“Because of the crash?”
“Among other things.”
“My eyesight.”
She’s asked about temporary guardianship.
She paused. “That was mentioned.”
Of course it was.
***
When Walter returned that afternoon, I asked, “Did you see Aunt Lisa near my glasses that morning?”
He frowned. “Maybe.”
“Maybe?”
My eyesight.
“She was near your purse. I think she had something in her hand.”
“What?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I wasn’t really watching.”
Not proof. But enough to make me wonder.
So I waited until I was discharged.
I think she had something in her hand.
***
Lisa offered to drive me home.
I declined and called a cab.
At home, Walter helped me search one last time. “You once put your phone in the freezer.”
“Once.”
“Twice.”
Enough to make me wonder.
“Traitor.”
Then I remembered the camera by the front door.
That morning, my purse had been directly in its view.
We went back to the morning of the crash.
Walter leaned closer. “Oh, there she comes.”
Traitor.
“Shh.”
He leaned closer. “She’s opening your purse.”
“I see it.”
“Granny… that’s your glasses case.”
We watched Lisa slip it into her handbag.
My stomach turned.
She’s opening your purse.
For years, I’d mistaken refusing to see the worst in Lisa for loving her.
I couldn’t anymore.
Walter whispered, “Why would she do that?”
“I don’t know.”
“Because she wants me?”
I’d mistaken refusing to see the worst in Lisa for loving her.
I looked at him. “She’s wanted you for four years.”
“Why?”
That was the question.
Before confronting Lisa, I went through Daniel’s papers.
Insurance.
Taxes.
Medical bills.
Then I found what I was looking for.
Why would she do that?
I read the first page three times.
“Granny?”
I turned the papers facedown.
“You okay?”
“I think I just figured something out.”
I found what I was looking for.
“About Aunt Lisa?”
“Yes.”
“What?”
“Something I should’ve seen years ago.”
“What is that?”
“I’ll explain when you’re older.”
I just figured something out.
He narrowed his eyes. “That’s exactly what Aunt Lisa says when she doesn’t want to answer me.”
“Please don’t compare me to your aunt today.”
After he left, four years of Lisa’s behavior suddenly made sense.
I’d been asking the wrong question all along.
Something about Lisa’s interest in Walter finally felt different. I needed to hear the rest from her.
Please don’t compare me to your aunt today.
