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Those blue eyes gazed straight into mine, almost melting the rest of the anger I have for him. “I have found a woman that I would like to marry. I am here to ask permission from you and Marie.”
The lump in my throat felt the size of a peach pit. I looked away for a moment trying to find Larry. I cleared my throat, “Well, Frank, I knew this would happen at some time. I imagined it already had. You do not need my permission. But I like the fact that you wanted to tell Marie before you got married. Marie never asked questions about you, Frank. Even after I told her the truth in 1941, she didn’t want to know more than I told her. She understood you were my first beau and her biological daddy. But other than that she was not curious. She knows you have set aside money for her. I think she would like to know that you are getting married and will have a family. Marie should be back around dinner time. Maybe you can come back and see her then.”
“Ethel, I would appreciate that. Her name is Elizabeth. She works with me at the law office.”
I cut him off. “I don’t need to know about her.”
“Okay,” he said lowering his eyes to the floor. He paused then asked, “What was it you wanted to tell me?”
I stepped toward the door to the hall and called out, “Larry, come in here, you sly dog. I know you are hiding.”
Larry came into the room looking like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. “Frank, I wanted to tell you that Larry and I are going to get married.”
Larry looked at me and his mouth dropped open. He took one step at a time toward me like someone playing Mother May I. Putting his arm around my waist he said, “We are? Oh, I mean, yes, Frank, we are! Heck, I’ve been asking her to marry me in the eyes of God for years. Finally, we are going to do it. Yaaahoo!”
Frank laughed. Probably because he knew exactly what Larry was going through. You never can tell when I am going to be ready. You just have to wait. There were handshakes all around. I hadn’t touched Frank since 1928, and it was weirdly familiar. I shifted to put my arms around Larry in a big hug, threw my head back, and with great relief, shouted, “It is a happy day!”
After Marie came back from dinner with Frank, her face was blotched. She had a soggy man’s handkerchief wadded up in her hand. She said, “Mom, he’s getting married. He is marrying a woman he works with. He told me all about her. He said I would really like her. I won’t like her. I don’t have to like her. This is his life not mine. Why does he think I care?”
I pulled her to me, and I talked with her head on my chest. “Honey, you are his daughter. Even though I pushed him away from us, he really cares about you. I am not surprised he is getting married, but I am shocked he came to ask permission. That counts for something. At one point in our lives, he and I loved each other. I don’t think that ever goes away. That love just changes into caring. Let him care for you. The best thing about Frank and Ethel is you.”
Later that evening, Caroline called. She is allowed access to the phone twice a week. Monday is usually the day she calls Annie. I get a call from her on Friday night.
“Hey, big sister!” she said in a cheery voice. “I can’t tell wait to tell you about my day.”
“Okay, shoot,” I replied.
“Dr. Redmond called me into his office. Nurse Joanna, one of my favorite nurses, was there. Belle was too. Doc said after the battery of tests they had done on me and my bodily functions, they wanted to report I am much better. It is stupid they need tests to show that. I could have told them I was. But anyway, they reduced some of my meds a few months ago, and I have not needed a shock treatment in a long time. Belle came over and sat next to me. Maybe she thought I would have a fit or something. I just sat there trying to process the information. Then Belle said, “Caroline, you are moving out of Dix Hill. There is a family that needs someone to do light housekeeping and care for their two children. They travel a lot and want someone reliable. They are hoping you will come live with them.”
“Wait! Wait a darn minute!” I shouted over the phone. “I don’t know anything about you moving out. They have not talked to me. Are you telling the truth?”
“The doctor said you and Annie were sent a letter with a summary of the report. The letter also explained the plan for my next treatment, which is living off campus. When I talked to Annie, she said she got the letter and was so happy for me.”
Out of fear I began shooting questions like arrows. “I didn’t get a letter. I just talked to Annie today and she didn’t mention anything. I am worried about this. How do we know these are good people? Where will you live? How old are these children? Will they pay you or is this unpaid work? What about your criminal record?”
Caroline said, “Stop, Ethel!” Her voice was stern but there was no anger or agitation in her voice. I got quiet. She said, “I can tell you all the details. Annie just wanted me to have a chance to tell you myself! Just let me talk!” I was not sure how to process all this. Caroline said,
“I am almost 30 years old now. According to the law, I am no longer a ward of the court. I am considered able to make decisions. The doctors and nurses all met to discuss me, as they usually do, but this time it was about how well I am doing. This family lives in Raleigh in a place called Oakwood. It is a big house. I would have my own room and kitchen. I know they are good people because it is Belle’s son and daughter-in-law. I have met them many times but never knew this was in the works. Belle’s son is an architect and a professor at State College. He travels all over the United States teaching building design. The children are two and four. The mother is very nice. She invited me to stay overnight at their house this weekend to get to know them. They are letting me make this decision.”
I was totally flabbergasted. This was my youngest sister, my sometimes crazy sister, my former criminal sister, and she sounded like an adult. A really smart adult. Someone who was really thinking carefully to make the right decision.
“And, Ethel,” she added, “they are going to pay me really well. I can begin to pay you and Annie back for all the things you have done for me. When you come next week with Marie and Suzy, I want you to meet them.”
I realized I had not said a word through all this. It was because I was bursting with emotion. I was stunned and happy and so very proud. I said, “Oh, Caroline, this sounds wonderful. Belle knows you better than we do. She is the perfect person to watch over you. And I know she has a family that is just as perfect. What could be better?”
My tears were spilling onto the phone receiver. “I can’t wait to meet them. And I am so proud of you, my smart and most capable sister.”
I could tell she was crying too. Not the sad tears we all usually shed but the happiest ones.
I used words our mother said so often. Now I believed them—truly.
“The Nash girls are doing just fine. Praise God.”
