Part V: Snakes – (Chapter 88)

Sheldon leaves me by myself to tend to the sleeping Nana.

Someone needs to make sure that she’s secure and doesn’t fall over and injure her neck.

Shel is across the room in deep conversation with Uncles Joe and Charles, probably talking about technical gewgaws or Treasure Chest lore.

A question hangs heavy in the air:

Whatever were you thinking back then?

Whatever are you thinking now?

Nana sucks in her breath and sits up straight in her chair. “So, do you have an answer?”

I shake my head.

I should ignore the question and chalk it up to an old woman’s rambling. But the problem is, I need answers, not for her, really, but for me.

The Fulbright possibility hangs heavy...

“That’s just the trouble with you young people. You don’t think about the consequences,” Nana says.

Now she’s beginning to sound like Sheldon.

“I want answers, too,” I say.

“I’ve asked myself a million times: ‘Why my children? Why not someone else’s?’”

“I’ve turned out sorta okay, haven’t I?”

She shrugs. “Depends. I worry about your soul.”

“Oh, Nana.”

“You’re going to Hell, Samantha.”

“Actually, I’m thinking about going to France,” I say, sorry as soon as the words slip out. It’s only a matter of time before Shel finds out about the letter in my purse from Inez Shorb.

About the grant.

“France, my eyeball. You’d have to get on a plane.”

“They have ships, you know.”

“Harumph. I can see you dragging on some damn old boat. I’d die first.”

“Oh, Nana.”

“Don’t you ‘Nana’ me. I’d fly even if I knew the plane was going down.”

Well, anyway, she’s forgotten about France, at least for now.

But, sooner or later, I’ll need to let Shel about the Fulbright opportunity.