If Memory Serves

by Vanessa Davis Griggs

  Landris pressed his hands to his head. “Oh my goodness. Today is Friday, isn’t it? Her husband’s funeral is tomorrow.”

  “Yes. That’s another reason she called,” Angel said. “In light of everything, she wanted you to know that she understands if you’re not able to preach Reverend Knight’s eulogy.”

  “But I promised him. I assured her I would do it,” Landris said as he glanced at the clock on the wall. The next official visiting time for SICU patients would be in ten minutes. “Please call her and let her know that I will be there as planned.”

  “Pastor Landris, no disrespect, but we can’t even get you to leave here to go home to get some rest. Now, if you won’t leave to rest, what makes you think you’re going to want to leave tomorrow to preach a funeral?” Brent asked. “And better still, how effective do you really think you’re going to be if you’re trying to preach, dead on your feet from a lack of real sleep?”

  Landris looked at Brent. “I promised Reverend Knight and his wife I would do it, and I intend to keep that promise. The same way I promised the two of you I would perform your marriage ceremony this Sunday. And yes, I plan on keeping my promise on that, too.”

  Angel looked down at her freshly pedicured sandaled feet, then back up at Landris. “You’re not going to perform our ceremony,” she said in a low but strong voice.

  Landris frowned. “I’m not? And why?” he asked.

  “Because there’s too much going on in your life at the moment,” Brent said.

  “So, what are you planning on doing then?” Landris asked. “Who are you going to get to perform your ceremony in my place?”

  Brent took Angel by the hand. “Right now, Pastor Landris, Angel and I have decided to focus on what we can do to help you, your family, and the ministry we have committed to.”

  Landris began to sway slightly, not believing how wonderful they really were. “I appreciate that, but I told you before that I’m fine. I realize there are things that require my attention, and I plan on taking care of them. However, I still maintain that my wife is going to wake up any minute now, and things will be back to normal before we know it. Well, as much as normal can be for us, now that we have a brand-new baby.”

  “We believe that, too,” Angel said, smiling to let him know she was being sincere. “But Brent and I feel there’s too much going on for us to only be concerned about ourselves and our own needs. Therefore, we’ve made the decision to wait until October fifteenth, just as we’d originally planned to do anyway, to get married. In the meantime, we’ll be centering a good portion of our attention and energy on what we can do to help you, the church ministry, and Johnnie Mae. I mean, the mail I pick up daily at the post office for you guys is almost an all-day job to go through at this point. And I don’t mind.”

  Landris bowed his head and shook it slowly and reverently. “Thank you,” he said. When he looked back up at them, tears filled his eyes. He blinked to force the impending tears back. “Thank you for caring so much. I truly thank God for you . . . both of you. But are you positive about waiting?”

  Brent looked lovingly at Angel and smiled. “We’re positive. This decision will cause us to have to make a few adjustments in our personal lives, though. But we decided that if we add more of what you normally do to our own duties, we’ll be much too busy to even think about each other, let alone spend a lot of tempting alone-time together.”

  “Johnnie Mae really is going to wake up any minute, you know?” Landris said. He was mostly trying to get them not to worry too much.

  Angel smiled again. “And when she does, and she goes home, knowing you the way we do, you’re still going to be spending a lot of time here,” Angel said. “At least you will be until your son is finally released to go home. You’ll be right here watching him grow bigger and stronger by the minute.”

  Landris nodded. He looked at Angel first, then Brent. “You feel I’m not being realistic about this, don’t you? You can tell me the truth.”

  “No, sir,” Brent said. “I think you’re showing us, by example, the meaning of true faith. You believe, and you’re acting like you believe. You want to be here when Johnnie Mae wakes up. You want to be the one who tells her about her new son. Personally, I appreciate you for demonstrating what strong faith looks like. I only pray I will be like that with our family, if and when the time comes,” he said, looking adoringly at Angel.

  “As you’ve taught us, there is walking in the flesh, then there’s walking in the Spirit,” Angel said. “Brent and I know we can choose to either walk in our flesh at this point or walk in the Spirit when it comes to how we feel and act during the times and occasions we’re with each other.”

  “We’re choosing, on purpose, to continue to walk in the Spirit,” Brent said. “Will that take much prayer?” He laughed. “Oh yes! But people are dealing with a lot these days. If the worst problem Angel and I have right now is that we love each other so much we almost can’t stand it, then I think we’re doing pretty well here, and we shouldn’t complain. With constant prayer, and a determination to keep our eyes on Jesus, I believe our present situation is something we can manage, at least for the next four months.”

  “Trust me—a man with a ton of experience, especially lately—in certain situations, four months can feel like it’s a lifetime. We can still have the ceremony Sunday, now,” Landris said. “My being here doesn’t mean I’m wholly neglecting my obligations or duties. I’m handling responsibilities and all prior commitments. In fact, there’s a nice little chapel here. We can go to it right now, and y’all can tie the knot today if you want. I just know and feel in my heart that by Sunday Johnnie Mae will be up and doing so much better, she’ll most likely be figuring out ways to get me to take her to see our son every opportunity she gets. I’m sure she won’t mind me missing in action for a little while to perform a marriage ceremony—your marriage ceremony, at that.”

  Brent smiled. “I know. And should we see we can’t handle this like we thought, then we definitely know how to find you. As you can see, we did it today. Besides, how long can it take to say a few vows anyway?”

  “I’m serious, Brent . . . Angela,” Landris said, calling Angel by the name he usually called her, “you let me know now. And if I need to work a marriage ceremony into my schedule, then I’ll do just that.”

  Landris’s cell phone began to vibrate. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and looked at the screen. “Pastor Landris,” he said hurriedly. “Yes, Dr. Baker. No, actually, I’m here in the SICU waiting room. Yes, of course. I’ll be right there.” Pastor Landris clicked off the phone. “That was Johnnie Mae’s doctor. She needs to see me right away.” He then dashed quickly out of the waiting room.

  Chapter 41

  Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

  Isaiah 45:22

  Sarah was feeling much better. She was excited about the planned, untraditional Christmas in June. There wasn’t a lot of time left to shop before the twenty-fifth arrived. The decorators had done a fantastic job, virtually transforming the mansion into a Christmas winter wonderland. Polly had been to Sarah’s house many times, ensuring that things were being handled properly and to her friend’s satisfaction. Only after the live fourteen-foot Christmas tree donned presents underneath it was Polly able to get Sarah to talk about anything other than the upcoming celebration.

  “So tell me, Sarah,” Polly said as they sat leisurely in the parlor admiring the beautifully decorated tree, “what prompted you to want to do this? I mean, what urgency caused you to want to celebrate Christmas in the month of June?”

  “I just thought it’d be a grand idea,” Sarah said. “This will be my first Christmas with my daughter—my entire family, all together, celebrating it for the first time ever.”

  “Is that all? There’s no other reason you’re doing this in June?”

  “None, except I just couldn’t bear having to wait until December for Christmas to arrive. It w
as entirely too far away for me. Besides, this gives me yet another opportunity to spend some quality fun time with my child, grandchild, great-grandchild, and great-great-grandchildren. That’s never a bad thing.” Sarah smiled just thinking about them.

  “Oh, Polly,” Sarah bubbled over with renewed excitement, “I am so blessed! I can’t explain how wonderful this feels right now. You of all people know how long I’ve prayed for this to happen. And now it has. My daughter is here with me! We could wait until December to celebrate Christmas, but why must we, if we don’t have to? Why must we have to have specially designated days to spend special moments with the ones we love? Why wait until Mother’s Day to let a mother know she is appreciated? I say do it now! Why should Valentine’s Day be the day dedicated to show love? What’s wrong with now?” Sarah nodded. “I wanted to celebrate Christmas now, so that’s what we’re going to do. Where in the rule book does it say we must wait until December to do it?”

  “Nowhere, I suppose. But it is quite out of the ordinary,” Polly said in her usual prim and proper way. “Quite.”

  Sarah picked up her teacup and its matching saucer and sipped her green tea. “I’m certain you’ve figured out by now that I’m out of the ordinary. I’ll turn ninety years old on October first. Do you have any idea how many people never make it to that age? I’ve missed seventy Christmases with my daughter—seventy. I know in some folks’ eyes, Memory and I may be a tad bit too old to be excited about Christmas. But I’ve learned to take what I can, when I can, and go with it. We must take the lemons we’re given in life and make a to-die-for lemon meringue pie. Christmas is supposed to be about celebrating the greatest gift we, as a people, were ever given. A gift that began our salvation—Jesus’ birth. Traditionally when we celebrate Christmas, we give gifts to others. Well, who says we can’t celebrate Jesus’ birth in June? In fact, what’s wrong with Christmas everyday?”

  Polly’s eyes widened from sheer disbelief. “I certainly hope you’re not intending on leaving that tree up all year around,” she said. “Besides being sociably unacceptable, I hear it’s bad luck if a Christmas tree is left up until New Year’s day, let alone afterward.”

  “Forget the tree, okay? And forget superstitions. Anyway, a Christmas tree has nothing to do with Christ, not really.”

  “People say it represents the hanging of Jesus on the tree,” Polly said.

  “We won’t bother going into a discussion about how pagan practices got mixed in with Christian values, all right? Let’s just keep our eyes focused on the fact that, number one, Jesus was born; number two, He died on the cross; number three, and most importantly, on the third day He rose; and four, He now sits at the right hand of the Father, making intercessions on our behalf.” Sarah blotted her forehead and face with her white handkerchief, then leaned her head back as she gently blotted her neck.

  “Are you still hot?” Polly asked, fanning Sarah slightly using her hand.

  “Warm, but I’ll be all right. It’s just part of aging. You’ll see as you grow older.”

  “Sarah, I heard some rumblings around the house about some items they say came up missing a few weeks back,” Polly said, trying to work this topic into the conversation.

  Sarah sat comfortably and relaxed. “Oh? Now, where did you hear that from?”

  Polly stood up and walked over to the tree. “I don’t wish to say,” she said. “I don’t want to get anyone in trouble. But they say it was a necklace and some sort of special wings box?” Polly looked at Sarah for a response. Sarah remained silent.

  Polly moved an angel ornament from one spot to another. She then strolled casually back over to the sofa and stood. “So, did you ever find the items, or do you at least have an idea as to who might have taken them?” Polly continued her probe.

  Sarah fanned herself with her handkerchief. “I’m sorry, Polly, but could you go and see what’s taking Monica so long to bring out our tray of snacks? She knows I need to eat on a regular schedule.”

  Polly looked at Sarah and nodded. “Sure. I’ll be right back.”

  When Polly returned, Sarah was still being mesmerized by the beautiful tree.

  “That decorating crew did a lovely job, lovely,” Sarah said, looking all around.

  Polly looked around the entire room as well. “They certainly did. It feels just like Christmas in here. Although I’m not sure I’m in full agreement with you having the fireplace lit at the same time the air conditioner is going full blast. That fire may be what’s causing you to be so warm. That and the hot tea you keep consuming.”

  Sarah laughed. “Oh, I only had them light the fireplace to set the atmosphere. I wanted you to experience the full effect of what it will truly be like the day we celebrate Christmas come June twenty-fifth. And tea contains antioxidants, great healthwise.”

  Polly sat down next to Sarah. “Sarah, has the doctor told you something that you haven’t shared with the rest of us? You know you can always talk to me. So has he?”

  Sarah smiled. “You mean besides the fact that I’m not as young as I used to be? And my best days are most likely behind me?” Sarah sat back, becoming more relaxed.

  “Yes, something like that. I’m trying to figure out why you decided it was imperative that you celebrate Christmas right now . . . in June.”

  Sarah released a sigh. “Polly, the truth is, none of us know how long we have on this earth. I pray I celebrate many, many Christmases . . . many holidays, and, honestly, just plain old regular days with my family . . . with all of you, really. But I also don’t want any of us wishing we’d done something that we could have done and didn’t.” She reached over and patted Polly on her hand. “I want to live the remainder of my life, however long that may be, without any regrets. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

  Polly looked at Sarah. She appeared different. There was a glow about her quite unlike anything Polly had ever seen in all her time knowing her. “Sarah, you’ve always been good to me,” Polly said. “And truthfully, you’ve been a loyal friend. When we first met at church some three years ago, I had no idea how deeply I would come to care for you. You’ve always treated me like family. Sarah, there’s something I need to tell you.”

  “Sorry, Miss Fleming,” Monica said as she brought in a tray of food and set it down on the coffee table. “I apologize for being a bit tardy with your snacks. Alfred, the gardener, cut himself and needed some assistance getting cleaned up. I know how you feel about people who aren’t supposed to be inside here roaming free in your house. I had to accompany him to the washroom and wait until he was finished so I could see him out.” Monica situated things as needed, which included setting up a tray next to Sarah so she wouldn’t have to reach too far to get her food.

  “It was a pretty nasty cut,” Monica said, continuing with her story. “I would have gotten Minnie to do it, knowing that you were waiting on this, but she was upstairs working somewhere. Honestly, I didn’t think it would take him that long, but as I said, it was pretty nasty, and it took some time to get him fixed back up good.”

  “Oh dear. So is he all right now?” Sarah asked. “I declare, it seems like every other day that man has something happen to him where he needs some reason to come inside. Just last week, I was sitting outside, getting a little vitamin D via the sun, when I saw him sneak around and go through the kitchen door. I don’t think he knew I was out there or that I saw him doing that.”

  “Oh, that,” Monica said. “Well, you see, ma’am, that was kind of my doing. I’d offered him a plate of food. Not one of your good plates, mind you—but the carryout plates we keep handy for company who want to take food home. Alfred had been so helpful with getting things ready for the people who decorated for Christmas, finding that tree and all. I just wanted to do something special for him. I hope you don’t mind.”

  Sarah continued putting various snacks on her plate. “Of course I don’t mind. There’s plenty of food here, and if someone doesn’t eat it, it’s just going to go to waste and end up thrown o
ut anyway.” Sarah stopped and shook her head. “I didn’t mean to imply that that was the only reason it’s okay. We always have more than enough food around here to share, and then some.”

  “You don’t have to explain to me, Miss Fleming,” Monica said as she stepped back even farther out of the way. “I understand exactly what you mean. You’re generous to the bone, with a heart of gold, so no one would ever misunderstand your intentions.”

  Sarah wanted to put Monica back at ease. “The decorators did a fabulous job with this house for Christmas, don’t you think, Monica?”

  Monica’s eyes lit up. “Oh, Miss Fleming, I was just telling Alfred that very same thing. I had said in the past that it seemed the stores were starting earlier and earlier putting up Christmas decorations. Then you upped and beat them all by doing this in June. Truthfully, I wasn’t quite sure how it would feel around here. Some folk might call this crazy, but being here, especially with your whole family expecting to be present, I know it’s going to be a special time indeed. And to top it off, you’re hiring a caterer so even I get to enjoy the festivities, just like I’m part of the family. I got to tell you, that there for me is priceless, Miss Fleming. Priceless, I tell you. I declare, you’re the best!”

  Polly began to overtly fidget. Monica caught her rolling her eyes a few times.

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” Monica said. “I’m standing here gabbing away like you two invited me to socialize or something. I didn’t mean to hold you up from conversating,” Monica said, practically inventing a word. “Conversating”—definition: talking.

  “You’re fine, Monica,” Sarah said. “We’re just sitting here chewing the fat”—her word for talking—“in awe of this magnificent Christmas tree and other fine decorations.”

  “Well, if you two need anything else, just yell,” Monica said. “I’ll be in the kitchen getting dinner ready. I think you’re going to like what I’m fixing, Miss Fleming. It’s something new, but it involves some of your favorite food items.” Monica then left.