Right after I sent my positive energy into the universe, Jasmine texted me:
Great news. Can you come over?
Mom said it was OK. “If you need me, call or text.”
“Grandma Rosie’s coming!” Jasmine had a huge smile on her face. “Do
you think we should do more cleaning up before she gets here?”
“I think no. Maybe she should see how things look.”
“Good point. What should we do while we’re waiting?’
“Want to play a video game? Nestor loaned me his Naruto Shippuden.”
“I heard the boys talking about it last week. Sounds good.”
I went home to get the v game and gave mom the update. “Very encouraging
news,” she said. “By the way, the neighbors are arguing over who’s going to watch Fluffy when we’re gone. Everybody loves our tiny, white teacup poodle.”
“Great. But please pick someone nice. Not that grouchy man down the block. And not the family with all those crazy kids running around.”
“Don’t worry.”
I went back to Jasmine’s. We fed the baby again and put her to sleep. Their mom was still out like a light. I wasn’t used to seeing anyone like this, “Are you sure she isn’t dead?” I put my ear to her mouth and heard the sounds of her breathing. “I guess not.”
“This happens a lot around here. She’s fine,” Jasmine said.
Jasmine made delicious hamburgers for dinner, and I set the table. I have to say I was impressed about how much Jasmine knew about cooking and housework. My mom did most of that stuff.
We played the video game until Jasmine’s grandma got there.
There was a commotion at the front door, knocking and ringing the bell at the same time. It was Grandma Rosie.
“I guess I’d better leave.” I said.
“No, please stay with me for a little while more,” Jasmine said.
Grandma Rosie walked in with her oversize suitcase. After she kissed and hugged Jasmine, she asked,” Where’s the baby?” She went upstairs, saw the baby peacefully sleeping, checked on her daughter, came back down, and said, “This place is a mess. What’s been going on here?”
Jasmine filled her in. “Jasmine, please make me a cup of coffee. Got anything to eat?”
“Hamburgers Ok?” Jasmine asked.
“You have pickles?”
“Yes.”
“In that case, yes.”
Jasmine looked a lot like her grandmother. Her hair was just as black and her eyes just as blue. Rosie’s hair was cut short which gave her a no-nonsense look. I forgot how funny Grandma Rosie was. She told us how she got from New Jersey to New York. To listen to her story, you’d think she was a pioneer in the Wild West.
“Less than one hour after I hung up the phone with you, I drove toward the George Washington Bridge to New York City. I threw some clothes in a suitcase, filled my car up with gas and got some cash from the bank. Bucking the rush hour traffic on the way to Queens County put me in a bad mood.
“I don’t know why they call this rush hour when it lasts for three hours in the morning and another three hours at night. Who’s this idiot who can’t tell time? When I got to the New York side, all I did was dodge potholes. Who’s going to pay to buy me new tires? Suppose I break the suspension system on my car? Does my insurance company want to hear my sad story? I don’t think so.
“’Hey, lady.’ A taxi driver signaled me to open my driver’s side window. ‘Put your headlights on.’
“’Thanks, buddy,’ I told him. “When I knew my granddaughters needed me, I rushed over here so fast, I’m lucky my head is on straight.”
“Grandma …” Jasmine put a plate of food in front of her.
“Let me finish my story,” her grandma said. “Mmm, this is good.” She took a bite out of the hamburger. “Got ketchup?”
“I called your father from my cell phone. I made sure to connect my wireless for hands-free driving. I was in no mood for a ticket. The gas and tolls already cost me a fortune, and I don’t need another bill.
“Hello, Albert?’ I said. “This is your favorite mother-in-law. I started out with my usual charm, then I told him what’s going on here.”
“Was he angry?” Jasmine asked.
“Not at all. He told me how terrible he felt and said he didn’t know things were so bad. The idiot! After I yelled at him for not knowing, he asked what he could do.
“For starters, meet me over at the house in two hours. Stop at the supermarket on the way over and get some food and cleaning supplies.’ I told him straight out.”
“You mean Daddy’s coming over?” Jasmine asked.
“Yeah, he’s coming. And he’d better get here soon. We’re going to talk about getting your mother into rehab.”
“Grandma, what’s rehab?”
“It’s a place where people with alcohol and drug problems go for counseling and treatment.”
“How long does it take?” Jasmine asked.
“Usually, three months.”
“That’s a long time.”
“I’m not leaving until things are right again.”
“Does that mean you’ll be here for Christmas?”
“Honey, I’ll probably still be here for Easter.”
Jasmine told her grandmother about the contest and Florida.
“Tomorrow after school, we’ll pull out your summer clothes and make sure everything is washed and ironed in time for your trip,“ Grandma Rosie said.
Jasmine hugged her grandma. I hugged her, too. “I think it’s time for me to go home. I still have homework to do,“ I said.
“I forgot all about that,” Jasmine said.
“Get to work. No slacking off in this house,” Grandma Rosie said.
After I got home, I helped my mom put the garbage cans at the curb for next day pickup. We saw something that made us smile.
We watched as Jasmine’s father pulled up in his black SUV. He opened the hatchback, took the groceries out, and lined them up on the curb. An oversize suitcase was the next thing out, followed by a lap top computer.
Jasmine and her grandmother were standing on the sidewalk. Grandma Rosie whispered something in Jasmine’s ear. Jasmine ran to her father, threw her arms around him, and kissed him. She was crying the whole time. I guess I’ll never understand why some people cry when they’re happy.
I whispered to my mom, “Chalk up one more thing for the universe.”
“And don’t forget the power of grandmothers,” Mom added.