“You haven’t changed a bit,” I tell her. “Same old Auntie Bev.”
“‘Old’ being the operative word,” Bev cautions. Her edgy smile suddenly dulls to a soft grin. “I’m slowing down, Emily. Maybe not my mind, but my body. These old bones are not what they used to be.” A sad shadow creeps over her face. “My sister is worse, I’m afraid.”
The room is now very quiet. “How bad is she?”
Before Ann’s sickness we used to go see Grandma Grace about every other month, and probably more than that during the summer. Lately, though, it’s been tough to make time.
“She has her moments. You’ll see next week. Sometimes she’s there, sometimes she isn’t. She’s definitely getting weaker, though, which makes me glad I was able to come out when I did. We were still able to talk about old times, laugh a little. It may end up being the last time I get to do that with her. In this life anyway.”
“Well, I know she was looking forward to having you around. It’s so nice you were able to come for so long.”
Bev smiles. “And now it’s your turn to get a little Grace-time.” She turns to Cade and slaps his leg. “Cade, you be sure to enjoy your great-grandma this summer, while you have the chance. She’s a grand old lady.”
“I will,” he promises.
Knowing Cade, he hasn’t given a moment’s thought to the fact that his great-grandmother is deteriorating over at the coast. Since he found out we’re going there, all he talks about is how much fun it’s going to be spending the whole summer playing on the beach. He’s convinced that he is going to build the world’s largest sand castle, and last night he drew a picture of the kite he’s going to make that looks and flies just like a seagull.
“You too, girls,” Bev tells Ann and Bree before turning back to me. “I know I’ve just arrived, but is it too soon to talk business?”
Dell and I share a perplexed look. “What business?” asks Dell.
Bev’s purse is sitting on the ground at her feet. She bends over and retrieves some papers. “I hope it won’t be a burden,” she says as she rifles through them. “Actually, I know it probably will be a burden, but I hope it’s the type of burden that you won’t mind.” She looks up, her eyes earnest. “I’d like you to fix the place up a bit. It’s long overdue for a face-lift, which it will surely need in order to sell it.”
For a moment, all is quiet. Finally I find my words. “What are you talking about? Grandma’s house?”
“Yes. While you’re staying there, would you mind terribly sprucing it up? I think it will sell for more if you get rid of—Well, you know how she loves that ocean theme. But it’s a little outdated. More than a little. With some elbow grease and your knack for decorating I’m sure the market value will be quite handsome.” Bev winks playfully, as though she’s toying with us, leading us carefully down a path. “Grace and I thought you could get more out of it if you put a little into it. But if you want to sell it as is, that’s fine too, I suppose.”
Dell makes a sound like he’s choking on phlegm, then asks, “What do you mean if we sell it? Why are we selling it at all?”
A gigantic smile spreads across Bev’s wrinkly old face. “Because, Delly boy, you and your family are loved.” She smiles even bigger and shrugs playfully. “Grace and I discussed it, and given all of your bills and whatnot, we want you to sell that house so you can pay things off.” She reaches out and hands him the papers. “While I was there, Grace had me meet with an attorney to make some legal preparations for—Well, for when she’s no longer here. I did so, and as part of that, Grace already signed the house over to you.” She pauses once more, clasping her withered hands together. “It’s all paid off and everything, and yours to do with as you please.”
All Dell can manage to stammer is, “Oh my gosh…Are you serious?…Oh my gosh…”
I don’t even try to speak. With tears streaming down my face I stand up and join Bev on the couch and just squeeze and squeeze.
Just like that, we own a beach house.
And just like that, there is the tiniest sliver of light at the end of my tunnel.
Chapter 7
Cade
IT’S THE FIRST FULL DAY of summer vacation. Shouldn’t I be able to sleep in?
I guess not, because the squeak of old-woman slippers coming down the stairs just woke me up.
When I open my eyes, Aunt Bev is tiptoeing across the floor in bright-green pajamas and pink leather moccasins. She freezes when she sees that I’m awake. “Sorry,” she whispers.