Tuesdays

“How come goodbyes seem to always feel like THIS Gee-maw”?

What a question, and funny enough is the fact that this question is now being posed by someone who has barely even reached puberty, has never felt the gratification of getting their first drivers license or even sharing an awkward first kiss. Yup, this question is now posed by 12 year old Bryson Taylor, a kind-hearted semi loner who loves one thing outside of mom and dad, and that’s G-ma, or Gee-maw as he says it. Yup, thats Patty to most, or rather, Mrs. T, as she was known at her school—her being an educator.

Patricia Taylor, the ex Navy officer turned school teacher who dedicated her life to service—military, as well family. The church attending matriarch of the family who suffered the public embarrassment of enduring an affair involving her husband and fellow church member, Mrs. Sweet, Georgia being the first name. The tryst actually being called out by pastor Gregory during Sunday service, however she never let bitterness harvest inside her mind. She also ultimately worked it out with her husband, but not without hurdles equaling mountains of re-gained trust, as well an entirely new rigorous re-courting process.

However, as of right now, a question is posed to the aging matriarch, and she struggles with answers of why to the question… reflecting also on her life amid that question. She thinks on old times, starting with the day she met Obie, Mr. Taylor to most, who would soon gain the title as hubby. She reflects.

June 26th, back in her former days, a young Patricia Ames walks and takes a seat on a single wooden bench, soon posing for pictures in her new uniform. Her, currently soaking up the scenery here in Chicago, Illinois—the Great Lakes Recruit Training Command. She has just completed 10 weeks of Navy bootcamp and is now engaging in flicks—pictures to last lifetimes.

Her mom and dad stand in front of her as she’s seated, waiting for the strong breeze to pass. It passes. They snap. After the pic is taken Patty looks and eyes one tall attractive gentleman who’s more than obvious with his interest. One conversation leads to five dates, five dates lead to four children, and four children leads to a group of grands—kids that would be. One being young Bryson.

Bryson is a very unique “kid” in the fact that at his age, he’s still one, if drifts can be caught. He sticks out from his peers who are into activities years far beyond the one’s life has given them so far. He’s a semi loner who’s bullied and misunderstood constantly. He struggles with life and its twists at times, but leans heavy on support from one individual, and that one individual would be Gee-maw.

As goes one of their talks, “you are special, you are original, and you are the kindest, smartest young man that I know. So don’t ever change or hide who you are for no one. I also know that all of this I’m saying doesn’t mean much when it comes to your friends and peers, but believe me, one day, EVERYBODY, not just them, will get it”!

Her words were more than heeded that day when young Bryson was leaving her house. As Bryson was leaving, and before shutting the door he says “goodbye Mee-maw”, but then states—“does it ever feel good”? Patty gives a curious look following with a playfully confused, “what’s that baby”? Bryson ask’s, “does it ever feel good to say goodbye”? Patty laughs, “you such a little adult at heart—I swear love you so much”—followed by the biggest hug. Patty then states—“but to answer your question, I’m sure it’s a time when it does”. They smile. They part.

Brysons mom and dad love their son, but it comes with an innuendoed caveat. No one really talks about it in the open, just whispers of, private conversations that cause a “father’s shame”, and a mother’s in-house distance. But not with Mee-maw, and not to cast Patty as a saint, she did sneak a few dates with Brother Tolliver, who was also married at the time, when she discovered her husbands affair, it’s just she’s a genuine spirit and honestly a good person.

She’s in tune with young Bryson, and knew he was different from the beginning. She even discussed the affair had between her husband Obie, and Mrs. Georgia Sweet, her, being too, married at the time. Well, she had to have that discussion with the youngster as Bryson, at 5 years old, was the one who caught the two in the act.

As remembered, Patty described how it took everything inside her soul as well psyche to forgive Obie and move forward, however, with young Bryson discovering this chaotic scene, Patty had to have a conversation quickly—matriarchy, not always being so glamorous. Keeping with that matriarchy theme, highly uncomfortable was the talk about young Bryson with his parents, her son and daughter in law.

This discussion caused a slight rift that all involved are constantly working to repair. As Patty stated that day, “look guys, Bryson is gay, I know it, you guys know it, hell Stevie Wonder could see it, but why are you guys so thrown off by it?” They respond with the customary Christian answer that the Bible says it’s wrong, but really it’s just simple disappointment of wanting a straight child. Either way, they are all family and continue to foster bonds best way us humans know how.

FLASH FORWARD, and it’s a new day, all seems to at least be moving to the family repairing and drawing closer. Patty, and husband Obie are continuing to re-kindle, Bryson, mom, and dad are working to find needed common ground, and all was moving to a good place until one collapse in the bathroom leads to an unwanted journey for the entire family.

While home with husband Obie, Patty has an accident in the bathroom—a loud crash then sudden thud grabs Obie’s attention. He darts to the bathroom as fast as one of age could to find his wife Patty passed out. Shards of glass dance the tiles as he opens the door. “Patty—Patty—PATRICIA!

He then maneuvers his best through the glass pieces, retrieving Patricia taking her to the Emergency Room. This, the start of that earlier stated “unwanted journey”. After the initial shock and buzz had worn down, Patty, plus the entire family, minus Bryson, was alerted that Mrs. Patty, the Matriarch of the family, the one who forgave the unforgivable, the one who seems to have been placed here by God himself to guide young Bryson has stage IV breast cancer, and yes, it’s terminal.

Even as the resilient being she is, this is quite a blow, however, the entire family bonds and vows—“WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS”!

Patricia is discharged and sent home, but only under close hospital surveillance. Obie, as well the entire family now pitch in, almost willing the head-strong Patricia sustained life on a daily basis. Holistic herbal medicines and remedies are introduced—optimism brims. In the midst Patricia battles. Battles with the same ferocity she did rising the ranks of the US Navy, the same way she did when dealing with that dreaded affair, the same way she fights for young Bryson who is by her side day and night, or as much as school, sleep, and life will allow.

Time passes. Things however, do not get better. The family fights with Patricia every step of the way of this unwanted journey. Patricia’s heath declines rapidly, dropping pounds seeming by the hour. Obie grabs his keys this Tuesday because he knows. Knows he will have to round up his black queen and take her back to the hospital. He walks into their room—“hey Patty, you ready”? Responding with unusual sadness—“wooooo, yup, I’m ready”—like she knows. Despite the daunt, the family still holds, “we will get through this”.

Sadly enough the family could not make that declarative statement come true. A time later, Mrs. Patricia is back in the hospital, however relegated this time. Hospital monitors beep with an annoying consistency, the curtains blow in breezes ignored by the mood. A vase full of flowers stand tall amongst a room of doom, and one twelve year old boy feels the sting of a thousand punishments—face currently buried inside his young palms. Patty comforts—“it’s ok baby, Gee—maw will ALWAYS be with you in spirit. Young Bryson snots a tad, wipes eye area, then pauses, “How come goodbyes seem to always feel like THIS Gee-maw”?