Chapter 41

Chapter Forty-One

Calvin

A unt Pearl is fine.

Watching her stir three teaspoons of sugar into her tea, I can't remember why I was worried. She's been through many of these snowstorms. Maybe not as intense but multi-footers, nonetheless. She's prepared, in better shape than people half her age. But I needed to make sure.

We're sitting in her kitchen, painted China cups filled with steaming green tea rest on matching saucers before us. There are knick-knacks everywhere I look—an impressive collection of miniature ceramic elephants from far-flung places to enough salt-and-pepper shakers to supply the deli in town. It's cluttered but I love it. It's one of the happy places of my childhood.

I'm ashamed of how long it's been since I've visited and say as much.

Aunt Pearl waves away the comment with her signature harrumph. I've always loved her matter-of-fact, no-drama personality.

"Why so glum, Sonny?" She furrows her brow. "Where is your girlfriend?"

I don't bother explaining the relationship to my aunt. I don't understand it myself. "She's at the house. She'll be there for a few more days." Alone.

After my sudden departure from home, I rode the snowmobile to Aunt Pearl's place. I've replayed the events a hundred times, dissecting where it all went wrong. We were in sync, our chemistry undeniable. Then her head was on my shoulder and I thought I'd found the perfect moment to tell her about Chacha. That's when conversation with Caroline went south faster than a snowbird in winter.

The rapid shift took me by surprise. As soon as I shared my news, Caroline turned hot under the collar. All I wanted was to help her find peace and quiet. Instead, I brought more stress into her life.

Aunt Pearl squints her eyes. Something isn't adding up for her but she lets it go.

"Oh, I nearly forgot to tell you," she says, a bit too cheerfully. "The hospital in Burlington opened a wing. They're looking for doctors. I hear the pay is high due to demand."

Aunt Pearl is sharp as a tack but subtlety isn't her strong suit. Since I left, years ago, she has been sending me job openings, all in or near Sugarbush Falls.

"I have a job, Auntie."

She sighs.

Then I sigh.

I'm not sure how she knows but Aunt Pearl says, "Tell me, Sonny."

I don't hesitate. I need someone to talk to. "When I met Caroline, there was an instant connection despite how different we are. She's an uptown girl while I'm . . . a small-town ‘never saw a building over thirty floors till I went to college' guy."

Aunt Pearl fiddles with her cup, listening intently. "She's not excited about the adoption, is she?"

Only she, my dad, and my sister, Kim, know about it. I'll notify my job once the court hearing is behind me. I'm almost scared to jinx it.

I shake my head. "She thinks I'm making a mistake."

"I see." I know Aunt Pearl won't show her hand. If she has a problem with Caroline's opinion I won't ever know.

"It matters to you that she's on board with your decision."

She says it like a therapist, leading me to some measure of clarity. I take it as a sign to give her more info, some background.

"I was on call the morning Caroline was brought into the emergency room with a broken leg."

"Serendipity."

Possibly. Probably.

I share about the first time I met Caroline. She was sitting in a hospital bed on the phone, telling some lady she would never speak to her again unless she got on a plane. I later learned she was talking to her best friend, Evie. But back then, I marveled that despite Caroline's discomfort, she stayed fiercely resolute. When it was time for post-op rehab, she did it all with courage.

I'm not sure why I took such a deep interest in my new patient. She wore a wedding band, a very glitzy one. But no husband ever showed up. As I reviewed her file, I noticed her marital status was listed as widowed. After that, I made it a point to visit her room and check in after my shift. By the time of her discharge, something happened. I knew I needed to keep seeing her.

Aunt Pearl is focused on every word. It feels good to unburden myself.

She says, "It's nice coming home to someone, seeing the lights in the window. Someone waiting."

I swallow hard and nod.

"We laugh at the same things," I say. It's an odd thing to share but I need to.

Aunt Pearl places her veiny hand on mine. "You'll do the right thing for everyone, Sonny. Like you always do."

"You have too much faith in me."

She pats my hand. "Never."

I stand. It's time to go. I need to prep the apartment for Chacha's arrival.

I lean over and peck my aunt's cheek. "Thank you."

"Follow your heart, Calvin. Wherever it leads you."

As she sees me out, I get a call from the mechanic. My car is functional. He knows I'm a physician and sped up the work. I can get to New York and have the car's cosmetic repairs done there.

I bid my aunt farewell, promising to visit when I return. I hop on my snowmobile and wave goodbye, her sage words still ringing in my ears.