Author Anon

“I told you it would be nothing, darling,” says Lisa.

“It’s our first baby.  I didn’t want anything to go wrong,” says Rick.  “I guess I just panicked.”

“I’m just glad everything checked out okay,” Lisa says.

“Me, too.  Now, you get into bed and rest.  And while you’re doing that, I should just pop over to the Goldes to see how they’re doing.”

“No.  I don’t want you to leave me.  What if I should really go into labor?”

“I thought you weren’t worried.”

“Not when you’re around.  Besides, what can you do for the Goldes right now?  They’re just sitting around waiting for Julia to die.”

“That sounds pretty cold,” Rick says.

“I’m sorry, but it is the truth.  I need you, she doesn’t.”

“I guess you’re right.  It would be difficult to find anything comforting to say to them right now.”

——————————————————————————————-

“Oh, Michael, I don’t know what to do,” says Tracy, sobbing.  “I thought she was responding to chemo and all of a sudden, I’m called home to say goodbye.”

“I know.  You didn’t have much time to absorb the news.”

“My mind is in a state of numbness.  I can’t even think about anything straight.”

“And it’s harder on you than on Marie,” says Michael.  “At least, she’s got Dan to lean on.”

“If you can call it that.  I’m not about to marry just to have someone around.”

“You’ve always had your head screwed on tighter,” teases Michael.

Paul approaches them.  “I’m so sorry, Tracy,” he says, giving her a hug.

“Thank you, Paul,” Tracy says.  “It’s good to see you again.”  She starts crying on his shoulders.

Michael moves off to talk to Mark and Jason.

“I’m always here for you, girl,” says Paul.

——————————————————————————————-

Phillip is holding Julia’s hand while Amanda and Nurse Ruby are consulting nearby.

“It won’t be much longer,” says Ruby.  “She’s having Cheyne-Stokes breathing.  I think you ought to inform the rest of the family.”

“All right,” says Amanda.  She moves over to Phillip.  “I’m sorry for your loss, sir, and if you ever need anything, Hospice has bereavement services.”

Phillip nods his head but does not look up.  Amanda goes downstairs.

——————————————————————————————-

“When you find out about the funeral arrangements, let me know,” says Carl, into the phone.  “I’d like to send my condolences.”  He hangs up and turns to his family.

“I want to make sure that you will all attend the services,” he says.  “So, Melanie, darling, you will accompany your girls when they pay their respects.”

“Should I approach any of them?” Melanie asks.

“Oh, yes, but only the male members.  Show them a lot of sympathy,” he says suggestively.

——————————————————————————————-

“Do you think it looks good for us to release the next issue of Glitter just as Julia dies?” asks Sylvia.

“Well, she gave us full permission before she went downhill so rapidly,” says John.  “Besides, this issue celebrates her life.  But I suppose it could wait a few days out of respect for her.”

“Yes, and maybe we can add details of her funeral to the end.”

——————————————————————————————

“I think you should all be at her bedside for the little time she has left,” says Amanda.

“Thank you, Doctor,” says Tracy as she leads the family out of the room.  As they file past, they each thank her in turn.

“Thank you, Dr. Steele,” says David, serious for the first time.  “I mean that.”  He shakes her hand.

“Will you be coming back later?” asks Michael, at the end of the line.

“No, but Nurse Ruby will be staying until the end.  My work here is finished,” Amanda says as she turns to leave.

——————————————————————————————

In Julia’s room, her family and friends are gathered, some openly crying, others sniffling.  Phillip and William are flanking Julia’s bed.

“You can talk to her,” Ruby says.  “We believe she can hear you and it might relax her.”

Phillip is sobbing quietly, his shoulders shaking.  Alex comes up to him and puts his hands on his shoulders.  “Goodbye, Aunt Julia.  We’ll miss you,” he says.

“Goodbye, mom,” says Tracy.  “We love you.”  The others echo similar thoughts.

Julia’s breathing gradually slows.  As the time increases between each breath, her audience becomes quieter, listening for and anticipating the next breath.

“She’s gone,” says Ruby. 

A collective cry goes up as her family mourns Julia’s passing.

Filed under: All That Glitters