"And don't stop fer nothin' or no one nuttier,"
Fanny commanded.
"Right, boss," Luke said and gave Aunt Fanny a
mock salute. It felt so good to smile and laugh again. "Oh, go on wit' ya. Ever see such a boy , s'cuse
me, young man?"
"He's a wonderful young man. Oh, Aunt Fanny.
I'm so glad you came. I never was so happy to see
you."
"Betcha was. Don't talk about it all now. Let's
git on outta here. What do I hafta do ta help?" "Yesterday 'rit would have done it all myself,
Aunt Fanny, but Fin feeling tired and weak, so just give me a hand with my undergarments. I promise, I'm not going to be a burden to you back at
Winnerrow."
"Oh, ya poor child," she said, her eyes
softening, even glazing over with tears. I never had
realized how warm and loving Aunt Fanny could be.
"Ya think I care. Be all the burden ya hafta be and
don't worry yerself about it. We're family, no matter
what anyone says."
"What do you mean, Aunt Fanny?"
"I don't mean nothin'. Let me get yer clothes on
ya."
She helped me dress, and Luke returned with
the wheelchair. He lifted me out of the bed as if I were
a precious baby and slowly lowered me into the chair.
It felt good and secure being in his arms. Then he
began to wheel me out of the room.
I looked back at the canopy bed, the vanity
table and dressers, the bedroom that was supposed to
be a warm and wonderful place for me, my mother's
old room.