“The state police called the next morning.”
“Why you?”
“I was the last person Lorna called.”
I stopped. “She called you?”
“She left a voicemail that afternoon. ‘Dad, we’re coming through Riverton at nine. I want you to meet your granddaughter.’ I still have it.”
My knees went weak. “That night they left Poppy with me. Lorna said they were going on a date. Ninety miles for a date?”
“It wasn’t a date. She was coming home.”
“Then why didn’t she come in?”
He closed his eyes. “I watched them on the doorbell camera. Lorna rang twice. Gavin held her hand. They waited.”
“And you?”
“I stood inside with my hand on the lock.”
“You didn’t open it.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Pride. I’d told her never to come back, and I couldn’t make myself take it back. They were on that road forty minutes later.” His voice cracked. “If I’d opened the door, maybe they’d be alive.”
So that was what he couldn’t forgive himself for.
“That’s why you missed the funeral.”
“I couldn’t face you. Or her grave.”
“And Poppy? Did you know about her?”
His jaw tightened. “I knew where you lived. I drove past your house three times. I saw the roof. A little girl in a coat too small for her. I’d sit in the car and think, what do I say? I’m the man who didn’t open the door?”
“You say, ‘I’m her grandfather.’”
“I couldn’t.”
“Then why send your driver after Tabitha?”
“I knew she’d bring the ring to you. I was afraid you’d look at me like I killed them.”
“You didn’t,” I said. “You just left them standing on your porch. For three years you let Poppy think nobody else wanted her.”
He flinched. “I wanted her. I just didn’t know how.”
“You never tried.”
Silence.
“Spencer says you don’t want to meet her.”
“I told them that.”
“Was it true?”
“No.” His voice broke. “Please. I don’t have much time. Let me see her.”
I wanted to say no. Then I thought of Poppy’s drawing, and her wish for a bigger family.
“I’m not forgiving you.”
“I’m not asking.”
“I’ll bring her tomorrow. For her, not for you.”
The next day, in the elevator, I explained. “Your mama had a daddy. He’s very sick. He wants to meet you.”
“Is he nice?”
“He’s very sad.”
“Is he sad because he lost somebody?”
“Yes, sweetheart.”
Tabitha and Spencer waited outside room 412. Poppy stopped at the foot of the bed.
“Hi.”
Harlan couldn’t speak. He cried without a sound. After a while he picked up the velvet pouch.
“This was your great-grandmother’s ring. It’s yours.”
“The treasure,” Poppy whispered.
“Yes.”
“It stays safe until she’s older,” I said.
“Of course.” He handed me an envelope. “I’ve set up a trust fund for Poppy’s education. It’s Lorna’s share of her mother’s money. I should have done it years ago.”
I looked at him. “I still don’t understand you.”
“I know.”
“But I’ll bring Poppy on Sundays. For her sake.”
He nodded, his eyes filling.
That night, Poppy held the ring box up to the lamp. “Grandma, was the treasure from Mama?”
“In a way, sweetheart.”
She smiled. “I think she wanted me to find it.”
We’ve gone back to see Harlan every Sunday since, and her aunt and uncle too. Poppy finally has more family in her life.
