Enlightened End

by Audrey Carlan

  LUNA

  Once we finished making out after our second round of lovemaking, Grant left to meet his business obligations for the day and said he would return to me later in the evening for dinner.

  Internally, I squealed with delight. We’re going to move in together. The entire floor of tower one of the new buildings would be our home. He assured me there would be many bedrooms for not only our overnight guests, but our home would grow along with our love. Which meant he planned on us having our children there one day.

  Swoon!

  The thought of bearing Grant’s child has me wanting to spin in circles where I stand, arms out, wild and free. On top of that, he’s found a way to save most of the businesses on my street, including Lotus House, Sunflower Bakery, Rainy Day Café, and the Tattered Pages Bookstore. I could not be happier.

  I hop into the elevator and wave at Annette, an exuberant skip in my step. She returns the wave and smiles softly. See, she can totally be nice! She even scheduled a car to take me wherever I wanted to go. Grant doesn’t like me taking Uber, even though I think it’s perfectly safe. It sure does cut into the monthly bills, though, except now that I’ve been dating Grant, he’s paid for everything aside from my apartment and the meals I have on my own, which admittedly, aren’t many.

  I exit the elevator and wave at the doorman, who rushes to open the door for me. As I step out onto the sidewalk, the driver is parked out front and holding the door open.

  “Ms. Marigold, Winters Group has hired me to take you wherever you’d like to go today.”

  I smile. “Thank you.” I tip my head and get into the car. He waits until I’ve gathered my maxi-dress inside before shutting the door and coming around to the driver’s side.

  “Where to, ma’am?”

  Lotus House is on the tip of my tongue, but after sitting through my man’s pacing and hearing the hurt in his voice that his sister has not returned his calls, another address spills form my lips unexpectedly.

  “UC Davis Medical Center, please.”

  I bite into my lip and think about this decision. Visiting Greta Tinsley at work is absolutely going to mean I’m getting into the middle of the situation with Grant and his estranged half sister.

  Is it a wise decision?

  I don’t know. All I do know is that I cannot watch my man be torn apart by the time she’s taking to return his overtures. Even if she no longer wants anything to do with him, she should, at the very least, tell him as much. Don’t keep him dangling like a puppet on a string or lying in wait for her next scrap of affection.

  I shake my head and firm my resolve. No, this is exactly what a woman does to help her man. She wades in, regardless of the consequences. Perhaps I can talk some sense into her, explain that Grant genuinely wants to get to know her. Understand how she came to be his sister and everything in between.

  In the meantime, this might take me past the time I intended to be gone, which would mean I’ll need a substitute for my class this afternoon.

  I pull out my phone and text Dara.

  Can you sub for me tonight? I have something important to do that can’t wait.

  I sigh and watch the cars weave in and out of San Francisco traffic as we go up and down the hilly streets. According to my world-traveling boyfriend, San Francisco is unlike any city in the world. Downtown is full of large hills and valleys, with multicolored Victorian row houses intermingled with big businesses. Streets cross parks and what seems to be an endless number of piers, including the most famous, Pier 39, which brings countless tourists each day.

  While I stare dreamily at the beauty around me, my phone beeps, signaling Dara’s reply.

  Sure. I missed taking a class today because Jackson was fussy, so this works out great.

  I type out a quick thank you message and promise to call her tomorrow and ask her to give baby Jackson some snuggles from his auntie. Before I can even put my phone back into my purse, the driver is pulling into the parking lot of the hospital. When he stops in front of the medical center, I get out, feeling more certain of my decision than I was before.

  Grant deserves some answers. Besides, Greta was the one who shared their sordid history first, breaking the cone of silence after all these years. She can’t take it back once it’s been revealed.

  “I’ll park close. Call the number on this card when you want to leave.” He hands me a business card.

  “Oh, I didn’t expect you to wait. I can Uber back.”

  The driver grins. “Strict order to see you wherever you want to go until you are home for the night, which I have as being on a street in downtown Berkeley proper.”

  I shake my head. “Was this Grant’s doing or Annette’s?”

  He tips his hat and offers me a beaming smile. “Just call the number on the card when you’re done. There is no time limit. I’m at your service.”

  “Thanks. It appears my overprotective man and his overprotective secretary have spoken. I’ll call.” I flick the card and put it into my purse, where I can easily pull it out.

  Without another word, he gets back into his car and drives away.

  Sighing, I think about Grant and how much he has changed. He’s an entirely different man than the one I first met when I entered his office a couple months ago. It’s so strange how much a person’s life can change when they meet the person they’re meant to share their forever with. And that’s what this is between Grant and me, the beginning of our forever. I know he’s the one. I have absolutely no doubt. The good news is he’s made it very clear to me I’m his forever too, part of which is having a clean slate. He’s cleared the path for any potential animosity we could have had by taking care of my business and my street. He’s shown great compassion and strength in his willingness to make changes with the buildings and incorporate most of the current companies, mine included. When all is said and done, it’s going to be a vastly different area but one that I think will be good for us.

  More people, more clients. It means we all get to expand our businesses, and that is a blessing in disguise. My mind is already spinning with the possibilities of a second level. I may discuss this addition with Crystal and my mother. A long time ago, they had mentioned they would have loved to have a space where they could teach the art of yoga to up-and-coming yoga teachers. Offer a training school accredited by the National Yoga Alliance and offer new yogis the opportunity to earn their Registered Yoga Credential. I had looked into what offering that might look like, and the biggest problem was the space. We already have back-to-back yoga classes in the four main rooms along with private sessions in the smaller ones. We also have a reception area and a tiny office. We don’t even have a breakroom.

  With Grant’s new plan, that will change. I’m going to reopen the idea and think about having a much larger space where we can teach regular yoga workshops to enrolled students. A school of sorts. Each of the current teachers could take a session a month to teach their style of yoga and help expand the community with more yogis. The options are endless, and I can’t wait to talk to my teachers about all the different ideas I have. Collectively, I’m sure we’ll come up with the best possible plan.

  The sounds and smells of a hospital hit me pretty quickly when I walk in, and UC Davis is no different. It may be a world-renowned medical facility, but that doesn’t change the fact that sick people come here to get treatment. People also die here. I shiver.

  I’m not a fan of hospitals.

  It’s not that I’m scared of people who are sick or have an aversion to people fighting their medical condition; it’s just that the feeling of doom and gloom, the zap of energy, is so potent here. The negative waves smash into me like an invisible ocean, slamming against the tide. Mindlessly, I follow the signs to the pediatric section of the hospital.

  When I get to what I think is the right place, I see a bunch of nurses dressed in a variety of multicolored scrubs. One lady has dancing cats holding umbrellas. Another nurse has a shirt with candy covering every surface as if the
candy was emptied out on the floor and no longer contained the wrappers.

  As I approach, a hand touches my shoulder, and I turn around quickly.

  “I thought that was you, Luna. What are you doing over in my side of the world?” my friend Amber Alexander says, smiling.

  A huge sense of relief washes over me, and I wrap her in a big hug.

  She returns the hug and pets my hair. “Hey, what’s the matter, honey?”

  I inhale fully and exhale before speaking. “I’m just glad to see a friendly face. I’m actually looking for someone who works here.”

  Amber’s green eyes sparkle as she pushes a lock of her hair behind her ear. She’s the epitome of the girl next door. Long, thick brown hair parted down the center. Green cat eyes, a dusting of freckles across her nose and cheeks, and perfectly natural pink lips. She’s also thin and tall, with an athletic build that suits her well.

  “Who is it? I’m sure I can help you. I know everyone in Peds.”

  I twist my fingers together. “I’m looking for Grant’s sister, actually. Greta Tinsley.”

  Her eyes widen momentarily. “Greta is your boyfriend’s sister? Wow. I had no idea.” She blinks a few times and then purses her lips.

  Instead of spreading the sordid details around about how little we really know of his sister, I choose to keep them to myself.

  “Yes, I was hoping I could catch her in her office for a few minutes, unless of course she’s too busy.”

  Amber tilts her head down toward me. “Too busy. Um…no. I can… I’m not quite understanding why you would think she’d be at work right now. She’s still waiting on treatment. Been out of the office for over two weeks. She’s got a room down in the Hematology Department. Come on, I’ll take you there.”

  I nod and swallow the immediate fear that crawls up my throat.

  Amber glances at me as we walk quietly back to the bay of elevators. We get on, and she presses a button to go up. I’m not really paying much attention because my mind is swirling like a vortex with a million feelings I don’t know how to manage at this moment.

  “You seem surprised to know about Greta being admitted to the Hematology ward while she awaits treatment for her aplastic anemia.”

  “Honestly, Amber, Grant just found out he has a sister a couple weeks ago. The reason I’m here is because he reached out to her, and she hadn’t returned his calls. I came down in order to possibly talk to her about reaching out to him.” I shake my head as my heart squeezes. “We had no idea she was sick.”

  Amber pauses and inhales. “If Greta hadn’t already given me permission to speak about her condition openly to her friends and family, I wouldn’t ethically be able to discuss her condition, even if I’m not her doctor, but I’m sorry to say, honey, she’s very sick. She needs a bone marrow transplant.”

  The elevator doors open, and I follow along like a little lost puppy. Taking the turns without really seeing where we are or where we’re going.

  Randomly, she stops, turns to me, and smiles brightly, as if the lighting above just bathed her in a pretty white glow. “Perhaps that’s why they reached out to you in the first place,” Amber states matter-of-factly.

  I frown. “Why?”

  “Because of her condition, of course.”

  “Is it life threatening?” I reach up and grab my crystal necklace, bring it up to my lips, and say a little prayer for Greta and her family.

  “It can be if not treated. I know she’s been battling this for a while. Grant can be tested to see if he’s a match. The most likely match would be a blood sibling.”

  Too much information. My eyes tear up with sadness. Grant has no idea his sister is battling a medical condition which has prevented her from reaching out. Moreover, he could have the cure.

  “Sweet Shiva, this is not what I expected when I came today.”

  Amber frowns and puts her hand on my shoulder. “I’m sorry, Luna. I’d have to read her chart to see where she’s at with her treatment, but the last I heard, she hadn’t found a donor yet. I’m surprised they didn’t reach out to Grant right away. As I said before, the only reason I’m even talking to you is because you’re family, and I know Greta personally, and she’s given me permission to speak freely. The entire pediatric department knows all about her condition. We all take turns donating blood, sitting with her, even bringing over dinners to her husband and her two kids.”

  I suck in a huge breath. “She has children? Oh my…”

  Amber nods. “A four-year-old son and six-month-old girl.”

  I close my eyes. The blow of knowing Grant has extended family hits me like a tornado to my soul. Grant is going to be devastated. He hasn’t even been able to have a relationship with his sister, and now he’s going to find out she’s sick with a life-threatening condition. On top of that, he has a niece and nephew.

  Family.

  A real family.

  Amber holds out her arm, gesturing to a closed door. “Room two oh two. I’m going to check in with her doctor and see what more I can find out. See if there’s anything I can do. You go on in.”

  I reach out and hold on to Amber’s hands. “Thank you. I really appreciate you updating me. If you could keep Grant’s relationship to yourself, that would be excellent. I want to discuss all I’ve learned with him so he can process as he needs to.”

  Amber squeezes my hands and pulls me into a hug. “Of course. Anything you need from me or Dash, you know where we are.”

  “Thanks.”

  Amber offers a sad smile and then walks away.

  I look at the door, do a full minute of Pranayama—yoga breathing—before I work up the courage to knock on the door.

  “Come in,” says a sweet-sounding voice I don’t recognize as Greta’s. Her voice was far deeper at the restaurant.

  I open the door and peek my head in. “Hello, it’s Luna Marigold to see Greta.” I stop with my hand on the door.

  Greta is sitting in the bed, looking like death is knocking at her door. Her skin is paler than mine, her eyes gaunt, lips seeming dry and cracked, and her hair is a dank color. Though that’s not what stops me in my tracks. No, it’s the redhead with sapphire eyes who is holding Greta’s hand and smiling at me. The same smile I get every time I please my man. Grant’s smile. The smile he so obviously got from his birth mother.

  At first, when I saw Grant Senior, I thought they were replicas. And they are. Only with this woman, I can see the similarities too, the softness Grant has that his father doesn’t have. The softness he got from the woman who just stood up.

  She stands tall, raises her chin, and approaches me. “You’re Luna, my boy’s girlfriend.”

  I open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. I’m stunned stupid.

  “I’m Gretchen Winters. Grant’s mother.”

  The stunning redhead holds out her hand. I place mine in hers on autopilot. Her hand chakras jolt mine instantly, the same way her son’s do.

  Gretchen pats our clasped hands with her other one. “I can see you are taken aback by my presence. As am I. When Greta told me she’d seen her brother, spoke to him face-to-face, I was scared at first and then overjoyed she had that moment.”

  I nod, still not knowing how to respond.

  “I’m going to leave you alone with Greta so you two can talk. Though I’d like to have some time with you as well, if you don’t mind.”

  Yep, all I can do is nod.

  She smiles, pats my hand again, and lets my hand go, moving around me to the door.

  “Baby girl, I’ll be back soon.”

  “Thanks, Mom,” Greta responds, her voice scratchy.

  I shake myself out of a stunned stupor and walk to Greta’s side. “I… I had no idea. Grant…he’s been trying to call you.”

  Greta smiles. “Really? He reached out?” There’s hope filling her tired gaze.

  “Yeah. And he’s been a mess not knowing why you didn’t respond. All we had was your work phone number, so he’s called and left voice mails.”r />
  Greta closes her eyes briefly, but when she opens them again, they are filled to the brim with tears. “He confirmed the truth of our sibling status.”

  I bite my lip and nod. “Yes. He’s going to be shocked when I tell him about this.”

  She shakes her head. “Don’t tell him…”

  “But Amber says…”

  “Amber? Amber Alexander?” she questions.

  “Yeah, she’s my very good friend. Her husband works at my yoga studio, Lotus House. She brought me down and told me you have a bone marrow condition and since you have a sibling…”

  Greta puts her hand on my wrist and squeezes. “No. I will not use Grant. He’s been used all his life by that vile man. And this isn’t why I contacted him. Actually, I didn’t plan on meeting him that night. Brett was taking me out for my last meal before I was admitted to the hospital. God brought Grant to the restaurant that day, and I’m so grateful I had the chance to talk to my brother for the first time, but I could never use him to help me now.”

  “I can’t keep this from him, Greta. I won’t. Our relationship is based on honesty. I’m sorry.”

  Greta takes a deep breath and looks away, a tear slipping down her cheek. “This isn’t how I wanted to finally have a relationship with my brother. I’ve been watching him from afar for so long. All of his lacrosse games in college. Mom and I went to every game. Stood in the stands and cheered him on, even if he never knew we were there. His graduation from high school and college the same. We had to avoid Grant Senior, but Mom and me, we were determined to see him walk those stages. So proud.”

  More of Greta’s tears fall as my heart breaks in half. She’d watched him from afar? Rooted for him when his own father tore him down?

  I grab Greta’s hand. “He’s going to come here. He’s going to be angry. I can’t help that. I will try to ensure he doesn’t share that anger with you. I don’t know what’s going to happen when he sees his mother after all these years.”