They invite me to sit down, shifting to make space. “I’m June. This is my sister Cora, her daughter, Serena, and my daughter-in-law, Nicky.”
Each woman waves as their name is called. Serena compliments my nails, telling me I should come by her shop for a fill-in before I leave town.
“You must be John’s mom.” I look to June for confirmation, pleased when she nods. “Then that means you two”—I point to June and Cora—“are Auntie Joyce’s sisters?” That would make them Tanya’s first aunts.
“Yep. There’s nine of us total.” Cora breaks down the family tree, explaining that Auntie Joyce is the oldest after Tanya’s dad, Larry, which is why everyone calls her Auntie. Once Larry passed away, Joyce became the head of the family, and she’s worn that title proudly ever since. Cora is the youngest of the siblings, only a few years older than Tanya herself. Serena is Cora’s middle child, and Nicky is married to June’s oldest daughter, Tiara.
I get lost somewhere along the tree, but the bottom line is they are a close-knit family, able to trace their roots back generations.
“You know, Tanya joining Larry, Ruby, and Andrew is one whole branch gone,” Cora says, choking back tears. Serena rubs her mother’s back, while Nicky grabs her hand.
“But at least they all get to be together again. I’m just glad Larry and Ruby went first. Parents aren’t supposed to bury their kids.” Her words make me think about Lorraine. Were Tanya and George even able to find a casket that small? As nice as it is to be surrounded by Tanya’s family, I have to wonder about Tanya’s mental state. Too much loss can really change a person, and I don’t know if she took care of her mental health the way she maybe should have. I don’t think anyone in her shoes could withstand this without someone to talk to, professional or otherwise. Didshe have that? Those are questions no one here can answer for me and that makes me sad for Tanya.
“Anyway, dear, we’re glad you’re here. It’s nice to meet someone who knew Tanya in her older years,” June adds.
“Yeah. What was she like?” Nicky asks. “I never got to meet her, but I heard so many stories.”
Where do I even begin? “She was dramatic.”
June snorts. “Glad to hear that never changed.”
“She was protective.”
June and Cora both grin at that.
“She was wise. And she never made you feel less than when she imparted her wisdom on you.”
Cora agrees with that wholeheartedly.
“Okay, I gotta ask. Did she pick up random hobbies as a kid too?” I question.
Cora’s face lights up. “Oh my God, Junebug, do you remember when she started playing the violin?”
June’s smile grows wider. “Lord, that child was not musically inclined. Daddy stole her violin out of our room one night and sold it at a pawn shop. Pretended like the damn thing grew legs and walked out.”
“And then she tracked it down and bought it back using money she got from people in the neighborhood who paid her not to sing,” Cora imparts.
“All to sell it back to the pawn shop a month later.”
The stories go back and forth between the three of us until we’re all in stitches.
“Excuse me, ladies, Dani, I brought you this.” Micah towers over me with a plate full of food.
“You didn’t have to do that. Thank you,” I offer, thankful all the same, because as wonderful as this conversation has been, I realize I didn’t get to make my plate before we launched down memory lane.
“Oooh, a gentleman. We like that.” Serena whistles.
Micah rubs the back of his neck with a shy smile. “Can I get you ladies anything?”
“Oh, no thank you, baby. You already brought us a tall drink of water,” June says.
“You’re shameful.” I laugh. “How much did you have to pay up?” I query, referring to his little bet with Jamie.
“A whole three dollars. I rounded up to five, though.”
The ladies have no idea what we’re talking about, but they’re all too happy to have Micah in their space. Serena pushes Nicky so that Micah can sit between them.
“Did you ask them about the doc?” he says to me.
