An extended period of quiet reigned during the drive to Ely. When they approached the hospital, Levi said, “Maybe I should have had Gabe or Elle drive me. I know this has to be hard for you. I’m sorry that I’m so quiet. I don’t know what to say. It’s all almost too much.”

“Then let me help carry some of the weight. Talk to me.”

“I can’t. It’s all mine. I’ll figure out a way to handle it. I’ve always done it in the past.”

Another surprise awaited Levi at the hospital. He found Don Wagner sitting by the side of Grandma Daley’s bed. The older man stood as soon as he heard the footsteps and greeted Levi with open arms for a hug.

“It’s always so good to see you, Levi. I wish it could be under completely different circumstances, but we can’t always pick the best moments to see each other.”

“I don’t understand, though. How did you know Grandma was here?”

“I wish I’d found out about it from you. Adeline wanted to come, too, but her hip was acting up this morning, and she didn’t think she could make the trip. Your grandparents have been among the best of our friends. Anyway, I have a granddaughter who works in the gift shop. I don’t think you know her. She was visiting us in Iron Crossing yesterday, and the conversation began with the comment, ‘I know I’m not supposed to share things like this, but…’”

Levi said, “I didn’t think Grandma would want you to know.” Brandon took a step back to watch and listen to the conversation.

“I started to put two and two together. Cecily didn’t tell me directly that Isabel was here, but I figured it out from her comments. I called the hospital and asked for a connection to Isabel Daley’s room. They told me she couldn’t speak on the phone. Once upon a time, they listed hospital admissions in the newspaper. That’s how we found out in the past.”

Brandon asked, “May I greet her?”

Levi and Don Wagner stepped to the side allowing Brandon to approach. He reached out his arms and gave Grandma Daley a gentle hug. It wasn’t clear whether she was fully conscious or not. Brandon placed a kiss on her cheek.

As Brandon stepped back, Levi moved forward and leaned in close. Many of the signs of recovery were fading. “Grandma, are you with us?”

Her eyes flickered open. They were hazy and watery with a faraway look. She whispered, “Le-vi.”

Levi had so many questions that he wanted to ask his grandmother. They all began with the letter that he found, but he knew that she couldn’t answer, and he didn’t have the heart to trouble her even if she could understand his words. Instead, he pushed his lips close to her ear and whispered, “I love you, Grandma. The cabin is well, and the lake was beautiful this morning.”

Brandon wiped a tear from the corner of his eye as a nurse entered the room. She said, “It’s time for her bath, and I need to check her IV. Could I ask you gentlemen to leave for a few minutes? Try coming back in about half an hour.”

Don Wagner said, “Of course. Levi, may I buy you and your friend a cup of coffee?”

Levi kissed Grandma Daley’s cheek once more and said, “Yes.”

Levi was quiet as they ordered cups of coffee, and Don Wagner paid the woman at the checkout counter. Brandon suggested, “Let’s sit at the table near the window.” Levi followed in silence.

Looking from Levi to Brandon and back to Levi, Don Wagner said, “This is a tough time. I know the prognosis is not a good one.”

Levi barely heard the words before he blurted out a question. “Did you know how Grandpa died, Mr. Wagner?”

Brandon watched as Don Wagner blinked. He started to say something and stopped. Levi stared in his direction with an unflinching gaze. “Somehow you found out. I know that Isabel never intended for you to know. Yes, I did, Levi. I kept her secret. How did you find out?”

“I found the letter. I know that I wasn’t supposed to find it, but I was looking through Grandma’s things in her bedroom.”

Don Wagner nodded and said, “It was a tragedy, but I think Isabel chose to see it as merciful. She knew that many people would not agree, but if anyone understood Walter, it was Isabel.”

“Do you know why she didn’t tell me?”

“Is it okay to speak in front of your friend?”

Brandon said, “I can step away. That’s no problem. I understand the need for privacy.”

Levi shook his head. “No, it’s okay. He knows about the note. He knows about almost everything.”

Don Wagner asked, “Levi, do you remember when you first arrived in the Northwoods? It was only three years ago, but it feels like much longer than that. You and Isabel stayed at our house. On one of those days, the Colliers took you out for a canoe paddling lesson. I had a long talk with Isabel while you were gone.”

Levi’s expression brightened slightly. “I remember. I caught a big walleye for dinner, too. The Colliers are skilled canoe operators.” He turned toward Brandon. “If you’ve never met them, you should.”

“I helped her decide not to tell you. Neither of us wanted to color your view of Walter. He was a fine man, and we wanted his memory to remain untarnished. It didn’t take long after meeting you to know that you inherited many of the positive attributes of your grandfather.”

“But it was a lie.”

“It was, and I never knew whether keeping it from you was the right decision. Even now I don’t. I deferred to Isabel to choose what to say to you. Human beings make mistakes. We’re flawed. Sometimes we’re even damaged. That doesn’t mean we should have to risk losing the appreciation of the ones that love us.”

Brandon scooted his chair closer to Levi’s and placed a hand on his shoulder. Levi didn’t fight it and let it remain. He asked, “Mr. Wagner, what was the pain Grandpa talked about in the letter? Was he sick?”

Don Wagner nodded. “He was very very sick. When the disease hit, Isabel traveled to Iron Crossing in a heroic, tortuous effort to help her stricken husband. She brought Walter with her. He fell ill while at the cabin. He had intense pain, and he was vomiting. By the time they reached Iron Crossing, Walter could barely stand. Isabel said she didn’t know how they made it. She had to portage the canoe on her own while he leaned on her for support.”

“Why didn’t they take doctors out to the cabin?”

Don Wagner smiled. “Why didn’t they take anyone to the cabin? You know the answer to that as well as I do.”

Levi nodded. “What was wrong? What made him sick?”

“The doctors diagnosed pancreatic cancer. They wanted to put Walter in the hospital and give him aggressive treatment, but he refused. He went back to the cabin with Isabel and a bottle of pain pills. He promised to see the doctor every two weeks. Walter never saw a doctor again.”

Levi sighed heavily. “Grandma always said she was sure it was an accident.”

A gentle smile filled Don Wagner’s face. “Is that what she said? I’ve always wondered how she explained it to you. I wondered what story she made up.”

Levi nodded. “Yes, that’s what she said.”

“That part wasn’t a lie.”

Levi looked up. “Yes, it was. You explained how it was.”

Don Wagner shook his head. “Isabel is a wise woman. After Walter died, she said, ‘It’s all a cosmic accident. We are in love. It wasn’t meant to end this way.’ For Isabel, saying it was an accident wasn’t a lie.”