“I haven’t figured it out yet,” she said honestly. “He seems to care about me, Gramps. Things have moved very quickly between us, but we have a lot going against us.”
His body was unstill, and she could tell the medicine wasn’t working like it should, but his eyes were the same eyes that had guided her for so many years. She couldn’t imagine what it would be like one day when he wasn’t there to help her.
“Like what? His money?”
“Well, there’s that, but that isn’t really the issue. He’s moving to New York, and no one can convince him otherwise. His business is demanding it.”
“And you wouldn’t consider going to New York to see him?”
“I wouldn’t want to pursue anything long distance, Gramps. The travel would be really hard on Max. Plus, all that running around would give me less time to see you.” She smiled, but didn’t receive a smile in return.
“Don’t you dare make a decision about your future based on me.”
How could he say such a thing? Of course she would. She was going to use some of Nick’s money to buy his new medicine. She’d want to be around to monitor him if they tried it. And if it didn’t work, she’d want to be there to find something that did. Over the years, Gramps had given her and her mother a whole lot; she couldn’t possibly give him all that he’d given her, but she could darn well try.
“Gramps, I’m not going to leave you.”
“If it will affect your life, you’d better.”
She knew that he wasn’t going to budge, so she had to come at it from the logical standpoint. “I’m going to help you with the Parkinson’s as it progresses,” she said. “I’m the one in the family who knows your options and how to handle the disease. Do you really want me to leave all the decisions on Mom’s shoulders while I run back and forth to New York?”
She’d made her point, but he didn’t like it, she could tell.
“And what decisions do we have? Meds or no meds? Options to keep me from being a grump? What are you going to do for me, Abbey?”
“I think I can buy those trial meds you need.”
For an instant, he was stiller than he’d been, hope washing over him, but then, it dissipated and he connected the dots. He knew the only way she’d have that kind of money was if she used Nick’s payment for the interior decorating. She didn’t even have to say anything.
“Max needs that money more than I do.”
“Max will be just fine. You need it, Gramps. If those meds will help you, I’ll get them. It’s worth a try.”
“For what—to prolong the inevitable?” His fingers were jumping all over his lap now. “I’ve had my life, Abbey. You and Max and your mother have not finished yours. Don’t waste it on me.”
“How’s it wasting it if I’m spending it on making someone I love better?”
“When your grandmother got sick, you were only little, so we kept you from a lot of it, but there came a time where the cancer was everywhere and she asked that we not do anything too invasive. She just wanted to live out the rest of her days. That was it. We all have a certain amount of time here. Live out your days. Invest that money in an interior decorating business! Do something other than sink it into an old man. Enjoy life! Stop trying to prolong mine. I’ve had a great run.”
She didn’t want to be having this conversation. It was almost Christmas for goodness’ sake. She wanted everything to be great this year. She wanted a dream holiday—the kind like the movies. But life wasn’t like that, and, while she’d do her very best, it would never be exactly the way she wanted it.
“Hi, Mama!” Max said as he entered the room, Abbey’s mom behind him. “Look what I made with Nana.” He held out a coloring page that had every detail colored.
“It’s pretty,” Abbey said.
“How’d the shopping trip go?” her mom asked, more questions than just that one hanging in the air between them.
“It went fine,” Abbey said. “Nick got me this.” She stroked the scarf that was still around her neck. She hadn’t taken it off with her coat when she’d come in. Señor Freckles was sitting in the corner of the room by the kitchen door, presumably ready to make a run for her new scarf. The only thing deterring him was the fact that there were people present. Was he zooming in on it right now? It sure looked like it.
“Wow,” her mom said as Max ran his fingers along it. “That is a very nice gesture.”
“I couldn’t believe he bought it for me.” She wiggled it while looking at the cat, knowing he’d never dare get close enough to play with it.