Page 62 of The Healing Garden
Mr. Davis looked over at her, his brows pinched. “Broke her heart...” His voice was quiet. “Her daughter said this?”
Carly nodded, and Wyatt said, “Yeah, she made it sound like it was devastating and that Susan’s still not over it after all these years.”
Mr. Davis rocked back on the bench. “I don’t understand. Susan and I were the best of friends. We dated, we were in love, yes, but life happened. We wrote to each other for years, and she completely stopped after getting engaged. I’m the one who was heartbroken.” His voice trembled at the end of his speech, and he raised a shaky hand to wipe his eyes.
Anita found a tissue pack in her purse and crossed to him to hand one over. “I’m sorry,” she said. “We didn’t know what to make of Lila’s comments, so we’re hoping that you can tell us what happened.”
Mr. Davis used the tissue, then raised both his hands in surrender. “I honestly don’t know. I don’t have that final letter anymore. When Norma and I married, we both purged our things of old girlfriends and old boyfriends. We started with a clean slate. She knew about Susan, of course, and I knew about Norma’s former beau...” His voice trailed off and he closed his eyes.
“Gramps?” Wyatt set a hand on his shoulder. “Are you all right?”
Mr. Davis released a long breath. “I need to talk to her. I need to find out what Susan told her daughter.”
Wyatt exchanged glances with Anita. She didn’t have any answers...Lila had made her stance pretty clear.
Mr. Davis turned to his grandson. “Can you call again? Give them the number here. Ask if Susan can call me. Or her daughter is welcome to as well.”
Wyatt dipped his chin. “I can try again, Gramps, but I don’t know if that will just make things worse.”
“It’s already at its worst.” Mr. Davis raised a trembling hand and rubbed his forehead. “I know my memory isn’t what it used to be, but what in the world does she mean?”
Wyatt rested a hand on his grandpa’s shoulder. “I don’t know, Gramps.”
Anita’s stomach twisted into knots at the obvious distress Mr. Davis was feeling. He looked at Carly. “Can you help me write a letter to Susan? My handwriting is no longer steady.”
She straightened and looked at Anita, who gave her a nod of approval. “I’d be happy to,” she said to him. “When should we write it?”
“Tonight,” he said in a determined voice. “Then one of you can mail it. The mail service here is slower than a snail’s pace.”
Wyatt’s forehead creased, but he said, “All right. I can mail it tomorrow. No problem, Gramps.”
So they headed inside, and Anita located some paper, an envelope, and a pen. As Mr. Davis dictated his letter to Carly, Anita sat near Wyatt.
“What do you think?” she asked quietly, so they wouldn’t be overheard.
“I think a letter has a better chance than a phone call,” Wyatt said. “But it still might not get past Lila.”
“That’s true.” She sighed. “I wish Lila would have told us a little more.”
He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. “It’s hard to know if this is a case of lost memories, or something that Gramps didn’t realize he’d done. A miscommunication or something. Or...maybe he’s not admitting to it?”
Anita bit her lip. “Maybe. Although it would be strange for your grandpa to forget something that obviously really hurt Susan.”
Wyatt nodded, and they both watched and waited as Carly finished the letter writing. After Mr. Davis had dictated his last words, he reached for his walker. “I’m ready to turn in for the night.”
“Already?” Wyatt moved to his feet. “Are you feeling all right?”
“I’m tired, son,” Mr. Davis said. “I appreciate all you’ve done and that you were able to track down Susan. Now we just have to pray that she’ll be willing to talk to me. Let me know the moment you get in touch with her daughter again.”
“I will.” Wyatt reached his side and grasped his elbow. “Do you need help to your room?”
“No, it looks like Ginny is taking me.”
The aide arrived just then. “Everything all right? Did you have a nice visit?”
“It was an interesting visit, Ginny,” Mr. Davis said in a subdued tone. “I’m ready to go my room now.”
“Of course.” She glanced at Wyatt.