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Slumber Party

1/1/2025

Leo and Chris rushed around to the front of the house, with Murray following.

“Josh! He’s alright. They’ve got him stable.” Chris called out.

“Did you hear that, Grace? Go tell Mom.”

She folded up a chair and carried it into the garage. Leaving it with the others, she pressed through to the kitchen. “Mom, they heard from the hospital. Joe’s okay.” Her smile faded. “What’s the matter with Sarah?”

“Hear that?” She stroked Sarah’s hair. “Joe’s alright now. No need to fret about that. When do you see your doctor again, honey?”

“Tomorrow afternoon.” She whispered.

“What’s the matter? Sarah, are you okay? What happened?”

“This situation with Joe had her scared. Why don’t you take her upstairs and get her changed for bed? It’s late and she’s got some feelings to work through.”

“Leo’s going to–”

“Leo’s a big boy. He’s out there cleaning up. I’m sure he’ll text you to say goodnight.”

“But–”

“He’ll still be right across the street in the morning. What you said…”

“I’m sorry.”

“You can’t help how you feel, but the whole point of us being your godparents is to help you with stuff like that. Go get yourself comfortable and warmed up. We’re going to get through this together. You’re not alone anymore. We’re here for you, no matter how hurt you are. Okay?”

Sarah nodded. Grace helped her up and led her to the stairs. “I’m going to stand right outside. Let me know when you’ve got your PJs on.”

“If I have to, you have to.”

“Fine, you can stand outside my door while I put mine on. I don’t want you to be alone right now.”

“It’s okay.”

“Pretty sure it’s not. I don’t know what you and Mom were talking about, but I can tell you should not be alone right now. Go change and then I’ll take my turn. Go ahead.”

Sarah shut the door.

“Can you hear me?”

“Yeah.”

“So, I’m with Mom. You’re not alone anymore and you don’t have to go through this by yourself. Whatever it is…”

“I was just upset about Joe.”

“And?”

“And I can’t handle it, Grace. I’m not ready to lose anyone.”

“But he’s okay.”

“But what if he wasn’t?” Sarah opened the door. She was wearing a St. Hedwig’s sweatshirt that was too big and green sweatpants tucked into her woolly boot socks.

“We can’t really control that.” Grace shrugged. “We can pray and hope the doctors know how to take care of him, but whether Joe stays or goes is up to God.”

“I don’t understand how you can just accept that.” She followed Grace to her room.

Grace shut the door. “There are things we can control in our lives, Sarah, and there are at least a hundred times more things that we can’t.”

“So, God just sits there dishing out all kinds of random horribleness and we’re supposed to just thank him for it?”

“No, that’s not what I mean.”

“Well, explain it to me like I’m four.”

“But you’re not four. You’re old enough to understand that things happen that are out of our control.”

“It doesn’t mean I have to like it, and it doesn’t mean I have to chalk it up to God’s mysterious plans.”

“No, you don’t have to like it.” Grace opened the door, wearing her pajamas. “The part about God’s mysterious plans, well, that’s His business. Sometimes we get to see why stuff happens and sometimes we just have to have faith that it’s for someone else’s benefit.”

“But, why would he kill my mom and dad? Who benefits from that?”

“I’m sorry if I sound selfish, but I do.”

“What?”

“I’m sorry about what happened to your parents, but I’m not even a little bit sorry to have you as a sister.” Grace hugged her. “I didn’t even want to come home for the holidays.”

“Why not?”

“I knew it would be another year of light fight tension and it just wasn’t worth it to come home to a bunch of stress and pointless feuding with the Murrays.”

“So, why did you?”

“For one thing, Mom makes a mean turkey. It was worth driving all the way back from Empire City to have Thanksgiving dinner, but I had faith that something good would come of it. I was worried about it being just another year of Dad getting torqued up about whatever MQM was doing, but I still had hope that it could be different.”

“I don’t think I did.”

“What do you mean?” Grace led her downstairs. They sat on the sofa and pulled blankets up over their shoulders.

“I’ve just had nothing all this time. I was just going through the motions.”

“You had a house and people taking care of you.”

“They weren’t. They were providing for my needs, but they weren’t taking care. I was a chore, a line item. If it wasn’t me, it would make no difference to them either way.”

“Sarah, that’s so harsh. I wish you didn’t have to feel that way.”

“Dr. Hu says I should look at things as they are, rather than how I might want them to be.”

“I’m not sure if that’s exactly what she meant.”

“She usually says what she means. She knows I don’t always understand what she’s getting at.”

“To process an experience, you need to look at it as plainly and empirically as possible. You have to see it for what it is and figure out how it fits into the mosaic of your life. It’s a tool for analysis and processing so you can deal with painful memories or traumatic experiences. You don’t have to live your whole life that way.”

“I don’t know how else I would live.”

“Do you analyze Leo that way?”

“Not if I can help it.”

“What’s different?”

“He’s so…”

“Weird?”

Sarah grinned. “Sometimes, but I mean that he’s so, I don’t know the right word for it. He’s just so natural. You know?”

“Natural?”

“He’s just happy and spontaneous. I don’t know. He’s everything I’m not.”

“I don’t think that’s true.” Grace shifted to itch her chin. “I’ve seen how you are with the kids at Maslov’s and with John’s kids. That seems pretty natural to me.”

“I guess so. There’s something about kids that I can relate to.”

Grace nodded. ‘Probably because you had your childhood stolen. You haven’t grown up. You just imitate what you think a grownup is supposed to do.’ She looked at the kitchen door. “Some people in your situation think that kids are the solution. They go get pregnant and think they can fill up the hurt and emptiness with a baby.”

“I’ve thought about it, but I wouldn’t want to have kids just to have them. Especially if the dad wasn’t going to be around. Leo’s going to be a great dad.”

“Yeah, keep that under your hat until Leo can put a ring on it. Once you’re engaged, everything is on the table.”

“I know. Patience is something I have learned.”

“That’s a good start. ‘Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.’”

“Humble service and trumpeting the goodness of the Lord. I remember.”

“It’s not a rule to be memorized. The way you approach stuff is like you’re checking boxes on a list. Faith is bigger than adhering to arbitrary rules. The rules have a reason.”

“Okay, that’s what OCIA classes are for.”

“Kind of, but you have to have faith to begin with. If you don’t bring faith and love with you, the classes are going to be a bunch of rules for you to adhere to.”

“Thank you.” Mary said.

“Thank you for bringing me along.”

“I knew you’d do him some good. I was encouraged to see you go straight to your rosary. I hope things work out between you and Joseph. You’re a young woman of good character.”

Whitney’s eyes widened as she drove the dark streets of Pine Hollow. “Thank you.”

“I’m worried about you.”

“Why?”

“It’s so late. If you like, you could sleep over.”

“That would be nice, actually. I don’t have much left in the tank tonight.”

“Yes, it’s emotionally draining.” Mary sighed.

“Do you have a guest room?”

“Not as such. I thought you might like to sleep in Joseph’s room.”

Suddenly, Whitney was very awake. “That’s very kind of you, Mary. I’d be fine on a couch if–”

“I wouldn’t hear of it, dear. I think he’d be pleased, actually.”

‘For God’s sake, don’t argue with her.’ Whitney focused on her driving. “Okay, thanks.”

“Good. It’s settled then.” She looked at Whitney. “I’m not sure my pajamas will fit you.”

“That’s fine. I don’t usually wear them. A t-shirt is usually all I need.”

“Nevertheless, I have three other sons and a husband who would find that sort of sleepwear distracting. I’ll see if mine fit you or if we can get some from one of Elka’s girls.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Whitney turned on to Unity Court. ‘Dumb, dumb, dumb. Be quiet and accept whatever she offers. I wonder if his pillow smells like cologne.’

Sanctus bells jingled. Murray raised his wrist to find a message from Mary saying that she was coming home. ‘Thank God.’

He wandered out into the kitchen to put the kettle on. ‘She’ll enjoy some tea before bed.’

The boys were all in bed. John, Joan and the kids were all resting in his room. It had been just him and his thoughts for the last hour or so. It was just as he’d feared.

‘Dreadful nightmares.’ Maudlin rumination had led to unpleasant dreams, expressing all of his worst concerns. ‘Joe is fine. The doctors got him through it and the girls have been praying over him all this time. Joe is going to be fine.’

He got up and paced to prevent the dreams from returning. He noticed the headlights out front. He headed to the front door to welcome his wife home.

“Good morning, ladies.”

Mary gave him a quick peck on the way in the door. “Whitney darling, give Murray your coat and I’ll show you where Joe’s room is.”

She looked at him as she shook free of her coat and handed it to him. “Thank you, Mr. Murray.”

“Just Murray is fine.” He took the coat and hung it in the coat closet while Mary led her upstairs. “Get some rest, honey. Talk to you in the morning.”

“I’ll be right back.”

“Yes, dear. I have the kettle on for tea when you’re ready.” He returned to the kitchen to turn the burner off and slid the whistling kettle away. ‘Joe’s okay. Mary’s home safe. Everything is going to be fine.’

“What? Are we having a slumber party and I didn’t know about it?” Josh appeared from the kitchen.

“Feel free to join in.” Sarah said.

“Guess I will. Be right back.” He dashed up the stairs.

“I like him. I never knew what having a brother would be like.”

“Mostly annoying, but he can open pickle jars with no effort.”

“We’ve got to get him a girlfriend.”

“Yeah, yeah. We’ll see about that. How are you feeling right now?”

“Content. Relaxed. Happy.”

“Why?”

“I think it’s because this is so normal. I never had this and now I get to be part of this normal stuff. That’s such a relief, Grace. I feel… comfortable.”

“Good. Make sure you hold onto that when you go to sleep. Be sure to say your prayers and thank God for this feeling.” Grace spotted Elka peeking from the kitchen door.

Elka pulled away and shut the door. ‘Thank God. I knew Grace could get through to her.’

“Everything is in the garage now and the doors are closed. Josh and I will pack it up after breakfast.” He reached into the fridge.

“You scared me.”

“Good thing I didn’t sneak up and tickle you like I was thinking of.” He pulled out a bottle of Old Cas and popped the lid off. “Why are you hiding in here?”

“I couldn’t get through to Sarah. Grace is out there talking with her.”

Ronny came in from the back hallway. “Okay, that’s everything for now. Emma’s already asleep in the car. We’ll be back for pork and sauerkraut after we stop over at my folks’ for breakfast.”

“Get home safe, Ronny. Thanks for the help.” Staś saluted him with his bottle. “What do you mean you couldn’t get through to her? She’s a person. You just talk to her.”

“Staś, she’s so very hurt. She’s mad at God for taking her parents.”

“So were you when your dad passed. Can’t you find common ground on that?”