The Charm Bracelet by Viola Shipman

Author:Viola Shipman
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781466882485
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Twenty-two

“You can’t leave me hanging like that, Grandma,” Lauren said, her eyes wide. “When did he finally ask you out? How long did you date? When did he propose?”

Lolly laughed and took a big gulp of her second beer as another Sinatra song ended.

“Your grandfather, Les, asked me out the next summer, and we went steady long distance until he finished college. The summer after he graduated, he secured a job with the state parks department and helped my father on weekends, before taking over his guide business,” Lolly said. “He proposed to me that summer at the end of the dock on my birthday in the midst of the Fourth of July fireworks. It was so romantic and so thoughtful. He told me he had asked my dad—and my mom—for their permission. Les gave me the most beautiful engagement ring, and then he pulled out another box.”

“What was in it?” Lauren asked, on the edge of her seat.

“The charm of the loon,” she said, holding up her bracelet and finding the silver bird instantly. “I was so happy and honored that any man would value my past so beautifully. I asked him what the charm meant, and he said, ‘This is to a forever love that always calls you home.’”

Lauren was now weeping uncontrollably, sloshing beer out of the mug she was holding. “That’s the most beautiful love story I’ve ever heard, Grandma.”

“Here, my dear,” Lolly said, handing her another napkin. “You could use this.”

“I’m so sorry, Grandma,” Lauren said, putting her beer down and blowing her nose. “People are staring.”

“That’s my granddaughter!” Lolly laughed. “Causing a scene, just like me.”

“I’m sorry I never got to meet him. I’m sorry he died so young.”

Lolly reached out for her granddaughter’s hand and took it in her lap.

“He would have loved you! He was such a good man. He was such a great husband and father. He would have made a wonderful grandfather, too.”

Lolly squeezed her granddaughter’s hand. “But I want you to know something: Although I miss him desperately, I don’t regret a day of my life. One year, thirty years, fifty years: I found the love of my life, and that is the greatest blessing. You do know, my dear, that all my tragedy has affected your mom in so many bad ways: My mother dying so young, my husband’s premature death, and never having enough money. That’s why she’s so strict with you. That’s why she feels she has to control life, so it won’t come unhinged on her. The only things we can control are our happiness, our destiny, our impact on others. Rest is up to God.”

Lauren sniffled and nodded.

“Are you crying because you don’t have someone to love like that?” Lolly asked. “Have you ever been in love?”

Lauren looked toward her mother. “No, I haven’t been in love. I think I may be a bit like my mom … wanting to control life too much.”

“Well, don’t,” Lolly admonished. “You’ll find someone special, and when you

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