The Memory Keeper: A Heartwarming, Feel-Good Romance(35)

“Maybe it was teaching me not to waste my time,” Hannah said. She wiped her tear away.

Her mother nodded lovingly. “You could be right. You’ve had a setback, but now maybe it’s time to dial in to that inner drive you have.”

“Yeah…” Hannah said, considering what she even wanted. “I’m at a loss for what I’m supposed to be doing.”

“Maybe it’s because the future is wide open. God’s giving you time to deal with what you’ve got on your plate right now before you start your next journey.”

“Maybe,” Hannah said, grateful for her mother’s insight. She always knew just what to say.

Maura eyed the journal. “Anything interesting in there?” she asked with a wink.

“Definitely,” Hannah replied, picking up the book and fanning the pages with her thumb.

Her mother wiggled her eyebrows. “Well, enjoy it. I’m heading to bed. I’ll see you in the morning.” She stood up and started toward the door.

“Good night,” Hannah told her, feeling a little lighter after their talk. As her mom left, she opened up Gran’s journal and began to read another entry, hoping to escape her thoughts for a while.

February 27, 1943



I can’t stop staring at the letter sitting at the top of my trash bin. I know that I’m being selfish to even contemplate feeling sorry for myself, but the tears come anyway. Maybe my emotion is displaced. Perhaps my tears fall for my love. Charles has been on the front lines in Tunisia without word for weeks, and I have no idea if he’s all right. This war is definitely hitting us all hard, but our armed forces are taking the worst of it for us, for which I should be grateful. All I have to be anxious about is the acceptance letter to Saint Joseph College for Women in my trash can that will never be answered, and my awful boss James Williams on the assembly line at the metal company. But I’m safe and well, and I’m able to help provide for my family.





Wow, Hannah thought. She knew Gran had never gone to college, but what Gran hadn’t told her was that she’d given up a place to work on a factory assembly line during World War II to help her family. Hannah couldn’t imagine what it would’ve been like to have the kind of pressure that Gran was under.

Just then, Liam’s headlights flashed through Hannah’s window, so she got off the bed and headed to the front door. When he started up the walk, Hannah opened it, standing in the doorway.

“Sorry that took me so long,” he said.

“No problem,” she returned. “Well, I think I’m going to head to bed. It’ll be so nice to sleep in a familiar bed tonight.”

Liam grinned. “No spiders.”

The memory of their kiss in the middle of the night floated into her mind. “Definitely no spiders.”

They shared a moment, both of them looking at one another, and she felt as though he had words on his lips just like she did. But instead, he offered her an uneasy smile. Hannah turned away from him and locked the door. They walked quietly down the hallway, neither of them saying anything more.

“Good night,” she finally said, as she left him at his bedroom and headed down to Gran’s room.

“Good night,” he returned from the hall.

Hannah closed the door to Gran’s room and flopped onto the bed, her mind whirring again with Liam’s presence. She squeezed her eyes shut to try to clear her mind. She’d just read one more entry to help her sleep…

March 3, 1943



I got a letter from Charles! I’m so excited I can hardly mind my manners! I went screaming through the house and scared Mama half to death. Here’s what Charles wrote:

We’re quite safe at the moment and I’m thinking of you, wondering if you’ve changed at all. Just wait until you see how different I am after being here, Faye. I’m skinnier now, and my hair is much shorter, but I love you just the same. I’ve told the other guys about you. With them around all the time, it’s a wonder I have time to miss you so much, but I do and I’m glad they distract me when they can. It keeps me from thinking of everything I’m missing back home in Kentucky. How about that school you wanted to go to for art? I’ll bet you’re already packed by now. Let me know all about it. I’m excited to hear about you and what you’re doing, and I can’t wait to come home to you.





What had happened between Gran and Charles? She scanned the entry again, the last sentence blurring in front of her tired eyes: I can’t wait to come home to you… She set the journal beside her and changed into her pajamas. Her thoughts still on Gran’s story, she clicked off the bedside lamp, crawled into bed, and closed her eyes. She couldn’t wait to visit Gran tomorrow so she could ask her about Charles.





Twelve





“Hey,” Liam said tentatively, as he met Hannah in the hallway the next morning. He was already dressed, hair combed, clean-shaven. There was caution in his approach.

“Good morning,” she said, crossing her arms over her pink heart-covered flannel pajama shirt. “Heading out so soon?” she asked. She took a step toward him, but he backed up, giving her pause.

“I’m all packed,” he said, the look in his eyes warning her of something. “My bags are in the car. Thank you for your hospitality last night. It was truly appreciated.”