Me and Charley

25. Return to That Other World

Into my dark world drifted an awareness of the aroma of pancakes.  I murmured, "Simon? Sammy? Anybody here?" No response. My semi-dream state soon yielded to awareness of a need to pee. The care I had to use in addressing the toilet brought me fully awake. As I came out the bathroom door I found the pancake aroma was no dream. I felt Simon's bed. He was gone but the mattress was still warm. I got into my clothes and set out for the kitchen. At the door I called out, "Buongiorno, everyone."

"Hey, sleepyhead, buongiorno," Sammy replied. "What took you so long?"

Ms. Sandra said, "Now Sammy, cut that out. You haven't been here five minutes. Good morning, Trey. Have a seat."

"Buongiorno, fratello Trey," said Simon.

Sammy said, "Sorry, we ate all the hotcakes."

"Sammy, don't tease him," said Ms. Sandra. There are two apiece, plus a couple of strips of bacon. I don't want you to eat more because you need to have some appetite when Trey's mother comes for lunch."

"Oh yeah, today's the day," I said. The sudden realization excited me.

Simon said, "Yeah, today's the day we have to give you back." My excitement evaporated at the sadness in his voice. The clink of utensils dominated the silent room as we ate our pancakes.

Finally I said, "Guys, it's not like I live a million miles away. I'll come see you."

"Yeah," said Simon, with no enthusiasm. He started sniffling.

I asked, "Simon, what's the matter?"

Sammy said, "He's upset because you're gonna be sighted. We talked about it." I didn't know what to say.

Ms. Sandra said, "Simon, is that fair to Trey?"

"No Ma'am," Simon replied, "I know it's not, but I just feel like once he can see he'll forget about us."

I reached around Simon's shoulders and hugged him. I said, "I could never forget you, any of you. Nonna says I'm her nipote along with you. What Nonna says goes, everyone's told me that."

Sammy said, "Hey Simon, remember Trey was sighted when he first met us." At that I felt Simon's shoulders begin to shake as he broke out in sobs. Ms. Sandra got up and came around the table and said, "Simon, please come with me."

When they had gone, Sammy said, "He's feelin' bad 'cause he's blind and you're not gonna be. He's afraid you two can't be the same kinda friends you been."

"Well, I can try."

"I know you will, and I don't think you'll hafta try real hard. You'll always be part of us."

"Thanks, Sammy. I hope I can live up to that."

"C'mon, let's clean up the kitchen. Find the dishes and stuff and I'll rinse 'em and put 'em in the dishwasher."

It was slow going as I groped my away around and located things pretty much at random. Pretty soon Sammy said, "Mom's coming." A few seconds later she said, "Thanks, boys. I'll finish this, you can go play if you like. It's another fine day."

I asked, "How's Simon?"

"He'll be all right," said Ms. Sandra. "Sammy knows how it goes, something gets to him, he sits with me a while and then goes off and settles down."

Sammy said, "Yeah, he'll be sittin' in his tree."

Ms. Sandra said, "Wherever he is, leave him alone until he's ready."