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“A little, baby,” I smile and kiss her hand. “It’s not polite to ask a sick person when they are going to die, okay? Think about life, not death.”
“Is that what you do when you think about mommy?” She gets her smarts from her mother. It’s the only explanation.
“I will do that from now on.” I nod, then offer my pinky for the promise.
The doctor and nurses come out, along with Joyce, pushing her mother very slowly.
“Would you like to apologize to Cora for what you asked?” I stand and put Anna back on her feet.
“I’m sorry I asked if you are going to die, Cora!” Anna says.
“Now give her a hug,” I say, gently pushing her ahead.
She does so, and Cora beams. Joyce and I just observe the scene with faces full of glee, and my heart is having a cuteness overload.
“You are so precious!” Cora says. “There’s nothing to forgive here, cutie pie. You were just curious!”
Cora then slaps the arm of the chair, and turns to Joyce with an impatient expression. “Okay, let’s get out of here!” she demands. “I’ve had enough of hospitals for a lifetime.”
We go down the elevator and get to the exit. I take Anna and grab the car and drive it close to Cora and Joyce. Joyce gently helps her mom out of the wheelchair and into the car, and off we go, all the way to Brooklyn.
When we arrive, the neighbors are waiting to receive Cora back. I’m already overwhelmed by all the people, but Anna seems to be thriving. She is introducing herself to everybody. And then I notice a woman approaching me who looks like a middle-aged version of Joyce.
“So, you’re Logan!” she says with exuberance, offering her hand to shake and cheek to kiss. “I’m Gabriela, Cora’s sister, and Joyce’s aunt. Call me Gabby.”
“Pleased to meet you, Gabby.” I’m not a charmer, but she smiles at me as if I am.
Little by little, the neighbors let us make our way in. Without the wheelchair, Cora walks with some difficulty. Knowing how many stairs are still ahead of us, I lean down and offer, “Would you like me to carry you upstairs?”
She looks at me, shocked and surprised. “No, Logan, thank you,” she says, laughing nervously.
“Please,” I insist.
“Come on, Cora. Take advantage of the opportunity!” I hear Gabby say, hands urging her to accept my offer.
“Oh, okay!” Cora gives up, and surrenders to my arms. “You should be carrying Joyce like this!”
Joyce and I look at each other, and we both blush violently at the image of me carrying her. Immediately I picture myself carrying her in a wedding gown, crossing the threshold of our honeymoon suite.
I shake my head. I knew I cared about Joyce, but I still can’t believe that image popped into my head just now.
I focus on climbing up the stairs with my passenger. Gabby takes the front, Cora and I go in the middle, and Joyce brings Anna in the back.
Once we enter their apartment, wonderful Italian scents invade my nostrils. I gently help Cora to her feet as Sophia comes running from the kitchen, and she hugs her mother as if they haven’t seen each other in years.
“Welcome home, mom!” Sophia says, her voice a little teary.
“Thank you dear,” Cora says. “I missed my home. Help me to my chair, will ya?”
Cora takes Sophia by the hand and the two move ahead towards the chair in the center of the living room. Anna follows them. She and Sophia hit it off since the musical and Anna almost acts as if Sophia is her older sister.
Gabby and Joyce move to the kitchen, and knowing I’ll just get in the way if I go there, I take a seat next to Cora and go deep into thought.
This is getting very intimate very fast. I’m still not sure if I’m dealing with all this the right way. I’ve never had a big family, but I realize I am kind of enjoying this gathering.
“You are in real estate, right?” Cora asks, snapping me out of my thoughts.
“Huh? Yes,” I quickly answer. “We buy and sell properties all over the country. We are working to expand globally too.”
