Page 39 of Taming Georgia

“Normally, I wouldn’t say anything because Wyatt is a private person. But it sounds like he’s already told you the major bullet points. So, he must trust you.”

I nod, urging her to continue.

“I think I told you how I used to work with his mother, Natalie. We were nurses together. Well, Wyatt’s dad was murdered when he was six—shot by someone he didn’t know at a gas station. Natalie didn’t handle her husband’s death well. Shortly after the funeral, she fell and broke her wrist and became addicted to the pain pills she had been prescribed. I think they helped her numb the pain that was so unbearable for her. You know, I saw her changing right before my eyes.

“She and her husband and little Wyatt had been our family. Earl and I couldn’t have kids. Natalie and I had grown close, and so did our families.”

I tilt my lips into a grin. I try to imagine what a toddler-aged Wyatt looked like. “I bet Wyatt was so cute when he was little.”

“He was. He’s always been simply adorable, even now. Despite his rough demeanor, he’s such a handsome man.”

Her expression saddens. “So, anyway, I saw her changing, but I thought she was just working through her grief. Eventually, I guess she started stealing pills from our medical cart. She was caught and was fired. She and Wyatt continued to live in their nice home for a while, but Natalie’s addiction grew, and after she burned through their savings, she started selling off their possessions until, eventually, they lost everything.”

“That’s so sad,” I say.

“It is. They moved to these horrible, cheap apartments in Ypsilanti. I knew it wasn’t a good area, but Natalie was a grown woman. I couldn’t tell her what to do. I didn’t realize at the time that her addiction had moved beyond pills. I still thought she was in control. She pushed us away. I tried to stay in her and Wyatt’s lives, but she made it clear she didn’t want Earl or me around. We saw them less and less until we didn’t see them at all.”

A tear falls down Ethel’s cheek. “I feel horrible because I didn’t know how bad it was for him. I was clueless. I never thought she’d let it get that bad. He had a really hard childhood, one that no little boy should have to go through. I blame myself. I should’ve forced myself into their lives. I should’ve realized her behavior was due to the drugs. I should’ve gotten her help. I didn’t know.”

“Ethel, of course you didn’t. It’s not your fault.”

“Wyatt tells me the same, but I don’t believe it. I should’ve helped him. I was all he had, and I didn’t know. I failed him.” She holds the napkin to her eyes.

Shame for wanting to pry into Wyatt’s past takes hold. I wanted to know details, but I didn’t want to make Ethel cry at her birthday dinner.

“I’m so sorry,” I tell her.

She takes a deep breath. “When I got news of his mother’s passing, I went to find him. But his apartment was empty. He was gone. I’d naively hoped he was off at college or on another adventure. I didn’t know at the time how bad things had been, so I assumed he was off, living the life an eighteen-year-old should.

“Then, the following spring, I was walking through Ann Arbor, window-shopping. I remember the day so clearly because it was the first day we’d had sunshine in over a month. It had been a long and brutal winter. I passed a homeless man and his brindle dog on the street. I stopped to give him some money, and when I looked into his eyes, I gasped. His eyes are so distinct, so blue…they gave him away. I knew it was him. I dropped to my knees, and I hugged him as I cried. I told him how very sorry I was that I didn’t find him sooner. I took him and Cooper home with me that very second, and I haven’t let him out of my sight since.”

“He still lives with you?”

“No, he’s gotten his own place since, but as much as we’re at the shelter, we practically live together.”

A smile returns to her face, and I’m glad. I much prefer her laughter to her tears.

I’m a horrible person for prying.

I pull the gift from beside me and hand it to her. “I know it’s not the end of dinner yet, but do you want to open your present now?” I ask her, a wide smile across my face.

“Wow, Georgia. You didn’t have to get me anything. That’s so sweet.”

I clasp my hands together in front of my chest, so eager for her to see her present. She pulls the shirt out of the bag and starts laughing, the wonderful sound erupting from deep down, lighting up the room.

“Do you love it?” I clap.

“Oh, darling. Yes, I love it.”

She holds the pink shirt out in front of her. The front has a tabby cat wearing a wizard’s hat, riding a dog through a forest where all of the trees are lush with glittery hot-pink leaves. The cat is lifting one paw in which it holds a cup of coffee. The image makes no sense whatsoever, and that’s why it’s completely brilliant.

“What in the hell is that?” Wyatt’s gruff voice asks from behind me.

“Isn’t it great?” I grin.

He shakes his head with a roll of his eyes and sits in one of the empty chairs at the table.

“You’re late,” I tell him.

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