Chapter 32
Aria
THE THIRD MONTH
“Ithink I’m finally getting it!”
I hold up the partially knitted…well, it’s supposed to be blanket. It will be eventually, I suppose. The first few inches were very messy. Dropped stitches, tension issues, and a good amount of fuzz where I took some things out and redid it multiple times.
Mama Betty slowly lifts her head from the stack of pillows that had been placed behind her. I can tell the pain today is worse than usual, so lift my piece a bit higher so she doesn’t have to strain to see it.
“Very good,” she praises, a small smile on her face. A wince creases her face and her head eases back to the pillows.
About a week ago, we moved our knitting sessions into her bedroom.
Her pain levels and fatigue have increased exponentially.
Most days, she doesn’t even pick up her own project.
She just sits and tells me stories about her life or lessons that she’s learned.
Other times, we just sit in comfortable silence while I continue knitting.
Today has been one of those days. The nurse has come in and out multiple times to check in. I refocus on my own project and keep working. I sit for a while, content to keep her company. The stitches work up nicely.
Finally.
I had been getting frustrated about not picking it up, but things have finally started making sense. I complete a few more rows before glancing up at Mama Betty and startle a bit when I see she’s looking my way.
“Dear girl, I need to speak to Luciana,” she says, a calm and peaceful smile on her face. I nod, confused.
“Sure, let me get the nurse then I’ll go get her.” I stand, but before I can walk towards the door, she grabs my hand and stops me.
“You sparkle, Aria. Don’t let anyone dim your light.”
I squeeze her hand and nod before she lets me go. Through my confusion, a bit of alarm shoots through me. I grab the nurse and quickly fill her in. Her face settles into focus and concern.
“Go grab Ms. Lucy. If Ms. Betty is asking for her, it’s important that she gets up here as soon as possible. I’ll sit with her until you get back, but go now.”
I nod again, feeling my heart start to race. I race down to Karma as quickly as possible. Lucy is at the register with a customer, so I grab Cierra first.
“I’m not sure what’s going on,” I say in a low but urgent tone, “but Lucy needs to come with me. Call Jeremy or Bennett and see if they can come in; I’m not sure when Lucy will be back down.”
She nods and immediately pulls out her phone. In getting to know her better, I know Cierra is a force to be reckoned with, so I leave Karma in her capable hands for the moment and go to grab Lucy.
I touch her shoulder as she is turning away from the register and her immediate smile upon seeing me fades at the expression on my face.
“What’s wrong?” she asks, already pulling off her apron.
“I’m not sure,” I admit, “but Mama Betty is asking for you and the nurse said you should get up there as soon as possible.” Before the words have finished leaving my mouth, she is shooting up the stairs. I pause long enough to get a thumbs up from Cierra before following after her.
Once I make it back up to Mama Betty’s apartment, the nurse is closing the door to her bedroom behind her.
“Is she okay?” I ask urgently. She places a hand on my shoulder and gives me a sad smile.
“Her vitals have been deteriorating for the last week. We knew she didn’t have much time left. Sometimes, people can feel when it’s time to go, so they start asking for their loved ones. Nothing is for certain, but…you should prepare yourself, Ms. Aria.”
I drop to the couch and bury my face in my hands. I haven’t been to church in years, but I start praying to any god who might be listening that she’s wrong and Mama Betty will be okay.
It feels like hours pass. Yet, when I look at the clock it seems as though time is standing still. I hear movement from behind the bedroom door and I look up.
“No!” I hear Lucy’s muffled yell. “Mama, no! Christine! Mama!”
The nurse rushes into the room and from my spot, frozen on the couch, I see Lucy standing next to the bed, her face streaked with fresh tears. Mama Betty’s hand is just in view, limply outstretched and unmoving.