A Visitation From An Adult Daughter

 

Tiny old Aunt Julia woke abruptly. She sat up, then laughed. Someday she thought, “I am going to have to try to explain this, before I get into any more trouble!” 

***

Evidently Ben Sr had called his elder sister regarding their mother. He was worried about Julia and wanted his sister to know about it. Their mother had always been a bit of an enigma to them. This had not changed.

Therefor Sarah called Julia early the next morning and announced that she and her grandchildren were coming for a visit. She didn’t mention hearing from her brother. This was just a normal visit, according to Sarah. They would arrive after lunch. It was settled. 

Sarah had married out of the tribe way back in the early 70s. She had fallen in love with a young cotton grower from Casa Grande. He had taken over his dad’s place eventually and had done very well. So, Sarah had money and an easy life. She was used to being in charge and doing as she liked. She felt her mother needed some checking into. Her brother had worried her with his rather preemptory phone call the night before. 

The drive from the farm to the Chee place was nearly two hundred miles all told, but she would start out in the morning taking her time and entertaining her two teenaged grandkids. They were nice kids, according to Sarah, easy to travel with. Two boys. Jeff, 16, and Micky, 12.

Accordingly, at about 2PM, Sarah and the boys drove into the yard in a big brand-new British Racing Green Escalade. It shone with newness and bigness. The dust settled around it as it parked and the occupants disembarked. Sarah looking just like a well-to-do, though Native, matron and the two laughing boys. Sarah told them to go knock on the door and to be nice about it.

Micky knocked on the door of the little blue mobile home. The door opened and there stood Julia, Billy at her feet and cane in her right hand. “Hi great grandmother,” said Micky. Jeff echoed him. “Come in, come in,” said Julia sweetly, like any little old woman would. Sarah followed her mother and her grandsons into the house. “You didn’t need to knock, I was expecting you,” said Julia. Everyone hugged everyone and drinks were apportioned.

“I wondered how you were getting on out here in the sticks,” said Sarah. “But I can see that things look pretty good. I hear that you have help these days. You didn’t build that chicken house or spade that garden.”

“No, of course I didn’t. You must have heard. Jessie came back home a few months ago with his wife, Linda. They have been nothing but a blessing to me. Linda even does most of the cooking,” said Julia. “They have cleaned up and furnished that old hogan out there. It looks really nice, Sarah.”

“Why don’t you boys run out there and find Jessie and Linda. I think they would like to come in and see your grandmother and you of course,” Julia said to the kids.

Once the boys were out of the room Sarah attempted to take her mother in hand. This had never worked, but she would try it again. “Mother! You know you can tell me anything,” said Sarah.

If Julia had had a long tail, it would have been switching back and forth. A little bubble of irritation was forming in her mind. “Here we go,” she thought.

“Why Sarah, there is nothing to tell. Jessie and Linda panicked yesterday. They thought I was missing. Jessie called Ben, and then he called the Sheriff. When I got out of bed, I came out here and went to sleep in my chair. They all came in and were shocked to see me alive and well. That’s it. I was in bed, harmless as a baby.”

“Now, speaking of babies, did you know Jessie and Linda are expecting soon? It won’t be long now and there will be a child around the place again.” Julia was used to handling her rather officious daughter. Julia thought to herself how funny it was to have this person, who had been a helpless child in her care, now decide to manage her own mother. “Perhaps it is the way of people forever,” she told herself.

Sarah softened a bit and said, “well yes Ben mentioned that. I have come with gifts for the baby. And its parents of course. Do they know if it’s a boy or a girl yet? No? Probably not.” They sat quietly together. Mother and daughter. Détente.

Soon the door popped open. Micky jumped through, then Beth aka Linda and Jessie, Jeff followed, closing the door.

There were more greetings and huggings. Jessie got re-acquainted with Sarah, whom he had not seen for many years. Beth was introduced as Linda and the coming child was commented on to great approval.

“Who is your doctor,” asked Sarah, who couldn’t help herself.

“Well, we don’t really have one yet,” admitted Beth.

Sighing, Sarah said, “if you don’t mind, I can introduce you to a good one. Mary Miller in Winthrop.”

“We didn’t know who to see, I guess, so we just kept putting it off. I suppose it is about time,” said Beth. “I would be glad to meet Dr. Miller Sarah.”

Relieved, Sarah said, “now Jeff would you and Micky go out to that bus and get all the packages we brought?”

In five minutes, they returned. Jeff carried a beautiful white crib. Micky had several bags and boxes. Sarah had included bedding for the crib, newborn clothing in three-month size, because the first size was too little for most babies in her opinion. She also brought many bags of disposable diapers. The clothing was white, yellow, and green because she didn’t know the sex of the baby.

Beth got a little weepy while thanking her. Sarah grinned and was happy. Julia smiled her wise little smile, and the men all felt a bit extra, but pleased anyhow.

They would have ordered in dinner to celebrate, but there was no way to do that way out in Indian country, so Beth made burgers and potato salad because boys like burgers. They had a fine dinner. It was a lovely visit.

Towards evening Sarah announced that she and the boys would spend the night in a hotel in Winthrop, completing their return home in the morning.

Sarah felt that she had checked in on her mother sufficiently. She could see that she was in good hands with Jessie and “Linda” there.

Julia felt that she had escaped further scrutiny. She hummed happily to herself, but said nothing.

So far....They haven't taken my phone yet.docx