The Cub in the Water

GOODBYES ARE NOT OFTEN EASY

After my mom hanged up the phone she stood very still, trying to figure out what to do next. After a couple of seconds, she walked out of the room without saying a word.

'This is bad. Very bad,' I thought. I knew we were going to need help. I grabbed the phone, "Grandma, I'm sorry to call you at this hour. Philip's sister called... He's dead. Mom is in very bad shape. Can you come over?"

Sooner than I expected my grandparents and my aunt Lois showed up at our door. The rest of my mom siblings arrived throughout the night. Everyone asked the same question, "What happened? We just saw him. He was perfectly okay."

What did happen?

He died of a heart attack. The call he promised my mom the night she came back from Nogales never happened because he died before he had the chance to do it. I guess a big amount of Benson & Hedges per day, has to have consequences someday. He was found by one of the hotel maids in the bathroom the next morning. The hotel gave the police notice and the U.S. authorities did their best to identify him. They figured out he was a Canadian citizen because of the documents that were found in his belongings. The next thing they did, was alert the Canadian government. I guess once that was done, Canada took care of the rest. They located where he was from and who was his family. Finally, a police officer set foot at Sharon's door with the news.

You know what happened next.

Hours of that early morning were spent in the living room, deciding what was best to do next. I remember the scene clearly. My mom was wearing a light orange sweater with blue jeans. She remained seated on the individual couch next to the main door with her sight lost in space, while everyone came up with ideas for some sort of plan.

The first thing we knew for sure was that we were going to have to travel to Toronto, Phillip's body was being flown there. That's what my mom and his family decided to do. They figured it was the best way to bring together the people closest to him to say their last goodbyes.

"I think someone should go with them," said Lois, "Helga could use the support."

"I agree. But who? We all have jobs and kids to take care of. We can't just fly to Canada last minute," Lana jumped in.

"We'll go with them," said grandpa.

"Dad, are you sure?" asked Logan.

"Of course, he is sure. Your sister needs our help, honey."

The third and last thing my mom sorted out, was that she needed an outfit. First thing in the morning, after making sure everything was set up for our trip to Canada, we went to the big mall just ten minutes away from home. Since my grandparents had to go back home to prepare their suitcases, my aunt Lois went with us. I remember walking around for what seemed like hours watching my mom go in and out of stores looking for what would be for her, the perfect thing to wear.

We finally arrived at a big department store called Palacio de Hierro. She walked straight into the women's section where they had displayed lots of elegant pantsuits. immediately grabbed one and walked into the dressing room. After a few minutes, she came out wearing this beautiful white suit.

"Helga, you look beautiful," Lois said.

"I think it is only appropriate, don't you think?"

My aunt and I both smiled a little.

Lois was right. She did look beautiful, even in spite of the great pain she was experiencing.

"This is the one, let's go," mom said in a decisive tone.