“Mark and I will play against Aunt Ivy and Aunt Zoey,” Gabi suggested. “The cousins against the aunts.”
“Nah. I want to be Doughy’s partner,” Mark said. “Is that okay with you?”
“Yeah,” Zoey agreed. “We haven’t been partners since we were kids. It’s about time we were on the same team again.”
After playing cards for over an hour—Zoey and Mark won every game—Gabi asked a nurse if it was all right if she played her flute for Ivy. The nurse permitted her to play just one song, with the door closed. Ivy requested “Flight of the Bumblebee,” because she said it reminded her of Sylvia and her flowers.
Even more than the last time she performed it, Gabi seemed to play the dizzying piece effortlessly, masterfully. When she was done, Ivy and Zoey burst into applause.
Mark didn’t clap but he commented, “I didn’t know you were so talented, Jessica.”
“I didn’t know I was Jessica,” Gabi ribbed him. “But thanks, Mark.”
His eyes went round. “I called you Jessica?”
“It’s easy to do. She looks so much like her,” Ivy acknowledged. “But she’s one of a kind and so was her mom. Each one with her own special talents and beauty.”
“Thank you, Aunt Ivy.” Gabi twisted the joints of her instrument apart and put them into her flute case. “I’m hungry. Does anyone want to go to the cafeteria?”
Zoey wasn’t hungry but Mark went with Gabi. When they left, Ivy said, “This was such a pleasant day, wasn’t it?”
“Pleasant? You’re in thehospital, Aunt Ivy.”
“Yes, but it didn’t feel like a hospital because you three kids were here.”
Zoey teased, “We could make it feel even homier. I could bring in your portrait of Captain Denny and hang it on the wall over there.”
“Oh, I love that portrait but I’ve found I don’t absolutely need it to see Denny. Sometimes, the best way to see someone you love is like this.” She lowered her eyelids and the corners of her lips slowly lifted into a smile. As Zoey studied her great-aunt’s dreamy expression, she smiled, too. Then Ivy looked at her and asked, “Did I ever tell you the story about my whirlwind courtship with Dennis Cartwright?”
“Once or twice. But I’d love to hear it again.”
She patted the bed and Zoey settled beside her and listened to the story of the man who won her great-aunt’s heart with a fish instead of flowers.
“Is she sleeping?” Gabi whispered half an hour later when she and Mark returned to the dim room.
“Almost,” Ivy answered for herself, without opening her eyes. “Come, say goodbye.”
“Goodnight, Aunt Ivy.” Gabi kissed her cheek. “I love you.”
“And I love you, my great and grand niece,” Ivy replied as the teenager picked up her flute case. She signaled Zoey that she’d wait outside and tiptoed into the hall.
“I’ll stop by in the morning so we can talk in private,” Mark told his aunt.
He’s probably going to ask her to sign the paperwork for Waterside,Zoey thought, without a trace of rancor. “Gabi and I won’t come until you’re done with your discussion. Will you text me to let me know?” she asked.
“Sure.” He moved toward the door.
“Give me a kiss before you go,” Ivy prompted him.
He swung around and gave her a quick peck on the cheek, mumbling something that Zoey didn’t catch. Ivy said something back and then he shuffled out of the room.
Zoey rose from the chair and leaned forward for her turn to kiss her aunt goodnight. “I love you, Aunt Ivy.”
“I love you, too.” The sheet across her chest rose and fell with her breathing and while Zoey knew her aunt was drifting to sleep, she lingered, reluctant to leave.
“Do you want me to bring a sweater from home tomorrow? Or your bathrobe?” When Ivy shook her head, Zoey asked, “Can I do anything for you before I leave?”
“You’ve done too much for me already, dear girl.” Her aunt peeked at her and then lowered her eyelids again. “It’s time for you to go live your life.”
