Families

by Staible, Karleen

  “Daniel, you know where he is?”

  “I thought he was back home, just working at the hospital tonight. I didn’t know everyone was worried about him.”

  “No, he’s been gone all week. What does he say?”

  “Nothing really. We just pray or sit in silence. Sometimes it’s best not to pry and let people in sadness or despair find their own way.”

  Lisa walked to the railing and turned toward him. “Oh, God, we have to pray for him. Daniel, his family misses him. They need him.”

  “I pray every day. We’ll pray together.” Daniel took her hand.

  Debbie was so relieved when she heard Robert was somewhere close and was okay, at least physically. And she agreed with Daniel, Robert needed to work through the situation as he needed, to find his answers. But she really wanted him back at home as the loving husband and father he’d always been.

  The days just seemed to drag by, and still no Robert. Debbie asked Daniel to tell Robert to call her the next time Daniel saw him, but Robert never contacted her.

  The following Wednesday, Jessica was at a friend’s house, and Alyssa had taken Robbie to the park for a walk. Debbie and Gini were done with her morning therapy and were in the master bedroom changing Gini’s shoes.

  Debbie looked up at Gini sitting on the bed. She had a big smile on her face, and her eyes were open. She’d been opening her eyes more and more, and the day before, for the first time, she held and drank from her handled mug.

  “Oh, baby, you look beautiful.” Debbie stood and kissed Gini on the forehead.

  “Rob… ber.”

  Debbie smiled back. That was the first understandable word Gini had said since her stroke.

  “Yes, Robert. He loves you.”

  Debbie took her hand, and they walked out of the room toward the great room. And there standing in the kitchen was Robert, his suitcase next to him on the floor and his doctor’s bag on the table.

  He walked toward them. Gini let go of Debbie’s hand and went on alone with a slow pace and a slight limp. They embraced, and then he helped her walk to the bedroom.

  Debbie had started toward her room so they could be alone. When she went inside, she closed the door and leaned back against it. Kensy was sitting on the couch near the front window, reading, when Debbie came in.

  “Dee…” she said, seeing the emotion on Debbie’s face.

  “He’s home.” Debbie put her hand near her mouth. “He’s home to stay.”

  After many hours talking with Maggie, Robert had found the peace he was seeking.

  In the months to come, Gini went to physical therapy every weekday. She was soon walking with no leg brace and had started using her right hand. The words were finally coming back to her, and she was signing proficiently. The household was happy once again with the sounds of children playing and baby giggles.

  Chapter 17—They Grow up so Quickly

  It took Gini a full two years to completely recover from her stroke, but she never stopped being with her family. Raising her children with Robert was both fun and adventuresome, the most important thing to her. Both the kids were intelligent, athletic, and personable, and they both adored their mother.

  Gini saw her life through snapshots. With her eyes still open only part of the time, and her brain/eye communication limited to brief moments, she rarely saw movement. But that was the way she knew seeing, so it was very natural for her. Each visual frame was all she needed to get around and see her beautiful family’s faces.

  Over the years, she had learned to feed herself with a spoon in her left hand. The day she found the mashed potatoes on the plate, worked to get them in the spoon and then to her mouth was one of the greatest accomplishments she had ever felt. She could also bathe herself and put on simple clothing without help, like a nightgown or pullover blouse, but her disabilities still required that she have someone with her at all times.

  Every morning was the same. It took her a few minutes to figure out she was Gini. Then, through the process of smells, sounds, and touches, she would know where she was. Robert or Debbie, whoever was with her when she woke up, was her first memory of her surroundings, and it would progress from there. Her sight was the last to come online. She would begin to see familiar things.

  She never got over the vagueness she felt when she was in a new environment, or in a large group, or hearing loud noises. But she had overcome her fear of confusion. She knew someone would always be there to take care of her.

  She wanted to take in every waking minute of each day. Every night she was exhausted and fell into a deep sleep, then it started all over the next day, all fresh and new.

  Debbie and Robert never ceased to be amazed at her accomplishments. As with most severe brain trauma patients, Gini would require physical and occupational therapy the rest of her life, and she’d always be learning new things.

  Debbie and Kensy continued to take first place in local, regional, and state tennis tournaments, with Debbie taking many in singles. Gini never could get the gist of how tennis was played. Robert had her hold the ball in her hand and explained it was hit with a racket. Gini’s vision was not good enough to see distance, but she heard the thump of the ball on the court and the ting on the racket. Every time Debbie made a point, Robert would squeeze Gini’s hand, and she knew to cheer.

  Robert and Jessica played a lot of golf, both together or with Jessica on teams. Gini enjoyed riding in the cart with the breeze in her face and the sounds of nature. She also heard the whiff of the club and the ping of the ball being hit.

  Put a golf club, baseball or bat, or football in Robbie’s hands and he was proficient at them all, but basketball was his passion. Robert installed a backboard and hoop off the back driveway. On weekend and summer days there was always the banging of the ball on the pavement. Gini had a hard time at his games, with the noise, closeness of the people, and the constant sound of the ball hitting the floor, but she wanted to be there for Robbie even though she had no idea what was going on.

  Gini still talked with difficulty, the words getting lost between her thinking them and saying them. The condition was called aphasia.

  As she aged, she seemed to be more sluggish and had started to experience some slow days with mental confusion.

  Lisa sat at a table watching her daughter play just outside the window of the club. They’d finished their Easter brunch. Tim was talking to a group of teenagers. They’d all grown up so fast, already high school juniors. He had finally stretched up, growing to over six foot—losing his pudgy look. The red gel-styled hair on his head distinguished him from the rest of the boys. She was proud of him. In the group was Jessica, tall in her own right, a few inches shorter than Tim. She had the same lanky body as her dad and long light brown hair. And Jason, Dr. Meyer’s grandson, was there as well. The three kids had grown up together. Jason was shorter—thin—with pronounced muscles. Not body-builder muscles, but fit and solid.

  Lenny was with a bunch of older men out on the patio. No doubt, they were trying to convince him to finally retire so they could play more golf. And Debbie and Kensy were with the tennis ladies near the coffee area, all laughing and having a good time.

  Lisa got up and went over to join Robert, Gini, and the Meyers, who were standing close to the teenagers.

  Leeanna ran up to her mom. “Mommy, can we go swimming now? Please, please, please?”

  Lisa grabbed her daughter close to her. “Soon.”

  Robbie was right behind Leeanna, begging his dad to do the same. He was ten and she eleven. Seemed like just yesterday they were both babies.

  “Mama, Jason’s going to ask a girl to prom,” Jessica said, putting her arm around Gini. “Isn’t that just the coolest thing?”

  Vicky had been holding out hope that Jason and Jessica would someday be married. But Jason wasn’t Jessica’s type; besides, he was like a brother to her. He was very theatrical, being one of the top actors and an award-winning debate star at his high school. Jessica was more serious, tota
lly focused on becoming a neurologist so she could do further studies and find new treatments for brain trauma patients like her mother.

  “That, be, good. Yes, yes, be, good.”

  “Yes,” Vicky said. “We are anxious to meet this girl that has stolen our grandson’s heart.”

  “Oh, Gram, it’s just a date. No wedding bells.”

  Vicky put her arm around him. “How about you, Jessica? You and Tim going to your prom?”

  Tim immediately blushed. “No,” he said.

  “Now, Tim, any girl would be flattered to be asked to prom by a star football player.”

  “Mrs. Meyer, I… I’m not too good at dancing.”

  “Oh… Timmy,” Jessica said, making fun of him. “I know Stacy would love for you to ask her.”

  “Stop, Jess,” he said, giving her a small shove.

  “Jessica, are you going?” Lisa asked.

  “I have my eye on a guy.”

  “Jessie’s in love,” Tim made fun, and she shoved him back.

  Later that day, Jessica, her dad, and Gini were in the great room.

  “Daddy, do you think it’s okay for a girl to ask the boy to prom?”

  “Gosh, I don’t know, princess. I don’t know what’s acceptable these days with the young folks. Never really did much dating, like none in high school or college.”

  “You never went on a date?”

  “I dated after starting at the hospital, but not in school. I spent most of my time on my studies so I could be a cool doctor.” He grinned. “And my dad and I fished a lot on the weekends.”

  “Fissy,” Gini said. “Fissy, tip.”

  Robert put his hand on her head and kissed the side of her face.

  “Actually, almost got married once long before I met your mother. Another patient. She had a serious concussion, but when she was well, she didn’t want to be stuck with some old doctor that worked all the time.”

  “Did you love her? Were you heartbroken?”

  “Oh yeah, completely crushed. But Debbie and Maggie got me through it.”

  “Wow, how long have you known Debbie?”

  “We started at the hospital about the same time. We were on a neurological team together for years.”

  “That’s amazing.”

  “I thought I loved… gee, what was her name? Anyway, I didn’t know what love was until your mother showed me.” He kissed Gini again.

  “Oh, yes. Har, to…” Gini paused, searching for the words. She looked at him.

  He finished her thought. “Hard to get through to me.”

  She giggled and nodded. “Yes, yes, har.”

  “I was a little hardheaded.”

  “You can say that again,” Debbie said, hearing the conversation as she entered the room. “I was glad when he finally figured out that your mother had stolen his heart, as she had all of ours. Right, baby?”

  “Oh, yes. Med, cal, ceen… ter, unit, four, c.”

  “You remember.” Debbie was surprised Gini remembered the unit number after all the years.

  “Well, she was married to someone else, if you recall. I couldn’t just barge right in and take her.”

  “Marry, Rob… ber.” Gini smiled sweetly.

  “Oh, I love hearing all of this.” Jessica pulled her hands up under her chin.

  “So, anyway, who do you want to ask to prom?”

  “His name is Yuri Giles. He’s new, moved here over Christmas. He’s so luscious, but really quiet and shy.”

  “No, no. No, be, of, boy. Be, of, too, ong, for, boy.”

  “Mama, I just want to be his friend. He’s on my chemistry team. He has such nice hands and long fingers. And he’s tall, always a plus.”

  “No, no, be, of, boy.” Gini’s voice rose at the end of her statement.

  “Well, princess, I guess it’s up to you if you want to ask him.”

  Legotti

  “Papa, I’m so glad you’re finally here.”

  “Sorry, babe, the weather was terrible in Peru, and we couldn’t take off. My pilot tried his best to get wheels up, but it was too nasty. I called Mario and told him to come get me first before you leave for prom.”

  “I don’t want to go until you see how gorgeous I am.”

  “Me, either.”

  Franco pulled up in front of Leman Manhattan private school. There were several formally dressed couples in the entry area. Lizzi wanted her father to be there and take her down to her date, a tradition of the school. She had been so worried he wasn’t going to make it.

  “Papa!” She threw her arms around him.

  “Let me see this expensive gown I purchased.”

  She stepped back and twirled around. “It’s so… I mean… so fine. Thank you, Papa.”

  “Mario knows everyone in New York City. I told him only the best designer would do for my sweet girl.”

  “You spoil me.”

  “I do.”

  She hugged him again, taking his braided ponytail in her fingers. “You cut your hair.”

  “Just a little. I didn’t want to scare this fine lad you say is taking you dancing.”

  Her dark curls were pulled up in the back and held with the fancy jeweled combs Franco had given her when she moved into the boarding house. They were part of her mother’s jewelry he had given to her.

  Virginia Legotti was announced, and she and her dad made their way down the wide, sweeping staircase.

  “Escort, Leonardo Di Angelo.”

  Many heads turned—was it for the beautiful girl or the extravagant father who led her into the room? He wore a black suit—custom-made—with an open-collared white shirt. His hair was sleeked back to a braided ponytail, and a red Chinese dragon tat showed off his neck and disappeared into his chest hairs.

  Franco went to the young man in an Italian-made tux, shook his hand, and placed Lizzi’s hand on his arm. “You’d better be good to her,” he said, leaning forward.

  “Yes, sir. I’m an honorable man.”

  Lizzi laughed to herself, so much pomp and circumstance. Leo was a fun guy.

  Santini

  “Riccardo, up here,” Ric heard from the second floor.

  He looked at Rosa. She shrugged her shoulders and brought her hands up.

  “So, sweets, what’s with Riccardo? What happened to Dad or Daddy?”

  “That’s so old school. Do you want to see my prom outfit?”

  “Absolutely,” he said.

  “Come on, Kat, you can help me with my outfit.”

  Kat took his hand. “Thanks for letting me be a part of this.”

  “Not a problem.”

  A few minutes later Virginia came out of the bedroom in black short shorts and a bustier. The folded-up cuff on the shorts and the trim on the top front and straps were black satin.

  “Hmm, what happened to long fancy dresses? I know I’m not that far out of touch.”

  “This is for the after-party. Do you like?”

  “And where is the after-party?”

  “Oh, Dad, you know it’s here. Valentino is more excited than I am, I think.”

  “Yes, he has been looking forward to it. You have put a lot of life in this house, and he loves you for it.”

  “Want to see my dress?”

  “Yes…” he drew out the word and winked at Kat when she looked at him, and then she went back in the room with Virginia.

  “Oh, Gins, that’s beautiful.”

  The dress was a Spanish style with colorful layers of reds and oranges accented with misshapen black dots, shorter in the front and long in the back. The bustier was visible in front.

  Virginia unbuttoned the dress at the waistband and flung it open, to reveal the after-party outfit underneath. “Isn’t this just so cool?”

  “Very. I love it. When is your mother getting here?”

  “She’s not coming.” Virginia put her head down.

  “Why not? Her condo is just a few miles down the beach.”

  “Janet’s in Atlanta, left this morning.”

/>   Ric closed his eyes and shook his head. She had promised her daughter she’d be there to see Virginia’s dress. “Sorry, sweets.” He kissed her on the forehead. “Edwardo is ready with the car whenever you are.”

  “Edwardo?” she said, disappointed.

  “I told you I wanted someone to keep an eye on the boy.”

  “Only Edwardo?”

  “Sweet Gins, do you want me to drive and chaperone?”

  “Yes, Daddy, please.” She walked up and took his hands.

  “You don’t have to ask me twice. We’ll take the white Bentley.”

  “I love that car!”

  “Okay, you finish getting ready, and I’ll go freshen up.”

  Kat stood next to him. He gave her a quick kiss on the lips, stepped back, then wrapped his hand around the back of her head and kissed her long and deep. They walked to his room hand in hand.

  Ric waited downstairs.

  “You are so handsome, Ricky. You’re going to drive all those teenage girls crazy,” Kat said, waiting with him.

  “Nah, I’m an old man.”

  She put her hand on his face, gently dragging her long painted nails down his cheek. “Never old, always delicious.” She leaned forward to kiss him, but Virginia entered the room and took his attention.

  “Oh, my, who is that beautiful young woman?”

  Her thick, long hair rippled down her back—the ends in long curls. The colors of the dress accentuated the dark auburn color. She had just the right touch of makeup highlighting her light green eyes. Ric knew his daughter was a true knockout. He was going to have trouble keeping the boys in line.

  He put out his arm, she slipped her hand over it, and they walked out together.

  Young

  It turned out that a bunch of kids went as a group date: Jessica and a couple of her girlfriends, Tim, Yuri, and another boy.

  When Jessica came out ready to go, Gini and Robert were just walking from the kitchen.

  “Jess… eek, boo… tee…” There was a long pause.

  “Beautiful,” Robert finished the word for Gini.