(Part 2)
[See Part 1 of this three-part story, also headlined “Two Friends,” Sept. 26.]
Joan bravely continued her life without her late husband. Soon she felt his presence everywhere.
As usual, he was in his chair, reading his favorite books. She saw him in the kitchen. She felt his presence in the bedroom. Before long, she was comforted by her sightings and dreams.
The only time she felt sad was when she had to change a high light bulb or open the cap of a jar. When she would call her husband for help, no answer came back. In tears, she would try to do it herself. Frustrated, then, she would leave it in the corner of the kitchen and adjust.
Turning a Corner
Joan’s niece, Cammi, called her everyday. Trying to cheer her aunt, Cammi sent little packages, pictures and letters. She told Joan about the achievements of her children. By creative means, she tried to help her continue her life with hope.
After exactly six months, Cammi received a call from Aunty Joan very early one morning. When she heard her voice, Cammi was sure something was not right.
With anxiety, she asked her aunty what had happened. Did she feel well?
Another Loss
Through tears, aunty announced that the wife of Johnny had died two hours earlier, the same way her own husband had.
Johnny was devastated, just as aunty had been when her loss occurred. The newly widowed man and the women who had six months’ experience as a widow had cried a lot when they took the body of Johnny’s wife from the house.
Now the comforter was being comforted by her.
Being more experienced in widowhood, Joan was able to help her friend.
She understood exactly how he felt and what was going through his mind at that moment.
Planning Ahead
Years before, the two couples had decided to buy their lots next to each other. Philosophically, and perhaps wisely, they said good neighbors in this world would make better neighbors in the next.
Four lots of graves under a nice green pine tree were waiting for the two couples. On the day of burial, Joan cried gently to herself as she saw her space waiting for her next to her husband and the open-mouthed ground that was soon going to swallow her kind friend away from her.
A Widower’s Legacy
Johnny was luckier than Aunty Joan.
At the funeral, his two grownup children were present with their own children. Johnny was sad, and he wept bitterly. They had been a loving couple for 57 years. The children were crying for the loss of their mother, and they hugged their father.
Later the exuberant young grandchildren kissed and jumped all over him. Between tears, he surely enjoyed a few short smiles.
At the end of the seventh day of mourning, the children and the grandchildren had to return to their lives. They asked their father if he wanted to move into a retirement home close to them. Johnny declined. For the time being, at least, he said, he was able to function well.
Independence Day
He still had his car to take him where he needed to go, and generally he could care for himself. He preferred to remain in his own home and return to his old and precious habits.
And so the children did not insist anymore. They left.
The night before their departure, Johnny brought out the box of jewelry of his wife, and he distributed the collection among his children and grandchildren.
(To be continued)
Dr. Rosemary Cohen, who lives in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles, is the author of three books. She earned her doctorate in sociology from the Sorbonne in Paris. She moved to Los Angeles with her family 23 years ago. Since 1985, Dr. Cohen has owned and operated an international art business, Atelier de Paris, on Robertson Boulevard.
