Family Stories. Tessa McDermid
Чтение книги онлайн.
Читать онлайн книгу Family Stories - Tessa McDermid страница 14
Название: Family Stories
Автор: Tessa McDermid
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Контркультура
Серия: Mills & Boon Cherish
isbn: 9781472061287
isbn:
Marian’s voice had risen. Hannah glanced around the room but they were far enough from the others not to be attracting attention. Yet.
Frank took Marian’s fingers in his hand. “Hush, it’s all right.” His eyes narrowed as he glared at Hannah. “What’s this about a party? Your grandmother didn’t send you over here, did she?”
Hannah shook her head vigorously. “No, it was my idea, Grandpa. I found some pictures and things and thought you deserved a celebration.”
“We don’t need a party to remember we’ve been married seventy-five years.” His voice was firmer than she’d heard in her last visits. He leaned forward until he could cradle Marian’s still-fluttering hands against his chest, their heads close.
“That’s true, Grandpa. But it’s just, well—” Her voice trailed off.
“No party. See how it upsets your great-grandmother?”
Hannah knew she should stop but maybe they didn’t understand what she was asking. She sat forward, her face only inches from his. G.G.’s face was hidden against Frank’s shoulder now. Her breathing was uneven but the fluttering motions had ceased.
“Not a real party, ” she explained. Maybe it was the idea of a crowd that was bothering her. Or dancing. Now that G.G. was in a wheelchair, maybe she didn’t like being reminded of what she could no longer do. “Just a family dinner. Here.” She gestured at the table behind them. “A few speeches, some stories about your life together. Cake. That’s all.”
She shifted until she could look into his eyes. “You’ve been together seventy-five years, Grandpa. We should celebrate that!”
G.G. was shuddering again. Tiny gasps sputtered against Frank’s shirt. “Hannah, no more, please.” His voice was sharp. “You need to go now.”
Hannah stood up, hesitant to leave after being the unwitting cause of their distress. What had she said? “Grandpa—”
He waved a hand at her, his other hand softly rubbing Marian’s back. “She’ll be fine. Just leave right now. And no more talk of a party.” He mouthed the last word at her.
Hannah nodded and headed toward the entrance, pausing in the doorway. Marian had raised her head from Frank’s shoulder. He was softly smoothing her hair from her face. Even standing at a distance, Hannah could sense the love around the two of them, isolating them from the other people in the room.
She pedaled slowly home going over the visit in her mind. Why wouldn’t they want to celebrate their anniversary? With so many marriages ending in divorce, staying married was a major feat in itself. And to be married for seventy-five years to the same person, still so full of love…
She parked her bike inside the garage and slipped in the kitchen door. She didn’t want to be pushy but somehow, the family needed to recognize their lives together.
Somehow, she’d convince G.G. to have a party.
Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.
Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».
Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.
Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.