Chapter 56
Chapter Fifty-Six
Delaney
I’ve spent the last hour touring the facility, and every inch of it is gorgeous, from the patient rooms to the dining area to the common area, all built to mimic a small town.
There’s a theater room, an ice cream shop, and a small restaurant-style eating place.
However, I’ve spent most of that hour in the dedicated activities center.
This is the additional building that delayed the project—Harrison’s doing.
The center is revolutionary. I’m not even sure if there’s another like it in the country.
There’s a media room, a functional but secure kitchen area where residents who enjoyed cooking before their health became an issue can work with a staff member to simulate cooking.
There’s a virtual reality station and several areas using cyber tools to help stimulate and moderate the brains of our residents.
It’s astonishing and a wonderful opportunity for our community.
But what stuns me is that he had the center named after my mother.
I don’t even know how to process that. That he’s been working on this for so long, even back when we were still together, and has continued to see it to fruition, is breathtaking.
I need some air, so I head outside and stand in front of the signage, staring at the name.
Holden walks up and stands next to me. “Not too shabby, huh?”
“No, not shabby at all. Holden?” I turned my head to look at him. “Why do you think he did all this?”
A sad frown tugs at his lips. “Isn’t it obvious?”
“I don’t know for sure.”
“Delaney, he started this project when you first told him about the research on activities and dementia. He kept it going after things ended between you. The only reason that makes sense is that he loves you. Yes, he screwed up big time, but there’s no question my brother loves you.
The only question is whether you love him back enough to fight for your relationship. God knows he’s trying.”
I turn and look back at the building. I’m still awestruck that he did this. “Yeah, I mean this is…” I look over my shoulder at him.
“No, I’m not talking about that. I’m… Never mind. Just think about what you want, either way, and go all in. Or you’ll both end up hurt even more than you already are.”
I spin my body to face him and narrow my eyes at him. “Tell me what else you meant when you said he’s trying, if you weren’t talking about this.”
Holden runs a hand through his hair and peers upward. When he returns his gaze to mine, he looks me in the eye for a second or two, then sighs. “Shit. He’s gonna kill me.” He glances toward the bench on his other side, then back at me. “Let’s sit.”
Once we’re seated, my patience wears thin. I have a frenetic need in me to know what he meant. “Okay. Now, please tell me.”
“Harrison started seeing a counselor to help him work through his issues—his trauma and grief. He started shortly after the two of you ended things. I think, for him, the things he said to you were his rock bottom. He’s been working his ass off to give therapy his all.
He never misses an appointment, and he’s been faithfully working through whatever questions the guy gives him every week.
I swear I hardly ever see him without one of those notebooks, furiously scribbling something in it. ”
That’s the project he told me he was working on. My heart skips a beat.
“It’s good that he’s getting support,” I whisper.
“I don’t think you understand. It’s not just good; it’s miraculous. My God, he didn’t even go to counseling after he found our dad. It took losing you—”
“What did you just say?” Surely, I must have heard him wrong.
“Which part? About the counseling?”
“Did you say that Harrison found your dad?” I don’t hide the incredulity in my voice. Harrison told me a lot of details about that day, but he left out this very important one. I’m not sure why I didn’t think to ask.
Holden’s head drops, and he closes his eyes for a few seconds before looking at me again. “Yeah, he did. He didn’t tell you that? Jesus. I’m really screwing the pooch today, aren’t I?”
“I need to talk to him.” I jump to my feet. “Do you know where he is? I haven’t seen him in a while.”
When Holden looks up at me, his face has fallen. “I’m sorry, Delaney. Harrison left quite a while ago.”