Chapter 2 #2
“Oh, sweetie, these are magnificent. I’m so proud of you.” She squeezed Kat’s shoulder. “I absolutely love this one—it looks as if the flowers are dancing. I wish I could have them all.” Nana clapped her hands together. “But I suppose it’s better if the whole world has a chance to see them.”
Right. The whole world. Kat smiled. Nana, of course, was her biggest fan.
Kat moved the computer out of the way and put a hand over Nana’s. “That’s enough about me. Tell me how you’re doing. Do you like it here?” She had no idea how much effort her parents had made to find the best place.
“You know, I wasn’t sure I would, but it’s fine. It really is. It’s nice to not have to worry about things.”
Kat’s heart sank. Had Nana been living all alone in fear? “Like what, Nana? What were you worried about?”
She patted Kat’s knee. “The usual things—falling, having the electricity go out or a plumbing problem, having to let strangers into the house. I was beginning to be a burden to your folks, and I never wanted that.”
“Why didn’t you call and tell me?”
Nana reached out and smoothed Kat’s hair then rested her hand on Kat’s cheek. “I’m sorry, sweetie. I wanted to wait until I got here and settled in. I knew you’d have questions I wouldn’t be able to answer right away.”
“Do you have some friends here?”
“Of course. There are some lovely people here. I’m surprised no one’s stopped by yet to take a look at you. All we do is sit around and brag about our grandchildren and great-grandchildren, you know.”
“But you have activities, right?”
“Sweetie, they have a group or class for everything—reading, quilting, painting, sewing, dancing, cooking.” She ticked off the list one finger after another. “And every kind of exercise you can imagine. Why, I’d be exhausted if I did a quarter of them.”
Kat glanced around. This place was a fraction of the size of Nana’s house. “Where’s all your stuff? Did you have a sale or put everything in storage?”
“Most of it’s still in the house. We haven’t sold it yet. But soon. I have some things for you. Why don’t you put the kettle on for some tea, then I’ll show you.”
Kat smiled. Tea with Nana. Of course.
“Use the good china. It’s in the cupboard,” Nana called as Kat filled the kettle with water.
She opened the cupboards and had no trouble finding the elegant gold-rimmed cups with dainty painted flowers and matching saucers.
And there on the counter sat the little ceramic dish Kat had made in middle school.
Nana still used it for tea bags. Kat’s eyes misted.
It was almost as if she had a presence in the apartment even if she wasn’t there.
She set up a serving tray, adding small cups of sugar cubes and honey, just the way Nana had taught her. When she saw the box of chocolate-dipped wafers on the counter, a surge of delight rushed over her. Tea and cookies…the philosophy of Nana.
As soon as the water was heated, Kat carried the tray into the living room and set it on the coffee table.
“You can serve,” Nana said.
Kat poured the tea and handed a cup and saucer to Nana.
The slight tremor of Nana’s hand caused the china pieces to rattle against each other.
Pretending not to notice, Kat took the other cup, dropping in a bit of honey.
Then she snatched a cookie and sat back, grinning at Nana. “Want to read today?”
“Maybe later. I have some new books and a few magazines you might enjoy. But first,” she extended her arm. “Right here behind the chair, love. Could you push that box around for me?”
Kat got up and found the box, pushing it within Nana’s reach.
“These are some little treasures I’ve kept and want you to have. I know you can’t travel with a lot of things, so before you go back, I want you to run by the Post Office and ship these to yourself.”
“Maybe I could store it in my room at Mom and Dad’s for now.” Her apartment had so little storage space.
“No.” Nana’s voice was firm, clipped. “I want you to take them with you.”
Taken aback by her grandmother’s reaction, Kat simply nodded.
Nana reached into the box and pulled out a worn copy of Madeleine, one of the many stories that Nana Kitty had read to Kat over and over when she was little.
As Kat flipped through the yellowed pages, a smile went deep inside. “How many times did we read this?” she murmured with a soft laugh. “How tired of it you must’ve been.”
“Not at all. I treasured that book and all the others, but I know this one was special. The rest are still at the house. You can go over there and take whatever you like.”
A square of folded paper slipped from the pages. Kat recognized it immediately. “Oh, my gosh.” She gave a light laugh though the paper brought a rush of unpleasant memories. “Why is this in here?”
“Just a little keepsake. I forgot it was there.”
Kat swallowed hard, remembering her mother’s words, remembering the burning embarrassment when she’d proudly offered Christmas gifts wrapped in her own designed paper. That year, she’d learned how to create a repeating pattern. She’d once imagined her own line of giftwrap and other paper goods.
Laughing, her mother had shaken her head and given Kat a you-must-be-dumb-as-a-rock look. “Why in the world would you want to spend your time and effort creating something destined to become trash?”
Her mother’s trash and Nana’s treasure. Typical. Kat had turned to painting flowers and landscapes. It’d been a long time since she’d wondered if her mother ever realized how hurtful her words were.
When Nana handed Kat a blob of something covered in bubble wrap, she snapped back to the present. She removed the layers of plastic to find the yellow polka-dot teapot she’d loved as a child. “Nana,” she whispered, tears welling in her eyes. “Why are you giving me these things now?”
“Because I want to make sure you get them. I don’t want them sold at a garage sale or lost.”
Kat understood that concern. Her mother was likely to sell or trash anything that wasn’t nailed down just to get it out of her way. She’d kept a few photo albums over the years, but her mother simply did not collect or value mementos.
The teapot was too heavy to be empty. Kat took off the lid and peered inside. She pulled out a plastic bag, and her mouth dropped open. “Oh, my gosh, Nana! Is this real gold?”
“Yes. Gold coins that your grandfather bought a long time ago.”
Kat opened the bag and fingered the shiny coins. Wow . Her very own pot of gold. A treasure, for sure.
“Keep going.” Nana nodded toward the teapot.
Kat reached in again and pulled out a small jewel box. She opened it and gasped. Inside the velvet case was the stunning ruby and diamond ring that Nana wore on special occasions.
“Your grandfather had that made especially for me, you know.” Nana’s eyes sparkled. “It’s set in platinum.”
A large ruby sat at the center, and the rest of the band was made up of alternating diamonds and rubies in a scrolling lace-like design. Kat had always loved it. With a shake of her head, she met Nana’s gaze. “Nana, I can’t take all of this. What about Mom and Elizabeth?”
Nana leaned forward and took Kat’s hand. “You’re not to worry about that. These are my things to give to whomever I choose. Try it on. It can be resized if necessary.”
Kat lifted the ring and slid it over her finger. The fit couldn’t have been more perfect. With a light laugh, she held up her hand and returned Nana’s smile. “It’s beautiful, Nana. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Speaking of rings…” she drew out the words. “Are you seeing anyone special?”
Kat gave a wry smile. “Nana, you’d be the first to know.
The answer is no.” But as soon as the words left her mouth, an image of Nick Summers popped into her head.
How crazy was that? The likelihood of ever seeing that guy again was pretty much nil.
She acknowledged the whisper of regret as she remembered his nice smile—and the spike in her pulse rate when he shook her hand.
It’d been months since she’d met anyone as intriguing.
And he knew art, appreciated art. Major bonus points.
“No matter,” Nana said briskly. “These things happen in their own time. Now, there are a few other items in the box.”
“More? Nana, I feel like I won the lottery already.” Next, Kat pulled out the gorgeous velvet tapestry scarf Nana had made and held it close, feeling the softness for a moment, then she wrapped it around her neck.
Her stomach fluttered. She and Nana had always kept little secrets between them, such as not mentioning a visit to the art gallery or the art supply shop to Kat’s mother, but this was different. “Nana, I don’t know what to say. I never expected–”
“Shhh. I know you didn’t, but I want this. When I’m gone, the rest of the family can have their share. You’ve brought me so much joy, Kat. I couldn’t have asked for a more wonderful granddaughter. You’ve kept me young, my dear.” She picked up her cup. “Now, I think I need a warm-up.”
Kat took a shaky breath. Glad for the diversion, she poured them both more tea then took a long sip of her own, letting the warm liquid soothe her tight throat.
The light caught the ring on her finger, and sadness washed over her.
Of course, she knew why Nana was giving away her things.
These were her winter years. The move to the center was the beginning of the end.
One day, Kat would be on her own, with no Nana. How could she ever fill that void?