Hey Guys! Here's the next chapter! A warning: It will be sad. But the story will be happy for the most part from chapter 3 on. Hope you guys enjoy this chapter! PLEASE read and review! Oh and this chapter will also explain how Lou Grant was persuaded to let Mary take the time off. He's still the same Old Lou, I didn't change his personality. The news team won't appear till the next chapter , Enjoy!
It was very late by the time Rhoda, Suzannah, Mary landed at JFK. They got their Luggage and then went to find a cab. Luckily it didn't take too long to find a cab. Soon, they were on their way to the Bronx. Once there, They paid the driver and made their to the elevator that took them to The Morganstern's floor. Rhoda knocked and in a short amount of time, the door was opened by Brenda. Without a word, the two sisters fell into each other's arms and embraced for a long moment. Suzannah started crying again, watching them. Mary pulled the teen into a hug. As her two aunts finally pulled apart, Suzannah pulled away from Mary and gave Brenda a big hug. After that hug ended, Rhoda spoke up,
"So, how are Ma and Pop?" Brenda sighed and wiped some tears out of her eyes.
"Well, devastated, of course. Pop is handling it a lot better than Ma but it's killing him, I can tell. Debbie was the one most like him. His little angel." Brenda looked at her sister with sad, terrified eyes and added
"Rho, Ma's not talkin'. At all! Pop said she hasn't said a word since they got the call." Now Rhoda was scared. Ida Morganstern NOT talking? This was really bad!
"Where are they?", Rhoda asked.
"In their room. Pop won't leave her side." ,Brenda replied, sadly. Rhoda squeezed her sister's arm.
"Have either of them eaten?" Brenda just shook her head. Then she noticed Mary standing behind them, with her arm around Suzannah. She went over to give her sister's best friend a hug.
"Mary. Thanks for coming." She said, softly. Mary pulled away and nodded, giving Brenda a sad smile.
"I'm so sorry about Debbie. I only met her once but I really liked her." Brenda struggled not to cry again as she answered,
"Yeah. It's been pretty rough. Especially before you guys got here. I'm trying to help Pop take care of Ma, but it's hard." Rhoda gave Brenda another one armed hug.
"I'll go try and talk to them. Is that ok? I mean are they sleeping?"
"I doubt it. Last time I went in, which was a few minutes ago, Pa was just sitting there holding Ma's hand, and Ma's just lying there staring at the ceiling." Rhoda squeezed her hand and quick look in Mary's direction, headed back to her parents room. She knocked, then entered.
"Pop?",she said quietly as she approached the bed. Martin looked up slowly.
"Rhoda? When did you get in?" Rhoda bent down to hug her father and give him a kiss on the forehead.
"Just about twenty minute ago. Mare's here too. Lou let her off so she could come with us. She's out there with Bren and Suzi."
"Tell her I said thankyou and I'll try to come say hello later."
"Pop, How ya doin'? Really."
"To tell the truth, Honey, I haven't had much time to process all this. I've just been so worried about your mother."
"Pop, you look like you could use a break. Why don't you go see your granddaughter and get something to eat. I'll sit with Ma." Martin thought for a moment and it looked like he would give in, but then he shook his head.
"Thanks, Honey. But I, I just can't leave her." Rhoda tried to persuade him a little more but eventually she had to give up. She sat with her parents for about another half hour, trying to get Ida to speak. Finally, she kissed her mother on the cheek, hugged her father once more, and left the room to join the others. Suzannah rushed over to her.
"How's Grandma Ida?" Rhoda took her niece's hand and led her over to the couch.
"Well, Sweetheart, your Aunt Brenda was right. She's not talking. She's not even responding at all." Seeing the terrified look in Suzannah's eyes, she quickly added.
"Oh, I'm sure she'll be alright soon, Honey. She's just still in shock. She'll be ok by tomorrow." Suzannah nodded and then laid her head in her aunt's lap. Rhoda ran her fingers through her niece's hair. Sighing, she said,
"Listen, It's really late. I think we should all go get some rest." She gave Suzannah one more pat on the shoulder and they both got up. Brenda went to get the Air Mattress and bedding for Suzannah and a pillow and blanket for Mary, who would be sleeping on the couch. After the beds were made up, they all got ready and went to bed.
Ida still wasn't better by the next morning, so after breakfast, Mary and Suzannah stayed at the apartment to help Martin while Brenda and Rhoda went to the funeral home and to speak to the Rabbi.
On the way, Rhoda talked to her sister about her upcoming move to New York.
"Bren, How's the packing coming? When do you plan to move here for good?"
"Packing's almost done. My last day of work was fortunately yesterday. That's why I was able to come up here so fast. I am going back to Chicago next Sunday after Shiva to finish up and ship everything."
"That's great, Kiddo. You are needed here now more than ever." Brenda nodded and then added,
"Of Course, I'll have to buy new furniture here once I find an apartment. I'll be staying with Ma and Pop till that happens, so I'll have everything shipped there."
"That's a good plan.", Rhoda replied.
"Hey,Rho, what about you? Maybe you should move back here too. I'll bet there are plenty of window dressing jobs here that would pay more than you make now. And didn't you say your plant shop isn't doing too good?" Rhoda turned to look at her sister.
"Well Bren, I really don't think I could just uproot Suzi right now. She's been through enough changes. Maybe later, after she finishes Junior High, or maybe not. I'll have to see." Brenda sighed.
"Yeah. I guess you're right. It wouldn't be fair to poor Suzi. But I'd love to have you nearby again." Rhoda smiled and answered what she knew her sister was really trying to say.
"I miss you too, Bren. I promise to come visit as much as I possibly can." By then they had reached their destination, so the conversation ended. They got things worked out with the funeral home and had their chance to say goodby to their sister and her husband alone. Then they headed to the Synagogue to meet with the Rabbi. After they finished there, they headed back home to check on the others. Good news was waiting for them.
"Aunt Rho, Grandma Ida got up." Suzi said happily." It was true. She still refused to speak, which scared them all, but she was up and dressed. Rhoda and Brenda went over to sit on the couch on either side of their mother.
"Ma? It's good to see you up and about.", said Rhoda, trying to act cheerful. Ida looked at her daughter but didn't say anything. Martin pulled his daughters aside and said,
"Girls, your mother refuses to go to the funeral. I've talked to her and talked to her but she won't budge."
"Maybe, we can try. She's gonna regret it if she doesn't go.", said Rhoda.
"I've tried everything, though. I'm not sure what you could do differently." Martin said, dejectedly. Suzannah overheard and came over to them.
"Grandpa Marty? Maybe I could talk to her.I.. well, I know what it's like to lose someone without getting to say goodby." Brenda looked at her niece and then at her father.
"Ya know, maybe she could help. She's young and sometimes kids have a way of getting people to open up when they don't want to."
"Suzi,Honey, Sure. Go ahead and give it a shot." Suzi walked over to Ida and whispered something to her. Then together they walked into the master bedroom. While they were gone, Rhoda took the opportunity to talk to Mary.
"Hey, Mare, You're going back to Minneapolis on Sunday, Aren't you?" Mary nodded and said a regretfully,
"Mr Grant couldn't give me anymore time off than that."
" 's ok. Really. I actually wanted to ask you another favor."
"Ok. What is it?", Mary asked.
"Well, I feel like I really should stay here for a few more days after the service. Brenda has to go back to Chicago to get ready to move back here in a couple of weeks. I want to stay until she gets back to help Ma and Pop. We are both staying this week for Shiva then Brenda will go back and settle things in Chicago. I'm hoping to stay here while she's gone. It will only be a couple of weeks, altogether."
"Ok. What can I do?"
"Well, if you wouldn't mind, could you take Suzi back with you and keep her till I get back? I really don't want her to miss anymore school."
"Of course, Rhoda. I'd be happy to!" Rhoda hugged her friend and said,
"Thanks, Kid." Mary waved her hand dismissively and said.
"Hey, no problem. What are friends for?" A few minutes later Suzi came back. It was obvious she'd been crying. Rhoda reached out and Suzi came over and sat down next to her. Rhoda wrapped her arms around her.
"Well, what happened, Kiddo?"
"Well, she listened and seemed to understand what I said. We'll just have to wait. I hope I got through to her." Rhoda gave her another squeeze.
"I'm sure you did, Baby."
They found out for sure the next day, when Ida came out of the bedroom dressed in a dark blue dress with a matching hat. Brenda found her voice first.
"You look nice, Ma."
"You really do, Mrs Morganstern.", added Mary. Ida looked at them but didn't say anything. Rhoda and Suzi were helping Martin cover all the mirrors. They were all so worried about Ida they hadn't gotten around to that before now. Once they were finished, Martin said,
"Well, I guess we better get to the funeral home now." They all headed out to get cabs. After the service, Mary, Rhoda, and Suzi headed back to get things set up for the Shiva. Brenda rode with Martin to help with Ida. Soon people began to arrive. They were told where they could put the food they brought, then they all paid their condolences to the family. After the Shiva gathering was over, Mary helped clean up. Then she went out for awhile to leave the grieving family alone. Later that evening, Rhoda broke the news to Suzannah, that she would be staying here for a couple of weeks.
"Suzi, Mary's gonna take you back to Minneapolis and you'll stay with her for awhile."
"But, Aunt Rho, What about Shiva. I need to be here!"
"Honey, I don't want you to miss that much school. I'll be here for a couple of weeks."
"Please. Let me stay!", Suzi begged, close to tears. Rhoda felt bad, but she had to stand by her decision.
"Baby, I really think it's best for you to miss as little school as possible." Suzi saw that she wasn't going to change her aunt's mind. Without another word she took off to the bedroom and closed the door. Rhoda sighed. She felt torn. Her parents needed but so did Suzi. She hoped Suzi would be ok staying with Mary. Rhoda knew her parents needed her more right now.
The next morning, Mary and Suzi got their suitcases together and put them by the door. After breakfast, Suzi hugged her grandparents and Aunt Brenda and told them goodby. Mary did the same. Ida still didn't respond but the other two hugged back. Rhoda was going with Mary and Suzi to the airport. At the airport, after checking in the luggage, Mary hugged Rhoda.
"Don't work about Suzi. She'll be ok. You just take care of your folks right now." Rhoda hugged her back tightly and said,
"Thanks, Kid. For everything. I love you for it. Really." Mary gave her a sad smile and a nod and then stepped back for Suzannah to have a moment with her. Suzannah threw her arms around her aunt and held on tight.
"Please don't make me go." Rhoda held her niece tightly and said,
"Sweetheart, you have to go. I promise, I'll be back before you know it. You can call me anytime. I'll call you every night. I'm not abandoning you. And you'll have Bess and Mary.
"But it's not the same." By this time, Rhoda was hard pressed to hold back her tears. This kid was breaking her heart. She barely keep her voice steady as she said,
"I know, Baby. I know. I'll miss you too." Suzannah held on a few more seconds and they pulled back.
"I love you, Aunt Rho." Rhoda pulled her niece back in and said,
"I love you too, Kiddo." Rhoda gave Suzi a kiss on her cheek and then gently pulled away. Suzi sighed and walked over to Mary. Together, they boarded the plane. Rhoda stayed until they took off, then headed back to the Bronx.
Well there you go guys! I know this was a sad one but for the most part, the next chapter will be happy and somewhat funny. This one was just getting too long so I had to end it where I did. Since I know what the next chapter will cover, I can write it pretty fast so I may be able to post it Saturday or Sunday. By the way if anyone was wondering why Suzi was more emotional than she maybe should be, She just lost both parents and now an Aunt. She's a little bit uneasy about being away from her closest family member, her gaurdian and the closest person to a mom she has. That's the reason for her sudden emotional breakdown. Again ALL reviews are Much appreciated! Please don't forget! Thanks for reading!