Diamonds by Brian Ritchie by Brian Ritchie
Chapter 24: Monday 17th August.
I was at an all time low as, by now, everyone was so wrapped up in their own happiness that they all completely ignored me and I was almost at the selfish point of saying.
“To hell with the lot of them - I don’t need them.
I’ll accept the promotion and go home to Glasgow as if I don’t care.”
When the telephone rang.
“That’s Rachel for you,” Sarah announced.
I let out a long sigh before saying. “Hello.”
“You’ve done it!” she exclaimed excitedly.
“I’ve done what?” I asked.
“Debbie’s adoption went through about half an hour ago without any problems at all.”
“Oh that’s great news,” I sighed with as much enthusiasm as I could muster, which wasn’t much.
“We’ll have a party for her tonight to celebrate this big day in her life.”
“Okay. Sure Rachel. I’ll be there.”
We said goodbye as I sighed to myself. “Sure Rachel.
I’ll be there in body at least - God only knows where my spirit will be.”
I wallowed in self-pity for about another hour until I decided to go to lunch but instead of going out, as I had done every day since I arrived 12 months ago, I made my way down to the basement to the work’s canteen.
I took no notice of anyone as I looked at an array of meals before deciding on Macaroni cheese and chips - because it looked like the way I felt.
Arming myself with a mug of tea I sat by myself at a table in a corner to brood.
At one end of the massive white tiled, spotlessly clean, canteen sat a group of about twenty boys from the packing department who were laughing and joking noisily.
A portable radio at the centre of the table played inaudibly.
At a table in the centre I noticed Sarah with a few other girls who were chatting noisily.
Sarah gave me a few concerned glances as I lazily played with my lunch.
As I sat in my self-torment for roughly 20 minutes I failed to notice the chatter from the table of boys ebb while the radio announced the National pop charts for the forthcoming week. The chatter from the entire room being brought to an abrupt silence as Sarah suddenly jumped to her feet shouting “Johnny turn that up!”
Johnny seated at the centre of the table of boys – who was obviously in charge of the radio – looked puzzled at Sarah’s request as he was constantly being asked by several members of staff to keep the volume down.
“Johnny, turn the radio right up!” she bellowed coming to where I sat in my trance.
“Listen Brian, listen.” she called snapping her fingers to revive me.
Johnny complied just as the usual fanfare preceded the #1 record and the DJ announced.
“We have a brand new number one this week. Up an incredible 27 places from last week’s 28. Six young girls from Edinburgh who call themselves ‘Diamonds’ with their debut single ‘Baby - You’re an Angel.’
They are this week’s number one.”
The, now familiar, introduction began as Sarah, much to the bewilderment of all present, sat on the table before me moving my plate and mug as she did so.
“Brian, that’s it. That’s your sign.”
“What?” I looked at her totally confused. “What’s my sign?”
“I told you God would give you a sign and that is it.”
“I’m not with you.” I apologised.
“Brian,” she sighed excitedly, “now everyone in your life is happy.”
“Rachel and ‘Diamonds’ are #1 with Debbie’s song.
Marcie and Jaclyn are happy together after 18 years apart.
Debbie now has everything she has ever wanted.
The only person who is not happy is the man who brought about everybody else’s happiness - YOU.”
“Yes, but.” I mumbled before Sarah interrupted me again.
“You told me at the cemetery a fortnight ago your only aim in life is to make Tracey’s dreams come true – correct?”
“Yes, but.”
“Yes, but nothing,” she scolded me, “you told me Tracey’s dream could only become reality if her parents saw a grandchild. - Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“You also told me a long time ago that you loved Debbie and that she loves you. – Right?”
“I suppose so.” I sighed missing the point entirely.
“Tracey - God rest her - chose you to be the father of her parent’s grandchild and, God forgive me for saying this, but if you hadn’t moved here she wouldn’t have got onto the motorway that day and she’d be alive today, unfortunately it’s cruel but that’s life.”
“What?”
“Today Debbie’s song is number 1 and, whether you like it or not, Debbie also officially took Tracey’s place and the only way her destiny can become reality is if Debbie becomes pregnant and you’re the father of the child. PLUS, you’ve now got the chance to go back to Glasgow safe in the knowledge that you’ll leave a lot of happy people here, all thanks to you.”
“What? Marry Debbie?” I asked, “How? The wedding’s cancelled.”
Sarah placed her hands onto my shoulders, looked me straight in the eye and smiled; “No it’s not.
The things I arranged - the reception and the honeymoon - I haven’t cancelled and you can put your bottom dollar on the fact that Catherine has been too busy these past few weeks with the funeral and the adoption to think about the wedding.
I bet it’s still ‘ON’ and there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be.”
Suddenly the fuzziness that had clouded my thoughts all week lifted like a curtain being raised and I could see everything ahead very clearly.
All the plans made for my future with Tracey could come true if I married Debbie.
All that had to be done was alter the banns if Tony and Debbie both agree to it.
The solution to all my problems was so simple I couldn’t see it until Sarah pointed it out, but some doubts still nagged me.
“Sarah, you’re right as always, but nobody would accept, that I hadn’t planned all this.”
“Brian,” she whispered, “I believe this is your destiny.
You have got to, at least, give it a try and even if it doesn’t work out there’s a new life waiting for you in Glasgow.
It’s all there waiting for you to go for it.”
With tears filling her eyes she implored me.
“This is your God-given destiny, go for it.”
“Sarah,” I whispered as I stood to hug her as the final few bars of the song faded, “You are a diamond - I knew I could count on you.”
As I kissed Sarah the boys from the packing department cheered as I left the canteen with a new spring in my step while Sarah tearfully called, “Like the adding machine once said….”
I wasted no time driving across the city to the bank where Debbie worked and found her behind one of the teller windows explaining something to a confused little old lady.
I hovered nervously, much to the annoyance of the dozen or so people who had queued up to my right.
When the lady walked slowly away I slipped quickly to the window amid a few protests from the queue.
“Hello Brian,” Debbie smiled radiantly, “We haven’t seen you in here before - what can we do for you?”
“I’d like to make a withdrawal.” I began nervously.
Noticing that I did not have the necessary slip, she slid one under the glass partition saying. “If you would like to make out this slip I’ll see what I can do for you.”
I pushed the paper back. “It’s not money that I want to withdraw from this bank.”
Debbie’s smile vanished as Sandra in the next window shrugged her shoulders with a puzzled look on her face.
Debbie, looking very confused said, “I am afraid money is all we’ve got.” indicating the drawer full of banknotes beside her.
“No Debbie,” I sighed, “there’s something in this bank that?
“Sorry?” she asked bewildered.
“It’s you.” I replied.
“Me?”
“Yes Debbie, will you marry me?”
Everything suddenly stopped and a deathly silence filled the air as Debbie looking shocked mumbled, “What?”
Taking a deep breath I felt my voice quiver with emotion as I asked, “Debbie, I love you - and have loved you since I first met you - will you please marry me?”
It seemed that I was standing for an eternity as I watched the astonishment on her face slowly change into a wide beaming smile, then leaping from her chair she rushed to a connecting glass door before flying into my open arms to kiss me.
The former silence was suddenly shattered as everyone, customers and staff, cheered and clapped so loudly that I had great difficulty in hearing Debbie’s answer.
“What the hell is going on?” I heard a middle aged gentleman, who was obviously the manager, calling as he came out of a door on the other side of the glass from us.
As soon as he appeared most of the staff lowered their heads to resume their tasks while the customers ignored him continuing to applaud and cheer.
Glaring at us from behind the glass he called, “Miss Campbell, what the hell are you doing?”
“I am getting married, sir,” she replied.
“That’s very nice,” he smiled sarcastically, “congratulations, now can you get back to work?”
“Debbie was in two minds whether she should obey his command when I stated; “By the way - her name isn’t Campbell any more.
As of half past ten this morning it became Collins and as of the 26th September it’ll be changing again when she marries me.”
Debbie looked at me in disbelief. “It came through?”
I closed my eyes realising I had spoiled Rachel’s surprise.
“Did Rachel not call you?”
“No,” came her reply, “In that case.”
She loosened her grip on me and forcefully ripping her name badge from her chest, she threw it under the glass partition at her boss and called, “I quit.”
He stood dumbstruck as the cheering resumed and we left arm in arm to my car.
“Are you happy now?” I asked starting the engine and headed back to my office.
“I’m so unbelievably happy,” she beamed, “my head’s beginning to spin. This has got to be the happiest day of my entire life.
All my wildest dreams have come true today, I am so happy I could cry” and she did.
Sarah burst into floods of tears as I led Debbie by the hand past her to my office where she immediately followed to hug Debbie for a few minutes. As they wept for joy in each other’s arms I had to wipe my own tears away as I sat at my desk.
“Sarah.” I called to break them up; “there are a few things I’d like you to do for me?”
“Sure boss.” Regaining her composure.
“Could you call Mrs. Simpson and request an audience with ‘his holiness’ for tomorrow morning?”
“I’ll be glad to.” Sarah wiped her eyes.
“And can you get Tony Collins for me?”
“No, not yet,” Debbie called, “so much has happened today I need a few minutes to get my thoughts together.”
Coming to sit in the chair at the side of the desk, she continued quietly,
“It’s not every day a girl gets a new family, gets a proposal of marriage and quits her job.
Please can I speak to Tony and Catherine before you do?”
“Certainly Princess,” I answered, “whatever you want, no problem, but no matter what Tony says I want to marry you - okay?”
“Okay,” she confirmed with a sigh, “there’s so much to sort out - so many details to figure out.”
Sarah suddenly let out a squeal of delight and fell to her knees while we both looked at her in astonishment.
“Debbie,” Sarah laughed getting to her feet, “I know what’s worrying you, but there are a few details that you don’t know yet.”
“Do you mean there’s more?” Debbie asked me in disbelief.
“There’s a lot more,” Sarah assured her as she crossed to sit on my desk then turning to me she smiled and asked, “Can I tell her? Please?”
“Help yourself.” I replied somewhat confused.
“Debbie,” Sarah smiled, “what you’re thinking is that now you have been adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Collins you will want to go to Glasgow to live with them.”
“I do.” Debbie confirmed, “I most certainly do.”
“Which,” Sarah continued, “is the main reason you quit your job at the bank?”
“That’s correct,” Debbie smiled, “I intended to quit as soon as the adoption came through, I figure I can get a job in a Glasgow bank, no problem.”
“Okay,” Sarah screamed, “now you’re thinking that once you move to Glasgow you’ll have to move back to Edinburgh after you get married because Brian is here?”
“Yeah, I suppose so.” Debbie sighed.
I had to put both my hands over my mouth to stop me interrupting Sarah as she leaned forwards, took a deep breath and smiled, very emotionally.
“What you don’t know is Brian has been offered a directorship with the company and after he confirms it tomorrow he will have to move to a new office away from here.”
She paused to give Debbie the full effect. “To Glasgow.”
Debbie’s eyes widened as she burst into tears again and flew from her chair to my lap where she smothered me in breathless kisses saying, “This is truly the happiest, most perfect, day of my entire life.”
Tears ran down Sarah’s cheeks as she revelled in our happiness for a few minutes until I pulled her to me and kissed her, while cradling Debbie.
“Thanks Sarah, for everything, you are absolutely fantastic.”
Then she kissed Debbie whispering, “Debbie, you’re an angel.”
She left us alone where we spent the entire afternoon kissing and cuddling while discussing our plans for the future.
“By the way,” I whispered before we left my office,
“Tonight when Rachel tells you her news, try to look surprised before we tell her our good news?”
She confirmed that she would but the happiness on our faces betrayed us instantly when we met Jaclyn at my car.
As soon as we reached home the air was buzzing with excitement as each surprise was revealed.
Rachel and ‘Diamonds’ were there to celebrate reaching #1 in the charts and, although appearing overjoyed at Debbie’s news, Marcie and Rachel viewed our engagement with scepticism, but they hid their doubts from an overjoyed Debbie.
She clung to me all evening despite spending most of the night kissing Marcie, Rachel, Melanie, Lynda, Jaclyn, Sarah, Angel, Heather, Karen, Susanna and anybody who crossed Debbie’s path - not forgetting me - until we parted at her bedroom door.
She told me again how happy she was before I kissed her goodnight and went to my bed to count my blessings, which were many thanks to Debbie, and of course, Sarah.
I spent almost every moment of the days that followed, trying to persuade Marcie and Rachel that I hadn’t planned to marry Debbie when I came up with the insane adoption plan at Tracey’s funeral.
They were both furious and despite a lot of angry arguments and persuasion neither could be convinced.
Tuesday 18th August.
The sun shone brilliantly and filled the entire room as I woke to cheery birdsong and made my way to breakfast.
Everyone was still talking about the events of yesterday and Debbie spoke non-stop about her plans for the future until I dropped her off at Tony’s.
“I have got a lot of things to do today, princess.” I informed her as I kissed her, “I’ll catch up with you later.”
“That’s cool, Brian,” she sighed, “I do love you so much and I know we’ll always be very happy together.”
“I love you and always will love you.” I assured her as I kisse
I felt strangely nervous as I entered the large glass doors of the Glasgow warehouse - which reminded me of when I first entered them over ten years ago when I left school with no idea of what I wanted to do in life.
My brother, John, working for the company as a sales assistant in the haberdashery department, managed to get me a temporary post in the Gent’s department - which I thought at the time would tide me over until I decided where my career lay.
Little did I know then that one day I would end up a director of the company - mainly due to a chance meeting with Mr Paterson.
After six months I was getting tired of running errands for the manager of the Gent’s department and requested a transfer to the office because I figured that the job of Junior Sales Ledger Clerk had to be easier than selling suits and shirts.
Maybe it was, like Sarah said, my destiny - maybe nothing more than good fortune, with a few lucky breaks thrown in. Whatever it was I was glad that God, or whoever, smiled on me now and then and I hoped good fortune would continue to shine on the people I loved and cared about forever.
“Brian,” Lynette Falconer on the telephone switchboard squealed in surprise as I entered the front door, “what, in the name of God, are you doing here?”
“As a matter of fact,” I replied, “I thought, seeing as I just happened to be passing, I’d call in and see how my old buddy, Mr. Hunter was getting on.”
She obviously didn’t believe me and laughed while asking me the real reason I called in.
“Is ‘his majesty’ in?” I asked politely.
“Yes,” she replied realising that I was serious, “He will be getting ready for a board meeting just now.”
“Okay, Lynette, I’ll just go on up then.” I smiled leaving her with a puzzled look on her face. “I’ll catch up with you later.”
“Good lord,” old John smiled as I entered the lift, “look what the wind’s blown in.”
“Good morning John, nice to see you too,” I smiled very sarcastically.
“Where can I drop you, Brian?” he asked closing the metal grills of the lift.
“I’m going straight to the top, John, I’m going all the way to the top.”
Several familiar faces in the accounts department, on the top floor, waved to me as I made my way towards the boardroom where I adjusted my tie and ran a comb through my hair before knocking lightly upon the door before entering.
I was warmly greeted by all my superiors as I silently watched everyone present hoping that I might be able to contribute to discussions in forthcoming years.
“I take it,” Mr. Hunter began turning his attention towards me during the concluding minutes, “you’ve given a great deal of thought to our proposal?”
“Yes sir, I have,” I sat rather rigid, “and up until yesterday I hadn’t made any firm decision, but, now my life is coming up roses and if the position is still vacant, then, I would be honoured to accept the board’s very generous offer.”
“Good show Brian,” Mr. Hunter smiled coming to shake my hand to welcome me.
Apparently this was a time-honoured tradition to confirm our association and my appointment. “What happened yesterday to make up your mind?” he asked.
“It’s a really long story, Sir, a very long and very complicated story.”
I replied as the chairman returned to his seat.
“Suffice to say at the moment that my wedding, which was supposed to be on the 26th September, but was cancelled a few weeks ago.”
They all nodded. “Well, it’s on again.”
“I thought your fiancée was killed? Mr. Hunter commented surprised.
“That’s correct Sir, she was. I’m putting on a substitute - her little sister.”
“Can one do that?” he laughed highly amused if somewhat confused.
“Yes Sir,” I replied, “apparently before the banns are read you can ‘put on’ anybody you like.”
“Wait a minute,” Mr. Swan interrupted, “I recall thinking you were intending to marry that thin blonde girl - the one Andy Baird used to date?”
“Yes, sir, that’s the one.” I assured him.
“But,” Mr. Swan continued, “I am sure the newspapers said she didn’t have any siblings.”
“Correct again, Sir, she didn’t,” I smiled as their confusion grew,
“Not until yesterday.”
“Tracey Collins died an only child. Do you see what I mean now?
It is a very long and very complicated story.
The wedding is still on for 26th September at Saint Simon’s and I would like to invite all staff and officials to join in the celebrations.”
“You’re all invited and - if it’s okay with you Mr. Chairman - may I start my new position when I return from honeymoon in October.”
“Sure Brian,” Mr. Hunter smiled still trying to make sense of my news.
“We would like, however, for you to attend the next board meeting here on the 31st of this month to make your appointment official.”
“Okay sir, it’s a date. Now if you will all excuse me I have a wedding to uncancel.
Thanks again, sir, I won’t let you down.
Like the adding machine once said…you can always count on me.”
I silently thanked Sarah for the line as they all laughed and I left the meeting.
“In all,” I thought, once outside the boardroom, “Mr Hunter isn’t the ogre his staff thought he was.
He was more like the captain of a ship, steering it through fair and foul weather with an iron fist at the helm.
Whenever the pressure was off he was quite a pleasant bloke really.
As I made my way past the accounts department I bumped into Andy Baird, my old friend, who sympathetically offered his condolences at losing Tracey, so, for ‘Auld Lang Syne’, we went to lunch together.
I explained the edited highlights of my year in the ‘Far East’ ending with my promotion and, to his amazement, the news that my wedding was still on.
After lunch I phoned Debbie to confirm if everything was okay before I made my way to Saint Simon’s where I found the church open, although deserted.
Slowly I walked towards the altar and genuflected before making my way through the vestry door to where the church diary lay open at today’s date.
Gingerly leafing through the pages until I reached September 26th I was amazed to find the entry Father Brennan made, all those months ago for our wedding, unchanged, so I altered it.
Scoring out TRACEY CATHERINE COLLINS.
I replaced it with DEBORAH ANNE CAMPBELL COLLINS.
I wrote a note informing Father Brennan of the change before making my way back to the altar, where I begged for God’s guidance, then set off to face Tony and Catherine.
I needn’t have worried how they would accept the news - as Debbie had already stepped into Tracey’s shoes - literally.
When I arrived Debbie was sorting through Tracey’s wardrobe, throwing most of her clothes into a large cardboard box to be sent to a charity shop.
I winced every time I saw one of the outfits I liked, or had bought, being tossed away as none of them would have fitted Debbie.
It was as if Debbie was throwing out all my special memories of the many passionate nights I had spent with Tracey.
Debbie took great care when folding each skirt and top commenting on how beautiful each item was. Tracey certainly had very expensive tastes when it came to clothes and always dressed to look her best whenever we went out.
“Most of this stuff is far too good to throw out,” Debbie sighed, “I wonder if Lynda or Sarah could use any of it?”
I must have shown the considerable distress I was in as she abandoned her task and came to where I sat on the bed to hug me, asking, “Whatever’s wrong Brian?”
I kissed her and whispered, “I suppose all these dresses are yours now, but every one holds a special memory for me of the parties, dances and nights out w
“I’m sorry,” she whispered sympathetically, “Do you miss Tracey?”
Cradling Debbie in my arms I looked deep into her crystal blue eyes and sighed; “Yes I do, Debbie, I miss Tracey very much.
I love you and I always will, but I hope you understand when I say this?”
Taking a deep breath I whispered as sincerely as I could,
“If I had fallen out with Tracey a few weeks ago there would be no problem in me giving my love to you totally and without regret, but, I loved Tracey with all my heart and soul and I’ll never be able to forget her.
I feel responsible for Tracey’s death and it will take some time for me to get over losing her.
You have taken Tracey’s place in my life, and Tony and Catherine’s lives, but we can’t throw out all our memories as easily as you can throw out her clothes.
I hope you can accept the special responsibilities you’ve taken on.”
“You, not only have to establish special memories of your own for all of us, but, there will be times when we will want to remember the good times and forget the bad times.
Do you understand what I’m getting at?”
“I think so,” she whispered, “I know it won’t be easy for you, or Tony or Catherine, to ever forget Tracey.
I fully understand the problems I’ve taken on and I pray that I will be able to bring you all the happiness that Tracey brought and to make everyone as proud of me as you were of her. I really do love you.”
We spent the next ten minutes kissing and cuddling on the edge of the bed.
Knowing Tony had forbidden Tracey from any kind of fornication ‘under his roof’ I believed he would not allow Debbie to either, so I didn’t even think about it.
I got up with a sigh; “I’ll leave you to it then.
If any of these outfits would suit Lynda or Sarah, ask them if they want anything.
My main reason for coming here today was to ask Tony and Catherine how they feel about me marrying you and to make sure you are settling in.
I’ll see you later as I’ve still got a list of things to do before the big day.”
As I stood looking at her resting peacefully on the bed, with crumpled clothes and her hair all over the pillow, I recalled the night I made love with her, which I am sure she knows nothing about.
I thought of how much I loved her with all my heart and hoped Tracey’s memory wouldn’t cloud my love in the years to come.
“Debbie - I love you so much.” I whispered before I slowly closed the door behind me and sighed again as I went to find Tony.
I found Tony in his garden, as usual, planting more multicoloured flowers in his flowerbed.
He could not have been nicer to me when I asked him how he felt about the wedding.
“Put it this way,” he sighed, “What’s passed is in the past.
Tracey - God rest her - is gone and nothing can bring her back.
Our only regret, apart from the obvious, is that we hadn’t met Debbie years ago because, as you yourself put it, it’s better to love someone who could surely use a bit of love than waste it on a memory when we’ll still have all our memories anyway.”
“Debbie will never be able to take Tracey’s place in our hearts,” he continued solemnly.
“We’ve spent many hours telling her that, explaining how we feel at losing the girl we raised for 27 years, all our dreams for the future and how we will miss her.
Debbie’s a smart kid, she knows the difficulties we all face and I’m sure she’ll make us as proud of her as we were of Tracey.”
We shook hands and hugged before I tearfully drove to tell Mum and Dad the news.
They were going to be either very easy or the most difficult people to convince - either way I had to face them.
“In the name of God,” Dad joked as I entered the front door.
“We thought we’d managed to get rid of you.
We see more of you now than when you lived here.”
“Dad,” I began quietly, “I’ve got a major problem, and need to talk to you. Are you alone?”
“Sure,” he said as we sat at the dining room table where he usually sorted out his orders before mailing them to his employers.
“What can I do for you, Son?”
I explained the whole story about the adoption as best as I could, emphasising how much I loved Debbie and how much I did not want to hurt her.
I told him all about my promotion, all about how I met Jackie and how things had worked out for her and Marcie, and all about Rachel, Melanie and ‘Diamonds’.
“I see,” he sighed, “You have been a very busy boy.
Now everybody is happy. I don’t see what your problem is?”
“It’s the wedding,” I answered, “it’s still going ahead.”
“What?” he looked puzzled, “How?”
His confusion turned to surprise, then to shock, as I answered.
“I intend to marry Debbie.”
“You can’t do that – Can you?” Dad asked.
“Legally and ethically I can do anything I like, but I’m not 100% sure I’m doing it for all the right reasons.”
“What do you mean?” he roared, “You either love one another and want to get married or you don’t.
Are you trying to tell me you’re doing this out of some kind of duty to keep Tracey alive?”
“That’s what Sarah’s reasoning was when she came up with the idea yesterday.
“My ‘God-given’ destiny, as she called it.
Now Debbie has taken Tracey’s place she should take her place in everything including my life and I cannot fault Sarah for suggesting such a thing as it was me who planted the suggestion in Sarah’s mind in the first place.
I truly, truly love Debbie and she says she loves me.”
“The problem is,” Emily sighed wisely, “You don’t know if you really love Debbie because of who she is - or what she has become –
TRACEY’S GHOST.”
“Yes, Emily, that’s exactly what your Granddad said”.
“Even before Tracey died I knew I was falling deeply in love with Debbie and told her so the night of Sandra’s party at the play-park, but I believed I would leave when I married Tracey and things would be sorted out.”
“I had called on Granddad to have him confirm what I was doing was the correct thing – for me for Debbie and for everyone.
I must have had my doubts that it would all turn out alright for all concerned although I hid my feelings from everyone – including myself.”
“Was I completely positive that what I was doing was for the best for everyone?
There have been times in my life, Emily, I freely admit, I could be very selfish and thundered onwards giving no heed to any of the consequences should it all go disastrously wrong.”
“I have stepped onto this roller-coaster of emotions with scarcely a seconds thought for how my actions could effect the people around me and some people, like Tracey, had paid the ultimate price.”
“Your Granddad knew me better than I knew myself, Emily.”