Page 34 of By His Play

I let out a sigh as the rain continues soaking everything around us.

“Do you want to go and see her?” Effie suddenly asks, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

I know that I should just forgive her and move on.

But it’s not that easy.

“The nurses should be finished now.”

Pushing to the edge of the bench, I agree.

“I’m going to go to the bathroom,” she explains as I walk toward the main doors.

It pains me to leave her behind, but I do it.

Thankfully, Grams’ room is empty when I slip inside. I’m annoyed with the nurse who sold her story. I have a few words I’d like to say to her, but at the same time, what’s the point?

She’s already done the damage and had her five minutes of fame. It’s too late to do anything about it now.

“Hey, Grams,” I say, hating that she doesn’t react to me in any way.

I lower myself to the chair that Effie has been sitting in for hours while I was outside deep in my own thoughts.

For a few minutes, I can’t muster up any words.

What is there to really say in this situation?

But after a while, something bubbles up.

“You don’t need to worry about holding on. I know you’re worried about Effie. But I promise you that she’ll be okay. You’ve raised an incredibly smart and strong young woman.”

I try to swallow the lump that crawls up my throat, but it doesn’t shift.

“No matter what happens, or where life takes us, I’ll always be there for her.”

It’s no lie. I will. I don’t care if she meets someone, gets married, and has kids. I will always be there if she needs me.

The thought of her with a serious man in her life causes a weird reaction that I can’t identify. I shove it away. It’s not exactly close to being a reality right now, so I figure it doesn’t need worrying about.

“I love her. I always have. She’s my girl. But you know that, don’t you?” A sad laugh spills from my lips as I try to imagine how she reacted when Effie told her our fake news.

I bet she was beside herself with happiness.

A noise at the door catches my attention, and I startle when I find Effie standing there with tear-stained cheeks.

“Speak of the devil and she shall appear,” I tease. “Here,” I say, getting up so she can retake her seat.

She looks unsure as she joins us, but she ignores the empty seat in favor of perching on the edge of Grams’ bed.

Effie takes her delicate hand in hers and lifts it to kiss her knuckles.

“Kieran is right, Grams. I’ll be okay. D-don’t hold on because of m-me. It’s t-time to find peace.”

Stepping up behind her, I wrap my arms around her as her first sob breaks free.

Grams’ breathing is shallower than ever. She’s really struggling.

As much as I hate everything about this and how much Effie is about to lose, it’s time. Effie knows it too.

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