Families

by Staible, Karleen

  “Mer, sade, ease.”

  “Mercedes!” he exclaimed. “Why a Mercedes?”

  “Why not?” Debbie asked. “You’re a renowned physician. You should be driving a prestigious car.”

  Robert had just bought a new car for Jessica to take to college. His, Debbie’s, and the big SUV were parked in the three-car garage. Jessie’s and Alyssa’s were parked at the side of the house. His driveway was starting to look like a car dealership.

  “And what would this Mercedes look like?” he asked Gini.

  “Nave, boo, keem, color, in, side, wiff, boo, tons, tuft, lee, there.”

  “Tufted leather, wow, sounds fancy,” Debbie said. “I think she has a Christmas wish list.”

  “Nee, of, new, cah.”

  “And I suppose if I get this new car, you’ll want to drive it.” He put his hand under Gini’s chin and lifted her face to see her.

  Her eyes were open wide. “Rob, ber, Guiney, no, of, can, dive.” She wrinkled her nose and laughed.

  The holidays were always full of events at the schools, country club, and church. It was Jessica’s favorite time of year. Everyone gathered at the Young house for Christmas Eve dinner and then went to church. When they all arrived back at the Young house, a shiny, navy blue, top-of-the-line Mercedes was parked in the driveway.

  “Daddy, is that your car?” Robbie asked.

  “That’s your mama’s Christmas present.”

  Robert opened the door and helped Gini sit inside. She ran her hands down the cream leather seats, over the dashboard, and on the tufted door panels. “Guiney, luff, cah, luff.”

  Every time they went anywhere, Gini wanted to ride in the Mercedes.

  “Oh, Gini, there’s an email from Catherine,” Debbie said. “I’ll read it.

  Hi to all there,

  I know it has been a while. Hope you all had a great holiday.

  The kids are in the American school here and we are going all different directions with school stuff and sports, and us expat wives are always up to something. Singapore is a very exciting city.

  I thought we’d be heading back to the States soon, but it looks like we are here for a while.

  I know our time zones are opposite days and nights, but it sure would be good to talk to you guys and see you.

  Give my love to everyone.

  Catherine.

  “It was nice to hear from her. We should take some pictures of the kids and send them to her, show her how much they have grown.”

  “Cat, ter, rin, be, Dee, bee, fren?” Gini had a puzzled look on her face.

  “Baby, you remember Catherine. Catherine White. You worked with her and they have been here many times.”

  “Be, of, Dee, bee, fren?” Gini looked up at Debbie and then her eyes slid closed. “Who, be, Cat, ter, rin?”

  Oh, my gosh, Debbie thought, Gini doesn’t remember who Catherine is. She pulled Gini close to her and hugged her.

  Catherine and Jose had visited often when they lived in DC. And when they had a brief one-year assignment in Boston, the two families got together often. Catherine had two sons, boom boom, right after their daughter.

  After the Boston assignment they went to Texas, California, and then Southeast Asia. They’d been gone for almost two years, and in those two years they emailed, but with everyone so busy with family, the emails had gotten fewer and fewer.

  Debbie had a discussion with Robert that night.

  “She doesn’t remember Catherine? Interesting,” he said.

  “Robert, I don’t want Gini to be going downhill so soon.”

  “Now, let’s not get crazy here. It has been a while since we’ve seen them. I bet if you keep talking to her about Catherine and showing her pictures, she’ll remember. And it could just be today. Ask her again tomorrow.”

  Debbie did ask the next day. Gini still didn’t know her, even after looking at pictures.

  Studies had shown that severely traumatized brains aged faster than normal brains in most cases, triggering an ongoing neurodegenerative process that led to progressive atrophy. Eventually, the degeneration caused the neuron cells and brain tissue to die away. Slowly, the brain would fail.

  Debbie hoped and prayed that Gini would be one of the cases that did not have aging brain. There had been small signs lately, but not remembering her best friend was more than small in Debbie’s eyes.

  Jessica went to prom with Tim, graduated with honors, and took the summer to prepare and shop for college. Her dad even let her drive the Mercedes to one of the goodbye parties at her friend’s house.

  The week before college classes started was freshman orientation, and the parents were invited to attend the first weekend.

  Robert gave Aly the weekend off, and the rest of them packed up the SUV and headed to Maryland.

  Saturday started with a family brunch, a presentation on the school grounds, and then each school was instructed to an area for further information. Robbie was getting antsy, and Gini tired from walking.

  Debbie told Robert she’d get the wheelchair for Gini, and then she’d take Robbie somewhere close for a break.

  That evening there was an outside dinner in a large park. Gini insisted on walking, but she was dead tired. Robert was with Jessica most of the evening, involved with the parent forums and discussions. Before they ate, Robert pulled Gini close to him, mindful she was tired and losing awareness.

  She looked up at him with a vague look.

  “Just stick with me,” he said, hugging her around the shoulders. “We’ll get your food and get you into your chair.”

  Gini wanted to smile, but she was too tired. There were many visions in her head: the beautiful grounds of the university, many cars on the streets, Jessica standing next to her dad talking to one of the professors. That vision slipped into one of Jessica graduating from elementary school. Do I have two daughters? she thought, and then there was nothing, no visions, no thinking, just darkness.

  The Youngs and the Gileses connected at the dinner. By the end of the evening, the two mothers were in their wheelchairs sitting next to each other. Yuri’s mother reached over and took Gini’s hand when she saw how Gini was determined to stay focused on the activities but was having great difficulty.

  Gini didn’t know the unfamiliar hand on hers, but it was warm, and she felt the tenderness of the person. She wasn’t even sure where she was, but happy feelings from Jessica let her know she needed to be there.

  The next morning was another brunch, and then the families took the students to their dorms.

  Yuri asked Jessica to dinner after their families headed home. On their way back to campus, he stopped. “Jessie, I have something to ask you.”

  “Okay.”

  He knelt down on one knee. “Will you marry me?”

  “Um.” She got down on her knees.

  He pulled a ring box out of his pocket.

  “Yuri, wait. I…” She cleared her throat. “I’ve committed myself to my career. The only thing I want is to be a doctor and help people. Marriage… well, no, marriage is not in the picture for me right now. Please, understand. I… no, I just can’t.”

  Yuri stuck the box back in his pocket and helped her up. They sat on a bench close by. “I’m thinking I should have talked to you about this before I did such a foolish thing.”

  “It’s not foolish, and yes, we should talk about it. Marriage is a big step. I don’t think either of us is ready for that at this point. I mean, classes haven’t even started.”

  “I love you. You have been the best thing in my life, and I mean that with all of my heart.” He took her hand and half smiled. “You kicked me right in the butt and told me to get my head out.”

  “I did not ever say that.”

  “Okay, not the words, but you are so strong. I so admire how you are with your mother. Have you ever been embarrassed that she is… that… way… disabled?”

  “Embarrassed? Heck no. I’m not strong. If you want a strong woman, that’s my mother. She could
have died, but she didn’t. And not only did she not die, but she said if this is the way it is, then I’m going to live my life to the fullest no matter what. You’re ashamed of your mother?”

  “No, no… I just felt like everyone was looking at her and pitying her. I didn’t want that, so I just shied away from people so I couldn’t hear our friends’ words or see their looks after she’d had her surgery. That’s why we moved from Portland.”

  “People were talking about your mother’s misfortune in a derogatory manner? Yuri, it’s good you left; they weren’t your friends.”

  “I can see that now because you helped me see what is right and what’s good. You will always be my one and only. And I can wait forever if need be.”

  She laughed. “Well, forever is a long time; maybe only half our lives.”

  He laughed with her.

  The first two months included hard work and homesickness for Jessica. The family tried to video-call every weekend. She was looking forward to going home for Thanksgiving. She was getting mixed messages from her mama. Even though she looked okay and said the right things on the calls, there was an uneasy feeling inside of Jessica.

  “Rob, ber, where, be, dah… ter…?”

  “Our daughter?” He lifted her head up as he talked.

  “Nay… um?”

  “Sweetheart, Jessica is at college, remember? She’ll be home in a couple of weeks. I know you are excited to see her, as am I.”

  “Jess… eek,” Gini said, and tried as hard as she could to put her name to memory. “Jess… eek,” she repeated.

  Robert took in a deep breath and let it out slowly and hugged her tight to him. The last couple of days had been very confusing for her. He prayed she would have better days again soon.

  Jessica was surprised Gini was in her wheelchair with a blanket on top of her when she and Robert returned from the train station. “Daddy, what’s wrong with Mama?”

  “No, ting; fee, of, sore.”

  She looked at her dad, and he smiled. Jessica went to Gini.

  “Let me see those feet.” She took Gini’s slippers off and examined all around her mama’s toes and heel. “There’s nothing wrong with that beautiful foot.”

  Gini grinned, and Jessica leaned forward and kissed her. “I’ve missed you, Mama.”

  “Miss, of, all, time.” Then Gini started signing. Tell me about your week and how the train ride was all by yourself.

  The minute Jessica walked in the door, Gini felt all the life come back into her body. And the touch of her fingers on Gini’s foot reminded her that was their wonderful daughter.

  That night Robert and Jessica were the only ones up. “Daddy, what is wrong with Mama’s feet?”

  “Could be her ankles or her legs. John thinks maybe a pair of shoes that didn’t fit correctly threw her balance off. She’s been having issues since the trip to Maryland.”

  “So you’re telling me she’s walking different. Daddy, that could be a sign of a whole different problem, it could be brain atrophy.”

  He reached over and grabbed her into his arms. “You haven’t even finished a semester of college, and you think you’re head doctor of this house now.”

  “I’m just worried about her, that’s all.”

  “Well, you don’t need to worry, that’s my department. You just need to love her and make sure you’re doing what you need to do for you.”

  They hugged.

  His daughter was way too smart for him to pull the wool over her eyes. But she didn’t need to know how much trouble her mama was having just to function. Jessica needed to be happy and enjoy her college days.

  Thursday midmorning Jessica got a text from Jason.

  I’m on my way.

  On your way where?

  To get you so we can go to the coffee shop.

  Okay, why?

  To drink coffee, silly.

  “Mama, Daddy, Jason’s coming. He wants to go for coffee.”

  Gini grinned. “Be, of, goo. Dink, coffee.”

  “Love you both,” Jessica said, as she headed to the front door.

  “We’ll meet at the Meyers’ house,” Robert called out.

  “Okay.

  “Jessie, are you in love with Yuri?” Jason asked once they’d settled at a table.

  “In love? You mean like my mama and dad are in love?”

  “Yeah, that I-can’t-live-without-you love.”

  “Gee, I mean, in love with him, hmm. I couldn’t make that kind of commitment to anyone until I’m a doctor.”

  “Really? How long does it take to be a doctor?”

  “Let’s see, eight years of college and then at least four for residency.”

  “Twelve years! You’ll be old by then.”

  She laughed. “I guess. Why are you asking?”

  “Because I’m ready to make that commitment.”

  She gave him an inquisitive look.

  “I’m so in love with Jennifer I can hardly stand it.”

  “What about college? You aren’t going to get married, are you?”

  “I can go to college and be married.”

  “Jase, how do your folks feel about all of this?”

  “They don’t know.” He looked down and moved uncomfortably. “I know they will say the same thing you just did. But I really love her. We’re going to the same school, and we both can get jobs.”

  “Sounds like you have it all figured out. Do your parents know her?”

  “They’ve met once.”

  “Jess, I’m going to ask her at Christmas. Oh my gosh, I’m so excited about it I don’t know if I can keep it a secret. It’s a secret, you know? I just had to tell my best friend first.”

  Jessica sat back in her chair. “Well… I wasn’t totally honest with you earlier. Yuri asked me to marry him at the beginning of the semester.”

  “Jessie, what’d you say?”

  “Just what I told you, not till after I’m through school.”

  “You said no! Oh, no, you probably broke his heart.”

  “No, no. He agreed. We’re still friends, good friends.”

  “But you’re not in love with him, right?”

  “I don’t know. I like being with him, but—”

  “Oh man, what if Jennifer says no?”

  “Sorry, Jase, but I’d say maybe springing it on her in front of family isn’t such a great idea.”

  “You’re right; yes, you are exactly right.” He got up, went to her, put her face in his hands and kissed her.

  There was an awkward moment. Then he smiled. “Just a thank-you kiss for being so dang smart.”

  He pulled his chair over next to hers and they talked about their classes and campus food and other college things.

  It’s good being with my old friend, Jessica thought.

  When they got to the Meyer house, it was all abuzz. Jason’s parents had arrived, Debbie and Kensy were in the kitchen with Vicky, and Lisa was helping Leeanna and Robbie put on some kind of hand paddles to play a game outside. Gini was in her wheelchair next to Robert and John at a small sink in the kitchen while John fixed drinks.

  The conversations never stopped, and dinner was delicious.

  “Oh Mama, look, it’s snowing!”

  All the women and children ran outside. Jessie helped her mother to stand, and they put their heads back to catch the snowflakes in their mouths.

  Jason wedged his way between Jessica and Gini, hugging them both tight, and got in on the fun.

  Friday morning was a big surprise day at the Young house. Everyone was still sitting at the breakfast table talking after they had eaten. Robbie was his normal active self, running in and out, occasionally sitting and talking. He disappeared and then came back in the kitchen. The room fell dead silent. Standing next to him was Pastor Daniel.

  “Good morning,” he said in his rich voice.

  “Daniel,” Alyssa said quietly, frozen in place. She hadn’t heard from him for a long time.

  “Pastor Daniel, please join us,” R
obert said.

  “I was wondering if I could talk to Aly first.”

  Everyone turned toward Alyssa, who had her hand over her mouth, still unable to move.

  Gini didn’t know who the man was until he spoke. The richness of his voice took her right back to the first time they’d met at the church. “Be, of, nice, day,” she said. There was an awkward silence in the room.

  Daniel knelt next to her. “It is Gini. How are you doing?”

  “Be, of, goo.”

  He stood again and held his hand out to Alyssa. She slowly walked toward him, and they left the room together.

  “Oh…” Jessica said. “I have a really good feeling.”

  “Oh, yes,” Gini said.

  Daniel took Alyssa’s hand, and they walked to the pond down the path next to the house.

  “Aly, I can’t wait any longer. I need to know how I can be a part of your life again. I have missed you terribly but could tell I didn’t mean the same to you as you do to me. I’m so in love with you. I thought I could live without you, but I can’t. I know you are committed to the Young children, but we could still have a life together. Please tell me how. Please.”

  “Daniel.” She stopped. She honestly didn’t know what to say.

  He took her hand in both of his. “I love you and want you to be my wife and raise our children together.”

  Alyssa choked up and started to cry.

  “I loved you, Daniel. But you just left, left without saying any of this.”

  “I tried, but you made it pretty clear you didn’t want to leave New Haven, and I had to go to my new church. And then when we talked on the phone, you became more and more distant. I wanted to ask before I left. But I knew what the answer would have been, and I couldn’t bear to hear it. So I want to try again. Not for you to marry me now, but tell me if it could ever be possible. I need you in my life.”

  She put her fingers on her mouth to steady her quivering lips. “I… yes, I want to be your wife, but I’d have to think about my job.”

  “See, that’s the thing. Reverend Gilbert is retiring, and I’m going to be head pastor here in New Haven.”

  “Oh my gosh.” Alyssa threw her arms around his neck. “I can’t believe it. Yes, yes, yes! That is so fantastic.”