One Night in New York

Chapter Nineteen

Have you ever had a time when everything seemed to happen in slow motion? You know the world is still spinning, but yours has come to a halt. Everything that once made sense has lost its meaning. You can't breathe because the tragic news is sucking the air from your lungs. You try to inhale but it hurts too much. Your heart begins to break and you want to give up. How will you get through this life without them? How will you get through the next day? And after that, for the rest of your life, when the person you love has died?

The tragic news affected each of us profoundly. The news of Connie's death hit us like a freight train, carrying us along as it sped through our bodies. We'd been trying to hang on to hope for the past week, hoping that they'd both walk through that door. Unfortunately, that glimmer of hope vanished as it slipped from our grasp. We were left to mourn at the time, and we had no idea how to do so. Someone we adored had been called to leave this world. It was not acceptable or appropriate for a family to lose someone before their time. But when is life ever truly fair?

She had vanished. Our beloved Connie had died, and no one seemed to be coping. Thomas appeared to be in a trance as he became completely numb, appearing to be only a shell of his former self. Alyssa, 22, was on her knees in hysterics when she awoke to the news of her mother's death. Marcus, Angie, and I stood by in disbelief, watching as the family disintegrated. Connie had been intubated after suffering from severe hypoxia, which had put her in respiratory distress. The doctors tried everything they could, but it was too late; the damage was too severe. Connie fought the virus for six days in the hospital before succumbing to it.

Liam had been awake enough to learn of his mother's death. He'd started to feel better and demanded to be released the next day. The doctors argued with him about his decision because they wanted him to stay a few days longer, but he refused because he wanted to be with his family at home. The doctors eventually agreed, and Andrew went to pick him up in the afternoon on April 6th. He raced to get Liam once he was released from the hospital, and when Liam arrived home, he rushed into the house, immediately running to his father and sister. The three of them clutched each other tightly as the gravity of what had occurred became clear.

I'd never seen grown men cry so hard in my life, and it was heartbreaking to witness. Two children and a husband had lost their mother and wife, whom they adored. New York was the hardest hit by the virus at the time. According to reports, a New Yorker died every two minutes from Covid, resulting in nearly 800 deaths per day. Connie was, sadly, one of the statistics. The hospital morgues, cemeteries, crematoria, and funeral homes were all overflowing, and it took nearly two weeks for Connie's body to be cremated. Thomas wished for her remains since he would be with us for a while longer. He intended to return to his hometown when he was permitted to have a proper, end-of-life service for her. As soon as he received her ashes, Liam contacted a local pastor to see if he would be willing to make a home visit and hold a small memorial service for the eight of us.

His name was Father McNulty. He was a wonderful priest who had agreed to come to the home to perform a brief service. It was important to Thomas that we have it because he believed that honoring someone, no matter how big or small, was important when they died.

We said our final goodbyes to Connie on Tuesday, April 21st. Her final rites were beautiful, despite being small and intimate. Liam, his father, and his sister created picture collages of their mother at various points in their lives. We weren't able to get a large flower display, but the white roses we did get were absolutely stunning. Liam and his family told their stories about Connie and their fond memories of her, laughing and crying as they went. I'd only known her for about six months before she died, and I knew I hated her at first, but I was going to miss her. My heart broke for Liam, Alyssa, and Thomas, who would have to go on living without her. We'd all have to, but it would be the most difficult for them.

Liam's mother would not be present when our child was born. He wouldn't be able to dance with her during the mother-son dance at our wedding. She wouldn't be around to see her grandchildren grow up, spoiling them behind our backs. Alyssa was not going to have her mother support her in getting ready on her wedding day, with Connie complimenting her on how beautiful she looked in between tears. She would not have her mother be there to hold her hand on the day she becomes a mother. Connie would miss her grandchildren's school concerts and the joy on their faces at each holiday. She wouldn't get to see them grow or meet them for a single second.

And Thomas would never be able to share another anniversary or milestone with his beloved. He'd never be able to kiss her goodnight or hold her hand again. He'd never be able to console her when she was sad or scared or embrace her simply because he loves her. He would never get to experience his grandchildren with her, watching in awe as they grew into young adults. He would never grow old with the one he had planned to spend his forever with because her forever had come to an end, forcing him to walk his road alone.