Page 105 of The Leaves In Autumn
“I hope I can say what’s in my heart tonight. I want you all to know how much you mean.”
There are a few quiet responses, acknowledging the connection.
“It’s funny. Usually, you’re lucky to findtwopeople you like in a family.” Chuckling and a few laughs from David and Tyler. “But this is ridiculous!” She gestures around the table. “I love every one of you.”
The love goes right back to her, from us. Did she feel mine?
“As most of you know, Layla and I have been a two-person band, since we were children.” She looks at her sister who is looking at her with such affection and love. “There was never a family surrounding us. We didn’t have holidays at grandmas, or game nights. We made our own traditions.”
“You are part of our family now!” Van calls.
“It’s a package deal, isn’t it, brother-in-law?”
“Oh yeah. You aren’t so bad. I’m glad,” he teases.
Layla leans her head on his shoulder, and Barbra continues.
“So, I am going to carry each of you with me. You’re all coming on my adventures. You’re here,” she says, patting her heart. “That’s all. I can’t,” she says, wiping her tears.
It just got real. She’s leaving. Next week at this time, there will be an empty chair. The lump in my throat threatens to turn to more. It prevents me from saying even a word. The eyes of a few people at the table find me and wait for me to say something. Anything. Please. Stop. Mom saves me.
“Let’s enjoy this wonderful meal we prepared! Who wants more fettuccini?”
“Me!” Teddy joins the upbeat charade.
CHAPTER 34
Barbra
Four o’clock.Whew. This suitcase has to be over the weight limit. Shit. There is nothing to eliminate. It gets rolled next to the matching one, just as heavy, left by the door. Think that is almost everything. I look at my backpack, sitting on the coffee table. Just want to check again for easy access to the passport and driver’s license. Wallet and chargers. I will pack the iPad and cell tomorrow morning.
This is not exactly as anticipated. Thought I would be a little more excited. D-Day approaches. Twenty-four hours from now, and I will be about to land. Gay Paree. What a laugh. I want to cry thinking about it. That pisses me off.Get ahold of yourself!
Looking around my little house isn’t making things any better. All signs of me having lived here are fading. Like the invisible man does cell by cell. Layla will make sure it all gets wrapped up after I leave. God bless my sister. She didn’t blink at the request for help. I pick up the pad of paper and make another list to leave for her. Even though we have gone through it ten times.
Furniture pick-up, next Friday between twelve and two. Heaven’s Help Women’s Center. All furniture left, including refrigerator and the boxes of dishes and kitchenware left in the kitchen. The washer and dryer are the landlords.
The closets are empty. Dove is storing my wardrobes, jewelry, bike, and six boxes at their home. If you need to get anything just let her or Nobel know. You are welcome to use anything you want.
You have all my important papers, including the transfer of sale for the car and copies of the paperwork concerning the end of my house lease.
Remember, I gave you the lists of numbers and locations of all my contacts. A copy is in my safe deposit, along with all my passwords and a few other things that are precious to me.
I don’t expect to have any difficulty handling my business online. But if anything slips through, I will be notified and take care of it from my end.
I pause, making sure I have included everything. Shit. Forgot to say when the housekeepers are coming.
Monday the eighth, housekeeper at eleven. Her name is Alicia. Check in the top drawer, above the towels.
What cannot be itemized is the emotional list already taking shape in my mind. I know I am taking the right steps forward. But I did not know it would hurt this much.
The sound of tires on gravel reach my ears. Putting down the pen and paper, I move to the window. Sam and Teddy.
I go to the door and open it smiling. I give a wave. The motor dies and they get out. Teddy has a bottle of wine in his hand. Looks like the one Aargon always has a case of at the house.
“This is a surprise! Hi, guys. Off to college?”
Teddy speaks first. “Yeah. We thought we’d stop by on the way out.”
