CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

The next day, Hailey accompanied Gran to the mortuary again to answer a few questions and finish the arrangements. Thinking about the whole thing made her body throb with pain, and all of this made memories of losing her dad resurface.

Gran put her arm around Hailey as they left. “We’re quite a pair.”

“Yes, we are.”

“I think it’s time for us to do something to lift our spirits.” Gran squeezed Hailey’s shoulder.

“What did you have in mind?” Nothing sounded appealing today.

“Let’s get our nails done.”

Hailey blinked, then studied Gran. “You never get your nails done.”

“Maybe it’s time I tried it.” Gran shrugged.

Surprised, but willing to support Gran, Hailey drove them over to a nail salon, hoping it would make both of them feel a little lighter.

When they walked into of the salon, the strong scent of nail polish remover hit Hailey’s nose and made it itchy.

Gran said to the desk attendant, “We want the works.”

“A mani and a pedi?” the petite Asian woman with long hair asked in a thick accent.

“Yes. For me and my granddaughter.”

Hailey picked out a pale peach color. She’d never had her nails done before. It felt almost decadent to have someone pamper her.

“This will make us both feel better,” Gran said with assurance. “We need some spoiling.”

Gran was right. After an hour at the small salon, Hailey didn’t feel so heavy and sad.

“I’m not ready to go home,” Gran said when they got into the car. “Let’s go to the mall. I don’t have a nice black dress.”

Hailey wasn’t anxious to go back home and deal with Regina either, but she didn’t want Gran to feel obligated to buy a new dress. “I don’t think you have to wear black.”

“It’s the proper thing to do.” She patted Hailey’s hand. “And I’ll buy you one too.”

“I have one, but I didn’t bring it. I thought . . .” Hailey let her sentence trail off. She started up the car and they began driving.

“We didn’t expect this to happen.” Gran said. “But Harry wouldn’t want us to be miserable. We need to celebrate his life instead of mourn his death. We should be grateful for the years we had with him instead of being sad because of the years we won’t.” Gran crossed her ankles. “I’ve given this a lot of thought since he passed. And I think I’m going to . . .”

“What?”

“Go to my sister’s house for a while.” Gran gave a strong nod indicating her mind was made up. “Mary needs me. I can stay busy helping her and we can get caught up.”

“That’s a good idea.” Thinking of Gran with Aunt Mary made Hailey’s heart happy.

“Nothing I can do will bring my Harry back. We had a good life. No,” she held up her finger, “we had a great life together. I don’t want to spend the rest of mine being sad. I’d rather remember the happy times we had together and be grateful for that. Not everyone spends their life happy. I’m one of the lucky ones.”

“You are an amazing lady, Gran.” Hailey was filled with a deep sense of gratitude that she’d been able to spend this time with Gramps and Gran. She was a fortunate woman to have such wonderful role models.

“I don’t know how I would’ve gotten through this last month or so without you here. Thank you.”

Hailey slipped a look at Gran, whose eyes glistened. With a thick voice, Hailey said, “I love you.”

Gran smiled. “I know you do. You have always been good to us. Which is more than I can say about my daughter.”

Hailey found a parking space and pulled the car in. “What are you going to do about Regina when you go to Aunt Mary’s?”

“I’m going to tell her to get herself together. It’s about time, isn’t it?” Gran clucked her tongue.

Hailey wasn’t sure she’d want to witness that conversation, but Gran would need moral support to take on Regina. “Yes. And I’ll be there with you when you tell her.”

Gran pointed at Hailey. “And then you’ll need to get on with your life.”

Hailey nodded, unsure of what that meant for her.

They both got out of the car and started walking arm-in-arm toward the mall.

“What will you do about Peter?” Gran asked.

“There’s nothing to do. His life is here and mine is in Colorado.” Hailey placed a lock of hair behind her ear. “It isn’t meant to be.”

Gran gazed ahead, seeming to be in thoughtful consideration. “Are you sure about that?”

“I have to be.” What other choice did she have? She couldn’t stay in Florida with no job and no reason to be here anymore. Her life was back west, even if that meant she’d leave a piece of her heart in the south.

***

After shopping for almost two hours, they both found dresses appropriate for Gramps’s service. His death was sinking in and feeling more real.

When they returned to the house, Regina was lounging on the couch. “Where have you been all day?” She scowled at Hailey.

“Taking care of details,” Gran said as she set her bag on the table.

“Oh.”

“After the funeral, I’m going to Oregon.” Gran said it so matter-of-factly that it even took Hailey by surprise.

“You are?” Regina said with a shocked expression.

“To be with Mary.” Gran took off her shoes. “She needs me.”

Regina swung her legs off the couch and with a pained expression said, “When will you be back?”

“I’m not sure.” Gran walked into the kitchen.

“I can take care of the house,” Regina called after her, then gave Hailey a smirk.

Less than a minute later, with a glass of water in her hand, Gran stood in the doorway and said firmly, “No.”

Regina blinked a few times and shook her head like she hadn’t heard Gran. “What?”

Gran squared her shoulders. “You need to get on your own two feet. For good this time.”

“But, Momma,” Regina whined.

Gran held her hand up. “You’ve been wandering aimlessly for years, Regina. I love you and always will, but it’s time. You need to get it together.”

Regina frowned. She stood and then stomped back to her room, slamming the door.

Gran looked at Hailey and shrugged. Hailey suppressed a smile. Regina was always doing the leaving, never letting Gran and Gramps know where she was or when she might be back. It was about time Gran stood up to her.