“Never,” Big Daddy answers with another wide smile for Sunshine. “What sort of gourmet mush are you serving me today?”
“You’re up to mechanical soft.” Sunshine lifts the plate cover with flair. “No more purée for you.”
Big Daddy grins like his day has been made, and I wish I had more ability to control my face.
His smile fades a little but doesn’t disappear completely when he looks down at the bland-looking food.
“I love pudding, and I promise not to eat it if you finish everything else on your plate,” Faith says.
Big Daddy looks at her, the same level of love for her that shines in his eyes when he looks at me. “You got yourself a deal, young lady.”
My eyes sting with unshed tears as I watch my friend unwrap his silverware, the entire time carrying on a conversation with the man who raised me as she prepares his meal.
“He’s getting stronger,” Sunshine whispers in my ear before leaving the room. “You have no idea how much it helps him that you’re here every day.”
I don’t think Sunshine has a damn clue just how much her words mean to me as I watch my grandfather eat his entire meal with a smile on his face.
“I think you’re going to need to come with me every day,” I joke with Faith after kissing Big Daddy goodbye.
She stops me with her hand on my arm, a serious look on her face. “If that’s what it takes, you know I’m here.”
My eyes threaten to well with tears of appreciation.
“Ms. Davis?”
“I’ll wait for you in the car,” Faith says when I hand her the keys.
“Yes, ma’am,” I say, turning in Susan’s direction.
The facility administrator gives me a soft smile, but the paperwork in her hands doesn’t give me the warmest feeling.
“I wanted to chat with you about the unpaid bills.”
“Unpaid?” I immediately start to shake my head. “His care from the hospital is supposed to be covered by the Veteran’s Hospital. The lady there told me—”
“Those bills are still active, Ms. Davis, and they will be covered once we get all the forms submitted. I’m talking about his bills here.”
“I was told those bills are covered under Medicare once his personal savings is depleted.”
“If the resident doesn’t own property,” she clarifies.
My gut starts to turn, and I have a feeling I already know what she’s going to say before the words leave her mouth.
“His home in Telluride is still in his name.”
“My cousin was supposed to take care of that.”
“This cousin was supposed to sell the house and land?”
I clench my jaw before responding. Her tone is different from one she’s ever used with me, and I don’t like the change. “He sold the property to her.”
Actually, he gave it away, but she’s not deserving of that information.
Her face softens. “I’m not telling you all of this to upset you, but his funds will run out by the end of January.”
“Thank you,” I say, emotion clogging the words in my throat. “I’ll take care of it.”
She gives me a quick nod before walking away, no doubt to ruin someone else’s day.