“Enid,” I whisper walking up behind her and placing my hands on her back. She jumps.
“Oh, Zoya dear, you startled me,” she whispers. Turning to face me. Her voice is hoarse, and her skin looks pale and thin, almost see-through. I had been noticing her skin for a while now, but this is the first time it has been more than noticeable. There is no denying that something is wrong. Immediately, tears spring to my eyes and I can’t stop them.
“Enid, what’s wrong. Tell me now,” I demand.
“Nothing, Zoya, really don’t worry about me. Are you ready to start?” She asks, standing up and walking to the other side of the island.
“No,” I answer honestly, my tears flowing down my cheeks.
“Zoya, really. Stop crying. Everything is fine,” she says coming back around and pulling me into a hug. For the first time, I notice how thin she’s become.
“Enid. Please. Just tell me. You have to tell me what’s going on. I know something is.”
“You just worry about bringing my grandbaby into the world and let’s make dinner. We’ll have a troop of hungry people here in no time.” She turns back to the stove abruptly putting an end to the conversation.
“Okay,” I agree, knowing that she’s right and we get to work. I don’t believe her for one second, but I guess she’ll tell me when she’s ready. We work in relative silence, and every so often I look over at her. She’s humming some old-timey songs and she looks sunken in yet peaceful. It’s messing with my head. I can’t help this feeling of impending doom that I have.
We serve dinner, family-style pasta, garlic bread, and salad. It was simple but I’ve never had to make it before, so she’s been showing me everyone’s favorites. She implemented a weekly dinner to show my new skills. The day changes weekly but your ass is expected in the chair no later than six on whatever evening it’s happening. I think the others are starting to notice that she’s fading away right before our eyes. I know she’s damn near ninety, but she’s the strongest woman I’ve ever met.
Suddenly, it dawns on me that she’s been doing something with all us girls. Showing us some skills she thinks we will excel at. I am not sure why this one is mine and not Missy’s, but I am grateful for the time I get to spend with her. She’s become a second mother to me.
What will this family do without her? What will I do without her? I can’t even think about that right now, so I stay by her side all night. I think she knows that I need to do this, and she lets me. I try to stop my stupid crying, but I can’t. Whenever anyone notices, I just say it’s my hormones. Pretty good excuse if you ask me.
I wish I knew what the future holds because I think I’d do anything to stop time just this once.
Chapter Fifteen
Danhy
Grabbing a beer, I sit on one of the couches in Om’s living room, the rest of my brothers in various spots in the room as well. “What do you think is going on with mom? Pixie is a wreck because she won’t talk to her about it. You know how close those two are. Has anyone asked dad?” I ask them before taking a sip. I have more than noticed she is drifting away and though I am aware that both of my parents are up in age, it doesn’t make it any easier. Tori goes to say something when the doorbell rings.
“As a matter of fact, that should be him at the door.” Troy says walking to open it up. Dad walks in the room, noticing that we are all here. I see his shoulders tense up as he anticipates, what I don’t know.
“Dad, would you like a beer?” I ask him, getting up so he can have my seat.
“No, son. I am fine, thank you. I would however, like to know why you all have called me here like some sort of interrogation,” he says sitting down. We all look at one another, neither of us wanting to be the one to ask. Finally, Hagen speaks up.
“We would like to know what is going on with Mama. We can all see she is sick. She hasn’t been herself in quite some time and we need to know what is going on. Is there anything we can do? What are the doctors saying?” I can sense all of us holding our breaths waiting on him to answer. I think we all know he is probably going to give us some bullshit answer, but we have to ask.
“Listen boys, your mama and I are old. Hell, it’s amazing we have lasted this long. No sense worrying about things that are going to happen. Best, focus on the time we do have and making sure we all spend it with one another.” I don’t like the way he says this. His voice wistful and without conviction. Leaning forward to say just that, Om, speaks up.