Chapter 12

 

“Are you serious?”

“Yeah. I wish I wasn’t.”

“But, he can’t do that! It’s Grandma’s garden. Why is Grandpa just throwing it away? How could he?”

“He thinks it’s already trashed, remember? He can’t see it.”

“Still, that’s no excuse. It’s the Lovers' Garden! That’s their special place!”

Billy looked at me strangely. “Whatever happened to moving on?”

I paused. “Not like this. I never meant like this.” I started to pace the room. “This is terrible. What are we going to do? We can’t –” I stopped in midsentence and looked at Billy, for I had just realized something awful.

“What?” he asked, looking confused at my sudden stop. “What is it?”

If I somehow managed to save Grandma’s garden, I would cost Billy something in the process.

“You’re finally going to get your workshop,” I said. “Your own special place, just for you and your dad.”

He stared at me.

“I don’t want to take that away from you,” I continued. “I know how you miss your dad when he’s gone so much. You need this.”

Billy seemed to be having trouble finding the right words to say. Finally, he managed something. “Well, so what?”

“So what?” I echoed.

“Yeah. So what? You don’t really think I’d let this happen? Of course I want me and Dad to have our workshop, but I can’t mow down your grandmother’s garden to get it.” He started to walk around the room as I watched in growing surprise. “Heck, for all we know, your grandmother’s spirit is still there right now.” He whirled to face me. “I can’t take out a grandmother! Who do you think I am?”

I stood up and threw my arms around Billy in a hug. “Thank you,” I whispered. His arms tightened around my back for one quick moment before we both pulled away in embarrassment.

Billy cleared his throat, and I looked down at my feet.

“No problem,” he said.

“So,” I said, trying to ignore the giddy feeling that had come over me with the hug, “what do we do now?”

“I could start by talking to my dad.”

“No,” I said.

“Why not?”

“Billy, your dad wants to do something sweet for you. If you go to him and tell him not to, he might not understand. I don’t want to help my grandpa at the expense of you and your dad’s relationship.”

“But he’s our best shot,” said Billy. “If I can convince him, he won’t buy the land.”

“And then Grandpa might just move on and get rid of the garden anyway. Or sell the land to someone else. Who knows?” I shook my head. “No, somehow, we’ve got to change Grandpa’s mind.”

My first sign of hope came that evening at dinner. Not knowing what else to do, I brought up the sale of the garden to Grandpa directly.

“So what’s this about you selling the Lovers' Garden?” I asked. It wasn’t the smoothest way to introduce the topic, but time was running out. I was getting desperate.

Grandpa put down his fork. “Ah, yes. So Billy mentioned it, hmm?”

“Yeah. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I hope you’ll forgive an old man for being foolish, but I didn’t want you to be upset. I know you’ve put a lot of work into the garden since you arrived. I could tell.”

I frowned. I had spent hours in the garden, obviously, but I hadn’t been working. What was Grandpa talking about?

“And I don’t want you to think I don’t appreciate it,” he continued. “Really, it’s so nice to see some of the flowers come back among the weeds and whatnot. But I’m afraid it’s just too big of a project for me. I think Billy’s dad will make good use of the area. You know he plans to build a workshop?”

“I’ve heard,” I said absently. Grandpa could see flowers in the garden? That was certainly a change from before. I spoke carefully. “So you liked the improvements we’ve made to the garden so far?”

“Absolutely. I just don’t have the energy to keep it up once you leave. But I do appreciate the efforts.”

I nodded slowly. This was interesting. I didn’t know what Grandpa’s newfound sight meant, or why he could only see parts of the revitalized garden, but it was surely a step in the right direction.

“When will you finalize the sale with Billy’s dad?” I asked. “Is this like a fast thing? Doesn’t buying land take forever?”

Grandpa chuckled. “It shouldn’t take too long between neighbors like us. Hopefully we’ll sign everything in the next couple days.”

A couple days! How could I do anything in such a short amount of time? But I knew one thing for sure – I wasn’t going to let Grandma down now.

The next morning, Grandpa and I dressed up to attend church. For the first time since my coming, the service would be held in the newly remodeled St. Patrick’s. I could tell Grandpa was excited by the way he kept humming all morning. I even thought I heard snatches of “Moon River.”

I’m glad someone’s in a good mood, I thought. I was no closer to changing Grandpa’s mind about the garden, and it was making me cranky.

While I waited for church to start, I looked around for Billy but didn’t see him. I wondered again about his presence in the garden the day before. I’d been so preoccupied with the news of the sale that I forgot to press him further on it. Why was he in the Lovers' Garden by himself? And why would he keep the reason for his visit a secret?

The service started, and after a few minutes I was able to clear my mind and listen to the message. By the end, I felt slightly more peaceful. I still didn’t know how to get through to my grandpa, but I prayed that help would come my way.

We ran into Ms. Matilda afterwards.

“Karl,” she said, reaching for his hands, “what a phenomenal job you did. This building just sings, it’s so beautiful!”

“Thanks, Matilda. But I did have a lot of help.”

“Oh, pish. You know you were the driving force. And all that work really paid off.” She turned to me. “I hope you’re proud of your grandpa.”

“Super proud,” I said, recognizing a potential ally. Was there some way I could get Ms. Matilda by herself? Given her knowledge of the situation, she might have an idea for me.

“Grandpa,” I said, “why don’t you give Ms. Matilda the tour?”

He raised his brows. “Would you like that? We don’t want to take up your day.”

“No, I’d love it!”

Grandpa gestured for Ms. Matilda to lead the way. I followed along behind and tried to think of any excuse to get her to myself. I needed help!

When we reached the front of the church, Grandpa pointed to the staircase that led behind the altar. He gave me a wink and whispered, “That’s where I used to hide out, when I listened to your grandmother sing.”

“Can we go up and see it?” I asked, genuinely interested. “Please? I’d really like to.”

“Ok,” he said. “But it’s not very exciting. Just a small room without even a proper place to sit.” He turned to Ms. Matilda. “We’re going to take a little detour.”

“Please, do,” she said. “I want to see it all.”

We climbed the staircase and turned into a small rectangular room. The overhead bulbs were off, but light filtered in from the latticework that looked out over the main church.

I peeked through the lattice. I had a great view of the choir area. I could see why Grandpa had chosen this spot for himself.

“Look at this,” he said. “Someone placed a bench in here.” He ran his hand over a wrought iron bench tucked along one wall. It had a soft cushion across the seat that lent a comfort to it that might otherwise have been missing.

I ran and sat down. “Comfy,” I said. I brushed my fingers over the design. “Look, it’s decorated with flowers. Pretty.”

Ms. Matilda turned in a circle. “So this is where you hunkered down and listened to Elizabeth sing.”

Grandpa looked surprised. “Now, how did you know about that?”

Ms. Matilda waved her hand. “Oh, Elizabeth told me at the time. She knew you were up here.” She laughed, a free, merry sound. “She used to say that she wished she could bring you a folding chair or something, but that that would give you away.”

Grandpa laughed. “Well, I’ll be. I had no idea she knew all this time. She never let on.”

“She liked a good secret as much as any of us.”

“That she did.”

I listened to their conversation with only half an ear. I was distracted by something I had just found.

“Grandpa. Ms. Matilda. Come here.”

They stopped their chatting and came to me, no doubt drawn by a certain catch in my voice.

“Look at this bench,” I said. “Who put it here?”

“I don’t know,” said Grandpa. “We’ve had quite a few workers in and out. Why do you ask?”

“It’s not an ordinary bench. Look at the design.” I reached my hands out gently and ran them along the back of the furniture, tracing the design built into the wrought iron. “Right here is a bed of lilies, and these look like pansies. There’s a reflecting pond and azaleas. A stand of dogwoods. A single tree.” I raised my eyes to Grandpa’s and noticed that he had gone white. “With a heart and one hole in it.” I caught my breath. “Doesn’t it look familiar?”

The two of them stood stock-still in front of me.

Ms. Matilda put a hand over her heart. Grandpa finally moved again and leaned forward to examine the bench closely. He ran his hands along the back of the chair.

“I don’t understand,” he murmured.

As I watched for his reaction, he turned abruptly and stalked down the stairs.

I threw an anxious glance at Ms. Matilda before we both followed him. “Grandpa! Wait!”

He’d already pulled out his phone and was heading for the main doors.

“Wynn?” I heard him say. “It’s Karl. Listen, who put that wrought iron bench in the room just off the sacristy? It’s got a garden scene on it… Uh huh… I see. Ok, thanks.”

As he spoke, he gradually slowed to a stop. He ended his phone call and hung about uncertainly. I caught up with him, Ms. Matilda bustling behind me.

“Grandpa! What’d he say?”

“He doesn’t know where it came from. Doesn’t remember anyone putting it there.”

I clutched his arm. “I know where it came from! Don’t you see?”

“What are you talking about?”

“It’s Grandma!” I exclaimed. “I know it sounds crazy. Trust me, I know. But it’s got to be her.”

“Sweetheart, the whole idea is ridiculous.” His words sounded harsh, but I could see the indecision on his face.

Ms. Matilda joined us. “Karl. I think you should open your mind a little.”

“Not you, too.”

“Yes, me, too.” She put her hands on her hips. “I have watched you floundering for months now, and it’s about time something made you snap out of it. You need to listen, because I think your wife is telling you something.”

Grandpa passed a hand over his eyes. “I can’t. It’s too incredible.”

“She knew you were up there,” reminded Ms. Matilda. “The whole time.” The corner of her mouth lifted. “She always did want to bring you a chair.”

Grandpa shook his head in bewilderment. “I don’t know what to do.”

“Let’s go to the Lovers' Garden,” I begged.

Grandpa stared at me. “Beth, we’ve been through this.”

“Just one last time before you sell it. What do you have to lose?”

I was afraid he was going to yell at me, but to my surprise he said, “Fine. Though what you expect me to see, I don’t know.”

I couldn’t worry about his attitude now. I was just happy that he agreed to go with me. I grabbed his arm and dragged him to the door. “Come on, then! See you, Ms. Matilda!”

“Bye, dear! Let me know what happens.”

Grandpa and I walked quickly down the street. Neither of us spoke. Occasionally, one neighbor or another shouted a greeting to Grandpa, but he just waved his hand without stopping. That was fine with me. I had a feeling that if we lost our momentum then I’d never get him back to the garden.

Five minutes later we came to the gate in the stone wall. Grandpa came to a stop before the door, not moving.

“Go on,” I said. “You can do it.”

He looked at me, and I was startled to see unmistakable fear on his features.  I grabbed his hand. “Let’s do it together.”

We opened the door.