Chapter 385
Mr. Patterson said that while other customers might have to wait weeks for a new car, for Effie, he insisted on making sure she got hers right away.
So, the moment Effie signed the papers and paid, her grandmother was already in the driver’s seat, beaming as she pulled their brand-new car out of the lot.
“Can you believe it?” Effie joked, settling into the passenger seat. “After all these years, I get to ride shotgun with Grandma at the wheel again.”
Her grandmother’s eyes shimmered with emotion. She took a steadying breath, wiped at her eyes, and looked straight ahead. “I’m not just going to drive you around,” she said. “Someday, when you have children of your own, I’ll take them out for a spin too. We’ll go shopping together, the three of us.”
She paused, then added with a meaningful glance, “You and Lyman should work on that.”
A flush crept across Effie’s cheeks. “Alright, Grandma…”
“So, where to?” her grandmother asked, clearly not ready to head home just yet. Effie grinned. “Actually, Grandma, there’s somewhere I’d like to go.”
“Oh? Where’s that?”
Effie gave her the address, and they set off. Along the way, she stopped at a roadside stand and picked up some fresh fruit and vegetables.
When they arrived, her grandmother parked, curious. “What made you want to come here?” she asked.
The place was the Lawrence residence. Old Mrs. Lawrence had once shared a hospital room with Effie’s grandmother. Back then, the two elderly women had become unlikely companions.
Old Mrs. Lawrence’s own family was always busy with work and rarely visited- most things were handled by a hired nurse. Maybe that was why she often felt neglected, prone to outbursts and picking at every little thing.
While caring for her grandmother, Effie would bring meals for Old Mrs. Lawrence, too. Little by little, they’d all grown close. Effie and Old Mrs. Lawrence had become friends, despite the age gap.
When Old Mrs. Lawrence was finally discharged, a whole entourage came to pick her up-including Irwin Lawrence, who at the time was the deputy chief of police. That’s when Effie realized why her family had stayed away from the hospital: with their social standing, frequent hospital visits would have drawn unnecessary attention, so they’d hired help instead.
Later, Old Mrs. Lawrence had even invited Effie and her grandmother out to dinner. But time passed, and without many chances to meet, they’d lost touch for a while.
Still, when Effie and her grandmother walked up to her door, Old Mrs. Lawrence greeted them warmly, no airs or distance at all.
“Effie, it’s been ages! I miss your cooking,” she said with a smile.
Effie laughed, a little embarrassed. “Actually… I can’t cook to save my life. Those meals were all made by my best friend.”
Back then, Nita had been between jobs and was staying at Effie’s grandmother’s house. She’d offered to cook for Effie, who delivered the meals to her grandmother and Old Mrs. Lawrence. After she was done in the kitchen, Nita would head out to job interviews, rarely having time to visit the hospital herself.
Old Mrs. Lawrence chuckled. “That explains it! Well, I still owe you thanks-you brought me such delicious food. We really should get together more often. Let’s plan a get-together soon.”
Effie handed over the fruit and vegetables she’d brought. “Actually, I came today because I need a favor.”
Old Mrs. Lawrence waved her off. “Don’t be so formal. We’re old friends. If you need help, just say the word.”
Effie explained Lyman’s project and how it had hit a wall.
Old Mrs. Lawrence nodded thoughtfully. If it’s your husband’s work, I’ll arrange for you all to meet
in a few days. As it happens, my ne
birthday’s coming up. Why don’t you all come to the party? It’ll be a lively crowd, and we can talk then.”