Just Breathe Again - Mia Villano Page 0,42

rather young girl. But it was the same number that had been calling repeatedly. She was just getting ready to call the number back when Hooty walked in and started doing what she did to Lydia each morning. Worrying about who was calling Vince’s phone could wait. They spoke about Lydia’s weakening condition and after she was done taking her vitals, they sat down on the couch and had coffee.

While Lydia slept, she suddenly woke up and started speaking like her old self.

“Mom?” she said.

Jeannie, and Hooty, jumped up and they both walked to her bed.

“Mom, Dad’s here,” she said.

Thinking it must be the morphine talking, Jeannie rubbed her forehead and said, “Hey, Lydia. Mom’s here.”

“Dad says Hi, and he came to take me with him. We are going for a motorcycle ride when I get there. He’s happy,” she whispered.

“That’s good, Lydia. You rest now,” Jeannie gave her more morphine and put a cold rag on her forehead.

“I saw this happen. I want ya’ll to know that the end is comin’ real soon. If she done said she seen her Daddy he is right there waitin’ to take her with him.”

Hooty took her vital signs and Marsha came downstairs to see what was going on.

“Miss Jeannie, I’m going to wash Lydia up. Can you keep everybody out for a few minutes? I won’t be long,” said Hooty. It was standard practice with hospice to wash the patient before.

“Can I help you?” asked Jeannie with tears in her eyes. Hooty looked at Marsha and nodded her head.

“That be fine, Miss Jeannie. I want everyone else out,” she said.

They washed up Lydia and she didn’t wake up once. The entire time they moved and changed her nightgown, she stayed asleep. Jeannie looked down at her daughter’s emaciated body. The sight of her bones protruding out, made her sick. She began to cry again. Looking at Hooty’s face, she knew she had to hold it together. Lydia looked nothing like her daughter she knew three months ago. The life left already, and it would be a matter of time before her soul was gone too.

“She’s going to leave me today isn’t she, Hooty?” asked Jeannie. She was trying so hard not to cry.

“I think so, baby. It’s time,” she said.

Hooty saw this more times than she could count. This week alone, Lydia would be her fifth person to leave this world. To Hooty, Lydia was special. She sensed something spiritual when she was there with her. Lydia was of strong faith and Hooty felt her faith all around. Once they finished washing her up and changing her nightgown, she called her office to let them know the end was near.

Steven drove over and Michael, Marsha and John came downstairs to sit with Lydia. Marsha called Jeannie’s mom. She said she would be on the next plane there. She didn’t know how fast she could get there, but she would be there. Marsha explained to her Lydia would not make it through the night. They put up the twinkling lights, lit candles and played Lydia’s favorite singer, Enya. They didn’t want a lot of people, just close friends. They kept the vigil small and Father Dave stopped over later in the evening. The sun was setting in the sky and you could see pink and blue hues in the distant. A light cool breeze and a sky full of stars made for a beautiful evening in spite of what was happening.

Before she fell back to sleep again one last time, Lydia asked to be taken outside in the night air. They couldn’t make out what she was saying, but Hooty heard.

“My sweet Miss Lydia wants to go outside, Jeannie. How does that sound with everyone?” she asked putting her ear to Lydia’s lips. John, Steven, and Father Dave wheeled her hospital bed out to the back patio. She woke up a little, feeling the movement around her bed. Marsha ran out and lit a fire, turned on the twinkling lights, lit candles everywhere, and put on music.

The last night of her life, Lydia slept. She didn’t wake up again. Everyone sat around holding her hand, touching a part of her, and singing. She was surrounded by love and wrapped in a ton of blankets to keep her warm. They put her by the fire so she felt the warmth of the heat on her face. Jeannie looked around at the family and friends gathered with Lydia. Faces looked sad and tears poured out