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Josiah decided to leave for Renfrew even before her parents returned from Ottawa, much to Arlana's relief. He'd thought about it all night and decided it would be nice for her to have some alone time with her grandmother before everyone arrived and it might give them some much-needed time alone.
Lachlan would be driving up in the afternoon, so Josiah decided to make the most of his time alone with Arlana.
"How long has it been since you've seen your grandmother?" He kept his eyes on the road.
"Over a year," Arlana rubbed her stomach gently, easing the pain of a sharp kick, "For nearly eighteen years I wasn't allowed to visit her until last year when my Aunt Debbie said that I can visit her once a year when my family is in town. To be invited up for two days is really incredible. Unfortunately, my grandmother has lost most of her memory. I don't even know if she will remember me," she looked out the window, eyes unseeing.
Arlana may have reservations about seeing her parents, but she loved her grandmother. It was a shame she was only allowed to see her grandmother now when she barely remembered her own children.
Josiah nodded, his grandparents had perished in Auschwitz. She was blessed whether her grandmother could remember her or not.
"I think we should go to the nursing home first then," he watched for the correct exit.
****
IT WASN'T LONG BEFORE they pulled in front of a sprawling, one-floor building, that, from outer appearance, clearly wasn't anything to write home about.
Josiah reached for Arlana's hand as they walked toward the front door, using the sanitizer provided before signing in. He regretted not taking her to the funeral, determined to change things now.
The nursing home was stuffy and dim, long-forgotten souls sitting on chairs waiting for dinner, or death - whichever came first.
Arlana asked for directions to her grandmother's room explaining to the scowling lady behind a desk that she was the woman's granddaughter.
The brunette checked the computer, finally looking up, "She is probably in her room. Do you know what room she is in?"
If they knew, they wouldn't be asking.
"Room 181," not bothering to show them the way.
Still holding Josiah's hand, Arlana turned a corner, arriving at a deserted dining room save for two residents who sat at empty tables waiting for a lunch that wouldn't be ready for another two hours.
Depression and hopelessness permeated the air. Arlana squeezed Josiah's hand, feeling the sadness keenly.
"I think that is Granny!" Aziel let go of her other hand rushing toward the adjacent room where her grandmother was exercising along with a group of residents. A woman wearing nursing scrubs led the simple exercises.
Josiah pulled up a chair for Arlana at the back of the room, before lifting Aziel onto his lap.
Aunt Debbie sat beside Granny doing the exercises with her. Looking up, Debbie noticed them, yet unsmiling, but waved before leaning over to speak in Granny's ear. The elderly woman waved, her smile was bright. Returning her greeting, Arlana waited till the exercise session was over, then stood to introduce Josiah to her grandmother and aunt.
Aunt Debbie was a spinster whether by choice or not, Arlana had never known. The older woman looked at Josiah, with a raised eyebrow. He screamed "Jew" from the top of his head to the tzitzit at his waist, but one thing was certain, he clearly was not ashamed of his heritage or religion. Sheila had wasted no time in informing her of Arlana's latest mistake, so seeing Josiah shouldn't have been a surprise.
Arlana slipped her hand in his, "I'd like you to meet Josiah." She looked into her husband's eyes for a brief moment, trying to read his heart, "This is my aunt, Debbie. She's my mother's baby sister."
Josiah smiled warmly, greeting her grandmother as well.
Debbie suggested they sit together and she would let the staff know they would have lunch with Granny today. Moments later, Debbie returned, sitting on the other side of Josiah. She introduced Josiah to her mother.
"An Israelite!" Granny's eyes sparkled. She'd never seen one up close, reaching for his hand.
Josiah loved her exuberance, feeling for the first time welcomed by Arlana's family. Debbie was smiling as well as they got to know each other.
Josiah smiled, his eyes shining as he held her frail hand. Granny gazed at him with wide eyes, taking in this "moment of a lifetime." One of God's chosen people held her hand, Granny looking between the young man and their hands, clearly delighted.
****
"I HAVE TO HEAD HOME, but your parents should be here soon," Debbie stood, at last, leaving them to sit while Granny ate crackers with a bowl of lukewarm tomato soup.
"I'm hungry too," Aziel whined at her side.
Arlana shot him a look, "You can wait for a little bit, okay?"
Granny was already saying she wanted to head to her room for a nap. He only had a few more minutes to wait.
Just as she thought, Granny asked for her help to get back to the room, asking to be left alone to rest. In her late 80's, she tired easily. That familiar twinge of knowing she had been denied the good years to spend time with her grandmother and there was nothing she could do about it now, gnawed relentlessly at her raw heart.
Josiah waited in the hallway while Arlana tucked her grandmother into bed, "I'll be back later okay?" She held the frail hand in hers before retreating from the room where Aziel was having a meltdown, "I'm starving for real! Where is there something to eat?"
Arlana frowned, embarrassed, "You just ate not even two hours ago," she spoke, her voice low. The nursing home was quiet, her child's high-pitched, young voice echoing.
He might be going through another growth spurt and Rivkah's thick-sliced bread with jelly hadn't been enough. Regardless, Arlana's face was scalding hot with embarrassment as she led her crying child from the building.
Josiah took over the situation, lifting Aziel in his arms.
"I'll get you something to eat in a few minutes. I saw a chip wagon near here."
Arlana sighed, "I'll get him some fries," wondering if their nomadic life over the past several months was to blame.
Aziel had gotten used to eating on the go, having lived almost entirely on fast food and restaurants instead of home-cooked meals.
"Where are your parents supposed to meet us?" Josiah drove to the food truck, slipping her money for the food. "Get yourself something too. We'll go find a table."
"Thank you," Arlana glanced down at the folded twenty dollar bill in her hand before answering his question, "I have no idea. I'm guessing around here. The hotel is just across the street as well."
Within ten minutes, Arlana joined her family who had found a seat on a red checkered-covered picnic table, carrying a small basket of fresh-cut French Fries and three milkshakes.
"I wasn't sure what you like so I got you vanilla," she passed the drink to Josiah along with the change, before helping Aziel add ketchup to his fries.
"Don't forget salt," Aziel rubbed tear-reddened eyes.
Arlana sighed but complied hoping he wouldn't cause another scene if she refused.
"Thank you, this is great," Josiah set the milkshake down, praying a blessing over their impromptu lunch before taking a sip of the frothy beverage. "Your grandmother is a precious woman. I am glad to have had a chance to meet her."
Arlana nodded, sucking on the straw, the chocolate milkshake thick.
"It went better than I expected," she admitted.
They ate in silence a moment before Sheila tapped her shoulder, startling her.
"There you are! I couldn't reach you and your dad was freaking out that you had gotten lost. You know how he is, everything has to go according to plan. We even called Adelaide to see if she had heard from you."
Arlana raised an eyebrow. Maybe her parents didn't know anything after all - Adelaide would have been the last person she'd contact.
"No, we went to see Granny then came here because Aziel was hungry."
Mark sat down with a huff, not acknowledging Josiah, "Is Lachlan here yet?"
Josiah looked down at his drink, but his jaw muscle flexed.
No one answered.
"I hope he didn't get lost. Okay, so what do you kids want?" He asked Jaira's children who shrugged, unsure what they were allowed to order.
Arlana understood. She'd been in their shoes an eternity ago.
"Sheila, they can't make up their minds so just get fries."
Always the same.
"Might as well get milkshakes for everyone too."
Awkward silence.
Amber scooted over on the picnic bench beside Arlana, smiling shyly.
Arlana squeezed her hand under the table cloth, "How did it go? Did you see your mom?"
Amber shrugged, "I have something to show you after."
"I'd love that," they shared a smile before Sheila returned bearing French Fries and drinks.
Arlana stood, "Here, let me help you with that." She reached for the tray of food before catching a glimpse of Lachlan approaching - wearing a kilt!