“Todos Santos is amazing. You have to come visit soon. We’re right on the beach and it’s such a paradise.”
“So that’s an official invite?”
“Yes. Although you never need one. Trick’s been drawing … he sold one for thirty grand in only a week. The gallery owner said he could have gotten so much more had he more time.”
“What did he draw?”
My heart sinks. In all of my enthusiasm I sort of forgot that would be a natural follow-up question, but this is Nana and she’ll know I’m lying if I try to tell her anything but the truth.
“A woman from his past.” I frown.
Her eyes go wide. “From his past that he forgot?”
I nod.
“So he remembers?”
“Not really. All he has is the image. He doesn’t know why he has it. I think he drew her hoping it would trigger the rest of his memory, but it hasn’t.”
“Is she pretty?”
“Yes, older looking … well, at least older than he would have been at the time he last saw her.”
“What was she doing in the picture?”
I grimace. “Lying on a bed … naked.”
Nana’s brows form two tall peaks. “And what did you do when you saw it?”
“I kinda freaked out. It’s such a long story, but we’re good now and the fact that he made so much money off it somehow made everything better.”
“Because you two needed the money?” Nana has trouble keeping a straight face.
I roll my eyes. “Yes, we did. We have rent and other expenses, and aside from the little bit of money that I’ve made tutoring our neighbor, neither one of us have had a reliable form of income until he sold that drawing.”
Nana pushes away her tray of food. “I could give you money, dear.”
“I don’t want it.”
“It’s not as much as it could have been, but it’s rightfully yours. I’m not going to live forever and your grandfather worked hard for it. He would want you to have it.”
“He never knew me.”
“But he would have adored you.”
I smile. “Thank you for saying that.” I take her hand. “But I have money. I’ve never made a rent or house payment until now.” I give her the you-should-know-why look. “And I’ve worked full time ever since I graduated from college, without student loans to pay back. And I’ve made decent money with my job.”
Nana smiles. “I’m so proud of you. You’re a shimmering gem, Darby. You have such a big heart and you know what’s important in life. All those girls in school missed out on being friends with you. Shame on them. I bet not a single one of them grew up to be half the woman you are today.”
“You mean Darby the Doormat?”
“No!” Nana scowls. “If everyone were a hard ass like me, the world would be in trouble. Never apologize for being compassionate. It’s who you are and the recipients of that compassion are some of the luckiest people in the world, and I can guarantee they will never forget you.”
“Love you, Nana. Now…” I pull her blankets up and smooth them over her “…get some rest.”
*
As soon as Nana’s asleep, I head down to the cafeteria. Everywhere I look I’m met with watchful eyes and sad expressions. I get a bag of pretzels and a bottled water then take a seat at an empty table. First I feel it, then I look around to confirm it—the glances that make a quick diversion every time I look up, followed by whispering and subtle gestures in my direction. I pop a mini pretzel into my mouth and chew it in slow motion as I glance up at the TV in the corner.
Senator Carmichael was pronounced dead after four hours of surgery in attempts to repair massive internal bleeding sustained from a car accident last night. There has been no official details released in regards to his funeral arrangements …
I shake my head slowly.
“Your father didn’t make it.”
“I’m so sorry …”
“So sorry about your father …”
“We’re all here for you.”
“It was my idea … he didn’t want to go …”
“No!” I scream the word, silencing the room. My heart is ready to explode. I can’t breathe as my mind tries to make sense of everything. A surge of nausea has me buckling over. Grabbing my purse, I rush past the heads all turned in my direction to get to the bathroom. I barely make it to the toilet before I expel what little is in my stomach. “Oh God!” I continue to dry heave.
Sitting back on the dirty floor of the stall, I hug my knees to my chest and shiver through a cold sweat. Fumbling for my purse, I manage to retrieve my phone and send off a text with only four letters.
Me: help
I drop my phone in my bag and lay my forehead on my knees, praying for help.