Page 36 of One Golden Ring
“We’ll eat in the dining hall tomorrow,” he agrees, looking relieved.
The girls use the scissors from the sewing kit Darcy keeps in her purse to snip the tags from the outfitGrandpa liked best. And while they do that, he gives Margo a dinner order for all of us.
“I’ll just go and change,” he says when they’re done, nodding to the bathroom.
“Oh, J.B. and I were going to go get hot chocolate anyway,” Darcy says immediately. “We’ll knock before we come back in. Can we bring you guys some?”
We wave them off, and I stand to help my grandfather with his change of clothing. I’m grateful to Darcy all over again for knowing that he shouldn’t try to change by himself in that tiny bathroom, especially if he’s tired.
It’s quiet in the room except for the whistling of the radiator and the soft sounds of the fabric moving. I hate being faced with his frailty, but it’s an honor to be here for my grandfather.
I should be here all the time, a little voice whispers in the back of my mind.
And maybe it’s right. What’s all the money for, if not to give me the freedom to be around when my family needs me?
When we’re finished, I walk with him to the bathroom so he can admire himself in the mirror.
He looks great. He chose the first outfit the girls prepared for him and the blue turtleneck really does bring out his eyes.
“Not bad, eh?” he asks, winking at me in the mirror.
“You look amazing,” I tell him honestly.
He chuckles and shuffles back into the room, climbing into bed and sighing when he gets himself comfortable.
“I get tired so easily these days,” he says softly. It’s hisfirst reference to his illness since he told me he didn’t want the surgery.
“You had a busy day,” I remind him.
“I didn’t even work,” he retorts.
“Well, I don’t think opening doors was really giving you much of a workout,” I tease him.
He chuckles at that. We both know he doesa lotmore around here than opens doors.
Well, hedid.
It’s a sobering thought, and I think we’re both relieved when there’s a knock on the door.
“Come in,” he calls out.
Darcy and J.B. spill in with steaming mugs of hot cocoa and news of the family with the support dog that’s checking in right now.
A few minutes later, there’s another knock and a couple of employees are greeting us and carrying in our dinner.
J.B. scrambles up to eat dinner in bed with her great-grandpa while Darcy takes the other seat at the little table with me.
Everything smells delicious. Grandpa says a quick prayer for us, then we all dig in.
I’ve eaten at the most expensive restaurants in New York and the food hasn’t tasted nearly this good.
I guess it’s the company.
Later that night,I’m feeling well-fed and content as I follow Darcy and J.B. into the cabin. The walk down thehill was brisk enough to wake me up a little, but I don’t think I’ll have any problem sleeping tonight. It’s been a day.
“Hey, wait,” J.B. says suddenly. “You said you had something for me.”
“Somethingteeny,” Darcy warns her. “Just a little treat in case we have a movie night.”
