CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

A few days later, Hailey accompanied Gran and Gramps to Lila’s funeral. Gran had toned down her normally bright wardrobe and wore a simple dark green dress. Gramps sported a charcoal suit with a forest-green striped tie, which complemented Gran’s dress. Hailey hadn’t packed any outfits for a funeral. She hoped she didn’t stand out too much in her blue summer dress.

The service was held in a small church a mile or so from the retirement community. Lila and her husband, Don, who’d died more than five years ago, had lived in the area for forty years, so the church was filled with her family and friends.

The strong scent of cut flowers enveloped Hailey as she sat on a pew toward the back. She hadn’t known Lila long, but it struck her how this woman was vibrant and full of life last week. Lila had been so eager to introduce Hailey to Darren, and her smile had sparkled when she spoke of her grandson. Then, without warning, she was gone. Life was so fragile. Too fragile. Hailey wanted to drink in every drop of her time with her grandparents instead of spending so much time working while she was there.

This week had almost felt like she was back at the office with all the extra requests from Mr. Michaels. He’d added another client to her workload, and she’d spent nearly all day yesterday going through expense records and populating a new spreadsheet with all the numbers. The more time she spent with her grandparents, the more she realized that numbers were constant, dependable, and black and white, but they failed to give her the same satisfaction she’d once had—the satisfaction she now felt helping Gran and Gramps. People might be various shades of gray, but maybe the beauty of life was experiencing those shades.

A group of women sang a song, and Lila’s oldest daughter offered the eulogy. Lila had lived a full and interesting life. When Hailey was a teen, she’d thought old people were kind of creepy with their wrinkled hands, strange ideas, and old-fashioned vocabulary. She loved her grandparents, but other old people freaked her out. As Hailey had grown older, she realized that these people were more than baggy skin and thinning hair. They had lives. They’d lived and done things. They’d been happy, sad, angry, hurt. They had talents and dreams.

Something Peter said popped into her head and she smiled. He was right. The older generation had wisdom and were sometimes, maybe even many times, marginalized by the younger generation. The millennials didn’t seem to have much use for the baby boomers, who’d experienced so much and learned from those life experiences.

Hailey hadn’t heard from or seen Peter since their date at Mar y Sol on Friday night. It wasn’t that she expected to hear from him necessarily, but it would’ve been kind of nice. Even though they’d had a fantastic date, each day that passed with no contact reinforced what she suspected: he’d taken her out simply because he’d been trapped into it, which was fine. Really. Gramps had an upcoming appointment and she planned to act like nothing had ever happened. It’d be easier that way.

After the service, Gran and Gramps extended their sympathy to Lila’s family.

Darren approached Hailey and said, “It was great getting to meet you.” He sunk his hands into the pockets of his navy dress pants.

“What are your plans?” she asked.

“I’m flying to Phoenix tomorrow. I’m starting my job next week.” He rolled his lips inward.

Hailey looked at Darren. “I’m so sorry about your grandma.”

“Thanks.” He tried to smile but it didn’t reach his eyes.

She touched him on the arm in a sympathetic gesture. “I’m sure she appreciated you being here.”

“I’m glad I came.” He shrugged.

Feeling a little awkward, Hailey said, “Good luck in Phoenix.”

He nodded and walked away. Besides being good-looking, Darren was a decent guy. If things had been different, maybe they would’ve dated. Or not. Regardless, it was nice to know a good guy existed out there in the wicked world of dating.

“I think we’re ready to go,” Gran said when Hailey approached her and Gramps.

They walked out to the parking lot behind the small, white church. The noon air was heavy with moisture and the hot temperature caused perspiration to bead along Hailey’s hairline.

“Eat,” Gramps said.

Hailey smiled. Gramps was doing fairly well communicating with his limited vocabulary. “Where should we go?” Hailey asked, dabbing at her forehead.

“Harry likes Red Lobster.” Gran smiled at Gramps and looped her arm through his. “He likes to take me on dates there. Isn’t that right?”

Gramps patted Gran’s hand, then leaned his head against hers, wearing a sincere grin.

“He’s still a catch, my Harry,” Gran said.

Hailey watched them walk, arm-in-arm, across the parking lot, the moment tugging at her heart. How much longer will they have each other? How much longer will I be able to spend time with them? She pushed these questions aside because considering the answers was too daunting.

They arrived at the restaurant and sat next to a large window, the scent of garlic and seafood wafting through the room. After they placed their orders, Gran said, “I haven’t heard at all from Regina. I’m afraid . . .”

“There’s no reason to worry. I’m sure she’s fine. Probably off exploring the world again.” Hailey didn’t care much where her aunt was, but she didn’t want Gran to worry.

“But look what happened with Lila. She was fine one day, then gone the next. What if something happens to Regina?”

“I bet she’ll show up again—”

“In a month? A year? Who knows when she’ll come home again or contact us? I worry about her.” Gran’s eyes moistened.

Hailey held her grandmother’s hand. “I know. It’s hard to have her live like she does. But I know she loves you.”

“She has a funny way of showing it.” Gran’s mouth twitched.

“Yes, she does.” Actually, she has a terrible way of showing it.

Gramps shook his head. Hailey didn’t need words to know he was disgusted with the actions of his daughter; she could see it painted all over his face. How could Regina hurt them like this?

They finished their meals without saying much and then made their way back to the house.

“I’m sure tired,” Gran said as they stepped inside. “I think I’d like to take a nap.”

“Gramps and I will find something to do.” Hailey was sleepy herself, and the accounts she needed to attend to weighed on her, but she didn’t want to leave Gramps alone.

Gran wagged her finger at them. “Don’t get into any trouble.”

“Us?” Hailey put her arm around Gramps. “We’d never get into trouble, would we?”

Gramps shook his head with an innocent expression.

After Gran left, Hailey said, “So what’ll it be? A game of cards? A movie?”

Gramps pointed through the window to the car.

“A drive?”

He nodded.

Hailey blinked. She thought they’d stay home, but if Gramps wanted to take a drive she was more than happy to oblige.