by Amy Gamet
"Sweet little old lady, my foot," said Lisa.
Lisa was the first one into her mother’s room. "Hey, Mom." She crossed to her and kissed her cheek. "How are you feeling?"
"Not so good. How bad is it?"
Lisa patted her hand. "You should rest. There’s nothing you need to worry about."
"I knew it was a heart attack. I knew it! My chest was hurting and I was sweating and I knew I was having a heart attack."
Melanie moved to the other side of the bed, her eyes dangerously glassy. "You’re in the best hospital in town…"
"Well, the only hospital, really," said Lisa.
"And the doctors are taking good care of you," said Melanie.
Lisa sighed. "Thank goodness for Life-Flight."
Melanie covered her face with her hands and made a noise like she was crying.
"Whoa, no." Barbara’s eyes were wide. "Is it that bad? Am I going to be okay?"
"Oh, I’m sure," said Lisa, waving her off. "Try not to worry. It will raise your blood pressure."
Her mother put a hand over her heart. "My blood pressure?"
Melanie was crying louder now.
"Take some deep breaths, Mom," said Lisa. "It will help you get oxygen."
Their mother began panting like she was in a natural childbirth class, her eyes raking over Melanie’s tear-streaked face. "I never thought this would happen to me. I’ve always been so healthy."
Lisa’s eyebrows went up. "Healthy?"
"Well, I mean…there’s my MS, and you know I haven’t been well lately…"
The doctor walked into the room. "Hello, Mrs. Addario. How are you feeling today?"
"Oh, not good. Not good at all."
"Your daughters seem to think you’re dying. Do you have any idea why they might have that impression?"
Their mother’s eyes went wide. "I just had a heart attack!"
"Actually you had a panic attack. Frightening, for sure, but not inherently dangerous for someone in otherwise good health."
Their mother looked from one of them to the other. "I don’t understand."
"Don’t you?" asked Lisa.
"You let me think I was dying!"
Lisa looked at Melanie. "Oh, I don’t think that’s what we said."
Melanie shook her head. "Uh uh. Not at all. I think you just misunderstood, mother."
"Is that right?" asked their mom.
Lisa nodded. "We’d never lie to you."
Barbara’s lips pulled together in a hard line.
"Just like you would never lie to us," said Melanie.
"Oh, all right," said Barbara. "I might have stretched the truth a little bit to get Lisa to come home, but she belongs here with us."
Lisa’s mouth dropped open, surprise and longing tempering her anger. "I do?"
Melanie and their mother spoke in unison. "Of course you do."
Lisa closed her eyes and smiled. She never thought she’d hear those words. Not ever.
"I think you’re the healthiest patient I’ve seen all day," said the doctor, standing up. "You can leave whenever you get your things together."
Barbara crossed her arms. "I never actually said I was dying."
Lisa leaned back in her chair. "It was still wrong."
"I know it was. But look at me. I’m an old woman. If I waited for you to come home on your own, I might never have seen you again."
Lisa knew that was true. She’d been so stupid, so stubborn and selfish, she would have let year after year go by without ever trying to make amends with her mom.
A cell phone rang and Melanie fished it out of her mother’s belongings at the bottom of the hospital bed, handing it to her.
"Hello?" said their mom. "Oh, hello, Alana." Her eyes went wide. "But that’s more than the asking price!"
Lisa met Melanie’s eyes with a smile.
"Yes, of course," said their mother. "Absolutely, I accept. You tell Mr. Lambert he just bought himself a house."
* * *
The Addario house had been quiet for hours, so the sound of the key in the lock had Greg’s eyes popping open. He got up from the recliner and look at the clock.
Three in the morning.
Walking into the dining room, he saw Lisa taking off her sweatshirt.
"How’s your Mom?"
"She’s fine. We got her settled back at St. Anne’s. We were just talking."
"When did you leave there?"
"Just now."
His brows drew together, bile biting the back of his throat.
She was lying to him, which begged the obvious question, why?
Why do people lie to their lovers about where they’ve been in the middle of the night?
He forced himself not to jump to conclusions. "Melanie said you left at twelve thirty."
Her eyes shot to his, and he saw the guilt in their depths. "Where were you?"
"I had a few things to take care of."
"In the middle of the night?"
She nodded, moving to the refrigerator and taking out the milk.
He watched her pour a glass, his mind full of ugly possibilities he didn’t want to think about. "I need to know where you were."
She plopped down into a chair. "I told you, I had things to do."
"Things." He sat down. "Were you out with Brandy?"
"No."
"Lisa, don’t make me guess. This isn’t fun for me."
"It’s not a lot of fun for me, either." She took a sip of her milk. "Can we drop it, please?"
He narrowed his eyes on her fingers, noting the small scrapes. He took her hand. "What happened to you?"
She pulled her hand back. "Nothing."
"Nothing? You just happened to get little cuts all over your hands and you don’t remember where?"
She stared at him, eyes wide.
"Where were you?" he yelled.
She closed her eyes. "It’s three o’clock in the morning. Can we stop it with the interrogation already?"
"You went somewhere when you left the hospital. Come to think of it, you’ve been disappearing here and there for days. What’s going on?"
"I’m going to bed. We can talk about this tomorrow."
He had to ask, no matter how much he didn’t want to hear the answer. He forced the words past the lump in his throat. "Lisa, is there someone else?"
"No." She crossed to him. "There’s no one else. I’ve just been working on something."
"That you can’t tell me about."
"Right."
He crossed his arms. "What’s so important you have to do it in the middle of the night, and then lie to me about it?"
"Please don’t make me tell you." She rubbed her eyes. "I’m so tired. It’s been a terrible, crappy, long, awful day. I just want to go to bed. Will you come to bed with me?"
"I don’t think so."
"You don’t seriously think I’m cheating on you."
"I don’t know what to think." An image appeared in his mind, Lisa with another man. He closed his eyes tightly, pushing the idea away. "You get some rest. I’m going to go home."
"But I want you to stay with me."
He shook his head. "I don’t like being lied to."
"You think I cheated. You do."
"Did you?" Every muscle in his body waited for her answer.
The look in her eyes was intense. "No."
He wanted to believe her more than he’d ever wanted to believe anything. His gut told him her words were true, yet she was clearly lying to him about something.
She walked back to the door and pickup up her sweatshirt. "Come on. Let’s go."
"Where?"
"I need to show you what I’ve been working on."
"Why can’t you just tell me?"
She shook her head. "This is something you have to see with your own eyes."
They drove through the night, empty streets lit by streetlights until they left the village.
He felt nauseated. Where was she taking him, and would the answer pull them a
part or bring them together?
"Is it far?" he asked.
"No, it’s right here." She turned into Crescent Moon Vineyards, driving past the tasting room and out to a big barn before cutting the engine.
Did Lisa’s secret have something to do with her sister?
Lisa turned on a flashlight and got out, and he followed her to the padlocked barn door.
"Can you hold this?" she handed him the flashlight, then took out a key and opened the lock.
He followed her inside, his curiosity piqued. He saw farm equipment and a forklift. Giant plastic bins. They rounded a corner and the light flashed on something tall and metallic.
"Stay here." Lisa walked to the wall and turned on the overhead light.
There, in the middle of the space, was a bronze statue of a soldier saluting, and Greg nearly doubled over.
He took a step closer, then another.
The soldier was so lifelike, though Greg could now see the shape and scale of his pieces. Hundreds of little triangles were welded together to create it.
It was a masterpiece, a labor of love, and he was profoundly humbled in its presence.
"You did this?" His voice was reverent.
She nodded her head. "I did."
"This is unbelievable. I can’t imagine how you did it…"
She took several steps forward. "I did it for you. For everybody."
"What are you going to do with it?"
"I heard you talking with the mayor. I know how you wanted to have the Veterans Memorial moved to the new park, so I asked her if I could make a new sculpture for it."
Greg hung his head. "She’s going to move it?"
"Yes."
Overwhelming gratitude washed over him and his knees nearly buckled. That memorial represented everything that mattered to him when he returned to the states.
Duty.
Honor.
The privilege of being an American.
He ran his fingers over the sculpture, feeling the rough texture of the metal and the pointed joints. "This is why your hands are cut."
"Yes."
He frowned, hard. She’d hurt herself making this. Allowed the metal to slice at her skin.
"When were you going to tell me?"
"The mayor was going to tell you after the parade tomorrow. They’re coming to pick it up first thing in the morning."
Greg was overwhelmed. Lisa had been working on all of this behind his back, working to make something right for him. Something important that held a special place in his heart.
I love her.
Hadn’t he known it for a while?
He looked back at the sculpture, it’s hard lines and serious face so much like his own experience. Only a person who understood him well and could see inside his soul could possibly have created something that resonated like this with him.
How can I leave this woman?
He closed the distance between them, leaning down to kiss her.
She shook her head. "And you thought I was dating a plumber."
"I’m an idiot." He shook his head, turning back to look at the sculpture with her. "How can I ever thank you for this?"
"You got that backwards. This is me, thanking you."
Greg’s throat knotted with emotion. He nodded and walked back to the sculpture. Everything was clicking into place, a new path forming through the chaos that had overtaken his life.
There was only one more thing he needed to do. "I need to read the rest of that letter."
"The one from Evan’s sister."
"Yes."
"Now?"
"Yeah. Now."
She nodded. "I’ll take you home."
Chapter 13
Dear Greg,
You can’t know how much I’ve hated you.
I’m ashamed of that now.
Evan talked about you like some sort of superhero crossed with the best friend he’d ever had, and I hated that he was gone and you were here.
Thank you for writing and telling us what happened. I have to believe most men wouldn’t have the courage. It meant a great deal to my mother to know the truth, and you should know she’s happy you were there, that Evan wasn’t alone when he died or with someone who didn’t cry that he was gone.
We know you must have cried.
I don’t hate you anymore, Greg. I’m sorry that I ever did. There is forgiveness and there is healing, not in equal measure to the loss, but still it is there. I hope there is healing for you, too.
I’ve had these dreams lately, dreams of my brother smiling and talking with me, just like he used to do. He says he’s worried about you, so I’m writing to see if you’re okay.
To tell you I don’t hate you, and that I wish you all the good stuff life has to offer.
Take care.
Karen
* * *
Lisa stood in the crowd and watched the rededication of the old Veterans Memorial in its new location, her heart filling with pride as Greg unveiled the new sculpture.
It was even more beautiful in the sunlight, and Greg looked so handsome in his dress blues.
She turned to Rafael and Melanie. "Thanks for letting me use your barn."
"Anytime," said Rafael.
Melanie was crying again. "It’s incredible. I’m so proud of you."
Lisa laughed. "Wow, you’re like a leaky faucet, aren’t you?"
The crowd began to disperse and Lisa turned to her mother on her other side. "What do you think?"
Her mom shook her head, gazing at the sculpture. "I think you amaze me."
"Really?
"Look at what you made. Children will grow up with that sculpture in their memory. Mothers will look at it when their loved ones are stationed overseas and pray they come home safely. It will be here for the rest of my life, maybe even the rest of yours."
Lisa looked at the sculpture and tilted her head, an unfamiliar pride welling in her heart. "You think so?"
Her mom kissed Lisa’s cheek. "Such talent."
"Lisa?"
Lisa turned to find Mayor Tucker standing behind her.
"Hi, Mary Kay."
"I can’t tell you how pleased I am with the sculpture."
"Thank you."
"It really is a work of art. Some of the veterans from the parade snuck a peek when they brought it in this morning. Everyone was very touched."
"Oh, that’s wonderful."
"We all liked it so much, I’m wondering if you’d be willing to put in a proposal for the art installations on the new boardwalk."
Lisa’s mouth dropped open. "Me?"
"Absolutely."
"I’d like that." Her mind flashed to her job in New York and her subsequent responsibilities. "I’ll have to see if I can swing it."
"You are staying in Moon Lake, aren’t you?"
"Well, uh… I’d like to, I think." She shook her head. "I’m not sure."
"I certainly hope you decide in our favor. You’d be an asset to this community." The mayor smiled and disappeared into the crowd.
Barbara grinned at Lisa. "Are you really thinking about staying here?"
"Thinking about it, yes." She thought of the house being sold, a sudden sadness coming over her.
Stop it.
Four walls and some shutters.
That’s it.
"Does this have something to do with Greg?" Barbara asked.
He was walking toward them and Lisa smiled. "Maybe."
"Hello, ladies." He leaned down and kissed Lisa’s cheek. "What do you say we go get some lunch?"
Barbara hiked her purse up her shoulder. "Oh, I have to get going. There’s a Memorial Day pickle ball tournament at St. Anne’s and I have to defend my title. Melanie’s giving me a ride."
Greg kissed her cheek. "Bye, Mrs. Addario."
"I have to make you strudel real soon."
"I’d like that."
She walked away and Greg turned to Lisa. "Lunch?"
She winced. "Do you think we could make it dinner? I wa
s hoping to take a nap."
He raised one eyebrow and smiled. "Can I come with you?"
"As long as we really sleep, you sure can."
* * *
It was just after sunset when Lisa and Greg walked out on the pier, the lights on the walkway glowing a pale pink.
She loved this town, she knew it now. She loved the lake and the quaint little village, loved being near her mother and her sister, the idea of watching her sister’s family grow.
She and Greg had slept for hours, then gone to dinner at the marina, enjoying seafood and wine, and Lisa was pleasantly relaxed. She held Greg’s hand, a feeling of pure contentment flowing through her.
This is what love feels like.
Wasn’t that what she was feeling for him? Some crazy sort of head-over-heels attraction that meant they were meant to be together, that this man was going to be a part of her life for a long time to come?
"I’m going to stay in Moon Lake, Greg. I’ve decided."
He squeezed her hand. "Can’t say I’m surprised."
"I’m that predictable, huh?
"I didn’t say that."
She giggled. "I had a good time tonight."
"So did I." His voice sounded strained.
"Everything okay?"
He sighed and stopped walking, putting his hands in his pockets. "I didn’t want to ruin dinner."
From the look on his face, something was terribly wrong. She was flooded with concern. "What is it?"
"Lisa…I’m going to medical school."
A smile spread across her face. "That’s wonderful." She threw her arms around him. She knew what this meant to Greg, knew it was one of those things he used to want so badly, and the fact that he wanted it again now could only mean he was beginning to heal. "You deserve this, Greg. You’re going to be a wonderful doctor. I know it’s hard to see it now, but everything’s going to work out fine…"
He interrupted her. "In California."
Her expression went blank, her hands dropping to her sides. Greg was leaving her. She felt sick, her stomach heaving. She’d been so concerned with herself, believing if she stayed in Moon Lake he would be here too, their relationship having every chance in the world to take root.
But he was going to fly.
He ran a hand through his hair. "The time we’ve spent together has been so important to me. I want you to know that."