a feeble voice.
“My name’s Hailey, not Susan. Susan was your daughter. Garth’s mother.”
“Is Garth here? Where’s your father? Why won’t you answer me, Susan?” Helen’s face contorted into a mask of distress as her tear-filled voice crushed Hailey.
“I shouldn’t have come in. I’m sorry if I’ve upset you.”
Helen tried to push herself out of the chair, wincing when she fell back against the cushion. Wringing her hands, her gaze darted around the room.
“Are you family?” a woman’s voice asked.
Hailey spun around and saw a pretty woman in pink scrubs walking into the room. “No. My aunt’s rehabbing here. Patty Manning. I just stopped in when I saw Mrs. Humphries’s name on the door. I used to live in Alina, and I knew the Humphries and their grandchildren. My brother and one of her grandsons were best friends. I just wanted to say hi, but I’m afraid I’ve confused and upset her.”
The woman ran her eyes over Hailey. “Don’t sweat it. She’s confused a lot. I know your aunt. She’s a very funny lady. I’m surprised I’ve never seen you before.” She extended her hand. “I’m Shelly. I’m the day-shift nurse five days a week.”
“Hailey. I usually come after work, or on Sundays.”
“That explains it, since I have Sundays off. I’ll be back in a few minutes. Helen’s too agitated to take her meds right now. It was good meeting you.”
Shelly dashed out of the room and Hailey hung her head down, pivoting around to face Helen. “I feel terrible about upsetting you, Mrs. Humphries.”
“What did you do?” a deep voice asked from behind.
Jerking her head up, she spun around and gasped: Goldie stood looming in the doorway.What the hell is he doing in Mrs. Humphries’s room?
He walked into the room and went over to the woman. Bending down, he kissed her cheek and a huge grin spread over her face when she saw him. He hugged her. “How’re you doing, Grandma?”
Grandma? This is Goldie’s grandmother?Confusion flitted through her.What the fuck’s going on?Then she looked at his leather vest, the one he wore the night before. She remembered he’d had a lot of patches, but she hadn’t seen the back of it. Now, looking at the back, the words “Night Rebels MC” stared at her in red lettering.Night Rebels. I know that name. Wait, Rory said it’s that biker gang. The one Ryan told me Garth joined. Goldie must be Garth’s friend.“Do you know Garth?” she said.
He raised his head and his eyes boldly ran over her body, making her feel conspicuous in her jean shorts and blue T-shirt. She crossed her arms over her chest. He laughed.
“Do you?” She stepped back.
“Why do you ask?”
“Because my brother told me he’s in a motorcycle gang, and this is his grandmother. I knew him when we were younger.”
“Night Rebels is a motorcycleclub, not a gang. Gangs are for fuckin’ losers.” He leaned back on his boot heels.
“Garth! Your language,” Helen said in a strong, clear voice.
He guffawed, leaned down, and hugged her tightly. “Awesome.” The elderly woman laughed, but then her bright eyes turned dull and the vacant veil came back.
