The Restaurant (The Nantucket Restaurant #1)(5)
It was also true that their sex life had been virtually non-existent for the past few years. Now that she did think about it, they’d never really had the kind of crazy chemistry where you want to have sex all the time. They both had busy schedules and were exhausted at the end of the day and Emma realized that sex really hadn’t been a priority for either of them for a very long time.
She’d just gotten used to it because they had such a comfortable relationship, friendly and easy, and they really enjoyed spending time together. They liked the same restaurants, shared similar tastes in books and movies and overall were content relaxing together at home, watching TV and catching up on each other’s day. Sadly, she realized that they were best friends, not lovers.
Emma wondered if she would feel better or worse if it had been another woman instead of a man? She supposed it might be worse, but she wasn’t sure. She felt like a complete and total failure, like maybe she had somehow caused this, though intellectually she knew that was ridiculous. The thing was, she felt like she just didn’t know anything anymore. And she hadn’t told her sisters yet.
All that Jill and Mandy knew was that she and Peter were having some ‘issues’ and had separated. She’d told them she’d fill them in when she saw them as it would only be a few weeks. She just wasn’t ready to talk about it yet, not even to them. She knew she’d just break down and cry if she did. The hurt was too fresh and too confusing. She needed these few weeks to gather her strength and wrap her mind around what had happened, and to somehow begin to process it.
She was worried about Grams now too. Jill had sounded so anxious when she’d called earlier to see if she could change her flight to today instead of tomorrow. Grams had always been so feisty and full of health, that it was hard to imagine her being sick at all.
Wispy snowflakes started to fall as the airplane taxied across the runway to the gate. It was almost five, the very heart of rush hour in Boston.
Emma stepped off the plane and made her way through the gate where people were lined up waiting for their loved ones to arrive. Normally Emma flew into Nantucket and would be on the lookout for a familiar face. Either Mandy or Jill, sometimes both, would be there waiting for her. But not this time. Grams was at Mass General, one of the top hospitals in Boston. Mandy and Jill were with her and Emma had told them she’d just jump in a cab and meet them at the hospital. Without traffic she’d be there in less than fifteen minutes, though with rush hour it would likely take a bit longer. She didn’t have any luggage though, just a carry-on bag, so she quickly made her way outside where a line of cabs waited and got in the first one.
“Mass General please,” she said to the driver and then settled back into her seat, trying to calm her nerves. She hoped she wouldn’t be too late.
Room 215 at Mass General was small, but comfortable, and Mandy had worked her magic to give it a homey touch. Rosy candles lined the counter and a gorgeous arrangement of Winston’s finest flowers, in pretty shades of pink and peach and cream, looked elegant in a thick, square cut-glass vase. A powder blue blanket made of the softest fleece imaginable was carefully tucked around Grams to make her as comfy as possible. Grams was actually sitting up in bed now, surprisingly energetic given her condition and prognosis. Her voice was raspy and her color was pale, but she spoke clearly and with determination.
“Your sister is on her way? She’ll be here soon?”
“Emma called from the airport a little while ago. She should be here any minute,” Mandy assured her. She and Jill were sitting in chairs pulled up close to Gram’s bed. Grams had been dozing off and on since they’d arrived and had woken from her latest nap about fifteen minutes ago. She seemed to be gathering her strength as if she had something important to say. Jill held her hand and smiled, trying not to let her worry show. She wondered if her grandmother was fully aware of how sick she was.
Jill and Mandy had been at the hospital since eight a.m. They’d flown in the night before and saw Grams once she was settled into her room. She’d mostly been sleeping, but they stayed by her side for several hours before staying the night at the Wyndham, which was a short walk to the hospital. The doctor had stopped by and told them that Gram’s lungs were failing due to complications from pneumonia and he admitted her age was a factor. He thought that she might have a day or two at best.
“I know that I’m dying,” Grams said and her tone was matter of fact, serene even.
“It’s fine. Really,” Grams insisted as Jill opened her mouth to protest.
She looked at both girls and Jill saw a hint of a smile in the eyes that seemed both tired and wise. “I’ve had a wonderful life and a long one and it’s my time. I’m tired, but I have a few things to say.”
“Grams, are you thirsty? Do you want some water… or some wine?” Mandy teased gently. Grams had always loved her wine, white especially.
“A bit of water would be nice. Thanks, honey.” Mandy handed her a cup of ice water with a straw bent at an angle so it would be easier for her to reach. Grams took a sip as Emma peeked her head in the door.
Hugs and hellos were exchanged, and then Emma pulled a chair up between the others.
“Grams has something to tell us,” Jill said. Her grandmother’s eyes were strangely bright, and Emma sensed that she’d arrived with little time to spare.