Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 97199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Aunt Hildy swipes a paper napkin across her lips, taking the few lingering crumbs of the brownie she just devoured along with most of the soft pink lipstick she was wearing.
She curses softly. “I should know better than to use cheap lipstick. Remind me to stop at Matiz today. I need to restock my lipstick drawer. “
Hildy is a fan of the cosmetics brand headquartered on Fifth Avenue. Their flagship store is located on the ground floor of the building, and currently, there is a large image of Aunt Hildy on display in one of the windows that face the bustling street. When she was asked to be a model for their most recent campaign, she jumped at the chance because the contract included free cosmetics for a year, although she told me she negotiated free cosmetics for life.
“I’ll remind you,” I tell her. “Maybe I’ll come with you so we can take a selfie next to your picture in the store window.”
Smiling brightly, she nods. “Deal. After that, I’ll treat you to lunch. Your choice.”
I took one bite of the brownie and realized that my stomach was not in the mood for food today. Maybe it’ll cooperate by the time lunch rolls around. “I’d like that.”
“I’m not going to push you to talk about what’s upset you,” she whispers. “When you’re ready, you will.”
Nodding, I thank her with a small smile.
Her gaze drifts from my face to somewhere behind me. Before I know what’s happening, she’s on her feet. “It can’t be. It just can’t be.”
I follow her lead, and bolt out of my chair, too, just as she breezes past me, headed toward something or someone.
I gasp when I see who it is. She stops directly in front of Percy Haines, the man who has made me feel uneasy for weeks. It didn’t dawn on me until right now that he might stop in here to grab a coffee this morning.
Shocked that Hildy has approached him, I hurry to where they’re standing.
Percy’s gaze shifts to my face. “Hi, Opal.”
Hildy studies him carefully, tilting her head as if she wants to get a glimpse of him from every angle. “You look just like someone.”
Percy swallows hard. “I get that a lot. I’m going to grab a coffee and get out of here.”
“Wait!” Hildy raises a hand in the air to stop Percy from moving. “You have to be related to him.”
“I’m not related to anyone,” Percy blurts out.
Hildy looks at me. “He said your name, Opal. He knows you. What’s his name?”
I don’t hesitate at all before answering, “Percy Haines.”
Her face goes ashen. The smile that is almost always present on her lips dips into a deep frown just as a single tear trails down her cheek.
I reach for her hand to hold it. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
She’s offered me endless comfort over the years, and I can see that she needs exactly that from me now, so I cling to her as her gaze slowly drifts back to Percy.
“You’re Louie’s grandson, aren’t you?” Her voice is quiet, and the tremble in her tone is evident. “Louie Howells is your grandfather.”
Percy’s face takes on the same sallow tone as Hildy’s. He nods softly, his gaze volleying between Hildy and me. “Yes.”
His answer is so succinct and almost silent that I feel the need to ask him to repeat it even though I have no clue who Louie Howells is. Before I can say anything, Hildy drops my hand to reach for his.
She looks into his eyes. “Is Louie gone? Did you come to tell us he’s passed?”
Percy takes her small hand and sighs deeply. “He’s alive. He’s here.”
Hildy leans to the right so she can see the entrance to the coffee shop. “Louie is here? Where?”
Percy looks at me briefly before he tugs on Hildy’s hand. “No. I meant that he’s in New York. He moved back to the city last year. He doesn’t get out much, but I can take you to him.”
“Now?” Excitement edges her tone. “Can we go now?”
Percy’s gaze drops to the floor. “I don’t know if he’ll remember you, Ms. Wallner.”
Stunned that Percy knows my great aunt’s name, I open my mouth to ask him what the hell is going on. I need to know if he knew I was related to Hildy when he approached me weeks ago. I don’t get a word out, though, because Hildy makes a soft sound. It’s more than a whimper but less than a cry. There’s pain in it. It’s the same pain that has been in her eyes since she first spotted Percy.
“Louie will remember me,” she whispers. “I know he will.”
54
William
After dropping off the pink roses at Scout’s workplace, I got back in the rideshare I’d ordered and had him head straight to Turquoise Crown. My plan is to surprise Opal and then confess my sins to her.