But inside, I was back in that hospital hallway, watching Lisa walk away.
Only this time, I was afraid the girls were walking toward her.
“Did she ask about me?” I said.
Nobody answered.
That told me enough.
I rinsed a clean plate because my hands needed something to do.
“Did she ask about me?”
May touched my arm.
“Are you mad?”
“No.”
“Then what are you?”
I shut off the water.
“Scared.”
The word surprised all four of us.
“Are you mad?”
I had raised three babies on nearly nothing.
But nothing scared me like the thought that I had only been keeping someone else’s place warm.
Rose’s eyes filled.
“Grandpa, no.”
“If Lisa wants to come back,” I said, before I lost my nerve, “she doesn’t do it through packages.”
I had raised three babies on nearly nothing.
June narrowed her eyes. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying we invite her to Sunday dinner.”
May’s mouth opened. “Here?”
“Yes.”
Rose studied my face. “Are you sure?”
“No,” I said. “But secrets don’t get to grow in this house.”
“What are you saying?”
The girls sent the message.
Lisa accepted within ten minutes.
My stomach only tightened.
***
On Sunday, I cooked pot roast.
At five, Rose set the plates.
At six, May wrapped foil over the dish.
The girls sent the message.
At seven, June looked at the clock and said, “Grandpa, stop reheating it.”
“She said she was coming.”
“Then she can eat it cold,” June said.
I took the pot roast out of the oven and set it on the counter.
***
When Lisa finally knocked, I opened the door.
“Grandpa, stop reheating it.”
She stood there polished, smiling like two hours late was still on time.
“Hi, Dad.”
“You’re two hours late, Lisa.”
“Traffic was awful.”
June leaned against the doorway. “For two hours?”
Lisa’s smile tightened. “I didn’t realize I was on trial.”
“You’re two hours late, Lisa.”
“You’re not,” I said. “But dinner got cold waiting for you.”
She stepped inside and glanced around our kitchen.
“It’s sweet that you kept everything so simple.”
Lisa sat down like a guest expecting better service. Rose poured water. May passed the rolls. June didn’t move.
Lisa talked first. “You girls look beautiful. I mean, look at you. My daughters.”
She stepped inside and glanced around.
