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“I have a job for you, Eddie.” The old woman puts her hand on his forearm, giving it a brief pat, almost like she knows not to crowd him.
“Okay.” He doesn’t pull away.
In fact, he actually seems comfortable with Miss G, which I’ve learned is her superpower. Less than five minutes in her presence, and everyone is at ease.
“My cat Sky has been living under my deck for the past few weeks. I think she has a litter of kittens there.” The two of them walk slowly in the direction of the ornate glass doors leading out to the patio. “I can’t see, of course, so I need your help. Would you check, and if she has, count them for me and make sure none of them are hurt or injured. I want to know what to tell the vet when I call him.”
“A mother cat will take care of her kittens.” Edward’s tone is certain, as if he’s already studied the situation. “People thinkthey’re rescuing kittens, but it’s actually worse to take them from their mother if they’re well-groomed and healthy.”
“Oh, I don’t want to separate them. I just want to be sure they get their shots.” She leans closer. “And I’d like to have Sky fixed. This is her second litter in a year, and we barely found homes for the last ones.”
“It’s far less traumatic to neuter a male cat than spay a female.”
I have no idea where my brother gets his information, but he’s usually right.
“I agree.” Miss Gina nods. “However, I don’t know who or where said male cat is located, and we have to stop this.”
Edward’s lips purse. “I see your problem. I’ll let you know what I find out.”
“Thank you, Eddie. I can tell already you’re going to be a wonderful addition to my household!”
He takes off, and Miss Gina stretches her slender hand in my direction. “Rachel, your brother is adorable. You must have so much fun together.”
I almost laugh. “I never really thought of it that way.”
“You’re joking! Why not? He’s so intelligent!”
Taking her hand, I walk with her through the French doors onto her back patio where two pear trees stand in enormous, cerulean blue ceramic pots, and pink bougainvillea grows in twisting vines over an arch erected behind a wrought-iron bench.
Her patio is immaculately landscaped, with square beds between flagstone paths. She even had a raised, wooden platform constructed for my massage therapy table, complete with full-length beige-linen curtains for privacy.
It’s all so elegant and beautiful, and she can’t see a bit of it.
“I guess, since he was born, I’ve spent all my time trying to figure out how to take care of him.Funwas never part of the equation.”
The old woman’s brow furrows, and concern deepens her voice. “Isn’t childcare something for your mother to work out?”
A sad little half-smile pulls the side of my lips. “It should’ve been.”
Miss Gina holds my hand. “Tell me what happened.”
I exhale a brief laugh, thinking how if she were anyone else in the world, this question might seem intrusive. As it is…
“She never wanted another child. My father insisted, and when he found out Edward was a boy, he was obsessed.” My lips tighten. “Then when Edward was diagnosed, he lost interest. That left me.”
Miss Gina stops walking and turns to pull me into a hug, holding me close to her body for several seconds. “My goodness, Rachel. That’s the saddest thing I’ve heard in a while.”
My memory travels back to baby Edward lying in his crib quietly crying, and no one going to check on him. I remember myself at sixteen with posters of my favorite boy bands on the walls, putting on makeup while I watched YouTube videos, and hearing him fuss until I’d finally go to his room, pick him up, and carry him to mine.
“He was actually pretty easy as a baby.” I lift one of the pink bougainvillea flowers on the vine, turning it in my fingers. “I didn’t have a car or a boyfriend or anything else to do, so I’d hold him or change him or give him a bottle.”
“You’re a warm soul.” Miss Gina holds my arm, and we walk again. “I’m so lucky to have you here.”
“We’ll see about that, I guess. Now that I have all this extra baggage.”
“A brother is hardly baggage. More like an unexpected gift.”
She has no idea how unexpected. “I mean, I know it isn’t what you expected.”
