Mafia Romance Series

by Smanta Howard

  Amanda and Meri sat there and numbly listened to the Chaplain tell them what to expect in the next few days. Her husband’s body would be flown back to the states where he would be loaded on a flight to Memphis. The Army would be in touch with her, but he should arrive in about three days. They would arrange for a vehicle to pick up her and Meri to transport them to the airport so that they could be there when his body was removed from the plane. She would need to make arrangements with a local funeral home to be at the airport to pick him up. The family transportation detail would remain with her and Meri while they followed the hearse to the funeral home. They would be allowed to spend some time with the body at the funeral home if they wanted to. The transportation detail would then return them back home.

  The Chaplain had asked if there was anything he could do. Amanda was in shock and unable to think. She mumbled a quick “no” and took the Chaplain’s hand as he gave his sincere condolences.

  When they left, Amanda and Meri fell into each other’s arms. They cried so hard that neither of them could talk. What were they going to do? How would they ever be able to move on? They had both just lost the only man in their lives. Amanda had never loved anybody else, and Meri was devoted to her father.

  The next week went by in a flurry of activity. Amanda contacted the funeral home to give them the details that she was aware of. She agreed to come in the following day and make the preliminary arrangements. Several years ago her husband had told her he wanted to be buried in the military cemetery in Memphis. Amanda and Meri lived in Jackson, approximately 80 miles to the east.

  Amanda and Meri stood stoically as they watched the Army detail respectfully remove the flag-covered casket from the plane and into the waiting hearse. It was still too surreal for them to believe the casket contained the remains of the man who was the center of their world.

  The simple ceremony was held at the funeral home with friends and close family in attendance. Amanda and Meri were provided a limousine to follow behind the hearse as it made its way to Memphis. The Army guard was waiting at the cemetery to offer their final military salute to one of their fallen comrades. All too soon Amanda and Meri were returned to their home where they would have to face their future alone.

  Meri clutched the American Flag closely to her chest as she exited the limousine. Army personnel had presented it to her at the cemetery after they removed it from her father’s casket. Usually the flag was given to the oldest son, but since she was an only child, her mother had directed them to give it to her. It was the last thing she had left of her father’s memory.

  In the weeks following the funeral, Amanda and Meri relied on each other for comfort. Amanda knew that she would have to support the two of them, and she knew that Meri had her heart set on going to college. She would soon enter her senior year of high school and it would be time to start filling out college applications. Meri had her heart set on Memphis State University, but Amanda knew that it was expensive.

  Amanda had just completed her training to become a nurse practitioner, but she had planned on taking her time to find the right position. She was surprised one day when the Jackson Hospital administrator summoned her to his office. When she entered, she notice that Dr. Boone was there also. They told her to have a seat, they had something they wanted to discuss with her.

  Dr. Boone explained that his practice was very large and he simply did not have enough hours in the day to see to the needs of his patients. He wanted to offer her a nursing practitioner position in his office to help him with his patient overload. He explained that they could begin allowing her to see the easier patients who had colds, stomach viruses, and minor injuries. Then when she felt up to the task they could increase her patient load. She was told to give the idea some thought and get back with them in a few days. They both offered their condolences in the death of her husband as she started to leave the office.

  Amanda was both surprised, and happy at the same time. She had not expected to get such an offer this early in the game. She had worked with Dr. Boone a lot in the hospital, and she liked him very much. She rushed home to give Meri the good news.

  Meri was excited at the prospect of her mother going to work as a nurse practitioner. She knew that her mother had been worried about finances after her father’s death. This position would help them get on their feet and hopefully help her also achieve her dreams of attending Memphis State University.

  Amanda called Dr. Boone and told him she wanted to take him up on his offer. He told her he was glad to have her on board. He had always noticed how much Amanda had cared for her patients. She was a gentle, loving woman and he knew that she would be a great asset to his office.

  In the weeks that followed, Amanda immersed herself in her new job. The money was good, but would get better with time. The problem was, she didn’t know if she could afford to send Meri to Memphis at the time Meri needed to go. She and her daughter were very close, and she usually discussed her concerns with Meri. She decided that she needed to set Meri down and discuss the college situation with her.

  Amanda explained to Meri that she might not be able to afford to send her to Memphis State right after her graduation. She saw the disappointment in Meri’s face when she suggested a local college for a couple of years. That would allow Meri to remain at home and continue her education at the same time. By the time Meri was ready to graduate from the two year college, perhaps Amanda would be in a better position to afford Memphis State.

  Meri reluctantly agreed with her mother’s suggest of a junior college. She would do nothing to hurt her mother’s feelings. Her mother had tried so hard to provide everything they needed after her father’s death. She knew that her mother was hurting just as bad as she was and she was determined that she would do nothing to add to that pain. After all, her mother wasn’t asking her to give up her dreams, she was just asking her to postpone them for a couple of years.

  Meri had accepted the current state of affairs that her and her mother lived in. They both were lonely, but they both knew they had to move on. Meri was just starting out her senior year of high school, and she was determined to make the most of her last year with her Jackson classmates. She had come to terms with her college situation. She even told herself that it might be better this way since she could live at home and her mother could help her with her studies. Life had thrown her a curve ball, but she was determined to not allow her dreams for a nursing career get derailed. She also felt that it might be better if she stayed at home for a couple of years so that her mother would not be alone.

  Amanda and Dr. Boone had scheduled a meeting at the end of each week to discuss Amanda’s progress and to review patient charts. Amanda was thankful for the guidance that Dr. Boone was giving her. It was in one of these Friday meetings that Dr. Boone asked about Meri. Amanda explained that they had decided that Meri would attend a local college for a couple of year, giving them a chance to get on their feet financially.

  “Is Meri okay with that,” Dr. Boone asked.

  “Well, she had her sights set on attending Memphis State University, but she has agreed to wait a couple of years.” Amanda said. “I know that she was disappointed, but she understands how things are. She is very devoted to me and we have a great relationship. I wish I could do better, but right now this is for the best.”

  Dr. Boone was thoughtful for a few minutes. They continued their review of the patients that Amanda had seen throughout the week. When they finished, Amanda started gathering her things to head home. She and Meri had plans to watch some movies over the weekend and she was ready for some relaxation. As she started out the door Dr. Boone called her back in.

  “Tell Meri to go ahead and apply to Memphis State.” Dr. Boone said.

  Amanda turned and looked at him with a questioned look on her face.

  “The hospital offers a student program to certain students who want to enter the medical field. It is an incentive program for employees and their families. I know that I can convince t
hem to help Meri with her college finances, and I also have a professor buddy at Memphis State that will help Meri get accepted,” Dr. Boone said.

  Amanda stared at him for a minute, not believing what she was hearing. Could this possible be true? Did Meri still have a chance at fulfilling her dream of attending a four-year college after she graduated from high school? A wide grin spread across Amanda’s face.

  “Dr. Boone, if you could do that it would mean so much to Meri and me,” Amanda said. “She has looked forward to getting her nursing license ever since she started high school. She is a great kid. She is smart, loving, caring, and I know that she will make an excellent nurse someday.”

  “Then I don’t believe that I will have any problems recommending her for the student program,” Dr. Boone said.

  Amanda practically drove on air on the way home. She could not wait to tell Meri what Dr. Boone had just told her. Meri deserved to live out her dreams of getting her nursing license. Amanda had a great relationship with her daughter and they could discuss anything. There had been times when Meri had told Amanda that she did not want to get involved with boys because they would just be a distraction. Meri wanted to reach her educational goals before thinking about starting a family of her own. And she told Amanda that she planned to be a virgin on her wedding night.

  Meri was elated at the news. She spent the evening with her mother celebrating and talking about what they needed to do next. The two acted more like sisters or best friends instead of mother and daughter. Amanda told Meri she would get the paperwork ready and they could fill it out together. Meri thought she would burst from excitement.

  The remainder of Meri’s senior year of high school went by at lightning speed. She learned that she would be graduating in the top ten of her class, making her application to college much easier. Colleges wanted students that excelled in academics. While she was on Christmas break she received a letter of acceptance from Memphis State. She squealed with joy as she tore open the envelope and read the letter to her mother.

  There was a lot of planning to do between now and the time Meri would start her freshman year of college. Amanda’s career was taking off, allowing her the financial freedom that she sought. She told Meri that they would go shopping on Saturday for some new clothes. It had been a long time since the two of them had splurged on anything.

  Graduation day came and Meri was excited to get this phase of life behind her. She was ready to start on the next chapter. Her high school years had brought her joy and they had brought her sadness. But the one constant in her life had been her mother. She was always there anytime Meri needed her. She briefly thought about college life, and living without her mother, but she knew that it was progress, and it was necessary.

  Amanda watched proudly as her only daughter graduated with honors and accepted her high school diploma. Meri had grown into a beautiful young woman who had a good head on her shoulders. She wanted the best for her daughter. Meri deserved to have a life of happiness. She knew that she would be lonely when Meri moved away, but she did not have to worry about Meri. She would do well in life.

  Meri took a week’s vacation with some of her friends and went to the Great Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee. Her mother had suggested the trip, telling her she needed a little time to relax and enjoy life before entering college. While many of her classmates were enjoying the beach, Meri was taking in the breath-taking beauty of the mountains. She loved the majestic look of the haze covered mountains against the blue sky. She enjoyed hiking the trails and watching the bears as they frolicked in the mountain streams. Although this place was one of the biggest tourists’ attractions in the state, it still offered a glimpse into a world where nature survived and man was only allowed to look from the sidelines.

  When Meri returned from her trip, she knew that she must start preparing for college. Before long fall would arrive and classes would begin. She had a lot of things to do before that happened. Her mother agreed that it was time for them to go shopping for some things she would need to set up house in her dorm room.

  Meri and Amanda were having a ball shopping for fall clothes and dorm furnishings. Meri knew the dorm rooms were small, but she is required to furnish her sheets, toiletries, towels, and any other necessary items. They found some cool sheets done in animal print, and some storage bins that would come in handy for her personal items. Meri found several items of clothing that would be needed for the cooler fall and winter months. She felt almost like a child at Christmas, discovering new delights around every corner.

  Thursday was moving day. It was finally time for Meri to move into the dorm. She was excited as she packed the final box into the rear of her mother’s SUV. Unbeknownst to Meri, Amanda was having bittersweet thoughts. She was so happy for Meri, but she dreaded the upcoming months when she would be adjusting to life alone. She knew it had to be, but she dreaded it just the same. She steeled her emotions so that Meri would not detect her sadness. She wanted Meri to build a happy life for herself, and it was time for her to fly on her own. Amanda had given Meri the best life she possibly could, and she knew that Meri had deep-rooted desires to live a pure and simple life.

  Chapter 2

  Meri really had no idea about what to expect from life on her own. She had always lived at home with her parents, then with her mom after the death of her father. College life proved to be different from anything she had ever expected. Her dorm room mate was named Anna Travis, and the two got along well together. They quickly developed a close friendship as they both embraced a world where they were supposed to make their own decisions. It was a new concept for both of them, and they relied on each other for comfort when they were lonely, and for advice when they were deciding what classes they would be taking during the next semester.

  Meri quickly learned that college life was very different from high school life. Students at college felt it was their right to party. Anna soon fell into the party crowd while Meri chose to stay close to the dorm and study. There were times when Anna would convince Meri to join some of the other students at some of the weekend parties, but as a rule Meri declined. Anna seemed to thrive on attention, and Meri was content to stay in and watch television or read a book. But their social differences did not interfere with their friendship. Meri simply stuck to her plans to avoid a lot of social occasions until she had met her goal of attaining her nursing license.

  In the beginning Meri would call her mother frequently. Amanda was always glad to hear from her and learn how her studies were going. Amanda was glad that Meri and Anna had developed a friendship. It was always good to have somebody to rely on in the absence of a parent. Amanda was very careful not to allow Meri to detect the loneliness in her voice. It had been a long time since Amanda had nothing but an empty house to come home to. But she did not want Meri to worry about her. Meri seemed to be having a great time and was adjusting to college life quite well. Amanda had no intentions of interfering in that.

  Meri was indeed adjusting quite well. Her classes kept her busy throughout the week and she applied herself to making the best grades she possible could. The classes were challenging, but Meri was a quick study and she enjoyed the chance to expand her knowledge. The first semester was spent getting the non-medical classes behind her. Certain classes were required, even though they were not medical related. While some found these classes boring, Meri embraced the challenge. She loved learning new things, but she also looked forward to the day when she could finally get her feet wet in the medical aspects of her education.

  Back in Jackson, Amanda was continuing the advancement of her career. She and Dr. Boone got along very well, and he was a great mentor. She still had not adjusted to life at home alone, but it was not as bad as it had been when Meri first left. Dr. Boone had asked her if she would attend a cancer fund-raiser on Saturday evening. He explained that this was the hospital’s premier fund raiser of the year, with all of the money raised going to cancer research. It was a formal affair with an elegant meal,
a silent auction, and a band so that the attendees could enjoy an evening on the dance floor. Since the death of her husband, Amanda had not really been out on social occasions. The only time she had allowed herself to go out was when she and Meri went shopping or decided to catch a move. She found herself looking forward to the evening. It would give her a rare chance to get dressed up and do some socializing with other people who worked in the medical field.

  The University of Memphis was a medical college that trained both doctors and nurses. The university has a student participation program that allows students to volunteer for certain medical procedures. The program was designed to teach students how to do the procedures. There was very little risk associated with the program since all of the procedures are done under the guidance of a professor. Those that volunteered for the program were given a small compensation for their participation. Most of the nursing students readily agreed to participate since it was a way to learn from the prospective of the patient, and it provided them with some extra spending money. The first program was one where students learned how to draw blood from a vein in the arm, hopefully the large vein found in the bend of the arm. Students who participate would be awarded $50 for their time. Anna had agreed to participate, and encouraged Meri to participate also. Recognizing the need for students to learn and to get experience, Meri agreed.