Contemplative Sensitivity

The Announcement

It was rare for the Browns to visit John's mother. She was a retired nurse and saved money through the years just so she could spend her elderly years travelling. She was hardly ever in the states. However, six months after Levi's birthday party, John's mother had gotten into an accident, had to have knee surgery, and was almost immobilized.

John and Martha decided that it was in Erwin and Levi's best interest to spend a few days with their grandmother. It wasn't the worst idea because they had only interacted with the woman once before--it was right after the adoption (Levi was too terrified of the woman to get close to her). Now that they were older (and not so traumatized), it'd be nice to get to know her. Besides, if not for Desmonia and Harold, John's mother was their only other family as John was an only child and Martha...had no one. 

While they were making their way to the ailing woman's house, the car was very quiet. Over the past couple of months, the boys noticed that John and Martha's relationship had deteriorated. They weren't the loudest people but they had never been so quiet and it seemed as though they had been avoiding each other. Once a month, Martha ran errands literally from the crack of dawn all the way into the night, and whenever Erwin or Levi would ask John where she was going or why she was gone so long--John would shrug and say, "Sometimes your mother has a lot on her mind." Levi, of course, didn't look into it so much but it made Erwin uncomfortable. He had just learned about marital and family life in health class and he was worried that maybe his parents' union was going to come to an end. It was bad enough he and Levi were adopted--he definitely didn't want his adoptive parents to divorce. 

"Now boys," Martha peered over her seat and offered Erwin and Levi a small smile. Her face looked kind of yellow. "You have to be really helpful with your grandmother. She's going to need you both to help her get her food and medicine; make sure you talk to her, too. The only downside to this is that she doesn't have a television, but you both have each other. It's only one room house so you both will share the couch. Don't trouble each other and don't trouble Mavis, okay?" 

"Shouldn't be too hard," Levi said. He hadn't turned his face from the window; he liked to watch the other cars go by. "I don't watch television that much, anyway."

"You have to work on that sharp tongue," John interjected. 

"My tongue isn't sharp, Dad." Levi deadpanned. "I just don't sugarcoat anything." 

"Well you are going to have to try," John sighed. "My mother will be drugged most of the time but I don't want to worry about you saying thing snide to her. Do I make myself clear, Levi?" 

"Crystal," Levi said slyly. 

"Anyway," Martha started. "Mavis is a lovely woman. You guys are so big now, she'll hardly recognize you. I'm sure you'll enjoy yourselves and she will love your company." 

"Sure," Erwin said warily. "Mom, are you okay? You look a little sick." 

Martha's smile faltered and for a split second she looked sad. "No, no. I'm fine. Don't worry about me." 

"What are you two going to be doing while we're gone? Won't you back in five days?" Levi asked suddenly. 

Martha was about to answer Levi's question but John butted in, "We are here now. Get ready to hop out." 

"Hop out? I don't think she's going to be able to answer the door. That'd be rude, right, if you just honked the horn," Levi smiled. 

John stopped the car, peered into the mirror and glared at Levi. "That's the kind of shit I'm talking about. Don't act cute!"

Levi shrugged and got out of the car. Erwin and Martha did the same and Martha walked up to the front door while the boys opened the trunk and got their suitcases. John stayed in the car, to Erwin's relief. Martha rang the doorbell twice before it opened to reveal a tall, lanky woman standing over a walker. Her hair was as white as snow, her eyes were a bright green and sunken in. She was wearing a thin blouse, so thin it was almost see through. When she saw Martha, Levi, Erwin and the car--she smiled a toothy smile and some drool came down. Levi took a step back in disgust and Erwin internally apologized for his lack of understanding--this woman was clearly so drugged she couldn't control her bodily fluids.