HOMECOMMING             J. Price

Chapter One

DONNA

Standing at the kitchen sink, doing dishes, I hear the door bell ring and grab a towel to dry my hands on the way to see who’s there.

“All right, all right, I’m coming, hold your horses.”  I open the door expecting to see a sales man, instead there stands a child, about 10 years old, maybe 4 foot tall, with sandy hair and just a slight curl hanging loosely around her shoulders. With her is a middle aged woman, smiling, showing an undercurrent of concern.

“Well who the dickens are you, I ask? “

“I’m Grace Butterfield. Are you Donna Hall?”

“Yes, I am. And you are?” I look at Sindy, and the woman speaks, stopping her reply.”

"I am the caregiver to Mimi Mc Shame, and this is Sindy Hall, her legal name, and has been going by Sindy Mc Shame. Mimi has had a stroke and is in hospice. I’m her nurse, caring for her. I have papers with me that are to change custody of Sindy over to you, stating she is your granddaughter and is to remain in your custody permanently. They are all legal and complete. All that’s needed is your signature, date and address. We found nothing on her father therefore it is written in your name. May we come in so I can explain?”

“Yes, of course. Please come in.” The woman is neat and has a case holding the papers. Sindy appears to be nervous and is hanging on for dear life to Grace’s jacket. She looks up directly at me, good eye contact. Good sign. She seems to be stressed. Letting go of Grace’s jacket as they come into the house, she grips her big bag for dear life.

When we all sit, I look at this darling little girl. She finally talks, “Hello, my name’s Sindy, spelled SINDY because my Grandma hated my daddy for gettin’ my mama pregnant; so grandma and mama named me Sindy because I was their sin.” She talks fast because of her nerves. She isn’t shy but seems scared.

“Too bad, because that’s a very popular name in the UK. They developed a Sindy doll that is their Barbie doll back in 1963. You have a very special name. It’s your name, not your grandmas or moms. I’m sorry you were told it was derived from sin. It isn’t. Yours is a happy name.  I’ll look for a doll you are really named after. You will like it. Please call me grandma, if you like.”

“I’d like that. I didn’t know about my name.” 

I turn back to Grace. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Grace. May I offer coffee or tea?”

“That would be good, coffee is fine, thank you.”

“And Sindy, what can I get you? Hot chocolate with marshmallows and chocolate chip cookies?”

“Yes, thank you.” She primly sits and lays her hands across her lap. Her head is down but she is looking at me, watching every move.

 

I look at her, reach over and carefully cup her face in my hand, gently  turn her head from side to side and slide my finger down her nose, grinning as I look at her. I tap the tip of her petite nose very lightly.   “Well I’ll be jiggers, you look so much like your daddy, You sure do take after him. I’m very glad you are my granddaughter, and it’s wonderful to meet you, after so many years.” With that I go to the kitchen to get the refreshments. We continue when I return.

“Do you know my daddy?  We weren’t allowed to talk about him cuz grandma Mimi said he was best left untalked about.”

“I’m your daddy’s mommy. I can imagine having rules not to talk about your dad is just what your Grandma Mimi would make.”

“Did you know my mama?”

“Very little, hold on a minute, I need a bit of time to talk to Grace, please, Sindy. Thank  you. We are going to have a lot of visits, I promise.”

Grace handed me a large manila envelope. I opened it to find the custody papers where Sindy has been designated legally mine. Of course I will transfer it to Johnathan when I contact him. He will be through the roof happy.

“Thank you Grace. I find it amazing she trusted me as she should. She has been rude and kept us away from birthdays and Holidays. Johnathan always provided well for her but she denied his access. It’s been awful and he didn’t want a fuss because it might have had an effect on Sindy in a negative way if there was a big fight.”

“I understand. Since she is dying, she is making amends and getting ready for her end.” Grace didn’t show emotion here. I have a feeling she had her fill of the negative rudeness so much a part of Mimi’s character.

“I am ready to sign and happy Sindy is now where she belongs, right here. I look over at Sindy. She is almost in tears. “Will that be alright?”

She slowly looks at me and says, “I guess. I don’t know you and I was always told you were never to be talked to. You seem nice.”

“Thank you. We will get to know each other and you’ll become comfortable. I don’t bite. I promise.”

She gave me half a smile with that.

We complete the formalities. Grace witnessed the signing of the papers. “Often caregivers decide to become Notary’s just for reasons like this. Time is of the essence. I am happy for everyone.” She turned to Sindy, “You are finally home.”

With all the formalities completed,  papers signed, sealed and delivered, I hold them in my hands and feel a mixture of joy and relief.

Grace tells me, “ I am happy for all of you.”  She turned to Sindy, “You are in good hands here, little one. Don’t be nervous. This is a home of love, I can feel it. See the pictures of you over there on that wall? And more over there? They have been a part of your life all along, but denied seeing you in person, just as your grandmother said. You will be just fine. Good bye, Sindy.”

“Thank you, good-bye.” Sindy said sweetly.

Grace then leaves with little ado.

I look over at Sindy and smile. Reach for her hand and hold it gently. It is warm and soft.  “You have fulfilled our dream here. You deserve the finest life. A good education and lots of love and peace.  I think the last part has not been present much in your daily life. She didn’t pull away . That’s promising.

With Grace gone, I made a phone call to Jonathan. “You are not going to believe this but Sindy is here, right in this living room. Permanently. Get your butt over here.”

“What? Really? I’ll be right over.” then I called my husband, Jim. I won’t call anyone else until she adjusts a bit. She is frightened.

 

                                                                  CHAPTER 

CHAPTER TWO

                                                       THE MEETINGS 

 

 “Your grandpa, and father are on their way here. They will answer every question you may have.  They will share everything with you about your family. I know this is a lot to take in.

Within a short time a winded Johnathan, rushs into the house and heads straight for Sindy. He first introduced himself,  kneels down in front of her and gently speaks. “I am your daddy. I have been around but not visible for your entire life. Your grandma Mimi had strict rules and I didn’t want to have any arguments. I’ve always loved you, Sindy. Now, I’m here. Forever.

 “May I hug you, please?”

She looks at me, obviously thinking, and quietly says, “Yes.”

I slowly reached for her, pick her up, whirl her around in a tight hug and laugh. “I finally can hug you. I love you Sindy and have always been in the shadows waiting for this day.”

I set her down and sit next to her asking. “Are you alright?”

“Kinda.”

Within minutes Jim rushes in, also winded and grinning ear to ear. He goes over to Sindy and introduces himself.

“We have rushed into your life like a tornado. We need to take more time for you to be comfortable and get to know us all. I am so pleased for your grandma, and dad that you are here. We all are thrilled you are here.”   Jim smiles a huge happy smile.

She looks directly at me, “You don’t seem mean and dangerous.”

“Hahaha, no, I’m not. I promise you will be happy. What do you think so far?”

“I don’t know anybody, really, yet. Where will I live?”

“Well, You will come home with me. Please don’t be afraid of me. Remember, your mom once loved me but moved on. And I loved her too, once upon a time. I’ve always loved you but had to be separated from you. Now we can get to know each other at your own comfortable speed. You hold the timetable. I’m not ever going to push you. I promise. just talk to me and let me know how I can make you comfortable. This must be really tough on you and we all understand that. You will be meeting your step mother. She is due to be here in minutes, and you have a baby brother too. He’s two and active. your step mom is Ann and your brother is Greg.  You will have your own room. That’s why Ann is late. She has been getting everything  ready for you. I think you two will be going shopping to decorate it. You are really going to like Ann when you get to know her. She is sweet, loving, kind and a really good mom.”

With all that said, it was perfect timing as Ann, all smiles with Greg in tow, bounds in. He is a busy boy.

Donna leans over to whisper to Jim, “This is going pretty well considering she must be frightened to death. We all will slow down and take this afternoon to visit, tell stories, have pizza, and watch how Sindy is adjusting, I think she will calm down when she gets to know everyone. She’s nervous, has a guarded smile and her eyes flicker across the room searching everyones face. This must be really tough for her.”

“I agree. We all will continue to make her as comfortable as possible in this transition period.”

                                        CHAPTER THREE

                                                 HOME

A little later Johnathan asks Sindy to join him in the kitchen. They sit down at the table. Sindy nibbles at snacks of cheese, crackers and chocolate milk. She watches Johnathan with interest.

“I need more crackers, how about you? I’m sure you have many questions. We will tackle all of them but not tonight.   You must be tired. It’s time to go home now. Are you OK with that?”

“I guess.”

“It is to be your real forever home. We will settle in and get you comfortable. OK?”

“I’m tired and ready.”

So for the first time, Sindy goes home with her dad, step mom and Greg, her half brother.”

They don’t drive very far when Johnathan pulls into a driveway and declares, “We’re here.”

The home is a two story brick, big yard and beautiful. Sindy stands in front of it and stares. She has tears in her eyes and clutches her few belongings with a tight hold.

“Are you OK?”

“Yes.”

“Let’s go into the house.”

Ann comes over to Sindy to take her belongings in one arm and hold her hand with the other. She looks up at Ann, “What should I call you?”

“You can call me anything that you are comfortable with.”

“OK, I’ll think about it if that’s alright?”

“You bet it is. This is all new. Are you hungry for dinner?”

“A little.”

“As soon as you get settled into your new room, we’ll eat.”

Johnathan picks up Greg and heads for the stairs, “Let’s go upstairs and put your things away. Then you’ll see your new room.” They all go upstairs to watch her reaction together.

When they open the door and enter, Sindy goes in first, slowly turns around, looking with interest. She sets her personal meager belongings on the bed  then turns to face her father and step mom, “It’s the prettiest room I've ever seen. Is it really all mine?”

“Yes, Sindy, it’s all yours.”

It’s like a fairy princess room. I love the wall paper with pink roses. Her bed cover is a light green with a scattering of small pink rosebuds and a full skirt around the bottom. The pillows match. She has a real dresser for the first time, just hers. It’s white with a mirror on top. She can see herself.

“Do you like it?” Ann asked.

“It’s beautiful.” she keeps turning around, staring at it, taking it in.”

“Let’s go downstairs now to the kitchen where I have a meatloaf with mashed potatoes, steamed carrots and baguette bread ready to serve.”

“Wow, I love meatloaf.”

Downstairs she goes into a big room with a kitchen on one end and a family room in the rest of the big space. A huge TV and two comfy looking light beige sofas face the TV along with two recliners sitting off from the ends of the sofas, making a U shape of furniture. A big slider window overlooks a huge yard with a swing set and lots of toys for Greg.

All of a sudden a dog bounds into the room. “That’s Dexter. He’s a Lab mix. Very friendly.”

“I’ve always wanted a dog.”

Jonathan walked over to her with a package in his hand and hands it to her.

“Go ahead and open it.”

She carefully and ever so slowly opens the package. Her eyes grow big and tears flow down her cheek. There was a picture of her when she was a baby being held by her real dad. They both are smiling. Her smile of course is a little happy baby smile.

“This teddy bear was given to you when you were born. It’s been with you in your crib every night until Your mother threw it out, but I retrieved it and kept it safe to give to you someday. I had to move out just after that.

Sindy looks around, studies the family new to her and feels at home for the very first time.

Dexter wags his tail wildly. She pets him for awhile, then goes into the kitchen with the dog at her heels, and asks, “Mom, can I help you?”

  (continued)