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“We did. Delucci’s is as good as ever. I hope you don’t have anything big planned for dinner.”
“I do, but don’t worry. We won’t eat until late. If you’re not busy, there are a few dishes I need to get back to your grandmother. You don’t mind running them over there, do you?” She looks at me, then turns and rushes into the kitchen. Cabinet doors open and close. Dishes clink together. Before I can figure out what’s going on, she’s back with a small stack of them.
“I don’t mind.” It gives me something to do and a chance to see one of the most important women in my life. Grandma Anna.
“Great. Just be sure you’re back by eight. We’re having lasagna.”
“Joe, what are you doing here?” My grandmother’s eyes grow wide, and she struggles to stand to pull me into a tight hug that threatens to crush the dishes I’m holding.
“I’m working on a project in Wilmington and came up for a visit. How are you? Mom asked me to get these back to you.” I hold the stack of dishes out to her.
“Those aren’t mine. They are your mother’s,” she says, taking them from me anyway and carrying them into the kitchen.
“Right.” I don’t let her words faze me. Her memory isn’t what it used to be. Between that and her struggles to move around, living by herself is no longer a good idea. It’s why she’s hired help.
“She’s right, you know. Those aren’t her dishes and pie plates.” Kate, her daytime companion, says.
“Really?” Now I am surprised. Until I remember my mom’s mad rush into the kitchen. “Mom must have gotten them mixed up. I’ll take them back home.”
“Not before you come and sit with your old grandmother for a while,” Grandma Anna says. She takes my hand and pulls me into the living room.
“I wasn’t planning on leaving right away. How have you been? Still growing a garden?” I ask, looking out the window across the backyard.
“Just a few herbs and a couple of heads of lettuce. I don’t get around as much as I once did anymore, and Kate has a bit of a brown thumb,” she says.
“I do not. I’m not a big fan of spending all day outside, covered in dirt and bugs though,” Kate says, walking in with a pitcher of sweet tea and two tall glasses filled with ice.
“I don’t blame you. I’m a big fan of air conditioning myself. If I’m out in the summer heat, it’s lying on a beach or swimming in a pool.” I smile at the middle-aged woman who’s been my grandmother’s companion for the past four years.
She returns the smile before leaving to answer her phone.
“She seems nice,” I say to my grandmother.
“Kate? She is. I don’t know what I would do without her. Even if she isn’t into gardening. Good thing Marie is such a good friend. She’s been bringing me fresh tomatoes and cucumbers all summer.”
“You two still spend a good bit of time together?” I ask.
“Of course. We’ve been friends since grade school. Nothing’s going to change that. Even if she married that Anderson guy.” She shakes her head.
“What’s wrong with him?” I barely remember Fiona’s grandfather, but what I do recall is that he was a jolly man who gave us rides on an old mule he kept in the backyard.
“Benjamin Anderson was always on the stubborn side. He came from a large family and expected his wife to have child after child. Do you have any idea how much work that is? And how hard it is on a woman’s body?”
“I’m sure it wasn’t easy.” To me, a large family like Fiona’s always seemed like the dream. Lots of siblings to play with. Never getting bored. It’s why I spent so much time at her house growing up. And back when we were dating, I’d assumed we’d eventually get married and have a large brood of our own.
Kate walks back into the living room, wringing her hands, distress written all over her face.
“What’s wrong, Kate?” My grandmother jumps up and takes her hands.
“The school called. My niece is running a high fever and needs to see a doctor immediately. They can’t reach her mom. I’m the emergency contact.” Kate turns to look at me.
“Go take care of her. I’ll be fine,” my grandmother assures her.
Kate turns to look at me.
“I’ll be here. I can stay until you get back or until the night nurse gets here,” I assure her. I have no idea when that will be, but there’s nothing pressing I have to do the rest of the day.
“Crystal should be here at seven. I’ll give her a call from the road and see if she can make it in a little early. Thank you. Both of you.” Kate squeezes my grandmother’s hands and rushes out the door.
