by Leatha Marie
Maybe I looked worse than I thought.
It turns out I actually was sicker than I thought. The doctor did not do much of an exam before telling me he was sending me to the hospital. I objected, “All I need is some medicine. My sister is coming with my nieces, and I need to be home when they arrive.”
His matter-of-fact approach made me pay attention. “You do not need to be around your sister. You have advanced stage influenza. We will give you medicine, but most importantly, you need to be with nurses day and night.”
The next thing I remember is going to the hospital in an ambulance. I think the sirens were screaming. Or was it just me? I felt a cloth over my face. It was damp with some foul smelling medicine.
After the best sleep I have ever had, I opened my eyes to see Ethel there. She was sitting beside my bed holding my hand. Tears streamed from my eyes. It was so good to see my sister. Ethel told me I had been mostly asleep for three days. She said, “I started to worry about whether you would wake up. I want to meet this Jonathan fella who keeps bringing flowers every day.”
She gave me a Nash girl’s hug and told me about it. “You sure enough have the flu, little girl. They have been cooling your fever with wet rags, keeping you asleep with medicine, and giving you fresh orange juice with a pill to help with aches and pains. Dr. Finch comes by each morning to check on you. I asked what can be done to make you well. He said, ‘There’s nothing we can do except what we are doing. A strong body can often take care of this—and faith.’ You had me scared! I am glad for you to see me.”
I asked her where Marie and Suzy were and she told me she and the girls had taken a taxi cab to my rooming house from the train station. My friends there told her I was in the hospital. They offered to keep the girls so Ethel could come to the hospital to see me. Ethel was going back to the rooming house at night to be with the girls. I had to laugh when Ethel said my friends had cleaned my room of all the cooties before she and the girls arrived! It’s a good thing I told them my sister and nieces were coming!
Of course, Ethel wanted to talk about Jon. She said, “Mr. Walsh sneaks by to see you every evening and brings these flowers. The nurses say he is as handsome as Clark Gable. He sits by your bed and talks for an hour or so. Yowza! Annie, it looks like you have landed a really good man.”
That made me feel so happy. Ethel and all my friends at the rooming house cared for me. I had no clue Jon would be so attentive, so Ethel’s news was exciting. I asked her what time it was.
Ethel looked at her watch and grinned. She said, “He should be here any minute. I won’t stick around to meet him tonight. I’ll let you two be and go to your place and get it ready for you to come home. But tell him so far I approve of him.”
Early the next morning Dr. Finch checked in on me. “Well, well, Annie. You seemed to have kicked the flu hard! I am glad to see you looking so well.”
He gave me instructions to stay home and rest. He said since my body was still compromised that I should not go to work or be around crowds. He told me to give it a few more days and to keep taking the aspirin, drink plenty of orange juice, and eat when I was hungry. Oh, and to nap at least an hour every day.
I grabbed his hand and squeezed it and said, “I can do that, Doctor. Thank you. Thank you. I feel so well!”
I had time to bathe and get dressed before Ethel came through the door. I was sitting up in bed diving into a bowlful of buttered grits, just like momma used to make. I greeted her with “I am going home today, Sis! I can’t wait to see those girls!”
Ethel admired the giant bouquet of red roses on the night table and asked me to tell her about last night with Prince Charming. I gave her the highlights then smiled like I had a secret and said, “Jon and I both think I must be well. He said I had lots of vitality.” Ethel raised her eyebrows and said, “Does he now? It must have been quite the reunion.”
A weird silence fell over Ethel, then I remembered how it feels to be sad for the want of something you don’t have. I have felt jealous and sad much of the time because I don’t have a children like my sisters. I wondered if Ethel felt that way because Jon is here for me but George is gone.
As if she could read my mind Ethel said, “I am so happy for you, baby sister. You have a really good man around. These are the times I really miss George. When he was killed trying to fix that truck that slipped off the jack and fell on him, I thought I would never be happy again. I remembered that ridiculous children’s book Dianne told me about—The Little Engine that Could. Just like Dianne had to do when she lost Joe, I know I will have to get over losing George, someday somehow. Today is that kind of day—seeing you so happy.”
We left the hospital together, bringing the roses with us. Ethel had delivered the other flowers to people in my ward who had no flowers. A blue car drove up and stopped at the front of the hospital just as we were walking out. “That’s a fine jalopy!” I shouted to the driver. I was admiring the whitewalls and convertible top. The driver stepped out and asked, “Want a ride, dolls?”
“Heck yeah!” Ethel said.
I ran over and planted a kiss on the driver’s luscious lips. Ethel laughed and said, “You better be Jon Walsh!” After a long dreamy kiss, Jon smiled back at Ethel and said, “You are darn right I better be!”
It is not like Ethel to chatter on and on, but she did on the trip home. She talked about the car, Washington, how quickly I got well (according to the doctor), and her daughters. Then she became more like Ethel and said, “Mr. Walsh, you seem like a good guy with a good job, but I have to tell you Annie is really the only sister I have close now, and if you hurt her, I am going to come after you!” Jon and I laughed, but I knew she was dead serious. I loved her for that.
Jon dropped us off at the front door of the boarding house. He told us he would let us settle in but would be back at six o’clock with Chinese food for dinner. As I closed the door to the house, Ethel said, “Chinese food? What the heck?”
“You are gonna love it!” I said. “So will the girls. You eat it with chopsticks.” Ethel just shook her head.
Suzy and Marie were on the couch in the parlor. They ran to me, then stopped a foot away. “Can we hug you, Aunt Annie?” Marie asked, and from Suzy came, “Are you all well now?”
“You are darn tootin’ I’m better, and you must give me hugs! Lots of them!”
They ran in for hugs, and I realized how tall the girls were getting. Of course, the tears came, and I looked at Ethel and said, “Nash girls hug, right here! Come on in, Ethel!”
All four of us sat on the couch and talked about their trip up to Washington on the train, what it was like to sleep in a hospital, all the ladies that live in this house, and everything else the young ones could think of.
Marie changed the subject. “Mom says you have a boyfriend. Can we meet him? He is nice?”
“He is nice, Marie. He may be the nicest man I have ever met. He has an important job in the government. He can be very serious, but also gentle.” Ethel cleared her throat to signal that was enough talk about gentleness.
“He is bringing us dinner tonight, so you will get to meet him. He’s dreamy!”
Ethel decided after we all got to know him we would think up a song about him. Suzy was most excited about that. “I love the songs you make up, Mom!” I looked at Ethel with loving envy at Suzy now able to call Ethel mom.
Jon arrived with a large bag full of folded paper cartons. As he unpacked all the food, I brought plates and bowls for the Chow Mein, rice, and egg rolls. I suggested he leave the fortune cookies for dessert. Marie and Suzy could not figure out how to use the chopsticks. They watched closely as Jon pulled the noodles into his mouth and tried to copy his technique. After several attempts, I handed the girls forks. They dove into the rice and Chow Mein. After more success with her fork, Marie said, “This is nearly as good as your chicken and dumplings, Mom.”
During dinner there were a million questions for Jon not only from the girls but also Ethel. He held up well d
uring the inquisition. After all, he’s a military man.
Jon stood from the table and said, “I am sorry to say this, ladies, but I must retire for the evening. I have a full day tomorrow. Before bedtime, open the fortune cookies and see if they have any news about your future.”
Jon leaned over to me and said quietly, “There are two more work days this week, and I need to be there.” To the whole group he said, “On Saturday I’ll come back and take you all sightseeing in Washington.” Everyone was excited about that. I felt like I knew every inch of D.C. now, but I wanted to see it from Jon’s eyes and in that gorgeous car!
Ethel announced bedtime for everyone because we all needed good sleep. Suzy reminded her that there were cookies to eat. I showed them how to crack open the cookie and find the strip of paper inside.
I had to laugh when Marie said, “That is one strange looking cookie. Can we eat it?”
I told them of course they could but read their fortune first.
Marie said, “Mine doesn’t make sense. Those that live in a glass house should not throw stones.”
Ethel said, “It means don’t be mean or others will pound you!” We all giggled.
Suzy said, “Mine makes sense! It says Sing every day and chase the mean blues away. We do that most days!”
Marie wanted to know what Ethel’s fortune said. My no-nonsense sister said, “Mine makes no sense at all. These are not really fortunes, just sayings to sell a cookie. Anyway, it says Expect the Unexpected. Well, I definitely have learned how to do that!”
I waited until the others were finished, then I read mine aloud. You will be happy with your spouse. That got smiles from everyone. Well, if I had one, I certainly would be.
Ethel reminded us what was next with a firm, “Okay, girls, off to bed while Annie figures out how to land a husband!”
The girls went to the bedroom to lay out their sheet, blanket, and pillows on the floor next to my bed. I was getting tired so joined them in the room to change into my pajamas. I told the girls I wanted to read them a book I bought just for them. They hopped up on the bed and snuggled up to me. Ethel went to the parlor to clean up dinner dishes. The story I read them was Make Way for Ducklings. It’s about some mallard ducks that decide to raise their family in a big city pond. I must have fallen asleep as quickly as the girls.
In the morning I opened my eyes to the sunlight peeking through the curtains. I could hear the rhythmic breathing of two sweet girls next to me. There was a strong sense that Momma was watching and smiling.
“Good morning, sunshine!” I said as I entered the kitchen where Ethel was cooking eggs in Momma’s cast iron pan. The smell of bacon was what lured me out of bed. And yes, buttered grits were simmering in the pot on the stove.
Ethel smiled at me and said, “Morning, sleepyhead. We have a lot to talk about before the girls are up. Have a seat. Breakfast is nearly ready. I want to hear about your intentions with Jon. He seems like a great guy. Is there anything crazy in his background?”
I said, “Nope, nothing that I know about. He is a good man and a great dad.”
Ethel jumped right on that last part. “WHAT? He has children?”
I told her the whole story as I knew it. Jon had been married. His wife died in childbirth. His daughter, Lisa, is just turning one. He has a fulltime housekeeper who takes care of Lisa while he works. Jon’s job is important, and he is dedicated to it.
I told her how devoted he is to his daughter and to his work. I used to think there was no room for me, but the last few weeks have shown me he wants to add me to his life. He told me before he left last night that meeting Ethel and the girls sealed the deal for him. He wants to move this relationship forward. When I told Ethel that part, she came over to me, swallowing me in her arms and said, “Oh, my sweet sister. I am beyond happy for you. But take it slow. I don’t want this to be like all the others. Make sure he is right for you. Not just you being right for him.”
You just have to love a sister like that!
JUNE 1945
Ethel
Decisions, Decisions
Life is about daily choices. The Nash sisters know that with a plan choices are easier to make. All three of us remaining sisters have our own individual plans. With telephones readily available now, we have frequent conversations to help each stay on track. Marie was ready for college. I wanted her to be the first Nash woman with a college degree. Caroline was more stable and independent in life. And Annie was good. With Larry’s help, I started my own ice cream shop in Haw River, just outside of Burlington. To make it through the slow winter months, we also did laundry for the locals. I told people my business tag line was, “I serve you sweets and wash your drawers!”
“What is it about the men in our lives?” I asked Annie on the phone. “Frank couldn’t be bothered with us, Larry left, and George got himself killed at work. He and Joe were good men. Joe worked himself to death for Burlington Mills. And your Jon . . . since we all celebrated V Day in May, when will he come home?”
Annie said, “Let’s not be so depressing. It is hard to not worry. I don’t know when Jon will be coming home, but I think it could be anytime now. Lisa, Jon Jr., and I will throw a big party when he does!” And then she brought up Larry, neatly changing the subject, which she is so good at. “But Ethel, Larry’s back and very good to you.” Then she asked how the ice cream business was going.
That distracted me and I told her about my little episode with the city government. They raised the tax on business and didn’t tell me. I got a citation for unpaid taxes. The city police came and took me to jail. They charged me with something, took my mug shot, and told me to pay my taxes. I told them I would not pay the increase because I had not been adequately notified. So, they put me in a cell and said I would stay there until I paid up. How dare they take advantage of a widow! I could have died in there. Okay, well, maybe not died but anyway. . .
I imagined Annie shaking her head on the other end of the telephone. She hollered, “Oh SUGAR! How did you get out?”
I told her some anonymous person paid my taxes the next morning. The newspaper came and took my picture and did a story about “Woman jailed over $5.00.” That was embarrassing for the town and the county, so they let me out. I think it was Larry who paid the taxes. It was more than $5.00, by the way.
Annie was clearly exasperated. She huffed at me. “Good God, Ethel. This is embarrassing for all of us. Some newsman could pick up the story and examine our whole family. What were you thinking?”
I said I was thinking I didn’t have the tax money, and they should have given me warning! And I was thinking they won’t do that to me again. I wash the underwear of most people in town, and they like me keeping my mouth shut. Many of my neighbors came by to tell me they would pay my taxes next year.
The telephone is a good way to talk to people. I can hear when I get people riled up. Annie was fit to be tied, so I moved on.
“I want Marie to go to college. The closest one is in Raleigh—State College. We are going to drive up there next week to look around. We’ll go visit Caroline while we are there. The Pollard bank account will cover Marie’s tuition for all four years. I am excited to see her make something of herself. She is not crazy about the idea. She says I need her here. I do like having her around, but Suzy, Larry, and I can manage things. Suzy has her mind on going to school right here in the county when it is her time.”
Annie paused a moment to calm down before she started talking. Then she started preaching to me. She said, “Ethel, Marie going to college fits right in your plan for life. I am glad you are doing that for her. But going to jail fits no plan. In fact, it wrecks it. This business fits in your plan. You are a woman of means, not a lowlife. Act like one, please! You have plenty of money to pay taxes!”
But she wasn’t finished after that tirade. She had more to say. “And another thing, Larry is also a good man who made a mistake years ago. You pushed away Frank. Don’t do the same with Larry. He’s been back for
years now and you just keep him dangling. Go tell him thank you for helping you out. He needs to know he is appreciated. Why don’t you marry that man?”
“We will get married in a church someday,” I told. “That is in the plan. We almost got married before, but that didn’t make him stay around. If at some point Larry and I have a real wedding, he might just stay around because he is supposed to. Now he stays around because he wants to.”
“Ethel, that is ridiculous! You once told me to find a man that is good enough for me, not one that I’m good enough for. Larry is that man for you! Doggonit, Ethel, marry that man before he gets tired of waiting!” Then she hung up the phone. You just gotta love a sister like that!
I had the table set. Soup and sandwiches were waiting. When Larry came in, I said, “Larry, I don’t think I ever thanked you for springing me from the slammer. Thank you. And thank you for all that you do for me and the girls.”
Larry looked straight at my face then looked my whole body up and down for something. He grabbed both of my arms and said, “What the heck, Ethel? Are you sick? Did you see Jesus or something?”
I burst out laughing, “No, Larry. I am fine. Just found a crack in that mean side of me.”
He raised my right arm over his head and spun me around. “Well, let me get a better look at that crack!”
We both sat at the table and ate lunch together. Usually he eats while I buzz around the kitchen. He said, “I like this, but I didn’t bust you from jail. You were being too stubborn for me to want to help. But I did hate seeing you in that jail.” Then he said that I didn’t look good behind bars. Good to know.
It was quiet until we heard the horn of a car. “Shoot, can’t they even wait for me to have lunch?” I said more to myself than to Larry.
