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I didn’t realize people still had parlors. I nodded, not knowing what else to do. Besides, a gentle breeze could have blown either of them over. It was best they sat down. I took one more peek at the angel before I followed them to a room on the right. A cozy warmth filled the parlor, which smelled like cinnamon sticks. My mom was obsessed with them during the holidays. Now I knew why. A large fireplace crackled in the corner; its flames provided a calming ambiance. The furniture was ornate, with plush velvet chairs. Patterned curtains draped the windows, providing privacy.
“Please sit,” Arthur pointed to a chair near the fireplace. Before I sat down, I noticed framed portraits of my mom gracing the mantel. They ranged from her toddler years to her teen years. In each photo, she was smiling or laughing. Her brown eyes seemed to gaze at me, begging me to forgive the past so I could fix the future. It was a tall order. One I wasn’t sure I was capable of.
I sat with a question. “Why keep all these memories of my mom?”
Rosemary sat across from me on the love seat with Arthur, clutching an embroidered hankie, sniffling. “You must think we’re monsters.”
That about summed it up, but for the sake of my objective, I kept my mouth shut.
Rosemary’s brown eyes, like Mom’s, lasered right into me, making sure I heard her out. “When your mother met your father, we were so angry. She was such a smart girl. Every Ivy League school had accepted her. We felt like she was throwing her life away, marrying your father.”
I had no idea my mother had applied to the likes of Harvard and Yale. “You probably still feel like that,” I hissed.
Arthur and Rosemary shook their heads.
“For many years, we did,” Arthur admitted. “But then she died,” his voice cracked, “and we realized how pathetic our pride was and what it had cost us. Our little girl was gone.”
My heart pricked hearing him refer to my mother that way.
They both turned into each other and cried.
I rubbed my chest, not expecting such a show of emotion. More so, I hadn’t intended to feel sorry for them, but I did. They missed out on the most wonderful person to grace the planet.
When they got ahold of their emotions, Rosemary turned toward me. “We know we are asking too much of you, but we just want the chance to right what we can.”
I realized they probably thought I was here to reconcile. Maybe I should have stated my purpose before now. “Well, honestly, I’m here—”
“We know why you’re here,” Arthur interjected. “I’m aware of the situation you find yourself in at the hospital.” He sat up a little taller. “Some members erroneously acted without my vote. If you are looking for an ally, you have one in me. You may not be aware, but before I retired, I owned one of the most successful law firms in the state. I have informed my colleagues that they hardly have a leg to stand on. And if they don’t wish to have their names dragged through the mud, they should reconsider their positions.”
My mouth fell open, half hoping, half not wanting to be beholden to the people who had hurt my mother. At least the knot in my stomach loosened. “What about the Grangers?” I couldn’t help but ask.
Arthur scoffed. “The Grangers. I will remind them of a little favor I did them several years ago.”
Ooh. I really wanted to know what that was, but I could tell he wasn’t going to part with that info. “Oh.” I was at a loss for words.
Rosemary offered me a weak smile. “You are under no obligation to grant our request. Your grandfather will help you regardless of your decision.”
I rubbed my lips together, feeling an uncomfortable sensation. Like my mother was prodding me. “I appreciate your help. And …,” I hesitated to say, “I think you’re right. My mom would want me to get to know you. But … that’s going to take some time for me.”
Rosemary and Arthur clasped hands, holding back the hope that shone in their eyes.
“Of course,” Arthur spoke. “Please know we extend the invitation to your sister and our great-granddaughter as well,” he said with emotion. “And your beau too.” He grinned, showing off what were surely veneers, for how perfect and white they were.
I guess the word was getting around about Tristan and me. It wasn’t surprising.
I stood, not knowing what else to do. “Thank you again for your help.” I hoped my mom understood I wasn’t going to hold hands with them and sing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” just yet. Or maybe ever. But I would visit them again for her sake. And perhaps even for my own.
Rosemary stood faster than I would have thought she could. “I would like to give you something.”
“Oh. That’s unnecessary.”
“Please,” she begged. “I want you to have the angel.”
I rubbed my chest. Wow. I wasn’t expecting that. “Uh …”
“Please,” Arthur added his plea. “Your mother loved it so much. She would want you to have it.”
I felt my mother’s ache for it, and I couldn’t refuse. “All right,” I agreed to take it. A wash of emotion overcame me. My mother was happy. I knew it with everything that I was. Tears sprang to my eyes, and I had an overwhelming urge to hug Arthur and Rosemary, but I refrained. That was surely my mom coming through me. She was going to have to wait.
