Legacy of the Dreams

Chapter 17 - How Time Flies

The Abernathy family stayed busy both Friday and Saturday of that first week in January, caring for Melody following her surgery, and helping Matt move more fully into the dorms. Mrs. Abernathy helped out where she could, but it was clear to Susan her mother was eager to get home. Given how inconvenient it was for Stephen to come get her, Greg volunteered to take Mrs. Abernathy home after church on Sunday afternoon.

"Are you sure, Mom?" Susan asked on Saturday while they were busy making their plans. To Susan it seemed out of character for her mother to want to leave so soon.

"Yes, Susie, I'm sure," she told her. "You all are so busy ... I'm just in the way."

"Since when are you in the way?" Susan demanded. "You are part of this family. You have a place here whenever you want to be here. You know that, don't you?"

"Do you know ... Stephen says the same thing?" Mrs. Abernathy said. "He tries to find ways to make me feel useful and needed. But it's charity, Susan. All of it. While Melody was in the hospital, I thought you actually might need me here ... and for a while, you did, but not now. You are healthy and capable and strong. You and Greg are able to care for your family all on your own."

Susan regarded her mother with a worried expression.

"That's a good thing, Susie. You know your father and I raised you and Stephen to be self-sufficient and independent. We always wanted to be there to help you if you needed it ... but you don't. Not anymore. Finding ways to keep me busy when you are capable of doing it on your own is a form of charity ... and you know how I feel about that," she said.

"You value independence and people who can stand on their own two feet," Susan said.'

"Yes. You know I love you. I will be here anytime you actually do need me, but don't offer me charity, Susan. I won't stand for it," she said firmly.

"I won't," Susan told her. "But what are you going to do when you get home?"

"Take care of our house, finish going through your father's things. I am close to having everything sorted out. In fact, I have a box almost ready to bring to you. It should be ready, the next time I come," Mrs. .Abernathy said.

"Will you be here for Melody's birthday party?" Susan asked.

"Of course," Mrs. Abernathy said. "But if Greg is willing to take me, I would like to go home tomorrow."

And so on Sunday afternoon, Susan hugged her mother and said goodbye.

"Drive safely, Greg," Susan told him. "Spend the night with Mom if you need to before coming back."

"I may," Greg said. "I have the time. Perhaps, Mildred, I can give you a hand with some things while I am there."

"That would be lovely, Greg. I could use a handyman's skills with any number of things," she said. "If you're sure you have the time to do it."

"I am between projects at the moment," Greg told her. "And I did work as a handyman at one time."

"I remember that from your movie," Mrs. Abernathy said. "What is the next project you're doing?"

"A Disney film," Greg said.

"Oh?" Mrs. Abernathy asked. "What sort of film is it?"

"An animated, feature-length piece I am lending my voice to. I'll tell you about it on the way," he said as they got in the car.

"Bye!" Susan called while holding Melody in her arms.

"Bye Bye Grandma," Melody said.

"Bye everyone!" Mrs. Abernathy said, waving at them through the window.