The doctor encouraged her to do normal things with him, to help him keep the chaos in his mind at bay.

Grandy himself sometimes seemed to understand what was happening to him. He said he wanted to stay “intact,” and she understood that to mean he didn’t want to sell the building and try to create a new life for himself somewhere else.

She stopped in front of Corona Jewelry & Loan. There was a sign on the door: QUICK CASH—NO CREDIT CHECK. She stood for a moment, studying their reflection in the plate glass. She looked small behind the wheelchair, curls escaping her beret and her cheeks red from exertion. Grandy sat calmly, studying the window display.

He turned and looked up. “A pawnshop?”

“It’s supposed to be a good one. I looked up reviews online.” Taking a deep breath, she pushed a button by the door. A woman with streaked hair and bony cheeks held the door and greeted them. Her stiletto half boots, with telltale red soles, made no-nonsense clicks as she stepped aside and welcomed them.

“How can I help you?” she asked. She had an accent, like Natasha in those old cartoons.

Natalie was tempted to flee. Deep breath, she thought. Just because she looks and sounds like a cartoon villain doesn’t mean she is one. “I have a piece of jewelry,” she said.

Natasha led the way to the counter. A lighted display glistened with pirate’s loot—watches and rings, necklaces, vintage pieces, old coins and weapons. A barred window to a back room framed a guy who was gazing at a computer screen with a bored air. Security cameras were pointed everywhere.

Natalie set the wheelchair brake and opened her bag. The small box was nestled against an envelope stuffed with invoices, along with the estimate from Peach Gallagher.

She had tried to get Rick’s family to take back the ring. They had refused. He meant it for you, Natalie. It wouldn’t be right for us to take it.

Five minutes later, they left with a scary amount of cash zipped into her coat pocket. It wasn’t a loan but an outright purchase. She never wanted to see the ring again. She had an urge to rush to the bank with the cash but forced herself to calm down.

“People do stuff like this every day,” she said.

“How’s that?” Grandy asked.

“People,” she said. “Pawn stuff.” She gritted her teeth and headed up a steep hill. The deed was done. And today was Grandy’s birthday and she wanted to take him to a place she remembered with fondness.

The question was, would he remember?

The small park crowned a hill overlooking the city, and the late-afternoon sun gilded the scene. People whiled away the time on benches, or walked their dogs, or watched their kids play and fly kites. The grass was parched and golden brown, thirsty for the winter rains.