Grandmotherly contrasts

 

My Mikey, I love you

∞ • π³ + 1

 

****I will refer to My Mikey as "Laurie" in this entry, and maybe in future entries – without explanation – when I’m recounting conversations with family****

Today, we came back from visiting with Lola….our first trip out of town that we actually had control over in a while.  Once back in town, we went directly to Twilight to see Memaw.

Yesterday, she didn’t recognize me until Mikey told her who I was (and who he was!).  Today, I don’t know for sure if she recognized me or not.  I found out, later, that she hadn’t recognized Johnny, either, when he was there two days ago.  Still, Memaw was her usual charming self, eager to smile at the first given opportunity.

One funny thing about yesterday’s visit : Mikey said, "I’m Laurie."  Memaw looked rather puzzled and said, "Did you say your name is Borrie (Mikey thinks she said Maurie)?"  It was cute.

Reubene was depressed, and when I asked what might make her feel happier, she said to have her small dog brought to her.  I told her I couldn’t do that, because I didn’t know where he was, but I’d pet our kitty-cat a little extra tonight for her.  She said that might work!  When I told her to start feeling better, she said, with a wave of the hand, "There’s no future in it!"  That made us both laugh.

Mrs. Pascal, whom I haven’t mentioned here before, finally talked to me today, besides just to say hi, as we usually do.  I enjoy paying a little extra attention to her for a few reasons.  Number one, she doesn’t seem to have many visitors.  The second reason may explain why….she’s 100 years old!!!!!  I don’t know if she is a mother, etc, so maybe her family and friends are dead!

There’s also the lady in the wheel chair in the room next to Memaw’s….I never can remember her name, even though I talk to her all the damned time!  She’s only got one leg, but she’s so cheerful and friendly.  Her roommate is Ethel McBride, whom I HAVE mentioned in this diary.  I also glimpsed our Mum-surrogate, Ethel Slater.

Reubene told us that a woman out there had died over the previous day or two, but she didn’t know who it was, and I haven’t noticed anyone I know missing.

After Memaw went to supper, we left.  From there, we came home.  Later on, I called Mama to let her know we were back, and to ask if Johnny was still in town.  He is.  He was at Nanny’s house, so I went over there.

First off, at Nanny’s, I barely got to talk to my brother, but that’s not really all that unusual.  He’s not a big talker.  Nanny, on the other hand, didn’t seem to have the time to say all she wanted to say!  We told her of Memaw’s condition, and she seemed shocked, maybe even shocked into a little compassion, I hope.

Then, she started in on how she can’t send MH any more money this month, because she finally managed to overdraw her account.  That didn’t surprise me, really.

She told me a few times how Laurie should get a job.  Johnny kept saying I should (old irritating habit of his), and each time, Nanny would say "Laurie should, too!"

She said that Laurie MADE me walk over there in 100+ degree heat to get HER cigarettes.  I told her that no such thing had happened.  I decided to walk over there, and I had to argue with my wife a little to do it!  Laurie didn’t WANT me to walk in the heat.  Naturally, it was all a moot point.  Nanny would have none of it.

At one point, I had to bite my tongue rather hard.  Nanny said to me, "Let’s face it, Laurie is WAAAAAY too fat!"

Now, I don’t like hearing negative comments about my spouse.  I’m a regular married man, that way.  I bit my tongue and told Nanny we would just have to work out medical problems before we could work on weight or jobs

.

On and on it went, until I was leaving.  Nanny gave me $20 to buy cigarettes….I guess she had cash left over after she sent MH money last time.  Then she told me that I needed to tell Laurie that next time I came over and asked for cigarettes, she would send me ONE pack…for me, not for Laurie.

I squared my jaw and said, just as she said, "I love you", "Discretion is the better part of valor.  I love you, too."

And I showed Johnny our car, we talked a little about it, and then I left.  I went to buy cigarettes, and I came home.

And home I’ve been since.

There’s my contrast of my grandmothers, and a pretty decent recap of the day in Corsicana, not the part in Waco, which went mostly well.

Visiting with Lola and Lori was enjoyable.

Love to all,

Jack