Unfinished Symphony (Logan 3)

She pursed her lips with annoyance and nodded at the attendants who rushed away.

"Stay with her," she ordered the nurse. Then she pivoted and started to march back to the building.

I turned to Grandma Belinda and brushed back her hair. The nurse smiled at me.

"She died happy, thinking of something nice," she said. "And she loved it so much out here," she added. "I know," I moaned through my tears.

"This is better than her getting sicker and sicker and lingering in the infirmary," the nurse continued, more for my sake than for Grandma Belinda's.

"I have to tell Cary," I realized aloud and rose. "I'll stay with her," the nurse promised.

I glanced down at her again. Her lips were turning purple and her smile seemed to fade right before my eyes. I reached down to touch her one more time and then, with my chest feeling as if it had turned to stone, I started away.

Cary was Sifting in Grandpa Samuel's room and Grandpa Samuel was still in bed, sitting up. He was in his robe and was unshaven.

"He's not talking much," Cary began, but when his eyes settled on me a moment longer, he knew something terrible had happened. "What is it? You look terrible."

"It's Grandma Belinda, Cary," I wailed. "She's dead. She died in the garden just now, just before I arrived!"

He got up quickly to embrace me as I sobbed. Grandpa Samuel seemed to finally notice us and slowly came out of his daze.

"Laura?" he said. Cary turned to him.

"No, Grandpa. It's Melody. She's just come from Belinda. I'm afraid it's bad news, Grandpa. Belinda's gone."

"Gone?" He looked at me, at my tear-streaked face and bloodshot eyes. "I told her not to do it. I told her it was wrong, but she said it was the best, for everyone's best." He stared down at his hands and shook his head. "She always knew what was best, so what could I say?"

"He's just more confused than ever," Cary explained. "What happens now?"

"They are taking her to the infirmary and then calling Grandma Olivia. The arrangements are already made. They were made five minutes after she was brought here," I added bitterly. "Grandma Olivia thinks of everything, plans, plots, never misses a beat for fear of a moment's embarrassment for her precious family."

Cary nodded.

"Yet," he said, "you appreciate all that at times like this."

I hated to admit he was right, to give her any credit. "Please, take me home," I said.

"Okay. Grandpa, we've got to go now. I'll be back to see you again."

Grandpa Samuel turned back to us, his face full of seriousness, his eyes small and dark as he nodded with tight lips.

"She decided it was for the best," he said. "But I'm not so sure. Go down in the basement. You decide," he added.

"He's just doing a lot of babbling today," Cary explained. He squeezed Grandpa Samuel's hand softly, patted him on the shoulder and then guided me out.

We didn't stop at Mrs. Greene's office nor did we stop at the checker table to tell Mr. Mandel. I thought it was better for him to find out himself. I still felt like I was in a daze anyway.

"I'm sorry," Cary said as we drove off. "I know how much you wanted to get to know her and to get her to know you."

"It was starting to happen, Cary. Each time I visited, she seemed to remember more."

"I'll go right home and tell Ma," he said after we arrived at Grandma Olivia's. "Take it easy. I'll call you later."

"I'll be all right," I said and kissed him.

I found Grandma Olivia in what was Grandpa Samuel's office talking on the phone. She looked up when I appeared, but continued her conversation with the mortuary.

"Yes," she said, "I want the service short, but I'll stay with the deluxe flower arrangements. No," she added firmly, "you can close the coffin immediately. Thank you."