Chapter 6
Nana’s doctor’s cleared her to be moved to a rehab facility. She had a long way to go in her recovery. She experienced loss of mobility on her right side and her speech was slurred. She was going to have to build up her muscle mobility and attend speech therapy to learn how to talk again. Nana was using a note pad and her tablet to communicate. She was worried that at her age she wouldn’t be able to get her life or independence back. We assured her that we would be here every step of her recovery. And once she saw Ivy she had even more determination to fight.
Visiting hours at the Judith Coleman Rehabilitation Center had just opened for the day. I made it a point to be there first thing in the morning to give Nana some encouragement before her therapy began. This morning, she got up and got dressed and ready for the day. It had been three weeks since she was transferred to this center. The staff told us that she was progressing well, slowly, but well. Which was good news for someone who was pushing ninety. When I walked in, her eyes lit up. I kissed her forehead, “How is my favorite girl? She smiled and handed me her tablet. Looking down at the screen, I could tell that my grandmother’s keen sense of observation had not been affected by her recent medical scare.
“What in the hell is going on with you and Ivy. Inquiring minds want to know. Is she here to stay? You know I always thought you two would end up together. I’m not sure what happened before that made her runaway, but I sure am happy she’s back. So don’t fuck this up, Uno. You two belong together. I know you a playa and all, but I won’t be here forever. You gonna need a new favorite lady in your life. I pray it’s Ivy. Besides, I always thought of her like a granddaughter.” – Nana
After reading her message, I looked up to see her smiling a crooked grin. Her facial paralysis prevented her from giving me a full smile, but the way her eyes danced, I got the point.
“Nana, you so nosy. Ivy and I have a complicated situation. I want her to stay around. I think I missed her just as much as you did. I’m just not sure if...”
Nana’s left hand reached for my hand. I gave it to her, as her gesture interrupted my train of thought. “Uno, life is complicated. But love ain’t supposed to be. If you love her as she is, it’s not complicated,” she murmured through partially closed lips.
“You’re right. You always been the smartest person I know.”
We chatted until her therapist came into the room signaling it was time for her daily session. I kissed her hand and thanked her for her words of wisdom. As much as I was there to comfort her, she poured into me something I needed to hear. If this shit between Ivy and I was going to work, I had to love her as she was not for who I wanted her to be.