Gini took a step and swayed. Robert put his arm around her to steady her.
“You like my dress?”
“Oh, yes.”
“Thanks, Mama, for talking me into this one. I just love it.”
The doorbell rang.
“I won’t, Mama.” Jessica kissed Gini on the cheek and hugged her dad.
“Jessie, Tim’s here,” Debbie said after answering the door.
Lenny had cleaned up one of his company vans so all eight of the kids could go in the same vehicle.
Robert had no idea what Jessica wasn’t going to do; obviously, Gini had transmitted some kind of concern to Jessica’s brain. The two were always doing that. Even Robbie received communications from his mother the same way.
When Robbie was about eighteen months, they had all gone to church. Gini was still recovering from the effects of her stroke and was in her wheelchair with Robbie on her lap. At that time, she couldn’t control her right arm very well, so it jerked and moved around. Gini finally got her right hand on his lap so he wouldn’t fall off, although he was tied to her with a body wrap. An older woman new to the church said, as she passed by them, “Women like that shouldn’t have children.”
It was communion Sunday. Gini had been in her chair in the past, so Reverend Gilbert had always brought communion to her. But that day Gini insisted she walk up to take the ritual with everyone else. There was no oral communication; Jessica stood and took Robbie’s hand. He looked at his mama and then with no fuss went with Jessica. Robert helped Gini to stand, and they slowly walked up front. Everyone sat quietly, watching the family.
Gini knelt with assistance from Robert, and then he went down on his knees next to her. Robbie came up from behind and put his chubby little hand on Gini’s shoulder. It was a very emotional moment for all their friends in the congregation.
After walking back, Robbie climbed back into Gini’s lap and looked at her—for her approval that he had done well. Satisfied that he had, he lay his head back on her and quietly sat for the rest of the service.
Gini had always taught, disciplined, and praised her children in complete silence.
The woman eventually joined the church and had nothing but admiration for Gini and her family after that day.
Robert thought back on all the times it was obvious Gini was sending mental instructions to her children. It was uncanny.
Chapter 18—Boys
The school year was quickly coming to a close. Robbie was an active, overly energized ten-year-old and was only at the dinner table long enough to eat and then he was gone again.
Jessica and her parents were still sitting as Debbie started clearing the table. Alyssa was trying to keep Robbie in the house to finish his homework.
“Mama, Daddy,” Jessica said sweetly.
Robert recognized that tone; she wanted something.
“Jess… eek, be, of, spee.”
Jessica reached over and put her hand on top of Gini’s. “Mama, I want you and Daddy to meet Yuri.”
Gini sat up straight and put her hands in her lap. “No, be, boy. Jess… eek, too, ong.”
“Mama, I’m almost seventeen. He’s so nice and smart. You’ll like him. I mean really smart.” She looked to her dad for help.
“You going to bring him here?”
“No, be, of, boy,” Gini said with attitude.
“Sweetheart, hear her out.”
“Well…” Jessica drew out the word and sat back in her chair. “I was thinking we could have an end-of-school party and invite all our friends. That way it wouldn’t be a one-on-one meeting, and… his parents could come too.” Jessica made a cringing face when she said his parents, knowing Gini was not going to like that suggestion.
“No, be, of, boy.” Gini stood firm.
“Princess, why don’t you let your mother and me think about it. We’ll talk about it again later. Okay?”
“Thank you, Daddy.” Jessica got up and kissed him on the cheek. Then she knelt next to Gini, who was still sitting rigidly. “You’re going to like him, Mama. He’s a gentleman and intelligent.”
Robert knew there was no sense in talking further to Gini about the idea at that moment. She had made up her mind.
After Gini had gone to bed, Debbie was watching TV while Robert read a medical journal.
Debbie turned down the volume. “Robert, sounds like Jessie is serious about this guy.”
He closed the magazine. “We’ve talked about him some. She knew better than to talk to her mama about him, but yes, she’s attracted to him.”
“Well, I’d say in love. You don’t suggest that the parents meet unless there’s something big going on between them. What’s your thinking? Ready for your baby to be in love?”
“I never worry about Jessica. She’s her own woman, strong and determined like her mother. I know she’ll finish her education and be a great doctor. He’s applied to all the same colleges as she. He wants to be a pathologist. Who knows, Debbie, they are young. It’s puppy love probably, but if she wants us to meet him, we should.”
“Good luck with convincing Gini.”
“I’ll get her to come around.” He winked.
Very reluctantly, Gini agreed to the party. Robert convinced her it was a good time and way to have all their friends over to celebrate their friendships.
Jessica wanted music so the kids could dance, and Robert and John planned to barbeque meats and vegetables, with hopes that the weather would be good so the party could flow from the house to the backyard.
“Aren’t you excited?” Jessica said to Robbie at dinner the day before the big day.
“About what?”
“Our party.”
“No!”
“Why not? You can invite your friends and your girlfriends.”
“Girls, yuk.”
“And you can dance.”
“Dad, I don’t have to dance, do I?”
“No, Son.”
“I’m just inviting Mitch. Can he spend the night?”
“Sure.”
“No girls?” Jessica kept pushing the subject. “They are all probably dying for you to dance with them. The ever-so-cute Robbie Young, with those beautiful blue eyes, curly dark hair, and darling dimples.” She reached over and pinched his cheek.
Gini gave Jessica a look.
“Stop, Jess!” Robbie said, taking her hand off his face.
“Mama, he is cute.”
“No, be, mee.”
“I’m not being mean,” Jessica said, shying back from her mama’s disapproval.
Robbie immediately left the table.
“I want to tell you something about Yuri’s mom. She’s also handicapped,” Jessica started. “She has diabetes and had to have part of her leg amputated about a year ago. She’s really shy, I think self-conscious. She’s a nice lady, though. I just wanted you to know.”
“What was their last name again?” Robert asked.
“Giles.”
“Yes, they joined the country club, right?”
“I think so.”
“I met his father a couple of weeks ago.”
“His mother is helping us with the garden show,” Debbie said from the sink. “She is very nice. I saw that she limped a bit but didn’t know about her leg.”
Gini sat without any comment. She had been quiet all day.
“Baby, are you feeling okay?”
“Yes, yes. Be, of, goo.”
The next day the house was active with people bringing food, chairs, and tables, and Jessica’s girlfriends all giggling and picking out music to dance to.
Gini wanted to stay in her room all day. Robert knew all the activity made it hard for her to concentrate. He and Debbie took turns being with her.
Debbie’s job was to get Gini ready, while Robert took care of all the other details. As the time drew closer, Jessica started acting fidgety.
“What’s with our women?” Robert asked Debbie.
“I think there are nerves all around. Once e
veryone gets here and has met one another, it will be fine.”
The guests started arriving. Robert, Jessica, and Alyssa greeted all and invited them in. Then Yuri and his parents arrived.
“Daddy, this is Yuri.”
“Nice to meet you, Dr. Young.”
The five of them talked for a few minutes until the doorbell rang again, and Robert excused himself.
He had been looking at his watch, wondering when Gini would come join them. But he wasn’t going to push her. He knew she was reluctant.
“John, Vicky.” Robert hugged both of them.
Jessica and Yuri went off with their school friends.
Debbie came out of the master bedroom and indicated for Robert to come.
“What’s up?”
“Gini lost her balance after her shower and fell back on the tub. I think she’s okay. She hit her bum pretty hard on the edge. I caught her before she went all the way down.”
Gini lay on the bed, naked, with the blanket over her.
“Let me see,” he said. “Oh, yeah, that’s a pretty good contusion.”
“I’ve been putting ice on it from my fridge,” Debbie said.
“Sweetheart, you just rest. I’ll tell everyone you’re not feeling well.”
“Be, of, o, k…”
He kissed her.
Jessica saw him come out of the bedroom. “Daddy, what’s wrong with Mama?”
“She had a small fall. She’s okay, just sore.”
Jessica ran into the bedroom. “Mama!”
“Be, of, o, k. No, woo… ree.”
“Oh Mama, I don’t want you to be hurt. Let me see.”
Debbie pulled back the covers.
“Debbie! That looks awful. Look how purple it is!”
“I gave her some aspirin. She’s okay. Go back and enjoy your party.”
“I can’t.”
“Yes, yes, go. Be, of, o, k.”
“Okay, but I’m coming back every half hour.”
“No, no, Jess… eek.”
“I’m going to, Mama. You rest.”
About twenty minutes later, Debbie and Gini emerged from the bedroom. Jessica quickly turned, feeling her mom’s presence. She ran to her. Gini put her arm around Jessica, letting go of Debbie. Jessica walked her into the room. Two of Jessie’s girlfriends came to them.
“Mrs. Young, you look beautiful,” one said, taking her other hand.
Jessica led Gini to her group of friends. Robert stood in the kitchen watching. He knew no matter what, Gini was going to be there for Jessica.
“Mama, this is Yuri.”
“Mrs. Young, it’s so nice to meet you.” He quickly shook her hand and then crossed his arms across his chest. “Jess has told me so much about her mama.”
Robert and Yuri’s parents joined the group, and the introductions were made. Then Robert and Gini walked into the kitchen.
Gini let out a loud sigh. Debbie could see Yuri making the same exhale. She smiled; they both had had anxieties about the meeting.
“Nee, drink,” Gini said, leaning against Robert.
“What?”
“Geen, ton… eek.”
Gini had asked for alcoholic drinks in years past. Robert gave her whatever she wanted. Mostly it was wine or a gin and tonic, and generally, she only took a sip or two.
“You can relax now, sweetheart. I’ll get your gin and tonic.”
“No, no. Bore… bon.”
He laughed, hugged her, and went for the bottle.
The party was a great success. The teens danced, the young ones ran throughout the house and yard, and the adults had good conversation. All the food was consumed, and the party was over around eleven. Debbie took Gini to bed around ten. She was exhausted but had enjoyed the evening with their and Jessica’s friends.
Chapter 19—College
When Jessica started high school, she moved her room to the one upstairs next to the game room, where she had played as a child. It felt like an apartment to her, up there by herself. She and her friends could have their private space away from family when they visited.
The older the children got, the more activity there was around the house, with any number of teenagers and Robbie’s friends.
Yuri and Jessica had finished their homework. They came down the stairs and walked into the kitchen. Each took a soda out of the refrigerator, and they sat down at the kitchen table.
Robbie and Mitch were running in and out the back door to his room and back. They both got some water and stood at the kitchen island, strategizing how they could make their skateboards go faster. Yuri motioned for them to sit down and he’d help them.
Gini and Debbie emerged from the garage after grocery shopping. Robbie immediately went to help bring in the bags from the garage.
There he met Robert just pulling in. The two of them got the rest of the food and brought it in. Robert kissed Gini when he got to the kitchen and they both sat at the table.
Alyssa came through the front door, followed by Kensy. Kensy went up behind Debbie at the sink and hugged her. Debbie turned, they kissed, and then the three of them started preparing dinner. This was a typical night at the Young house.
The one person missing was Pastor Daniel. Alyssa had become part of the Young family. She adored the kids, and each had respect for her. Jessica had often asked her questions when she was in middle and high school about what Aly would do in certain situations. She was like a second mother, sister to Jessica, and the kids’ taxi service. Alyssa loved every day of her job.
Aly and Daniel had dated for almost fourteen years. Everyone thought eventually he and Alyssa would be married and have a family. But he had never asked her. There was not even any discussion.
Daniel knew the Youngs needed Alyssa to take care of the children. If they married, she would no longer live there, and he wasn’t sure she would ever agree to marriage, at least not until Robbie was older. And he didn’t want to be the one who interrupted the smoothly running life at the Young house. Dating worked for him. They could see each other every day. But when there was a buzz that he was going to get his own church, he wanted her to go with him.
Robert had told Aly she needed to be with him if that’s what she wanted. The kids were older, and he had felt sure he and Debbie could handle taking care of them and getting them from place to place. But Alyssa felt committed to taking care of the children. When Daniel hinted he wanted her to go with him, she said she had a job and it was in New Haven. Perhaps that commitment was the reason Daniel left for his new church in Maine without her—never asking her to go or to marry him. Aly continued to be active in the church and volunteered when needed. It seemed like a different place without him. No more did she hear his rich baritone voice echo through its halls.
Once he settled in his new church, he realized how much he loved her and relied on her wisdom.
The New Haven congregation missed him dearly, but not as much as Alyssa. They talked on the phone some and through the internet, but she was guarded, not wanting to be hurt any further.
Robert was totally out of the medical part of the medical center, working in Administration with the CFO and the hospital’s finances. The hospital had grown until there was no place else to build, even after buying a small part of the park for their new wing. The fertility clinic was the best in New England, and the neurology department was known across the nation. John was semiretired, working only to train the new head of the department. And since Robert was working office hours rather than doctor’s hours, he was home by five and had plenty of time to enjoy his growing family.
Jessica was very connected to her mother and spent many hours with her. She was in the line of Gini caregivers. They planted in the raised garden in the backyard. Jessica styled Gini’s hair, did her nails and makeup, or they just sat and talked, mostly with Gini using sign language. And of course, the whole family, including Debbie and Alyssa, played braille cards a lot.
Now closing in on Jessica’s senior year in high school, the
talk was of college, careers, and her leaving home.
“Robert, you could get Jessie into Harvard with the flick of your finger since you are an alumnus,” Debbie said after dinner one night.
“I don’t want Daddy to help me. I want to be accepted on my own merit. Besides, even though I’ve applied at Harvard and Yale, John Hopkins is my first choice. They’re number one in neurology.”
“Be, fah, from, hoe… um.”
“I know, Mama, but we can video talk, and I’ll come home when I can.”
“School, im… port—”
“Important,” Robert echoed the word. “You’ll need to focus on your studies, not worry about us here.”
“What about you and Yuri?” Debbie asked. “Where’s he going?”
“Harvard, John Hopkins, or Stanford. We’re just waiting to get our letters of acceptance.”
“Whoa, Stanford, that’s a long way from here.”
“I know,” Jessica said.
“How’s that going to work out?” Debbie kept pressing.
“Work out?”
“Being so far from each other.”
“School is the most important thing for both of us right now.”
“Yes, yes, im…pore…tent.” Gini smiled. “Too, ong, for, boy.”
“Oh, Mama. I know you like him.”
By October, both Jessica and Yuri had been accepted to Harvard. Then Jessica got a yes from Yale, but still nothing for either of them from John Hopkins. Gini secretly wished for Harvard, but she knew that wasn’t the school Jessica had her heart set on.
And then the big day arrived. Both received their acceptance on the same day. The two families celebrated together at the club.
“Rob, ber, nee, new, cah,” Gini said, walking into the kitchen from the garage the next day.
“Why? What’s wrong with my car?”
“Be, ode.”
“It’s not that old, only about five years.”
“Be, ode.”
Debbie was at the kitchen table making a grocery list. She laughed. “That is pretty old.”
“Deb, I only drive it to work and back. It has low mileage still.”
“Be, ode.”
“Okay, so what do you think I should be driving?”
Families Page 21