A Visit with Aunt Jane

Teresa came in from the backyard swings to find her mother on the phone. A small frown creased her mom's forehead as she paced from stove to refrigerator and back again.  Teresa leaned against the counter and stared up into her mom’s face.

“Of course, Aunt Hazel, I understand.”  She gazed down at her daughter and gave her a weak smile.  “No, no, of course you have to go ahead and have your tests done.”

Mommy’s upset, she thought as she watched her make another lap of the kitchen.

“It’s okay.  I’ll work something out.  I’ll see you in a couple of days.”  She punched off the phone and replaced it on its base.

“What’s wrong, mommy?”

“Nothing for you to worry about, sweetie,” mom said, reaching out to smooth her hair.  “It’s just that Grandma May is very sick and mommy may have to go and help her out for a couple of days.”

“Is SpongeBob on yet?”

Mom glanced at the kitchen clock.  “It’ll be coming on in a minute.”

“Okay.”  Teresa ran into the living room and turned on the television.

When Daddy came home a short time later, Teresa ran to give him a hug and then trailed him into the kitchen.  “Mommy, I’m hungry!”

“Dinner will be ready soon, honey.  Why don’t you run along now?  I need to talk to Daddy.”

Teresa obediently turned around and headed for the living room; she stopped just outside the kitchen doorway and listened.

“Anyway,” Mom said, “Aunt Hazel said that Mom’s chemo has really made her sick this time.  She said that Mom can’t even sit up without vomiting and she has to check into the hospital for some tests.  Apparently she’s had it set up for several weeks now and doesn’t feel that she can cancel.”

Oh, Teresa thought,  Mommy’s worried about Grandma. She must be sick like when I had the chicken pox.  Mommy held my head when I had to throw up and made me feel a lot better. She turned back toward the TV as she heard Dad say, “Well, my manager wants me to go . . .”


Two days later, Mom packed Teresa a small suitcase and they all drove to her Aunt Jane’s house.  Unwillingly, Teresa allowed her mom to lead her up to the door where she handed Aunt Jane the bag.

“I really appreciate this, Jane.  I’ll be back to pick her up Wednesday evening.”

“No problem.  It’s the least I can do.  I’d go stay with Mom, but you’re so much better at taking care of sick people than I am.” 

“Aunt Hazel has been doing most of it, but she really needs to have those tests done and I’m sure she can use a break. So . . . “

“Give Mom my best.”

“Will do.  Thanks again.”

Teresa followed her mother back down the walk to the car and Mom stooped down to give her a hug.

Teresa clung to her mother’s neck and buried her face into her shoulder.  “Why, Mommy, why can’t I go with you to Grandma’s?”

Her mother held her away and looked deep into her eyes.  “Baby, I’ve told you.  Grandma May is very sick and it’s going to take all of Mommy’s time just taking care of her.”

“Then I can stay home with Daddy!”

“Yes, you could, except Daddy has to go out of town on business.  We don’t have any other choice, honey, but for you to stay with Aunt Jane.  It’ll only be for three days and then we’ll come get you.  You understand?”

Teresa stood silently knowing that anything she said would not make the slightest difference.  There was nothing she could do.

“We’ve gotta go and get Daddy to the airport, Teresa.  You be a good girl and mind your Aunt Jane, okay?”

With an almost imperceptible nod, Teresa watched her mother rise and walk to where the open car door was waiting.  “Thanks, Jane!” she called to her sister, as she waved her farewell.  She got into the car and blew Teresa a kiss before closing the door.

Teresa fought back her tears as she watched the car pull away from the curb and drive slowly down the street.

“Teresa!” Her aunt shrieked from the doorway.  “Get inside!  Now!”  Teresa hesitated until the car disappeared around the corner before slowly turning and shuffling toward the house.  “The neighbors will think you’re some kind of idiot, standing there gawking down the street like that!”

Teresa followed Aunt Jane into the house and across the living room.  “That big sister of mine can’t take care of her own messes,” she grumbled.  “It’s always about what she wants.  She never thinks of anyone else.  She didn’t even bother to ask if I already had plans!”  She looked at Teresa and pointed to the couch.  “Sit!  I told her when she called that I’d feed you lunch, so wait here while I fix you a sandwich.”

Teresa perched on the edge of the sofa and let her gaze wander around the room. A large glass-fronted cabinet caught her attention and she slowly moved toward it.  Inside were the most beautiful figurines she’d ever seen – beautiful porcelain ladies all dressed in gowns unlike any she’d seen outside of her fairytale books.

Aunt Jane appeared in the doorway to the kitchen, rushed across the room and yanked her by the arm.  “Get away from there!  You’re not to go near that cabinet!”

“But I was just looking at the beautiful ladies, I . . . “

“Yeah, I know.  All you brats are just alike!  You always look with your fingers.  Come on, lunch is ready.”

Teresa followed her into the kitchen and climbed onto a stool at the counter. 
Before her was a paper plate containing a ham and cheese sandwich on rye bread.  Her sad eyes began to tear up again. I hate rye bread!  But Aunt Jane doesn’t care!  She sighed. It was going to be a long three days.



Words:  999