He takes a hoarse breath, stroking her salt-and-peppered brown hair.
Grandpa Michael ruins us all by kneeling by his mother’s bed, laying his hands on her arms and his head on the blanket. “Mom,” he whispers. “Mom!”
Grandma Nance rests her hand on his shoulder blades, standing by him, silently strong as tears stream down her face unchecked.
It doesn’t take long before the room is overflowing with most of the adult members of our Cocker Family, news having spread fast and cars getting here faster. I step out to give my cousins space, and to talk to Nicholas, his wife Madison, Nathan, and our red-nosed, green-eyed sister Zoe who whispers, “I brought flowers.”
Nathan wraps his arm around her, “Of course you did,” and kisses her head.
“Guys, this is Diana, my girlfriend.”
Nicholas and Zoe nod to her, their surprise evident, as Madison smiles, “Nice to meet you.”
“Hi,” she whispers, wiping her eyes.
Nicholas asks, “You uh, been together long? How come I didn’t know about this?”
“You’ve been a little busy,” I remind him. “And we’re taking things slow.”
They’re wondering why my new girl is so emotional about our great-grandmother this soon. Diana spots the questions in their eyes and offers, “I work here. I’ve been friends with May for a year before I met Wyatt.”
“Oh!” Zoe says, eyes widening as she pictures it. “You’re so lucky!”
Diana smiles, sniffling, “Your great-grandmother is an absolute sweetheart. We’ve gotten pretty close. Those are amazing.”
Zoe’s green eyes drop to the colorful bouquet. “These are called ranunculus.” Our sister is a florist and has been for years, plants and flowers her only passion. “To me they’re like Grams. They look delicate but they last much longer than most flowers. Not as much as carnations, but those aren’t nearly as special as Grams is.”
“I hope she gets to see them.”
Zoe sniffles, “Me too!”
Mom approaches us, “Kids, I’m going to have some food delivered. We have a large group that’s not going anywhere anytime soon.” Her frown focuses on me. “I hear you have a girlfriend, Wyatt.”
“Mom, this is Diana.”
“Hi Mrs. Cocker.”
“Meagan, call me Meagan,” she smiles with pain behind her eyes. We quickly fill her in about Diana knowing Grams and she listens, watchful. “I see. Well, it’s nice to meet you. I’m sorry it’s under these circumstances.” Turning to Nicholas she lowers her volume, “Your father is being strong but he’s torn up. Go to him while I make some calls and find something we can all eat?”
“Sure.”
“I’ll be here,” Maddie nods, releasing his fingers and watching him go.
Diana leans into me, lost in thought. “I have to call my parents, tell them I can’t come.”
“You want to go and come back?”
Her eyelashes drop to the tile. “I could do that. It’s their thirtieth and—”
“—It’s a big deal, I know. It’s okay. You should be there. I’m going to stay here.”
She touches my face. “Okay. Call me when May wakes up.”
My eyes burn, because I don’t think she’s going to. “Sure, yeah. Tell them I’m sorry I couldn’t make it.”
We kiss goodbye and she smiles to my family, before walking to the bridge and disappearing. Mom heads away, but her eyes are on my girl.
CHAPTER 33
WYATT
Z oe’s expression is soft. “I like her, Wyatt.”
“She’s pretty good.”
Nathan’s watching Mom tuck herself into the nearest corner, finger plugging her ear so she can hear what the restaurant is saying. “You never told Mom or Dad?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Hadn’t thought about it.”
“Or Nicholas.”
Eyeing him I take a beat, wondering what his problem is. “No.”
“You didn’t tell me about her, either.”
“So, Zoe? Do I know who you’re dating?”
“I haven’t met anyone yet.”
“Would you call me?”
“No.”
“There ya go.”
“But if I actually had a boyfriend, I’d definitely tell you by that time. Just dating, no, I would keep that to myself. You’d make me stop.”
Madison only recently joined our family. But together the three of them stare at me, unblinking.
Shoving my hands in my pockets I shrug, “What? What’s the problem?”
“You’re on the fence,” Nate says as if it’s obvious.
I lower my voice and step a little closer so we can’t be overheard. “For your information, I’m not even sleeping with her yet. We are taking our time, getting to know each other. I’ve never done this before, so excuse me if I don’t bring you all with me. This is my personal life.”
They’re quiet for a second before Zoe says, “Nothing more personal than family.”
“Would you like me to text you when—”
She waves her hand to cut me off. “Have you visited Grams here? Without us?”
“You could have visited Grams if you wanted.”
“I have!”
Nathan pulls Zoe to him as her eyes fill up with tears. “Hey, it’s okay. He’s being defensive. You know how he gets.”
“Yeah,” she whispers. Our sister is older than us, but a younger soul. Zoe always sees the good in everything, and she’s sensitive when it comes to harsh words, or conflict. Rose petals never argue.
Our cousin, Caden, walks up, a heart surgeon who became one so we’d have someone on the inside when things like this went down. He raises his voice to announce, “I spoke to the doctor.”
Our family hushes, shifting around to better see his face.
Grandpa Michael appears in the doorframe of Gram’s room to hear the news, Grandma Nance behind him, holding his arm. To steady him or herself, I don’t know. Both, probably.
“This isn’t because of any failing on their part, or hers. Her body is just fine, organs healthy. Tests good. We’re not sure why she hasn’t woken up. I hate to say it, guys, because you know I wish there was something I could do, but it might be her time.” He sighs, voice heavy. “She’s slipping away. If you have anything you want to say, this is your chance.”
Shocked reactions spread throughout, denial fading away with every passing second.
Samantha and Lexi, Caden’s sisters and Uncle Jason’s and Aunt Sarah’s only two daughters, standing with an arm around each other, Lexi’s head resting on Sam’s shoulder since Sam is taller.
Their eldest brother,
