The Dream - Whitney Dineen Page 0,97
ending plunging into a fiery pit.
Davis parks in the circular drive of the nursing home, like he always does. Once again, he offers me his arm as we walk inside to collect his grandmother. A sensation of rightness washes over me, even though I know it’s so wrong.
Gran is already dressed and waiting for us. She’s wearing a new peach-colored dress and summer hat that Gracie bought for her. I admire her, saying, “Look at you in your pretty new clothes!”
She smiles as though it’s causing real effort to do so. “Hello,” she says. “Who are you?”
Davis sits on the bed next to her and takes her hand. “I’m your grandson, Davis, and this is my beautiful friend, Ashley.”
His beautiful friend. My heart drops into my stomach, leaving a gaping hole of pure longing. Davis hasn’t called me once since I told him there was no future for us. While I’m glad that he heard me, I’m also more than a tiny bit disappointed he chose to abide by my dictate. Not that there could ever be anything between us the way things currently stand, but still, a girl likes to be fought for.
Gran asks, “Where are we going?”
“We’re going to your granddaughter Emmie’s wedding,” I tell her. “She’s so happy you’re able to attend.”
She considers my words before saying, “That’s right, John told me about it last night. He said that he’s been waiting to take me with him until I go to the wedding. I just didn’t know whose wedding.”
Davis pulls his grandmother into his arms, while giving me the saddest look in the whole world. He’s like a lost little boy when he says, “Thanks for staying, Gran. It’s the biggest gift you could give to us.”
“You’re welcome, honey,” she says. “But if you don’t mind, I’d like to ride in one of those wheelie chairs today. I’m kind of tired.” In all the time I’ve known Davis’s grandmother, she’s never wanted to sit in a wheelchair. The last several weeks have been like watching a once-vibrant flower start to fade, then wilt. It’s heartbreaking.
Yet, I know as well as anyone how life constantly changes. Maybe my need to control that change is one of the reasons I’ve tried so hard to keep things the same. I’ve clung to the past, trying in vain to dam up the ever-flowing current of life.
I’ve finally learned that nothing I do will keep the future at bay. My mom is dead. It’s more than clear that Gran is heading that way herself. In spite of all the uncertainty, I need to force myself to release my grip and let life carry me where it will.
The ride to the wedding is nearly as quiet as the drive to the home. I’m sure Davis’s thoughts are on his grandmother’s declaration about leaving soon. Will it be a day? A week? No one knows.
Gran leans her head against my shoulder and says, “I’m just going to take a little rest, if that’s okay.”
I put my arm around her to offer her slight frame some support. “You go right ahead.”
When Davis pulls up to his old family home, the house Lexi currently owns, he says, “Today is going to be a big day.”
“Of course it will be,” I confirm. “It’s a wedding.”
“No, Ash. I mean it’s going to be a big day for you. Please try to keep an open mind.”
Panic flows through me like I’m a bear caught in a trap. “Why would it be a big day for me?” I ask. But it’s too late, he’s already gotten out of the car and is opening the trunk to retrieve the wheelchair we brought for Gran.
Today should be a big day for a lot of people, but I shouldn’t be anywhere near that list. The only thing that gets me out of the car is knowing how important it is to the Frothinghams that Gran is here. But I tell you this, even with that motivation, I can barely force my feet to move.
Chapter Fifty-Seven
The ceremony is set up around a large vintage fountain in Lexi’s backyard. There are probably two hundred chairs arranged on either side of it with a wide aisle running between. Two large flower arrangements are located on either side of the elegantly draped bridal arch. The setting is positively enchanting.
Davis pushes his grandmother’s chair up to the front row which has been roped off for family members. “Do you mind if I leave you here while I let