“Oh, Nana, it’ll be in the city, and–”
“And I’m going to be there.”
Kat’s breath caught on a little laugh. Could Nana make the trip? Kat hadn’t considered that possibility, but it would be wonderful to have her there. She probably shouldn’t get her hopes up, though.
“It’s not one of the top galleries,” Kat told her. “But it’s still a good one. I can’t wait. The owner of the gallery will choose ten to twelve pieces.”
“Did you bring any for me to see?”
“I can show them to you on my computer.”
“Yes! I want to see them.”
Kat retrieved her laptop and set it on the coffee table. “Nana, I wish you’d get a new computer so I can send you these things and we can have video chats.”
Nana had made attempts to email when Kat first went to college, but somewhere along the way, she’d had technical difficulties and had given up. And she had no interest in keeping track of a cell phone. With her beautiful handwriting, she enjoyed writing old-fashioned notes and letters.
Nana held up a hand. “You’ll be happy to know I have an appointment with Stan the computer man—that’s what they call him—here at the center, and he’s going to set me up. I’m going to try, I promise.”
“I’m glad.” Kat opened the Loft show file folder. “These are just pictures I took with my own camera, not professional ones.” She slowly scrolled through the photos while Nana oohed and aahed.
“Oh, sweetie, these are magnificent. I’m so proud of you.” She squeezed Kat’s shoulder. “I absolutely love this one—it looks as if the flowers are dancing. I wish I could have them all.” Nana clapped her hands together. “But I suppose it’s better if the whole world has a chance to see them.”
Right. The whole world. Kat smiled. Nana, of course, was her biggest fan.
Kat moved the computer out of the way and put a hand over Nana’s. “That’s enough about me. Tell me how you’re doing. Do you like it here?” She had no idea how much effort her parents had made to find the best place.
“You know, I wasn’t sure I would, but it’s fine. It really is. It’s nice to not have to worry about things.”
Kat’s heart sank. Had Nana been living all alone in fear? “Like what, Nana? What were you worried about?”
She patted Kat’s knee. “The usual things—falling, having the electricity go out or a plumbing problem, having to let strangers into the house. I was beginning to be a burden to your folks, and I never wanted that.”
“Why didn’t you call and tell me?”
Nana reached out and smoothed Kat’s hair then rested her hand on Kat’s cheek. “I’m sorry, sweetie. I wanted to wait until I got here and settled in. I knew you’d have questions I wouldn’t be able to answer right away.”
“Do you have some friends here?”
“Of course. There are some lovely people here. I’m surprised no one’s stopped by yet to take a look at you. All we do is sit around and brag about our grandchildren and great-grandchildren, you know.”
“But you have activities, right?”
“Sweetie, they have a group or class for everything—reading, quilting, painting, sewing, dancing, cooking.” She ticked off the list one finger after another. “And every kind of exercise you can imagine. Why, I’d be exhausted if I did a quarter of them.”
Kat glanced around. This place was a fraction of the size of Nana’s house. “Where’s all your stuff? Did you have a sale or put everything in storage?”
“Most of it’s still in the house. We haven’t sold it yet. But soon. I have some things for you. Why don’t you put the kettle on for some tea, then I’ll show you.”
Kat smiled. Tea with Nana. Of course.
“Use the good china. It’s in the cupboard,” Nana called as Kat filled the kettle with water.
She opened the cupboards and had no trouble finding the elegant gold-rimmed cups with dainty painted flowers and matching saucers. And there on the counter sat the little ceramic dish Kat had made in middle school. Nana still used it for tea bags. Kat’s eyes misted. It was almost as if she had a presence in the apartment even if she wasn’t there.
She set up a serving tray, adding small cups of sugar cubes and honey, just the way Nana had taught her. When she saw the box of chocolate-dipped wafers on the counter, a surge of delight rushed over her. Tea and cookies…the philosophy of Nana.
As soon as the water was heated, Kat carried the tray into the living room and set it on the coffee table.
