Families Page 14

  “So you didn’t say anything about me?”

  “Nope!”

  Debbie was relieved and sat back. “Good. Do you want some coffee?” She stood.

  “Sure, if you’re making some.”

  She started to leave the room, then turned back. “Maybe bourbon would be better.”

  He laughed and went to get the drinks.

  When the doorbell rang Thursday night, Robert answered it carrying Jessica in his arms. When the clergymen entered, they both greeted the child, who turned her face away shyly, then went to Gini to greet her. Then they sat on the couch next to Robert, who had Jessica on his lap.

  “You must be Jessica,” Daniel said in his baritone voice.

  Alyssa sat off at the kitchen table, in case they needed her for Jessica. The richness of his voice immediately got her attention.

  Debbie had parked herself deep in the kitchen out of sight.

  When Daniel leaned forward toward Jessica, she stuck her face into Robert’s chest. And then almost as quickly, she sat up and looked at Gini, who was in her recliner across the room. Gini’s eyes were open and focused on her daughter. Jessica turned back and sat straight-backed with her hands in her lap, looking toward the two men.

  “You’re a very pretty little girl,” Daniel continued.

  “I’m a princess,” Jessica said shyly.

  “Why, yes you are, I see that now. A beautiful princess.

  “Your mommy and daddy are going to come to a place called church on Sunday. I hope you will come with them. There are a lot of kids your age, and they have so much fun in Sunday school. They color and sing… do you like to sing?”

  “Yes.”

  “Can you sing me your favorite song?”

  Jessica hadn’t taken her eyes off him. “When you wish upon a star…” she started singing, quietly.

  Daniel went down on one knee in front of her. “Makes no difference who you are…” he joined in. His beautiful voice filled the whole house.

  Alyssa sat forward in her chair, and Debbie walked closer to the table as Jessica and Daniel continued the song.

  “Your dreams come true…” Jessica was now singing at the top of her lungs. Daniel was holding her hands in his.

  “Oh, thank you, Jessica. That is one of my favorite songs too.” He stood up slowly, letting go of her hands. “I hope you’ll come to church so we can sing some more.”

  Jessica giggled and leaned back on her dad again, this time comfortable and relaxed. Robert looked at Gini; she was smiling.

  Reverend Gilbert bent forward to look around Robert. “And who’s over there?”

  Alyssa stood and came into the room. “I’m Jessica’s nanny, Alyssa.”

  Both men stood when she approached, and she followed Daniel with her eyes as he rose above her.

  “And…” the Reverend said after greeting Alyssa, still looking into the kitchen.

  “Is that you, Ms. Pierce?”

  “Yes,” she said, now feeling she had to make an appearance.

  “It’s been some time since I’ve seen you at the hospital.”

  “I’ve been Gini’s private nurse for several years. Haven’t worked there since her accident.”

  “It’s good to see you again. I hope you will all join us Sunday morning.”

  He turned his attention to Gini. “I have something for you.” He reached in his bag and took out a box. Kneeling in front of her, he opened the lid and took out a white Bible with gold lettering on the front. “I don’t know if you have a Bible, but I wanted to give you this one. It has large print.” He put it in her lap, and she put her hand on top of it.

  “Thenk you,” she said, smiling.

  Robert walked the two men to the door, holding Jessica’s hand.

  Daniel bowed down to the little girl. “It was nice to meet you, princess.”

  She giggled and wrapped her arms around her father’s legs.

  The subject of attending church only came up one other time, when Robert announced he and Gini wanted to go to the late service, which started at ten forty-five.

  Sunday, a little after ten, Alyssa came from their rooms with Jessica, both dressed and ready for Robert.

  “You’re going?” Debbie asked.

  “Yes, I miss church. Not that I went every Sunday, but I did go some growing up.”

  When they got there, Robert opened the wheelchair for Gini, and Jessica sat in her lap—Gini’s white Bible tucked between her and her body. He decided the chair would be easier for Gini since there would probably be a lot of people, and Gini—although she was much better at controlling it—was very anxious when she went to new places with crowds.

  Jessica sat proudly on her mother’s lap, like a princess in her carriage. Robert wheeled them in while Alyssa parked the car. He pushed them up the ramp, and two teenage boys held the door so he could go inside. The minute Jessica saw what was happening, she hugged tight into Gini, burying her face. Once inside, Robert coaxed Jessica down so he could take off her jacket, and then he helped Gini off with hers. He could see Gini trying to hold it together, but by her tenseness and vague look, he knew she was disoriented by the movements and strangers.

  Jessica climbed back into Gini’s lap. They hugged each other tight. Robert didn’t know for sure who was consoling whom. Gini had her arm around Jessica, and Jessica was lightly rubbing on the side of her mother’s neck.

  “Good morning,” an older woman said. “And who is this precious little girl?”

  Jessica looked for a moment, then buried her face again.

  “That’s Jessica, and I’m Robert.” He put his hand on Gini. “And this is my wife, Gini.”

  “Welcome to our church. Have you been here before?”

  “No, ma’am,” Robert answered.

  “Let me show you the seating area for wheelchairs.”

  People were starting to filter into the sanctuary. Robert followed the lady to the row four from the back. Gini got out of the chair and sat in the pew, and when Alyssa found them, she sat next to Jessica, who was next to Robert.

  He leaned over to Gini. “Are you okay, sweetheart?”

  “Be… uff, goo.” She gave a half smile. He took her hand. She’d stopped shaking.

  There was a small group in front singing with a guitarist and piano accompanying them. It helped Gini take her focus off the many people walking, which confused her. The music was relaxing, and she once again felt the excitement of being in church.

  The muffled sounds in the room stopped with the music.

  “Let us stand and lift our voices to the heavens,” Reverend Gilbert said.

  Everyone stood and sang.

  “Be seated.” He made a motion. “And let us pray.”

  Each person sat, except Gini, who remained standing. The reverend started the prayer.

  “Sweetheart,” Robert whispered, standing back up next to her. “You need to sit.”

  She turned and looked at him for a few seconds and then sat down.

  Robert put the white Bible in Gini’s lap before carrying Jessica up front when the call for children went out. Alyssa scooted over next to Gini.

  Jessica clung tight to her dad the whole time and buried her face. He stood to the side with the other parents who were holding their children. At the end of the sermon, the children sang “Jesus Loves Me.”

  Pastor Daniel walked to Jessica as they were singing and took her hand. She briefly looked at him and then hid her face again. She wanted nothing to do with going to Sunday school. She sat on Robert’s lap or Gini’s.

  Many people greeted them after the service, and Reverend Gilbert made it a point to talk to Gini. She signed a few words, but all the chatter made her lose concentration.

  Every week the four went to the late service, and every week Jessica was very shy. Robert found the scriptures in Gini’s Bible so she could follow along.

  The fifth week was the charm. Gini insisted she walk, no longer wanting the wheelchair, and Jessica sat on the floor for the ser
mon and willingly went to Sunday school with Alyssa holding her hand.

  Gini stood during the whole first prayer—each time, Robert whispered she needed to sit, and he stood with her until she sat down.

  When they walked to greet Reverend Gilbert, he asked why she was standing.

  “Need, God, know, we, be, ser… is, so, early… uff, morn.”

  From that day forward, the reverend asked the congregation to continue to stand until the end of the opening prayer.

  With the family becoming involved with more activities, Debbie found she had a lot of time on her hands. She and Micky met up some, but it seemed getting together was getting more difficult rather than easier, and each time the date was either postponed by Micky for some reason or other, or she would just show up with no advance warning, and then want to spend the night. Although it interrupted the normal pattern in Debbie and Gini’s schedule, Gini didn’t seem to mind, and Robert always insisted Debbie go be with Micky if he was home when she came. Although Micky’s unpredictability upset Debbie more and more, once they were together, she had a good time and wanted the love and affection Micky easily gave. After their encounter Debbie always felt relaxed and uplifted. And Micky promised each time she’d be better at keeping the original plans.

  One afternoon in late August a couple of summers later, Debbie took a casserole out of the oven and set it on the kitchen island. She went through the baking dish drawer and found the lid.

  Jessica came in full of energy, running around and round, dragging her hand across Debbie’s legs as she passed.

  “Yum. Looks good, Deb,” Alyssa said, taking Jessica’s hand to stop her perpetual motion.

  Robert came in from the great room. “Man, does that smell good. Debbie, come with us.”

  She gave him a look. “Robert, I’m fine here.”

  “Deb, it’s just a potluck. Good times, with good people.”

  Gini let go of Robert’s hand and hugged her. “Dee… bee, love.” She put her chin on Debbie’s chest and smiled. Debbie hugged her close and let out a breath, closing her eyes. After a moment, she said, “Okay, give me a few minutes to freshen up.”

  The whole family piled into the big SUV, and they headed to the church’s “end of summer” dinner.

  Robert parked the car, and everyone piled out. Jessica called out to her friend, “Philip” and started to run to him. Alyssa grabbed her hand to stop her. “You have to watch for cars, remember?”

  Debbie took the casserole, and Robert walked with Gini. Other people were filtering into the church’s front door. Inside, people were standing in the big open area, and several came to greet the family. Robert introduced Debbie.

  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 before he joined them.

  “Nice setup,” Debbie said, walking up next to him after filling a glass with some ice.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Having Kensy just happen to be in front of me in the food line.”

  He looked at her, puzzled. “Kensy! She’s a nice woman. She and Jessica really hit it off at the children’s choir practices. What kind of setup?”

  “Robert, she’s a lesbian. I know you wanted her to sway me to go to church.”

  “Kensy’s gay? Huh, I didn’t know.”

  “Come on, Robert!”

  “Debbie, I don’t care about any of that. She’s a great person, and so are you.” He took the drinks to the table.

  The next week Debbie and Micky tried to communicate, but Micky was on a three-day shift, so they just passed a few short texts back and forth.

  Debbie decided she would go to the bowling party. She was just about to walk out the door when Micky called.

  “Deb, let’s meet for dinner.”

  “I can’t. I’m going bowling tonight.”

  “Well, don’t you have the social life.”

  “Come on, Micky. It’s with a few ladies I met at the potluck Saturday night. I never know when you’re going to be available. And when we make plans, you change them.”

  “Bunny, are you brushing me off? Are these ladies lesbian?”

  “Not that it matters, but yes, the one I’m going to the party with is.”

  “Fine. Have a great time.” Micky hung up just as Debbie heard a car honk.

  That night changed Debbie’s life. She had so much fun at the bowling alley, and then several of them went to the town square for dessert. They laughed at each other’s stories, talked about their jobs, and planned to get together again soon. Some of the gals played tennis at the country club and wanted Debbie to play with them. She had played a lot of tennis and volleyball in high school and college but not since. They didn’t care. They told her to just come; it was a fun group of women.