Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapters Ten & Eleven
Epilogue
Chapter 9
Velma was angry and sad at the same time. She had been by Angus’ side when he collapsed at home. Angus whispered for her to drive the truck to the hospital so they would have a way to get home later. She wanted to go in the ambulance with him but did what he suggested. When she got to the hospital they were already taking him in to the ER and when she saw him next, he was dead.
She was angry at Angus for suggesting that and at herself for agreeing to it. But the anger was overwhelmed by the sadness and desolation of knowing he was gone. 64 years of a life with the best partner in the world was over. She sat next to his hospital bed, holding his hand. She sniffed and sunk her head in her hands again and again. She would look up at his face and drop her head immediately, as if weighed too much for her neck.
Her sister, Violet, was there when I arrived. She stood behind Velma and rubbed her shoulders lightly. I stood off at a distance but Violet caught on that I wanted to talk to her and came over. Her eyes were red from crying. I told her who I was and that Melissa was at my house playing with Maria. She didn’t miss a beat before saying ‘Well, there is no way Velma can take care of her now, can she stay at your house?
I said, “Of course. She is about the same size as my daughter so she can wear her pajamas and fresh clothes in the morning if she wants. Someone can pick her up tomorrow or I can drop her off wherever she needs to go.”
Violet’s response made me nervous, “I meant I don’t think Velma will be able to take care of her for a long time, if ever. They were about to be finished with the foster children business. Velma looks healthy enough but she has been having spells lately. She fainted 3 times in the last 2 months and it was worrying Angus quite a bit. I will talk to her and maybe I can call you in the morning about what we need to do with Melissa, ok?”
I didn’t let my concern show when I said, “Ok, we will figure it out tomorrow.” I then had another worrisome thought. “Do you want me to tell her what happened or will Velma or you tell her?”
She said, “Well, I have a funny feeling she will be asking questions right away. If she does, go ahead and tell her. She has had people lie to her before about this sort of thing and she doesn’t take kindly to it. Just tell her the truth. ”Violet gave me her cell phone number and said I could call her instead of Velma’s home number for the next day since Velma would probably stay at her house, at least overnight.
After giving my condolences to Velma I drove home. After I called Mary to tell her I was on my way home I rolled down all 4 car windows. I felted oddly comforted by the wind, noise and buffeting I felt from the turbulent air swirling around me. I tried to figure out what words I would use in telling her what happened. I didn’t know if she was religious and should say he is in heaven. I wondered what Violet meant about Melissa having been lied to before. I didn’t want to lie, but I didn’t want to be insensitive either.
Melissa and Maria were waiting in the front yard when I got home. “What happened?” Melissa asked as I shut the car door.
“Well, Angus had to go to the hospi…” “He’s dead, isn’t he?” She said before I finished my sentence.
I looked at her big eyes and knew that she knew. “Yes, he is” I said.
She sat in the grass and started to cry. Maria sat down as well and put her arm around her. Mary came out the front door. We walked a few strides away and she told me that Melissa had been saying she knew Angus was dead for almost an hour.
I told Mary what Violet had said about Velma probably not being able to take care of Melissa. Mary looked at me and said, “Well, Melissa and Maria have said more than a few times tonight that they wished they were sisters.”
I was up until the sunrise thinking many things.