Gabby smiled at the sound of her mother’s Irish word. It was the only one she ever heard from the homeland. It meant “granddaughter”. It pleased Gabby to hear it. “Thank you, Gamma, you are so wise. I like talking to you, too.” She set the cup down next to her Nana on the table and then sat near her on a small cushioned chair that she dragged up close. She sipped her tea, which was still quite hot.
“Tell me,” The old woman leaned forward, her still red hair, though lightened over the years, fell forward, curling down to touch Gabby’s hand. Gabby was impressed with the quality of the old woman’s long locks. It seemed to her since she was like her grandmother, she would likely keep her own flaming red hair for quite a few years. Even her Nana’s green eyes flashed when she looked over at Gabby, catching the sun through the window for just a brief moment. It made Gabby wonder how a frail woman like Nana could have such fine hair and flashing young eyes. “Have you met a young man to marry yet?”
Gabby’s cheeks flushed. “No, Nana. I don’t have time for that. I have to care for you and Grampa.”
Nana leaned forward and retrieved the hand Gabby had taken back. “You will find your life changing soon enough, little flower. You need to think about your future. You need to be happy.”
Nana always made her feel better. She had the right words to say and always calmed Gabby’s heart when she was down.
“Have you been saying your prayers, little flower?”
“Yes, Nana. I really have.” And she had. She wasn’t sure God really wanted to hear her complaints, though. He was hearing them all the time, if He was listening to her. She took a sip, thinking maybe it would be better if He wasn’t listening. She looked at her Nana and thought about how long the old woman had lived and what she had gone through during troubled times in Ireland. Gabby had always been fed and clothed and safe, for the most part. She was just miserable and bored.
“I know He’s going to give you a good life, little flower. You are so young. My sweet little girl, you will be happy.”
“Nana, if you’re talking about when you and Grampa pass, I really don’t want to think about it.”
“Oh, but you don’t have to worry about us, dearie. We have both lived very long and are still living! You are very young and need to live! You won’t have to wait too long, I’m certain of it.”
Gabby shook her head. “I don’t see how, Nana. I don’t know any man I’m interested in and there have been no suitors.”
“You must have hope and faith. Both are things you can’t see. Since you believe in God, you must have believe in hope and faith. Try it out! You’ll see it will change your perspective.”
“Oh, Nana.” Gabby smiled at her. “I will try very hard to have hope for my future. I just…”
Nana cut her off, shaking her head. “Don’t you do that, dearie. You will be happy.”
She sounded so certain, Gabby couldn’t help but believe her. She nodded. “Okay, I will try to be positive.”
Nana nodded and looked out of the window again, sipping her tea. Her hand was shaking when she lifted it and Gabby reached out to help her steady it. “Thank you, dear.”
“I love you, Nana.” Gabby said. “I really do. I don’t want you do pass very soon.”
Nana looked at her, widening her eyes. “You mustn’t say such a thing. I have lived a long time, as I said. I am ready to see the Lord.”
Gabby felt tears rising to her eyes and fought them.
“I love you, too, little flower. My life now is not very active. I used to be very active and was for many years. But time has caught up with me and now I just wait for my final judgment. I love the Lord and I am ready for Him.”
“Oh, Nana.” Gabby couldn’t help letting her tears fill her eyes. She looked up and out at the sky when two of them escaped and rolled slowly down her cheeks. She hid them and her flushed cheeks by taking a sip of her tea. When she discovered it was just the right temperature for her, she took longer drinks of it. Soon, it was gone.
“I need to go finish hanging the sheets, Nana.” She stood up and leaned to kiss her Nana on the cheek. “I love you.”
A chill of delight ran through her when her Nana giggled. If she was ever to leave this place, she would miss her sweet grandmother the most.
She felt a lot better as she went down the stairs and out to hang up the sheets she’d left behind. Her brothers were nowhere in sight when she stepped out into the blazing sun. She was immediately hot again and her forehead was wet before she even got to the line. She wasn’t as frustrated now. When she got to the basket, she began singing an old hymn Nana had taught her when she was young.
“Lord, ‘tis a pleasant thing to stand, In gardens planted by thine hand; Let me within thy courts be seen, Like a young cedar, like a young cedar, Like a young cedar, fresh and green.”