“Oui. She makes a lot of money, has beautiful clothes and expensive jewelry. She gets taken in private jets to warm places.”
“You sound jealous. I’m sure you have a boyfriend, no?” he asked, smiling.
“No. I did for ten minutes,” I said, and he laughed. We both looked at the clock. “Should we go?”
“Yes.”
I put everything away.
He looked about the house and told me I was doing a good job of keeping it nice. “My sister must be pleased with such a mature, responsible young lady for a daughter.”
I pressed my lips together and nodded. Can’t cry now, I thought. I wanted Uncle Alain to concentrate on Mama and give her all of his affection and attention, not me, and certainly not Roxy.
We left, and when we arrived at the hospital, Roxy was waiting for us. I looked at Uncle Alain when he saw her, and I was immediately jealous of his reaction. I was sure that Roxy looked more beautiful than ever to him. They hugged and kissed, and he told her how pretty she was.
“But you always were,” he added.
“You look very well, Uncle Alain. Still living in the Saint-Germain area of Paris?”
“Where else?”
“And Maurice? Where is he working now?”
“He’s at Pierre Gauguin, a very upscale restaurant.”
“Still throwing chopping blocks at the sushi chefs?”
Uncle Alain laughed. “You know how he thinks of his kitchen. It’s a work of art, and he will not tolerate mistakes. He’s no different at home, although he doesn’t throw anything at me.”
I looked at Roxy. How did she know so much about Uncle Alain and his partner? Had they kept in touch secretly all these years?
“He would have come along with me, but he’s under some pressure. New owners.”
“Too bad. We would have gotten a good meal.”
Uncle Alain laughed again. “That you would,” he said.
“Mama is upstairs,” I muttered, as if I had to remind them why we were there. They both glanced at me.
“Oui. Allons,” Uncle Alain said, and we headed for the elevators.
Before we entered Mama’s room, Uncle Alain took both our hands. He lowered his head, perhaps in prayer, and we walked in. I could see in his face that he wasn’t prepared for what he was seeing, even though he was well aware of Mama’s condition. I had been living with it for a while, so her gradual loss of weight and her gaunt look were surely much more of a shock for him. It occurred to me that the last time he had seen her, she was vibrant and alive.
She was awake and smiled at him. He didn’t speak. He took her hand and kissed it and then sat beside her and spoke in French. Both Roxy and I stood back and watched until he turned to us, telling her still in French that she had two very beautiful daughters. We drew closer, but we didn’t interrupt his telling her all about their family in France. The nurse appeared to check her IV bag. She had the look of someone just going through the motions. Uncle Alain asked her about Mama’s doctor, and she told him he was on the floor.
Soon afterward, Mama fell asleep, and we left.
“That’s her doctor,” Roxy said, nodding at Dr. Hoffman, who stood by the nurses’ station.
Uncle Alain approached him, and they talked. Roxy and I stayed back. Neither of us wanted to hear what the doctor had to say.
When Uncle Alain returned to us, he looked pale, but he forced a smile.
“Take me to an expensive restaurant,” he told Roxy. I was sure she knew the best.
I didn’t think I would have any appetite, but Uncle Alain was an amazing shot in the arm for both of us. He was funny and interesting. Like an expert pilot, he navigated through the minefields that would bring on any sorrow or displeasure. He didn’t ask Roxy any questions that would make her defensive, and he didn’t dwell on Mama’s condition. For a moment or two, I wondered if the doctor had given him some reason to be hopeful, but he laid that idea to rest when we all left the restaurant and Roxy hailed a taxi for herself.
“This won’t go on much longer,” he told her. She nodded. I could see the way they were looking at each other and then at me.