Page 44 of High Society

“Of course. The guilt and self-recrimination, that’s to be expected. But there’s more to it.”

“Oh? What else?”

“It’s rocked her confidence, Walter. In a way that I’ve never seen in her before. Frankly, I think she’s a little lost.”

Walter sips his tea without commenting. Even at ninety, his silence is still intimidating. And few people intimidate Aaron.

Finally, the old man lowers his cup. “How does you coming here to see me help Holly?”

“Who’s more influential in your granddaughter’s life than you?”

“Not you?”

“Not at the moment, no.”

Walter nods. “Do you think that’s possibly related to how skeptical… how unsupportive… you’ve been of her work?”

Her work or yours? Aaron wants to ask. He has always believed that Holly’s relentless focus on psychedelics was driven by the legacy of her grandfather’s lifelong, and failed, ambition to establish them as a mental health cure-all. But Aaron also appreciates that it would be a mistake to antagonize the one person he needs as an ally. “You’re right,” he says. “I was blinded by my own bias. I should have been more supportive.”

“I’m sorry. My eyesight’s really failing me these days. For a while there, I mistook you for Aaron.”

Aaron laughs politely at the dig. “No, Walter, even I have to admit that Holly’s work has been groundbreaking. Particularly, in this group. Apparently, the remaining six members have shown a remarkable response. All of them sober. Like that rock star said: Holly’s method has worked where everything else failed.”

“That man should have kept his mouth shut.”

“I want to support her, Walter.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Is that all you want?”

Aaron hesitates. “Maybe not all. But right now, it’s my priority. It’s what Holly needs.”

“Hmm.”

“Help me help her, Walter.”

“And how do I do that?”

“Well, for the past two days, she hasn’t been taking my calls.”

“And you think I can change her mind?” Walter chuckles. “How well do you know my granddaughter?”

“Fair point.” Aaron smiles. “But if anyone could convince her to, it’s you.”

“I’ve always stayed out of your relationship. Even when I’ve had strong feelings on the matter.” Walter glances at him sidelong. “It’s not my place to intervene.”

Aaron realizes he has to play his trump card. “It’s not only about her feelings.”

Walter frowns. “It’s not?”

“Like it or not, that rock star has put Holly’s work in the limelight. If she loses faith and gives up now with so many people watching? Think how far that could set back the whole psychedelic movement.”

Walter’s blue eyes give away little, but Aaron senses that he has planted enough of a seed. He doesn’t try to expand on it. To do so would just be cruel. Besides, Walter can’t last forever. And once he is gone, Holly will need her husband more than ever.

CHAPTER 22

Sunday, April 14

Every time Holly drives Route 73, she thinks of her father. He died somewhere along this stretch of freeway. She was in the car when it flipped, but she has no memory of the accident, let alone where it occurred. Ever since that retreat to Peru, where she found enough peace and acceptance to move forward with her life, Holly has avoided looking into the crash. But that is changing. Haunted by her DMT-induced visions, she decided this morning that she couldn’t hide from the accident any longer.

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