On the way down the hall to the all-purpose room, Debbie got a message from Micky.
Turns out I can make it tonight after all. I’ll be out the door in a few minutes.
Sorry, Micky, I made other plans.
Other plans? What?
I’m at a potluck dinner.
Potluck dinner, where?
New Haven Christian Church with the family.
Bunny, you go to church?
Debbie was having a hard time juggling the dish and her phone.
I’ll call you later.
Jessica immediately ran ahead with her friends, and once in the room, Gini and Robert were pulled into a group talking. Debbie was led to the table for food. When she turned back to the room, Alyssa was standing just inside the outside door talking to Pastor Daniel, and Jessica was out in the yard blowing soap bubbles out of a ring. Debbie could tell the whole family was happy here. She made her way over to the group with Gini.
Going into a room filled with people had become much easier for Gini. The well-known voices, the smells and feel in the air were all familiar to her, and she felt safe and comfortable. And she loved being with other mothers, hearing their stories, laughing and talking of their pride in their children. Gini was very proud of her daughter, Robert’s daughter. Jessica was friendly and had many friends; most of the time she was the center of attention. And she was polite and courteous to the adults. Gini knew if Robert couldn’t guide her in the family gatherings, Jessica would help her. All she had to do was let her daughter know in her mind she was lost, and Jessica was right there.
Jessica came running in the room from outside when she saw Timmy. She stopped before getting to him and looked back at Gini. Then she walked, slowly at first but then faster and faster, though not running. She took Timmy’s hand, and they ran to the outside door to be with the other kids.
Alyssa knelt and took Jessica’s hand to stop her. “Jessie, we don’t run inside. Please walk.”
“Everyone else runs,” Jessica said, her bottom lip sticking out.
“It’s dangerous to run inside. You may get hurt or hurt someone else. You’re a good leader; help your friends learn not to run, okay?”
“Okay.” Jessica took two big steps to the doorway and then ran outside.
Alyssa stood and looked at Pastor Daniel. “She’s just too cute.”
Lisa and Lenny walked up to Debbie and their group.
“Debs, how great you came,” Lisa said, hugging Debbie.
Debbie put her hand on Lisa’s bulging belly. “So, what did the doctor say?”
“It’s a girl.”
Gini smiled broadly. “Be… uff, girl.” She raised her voice at the end.
“Oh, I know, Gini. You’ve been telling us that for months. So I wasn’t surprised when Dr. Nelson told us that today.”
“Okay,” Reverend Gilbert announced, “let’s get all the little ones up here to eat, also our special needs people. As usual, the food looks absolutely delicious. Thanks, everyone, for bringing our dinner.”
Robert and Lenny went to get the kids, and Gini and Lisa got in line. Debbie stayed and talked to John and Vicky.
Robert had been pleasantly surprised the second week they attended the service to find out Dr. Meyer and his wife were also members of the church.
Later Debbie stepped into the back of the line.
“Hi, I’m Kensy. I don’t think I’ve seen you here before.”
“Debbie. I’m Gini Young’s nurse. I live with them.”
“Welcome.”
“Thanks.”
They slowly walked forward in silence for a minute, and then Kensy started up a conversation, first about the weather, what things Debbie was interested in…
“Why don’t you join us?” Kensy said, pointing to a table with four other ladies.
Debbie saw that everyone she knew was already sitting at full tables, so she followed Kensy. It took no time to figure out that two of the ladies were a couple and the other two were married to men with families. And, yes, Kensy was gay. The five talked about everything from cranky kids to tennis tournaments and good recipes. They all made Debbie feel welcome and comfortable.
“Listen, Debbie, a bunch of us are getting together to go bowling next Thursday. You should join us.”
“I’ll see what’s on the family calendar.”
After the meal, the people with families were swept away to watch a short movie for the kids.
Debbie sat with Lisa. “You’re not going to the movie?”
“No,” Lisa said with a sigh. “I just want to sit comfortably for a few minutes in quiet.”
Debbie patted her on the shoulder. “I didn’t know you and Lenny were churchgoers.”
“I was talking to Dr. Young one day at the hospital and he told me about this church and how Jessica enjoyed Sunday school and the other kids. Lenny and I had a discussion about it and decided to try it out. We’re so happy we did. You should come to church, Debs. I know you’d enjoy it.”
“I’m not a church person.”
“But look how nice everyone is! And we could see each other.”
“We can always see each other, Lisa.”
“You know what I mean. We’re all so busy.”
After a little while, the kids came running back in at the promise of ice cream. Jessica was clasping both Timmy’s and Philip’s hands, holding them back from running. She turned and looked at her mother. Gini smiled with approval.
Debbie enjoyed the evening. Kensy gave Debbie her phone number and told her she’d pick Debbie up on Thursday night if she wanted to go.
When they got back to the house, Gini and Jessica took out the braille cards for a few games before bedtime. Robert was at the kitchen sink getting drinks
