The Mirror - Page 207

“That must be Nan and Grandpa. Everyone else is here.”

Sonya answered, and went straight into hugs.

Her grandfather, big and broad-shouldered, her grandmother, delicate and petite. She felt her grandmother tremble, just a little, and understood this visit was bittersweet.

“I’m so glad you’re here. I’m so happy to see you.”

John smiled, stroked her hair. “Got yourself a mansion here, little girl. It’s a whopper.”

“It really is.”

“I hope we’re not late.”

Sonya looked at her grandmother, the sweet heart-shaped face, the quiet blue eyes struggling to hold back tears.

“You’re not. It’s family.”

“Martha, John, it’s lovely to see you.” Louisa offered cheek kisses, then took John’s arm. “John, I’m more than ready for a glass of wine if you’ll take me back. The house is a maze, but I know the way. And how was your winter in Savannah?” she continued as she led him away.

Her grammy might be brutally honest, Sonya thought, but she also understood another woman’s pain.

“It’s a beautiful house, Sonya, like something out of a painting or a movie. You always wanted a rambling old house.”

“I did.” Sonya hugged her again, and held on for a moment. “I want to show you something.”

With an arm around Martha’s waist, she led her down the long hall.

“Oh, it’s so much house, isn’t it? And so beautiful. No wonder you’re happy here. We’re happy for you, Sonya, so happy you… Oh.”

At the music room, with the sound of voices rolling down from the kitchen, they stopped.

“Oh, I see. I see Drew in her smile. So young, so pretty, and she looks kind.” The tears came now, slowly, softly. “She would have loved him, loved them both. We would…”

“I know, Nan. Believe me, she knows you gave Dad what she couldn’t.”

The phone in Sonya’s pocket went with “Loves Me Like a Rock.”

“We loved him so much. Drew was such a loved and loving son, a loved and loving husband and father. I hope she knows what a good, good man he grew up to be.”

“She does, Nan. I’m sure of it.”

“So young,” Martha said again. “Sonya, could you give me a minute or two? I’d like to sit here for just a minute or two.”

“Of course. Just follow the voices when you’re ready. Take all the time you need.”

Alone, Martha sat, dried her eyes, then looked into the eyes of the portrait. “I wish we’d known about you and Charlie. If we’d known, we would have told him about you. If we’d known, we would have loved his brother just as much.”

As she struggled for composure again, the phone in her purse played “Martha My Dear.”

She jolted, then pressed her lips together. “I see him in you. Thank you for the greatest gift, the most precious gift.”

Pausing, Martha folded her hands.

“Drew was always a bright boy. Not always a good boy, but who wants that? Ah, he took his first steps at ten months, then there was no stopping him. He liked grape popsicles and Matchbox cars. And drawing. He always loved to draw and color.”

She cleared her throat.

“Once, he was only three, he got the crayons. Those big, thick ones? I’d put them up where I didn’t think he could reach, but I should’ve known better. He could climb like a monkey.”