“Reek, be, of, wed, ding,” she mumbled.
“Mama.” Jessica hugged her mother. “Look at you walking and so beautiful.”
“Bay… be, mer… rey.”
“I’ve got to go be with Jason. See you after the ceremony.”
Robert rubbed around Gini’s shoulders. “Sweetheart, Jason and Jennifer are not your children. Your babies wouldn’t be marrying themselves.”
She just looked at Robert and smiled. She didn’t understand what he was saying. She knew she’d never see Jessica’s or Robbie’s weddings but was happy she was still alive for this one.
Most things made no sense to her. The colors all seemed to swirl like pinwheels when she opened her eyes, and the sounds were loud then quiet like someone turning the volume up and down. But she could always hear Jessica’s voice in her head and knew Robert was at her side to protect her.
And on this wedding day, she could see that Ric looked so handsome in his three-piece-suit, and Franco’s red dragon neck tattoo showed clearly with his hair pulled neatly back into a long braid down his back. It was a happy day for them all.
At the reception, Robert helped Gini to stand so she could hug the bride and groom.
“Gini, you look beautiful today,” Jennifer said squeezing her gently.
“Nee, see, bay… be, marry. Be, of, goo, day.”
“We are so happy you were able to come. You’d better save a dance for me,” Jason said.
Gini giggled her cute giggle. “No, be, of, dan. Fee, no, wor. Reek, be, goo, of, dan. Yes, yes, goo, of, dan.”
The party went on late into the night. Jessica and Robbie stayed; the rest went home about ten. Robert was surprised Gini was able to stay alert for so long. The energy of the room had pumped her full of happiness.
Two more years passed. Jessica and Yuri saw more of each other again. He too had transferred to Harvard, mostly so he could be with her. The commute to Maryland was a lot for every weekend. It saddened him to see how bad Gini was getting, and he tried to comfort Jessie as much as he could when she let her feelings come to the surface.
Jessica still stood firm that she would not marry until she was out of school. Although he wanted her for his own much sooner, he agreed with her decision.
When they could work it into their schedules, they partied or spent time with Jason and Jennifer. The bond between Jason and Jessica still held tight, and he knew when she struggled to deal with her mother dying. He told her to call whenever she needed to talk. They’d had several late-night conversations.
Robbie was in high school, a real heartthrob. He was somewhat shy but very intelligent and a star basketball player—growing to be six foot four. Both the children adored their mother and wanted to be with her as much as they could.
Gini was wheelchair bound, rarely spoke, and spent most of her time in bed. Robert attended all of Robbie’s games and other activities. If Gini was up for it, he took her as well.
It was hard for Jessica to see her mother slowly leaving them and her dad aging before her eyes, more slumped each year and almost totally white-haired at the age of sixty. He worked around six hours a day and spent the rest of the time with Gini.
On a cool day in late October, Gini asked Debbie to fix a roast for dinner. Debbie was delighted, not only that Gini asked for something to eat, since she didn’t eat much, but by the fact that she had actually spoken the words to her. “Sure, baby. Potatoes, carrots, the whole thing?”
“Oh, yes.” Gini smiled.
When Robert came home from work, Gini was in her recliner listening to an audiobook with earbuds.
“Hmm, it smells good in here,” he said to Debbie.
“Gini asked for roast tonight. Robert, she’s had a very good day, talking and smiling.”
He smiled at her. “Good, we love these days.”
About six o’clock, Robbie walked in the door.
“Rob, I thought your practice was till seven,” Robert said, surprised to see him.
“I left early.” He walked to Gini and kissed her on the cheek. She opened her eyes and smiled. “Rob… bie.”
And fifteen minutes later, Jessica walked through the front door.
“What a great treat,” Robert said hugging her.
“Mama said come to dinner.”
The family ate and talked, and then Gini said she wanted to play braille cards.
Robert sat holding her in his lap, helping her with the cards.
“Mama, I swear you always win,” Robbie said.
“Oh, yes.”
About eight-thirty, Robert took her to bed. Jessica said she would spend the night.
Robert came out of the bedroom. “Jessie, your mama wants to say good night.”
“Jess… eek, be… of… goo… doc… tor.”
There was a big lump in Jessica’s throat. “I hope so someday. I’m going to make you proud, you’ll see.”
“Be… of… proud… all… red.”
Jessica took her hand and kissed it. “I love you, Mama. Always, always.”
“Be… of… love.”
Jessica slowly walked out of the room with her head down. Then she looked up. “Rob, Mama wants you.”
Jessica went over and hugged with her dad. He held her head tight to his chest.
“Mama, thanks for the dinner.” His words were choking up his throat. “I…” He knelt next to the bed and a tear trickled down his cheek.
“Be… of… goo… boy. Love… all… time.”
“Me too, Mama, me too.”
Debbie waited just outside of the door and went in after giving Robbie a hug.
“You need to sleep now, baby.”
“Dee… bee, love, Rob… ber. Be… of… care.”
“Yes, I do love him, as I love you.” She put her hand on Gini’s face, down her cheek. “You rest now.”
Later the house was quiet.
