FYI: The word nonna means grandmother in Italian.
Chapter 2
Johnny's mom passed away on Friday and Johnny spent Saturday, Sunday and Monday making arrangements for her burial. He didn't call it a funeral since he believed funerals were elaborate, like when his nonna died when he was ten. There were around 40 to 50 people in attendance, she had a mahogany casket, a huge granite headstone and she was buried in the DiMarco family plot.
There would only be seven people in attendance at his mother's burial. She would be buried in a cheap pine box and instead of a headstone, she would only have a grave marker. And she would not be buried anywhere near the rest of the DiMarco family. If it wasn't for the church, Johnny would have never had enough money to bury his mother. Fortunately, the church provided burial assistance and the priest contacted the funeral home , cemetery and morgue. The burial was to take place on Wednesday.
Johnny hadn't been to school since the day before she passed away. He didn't call the school to tell them why he was absent because he didn't want anyone to know his personal business. He would have to make up an excuse when he returned to school on Thursday. Until then, he avoided answering the phone and checked the voice mail periodically, returning messages from anybody not employed by Degrassi Community School.
It was raining on the day Johnny's mom was laid to rest. How appropriate, Johnny thought, dreary weather for a dreary day. Including the priest and Johnny, seven people gathered to pay their respects; Bruce, Magda, Stan and Maria,two of his mom's former coworkers and Jose, a close friend of Johnny's parents. She was buried in a far corner of the cemetery reserved for the poor people whose families couldn't afford to pay for big, elaborate funerals.
Halina DiMarco emigrated to Canada from Poland in 1989 at the age of 20 on a work visa. She was employed as a nanny for a rich family until kids' father made a pass at her and she was forced to quit. She then took a job as a cocktail waitress at the bar where Johnny's dad, Tony, played regular gigs with his band. The two fell in love, got married and had Johnny in 1992.
Despite the fact that Tony's prominent Italian-Canadian family had cut him off for marrying "some dumb Polack" and for choosing to focus on music, they had a pretty decent life. Tony was a drummer in a local band with a small, but devoted following and Halina still worked at the bar. They didn't have a lot of money, but they were happy.
en when Johnny was 13, his mom got sick and his dad got kicked out of the band for missing too many too many rehearsals and a couple of gigs. Johnny didn't even know his dad had a drug problem until he got arrested for possession. Maybe he knew and just blocked it out of his mind. His dad was now serving year four of a ten year sentence. Johnny's mom became too sick to work and she and Johnny had to go on welfare.
Johnny listened to Father Doherty give the eulogy. Johnny was asked to say something but declined. He was afraid he would break down in front of everyone and Johnny hated feeling vulnerable.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to pay our last respects to Halina DiMarco. Before her untimely death, she was a devoted wife to Anthony and a loving mother to John. Lord, we ask that you take her spirit with you to heaven and grant her everlasting peace. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen."
Everyone made the sign of the cross accordingly. Father Doherty sprinkled holy water on the casket which was down inside the grave. Bruce patted Johnny on the back and told him he needed to get back to school.
"Dude, call me later okay?"
"Sure, man."
Then Magda approached Johnny and offered to write a letter to is mom's family in Krakow. Magda's parents were from the same city in Poland that Johnny's mother was from and she knew Polish. The only things Johnny knew how to say in Polish were hello, goodbye, thank you, I love you, cold beer, dammit, bitch and fuck you. Not exactly the kinds of things you'd put in a letter. Johnny thanked her and gave her a hug before she left.
When Jose came up to Johnny, he asked if Jose could contact his father to let him know of his mother's passing.
"If I did it, I just know I'd lose it," Johnny explained.
"Sure, I'll go visit him and give him the news," replied Jose. "In the meantime, if you need anything, don't hesitate to call me."
Johnny nodded. Jose patted his shoulder before turning to leave. Johnny looked at his mother's gravestone.
Halina Gorski DiMarco
1969 – 2009
Devoted Wife and Mother
A tear ran down his cheek, he wiped it away.
"Goodbye, Mama," he whispered. Father Doherty came to Johnny's side and asked if he was okay. Johnny nodded. He got in his car and drove home. However, when he arrived, he saw the landlord and two other men carrying furniture out of his house. He got out of the car
"What the hell are you doing?" Johnny demanded.
"You're being evicted," replied the landlord.
"Evicted? Why?"
" 'Cause you and your mom are behind in your rent." Holy crap, thought Johnny, I used the rent money to help pay for the burial! He stood there frozen as he watched some guy throw his possessions out the second floor window. Life as he knew it was definitely over. God, he prayed silently, what did I do to piss you off so much? What am I supposed to do now? Just then, Magda came outside and approached Johnny.
"Johnny, I tried to get them to stop. At least until you got here."
" It's okay, Magda."
"Please, come and stay with us." The landlord overheard Magda's offer.
"He can't stay with you, Mrs. Lempky. He's not on your lease. Not unless you want to be evicted too." Johnny didn't feel comfortable staying with Magda's family anyway. Magdas's oldest son was Johnny's former friend, Drake Lempky. Drake was currently serving a life sentence for murdering a kid named J.T. York. Johnny was the only eyewitness. The judge made a deal with Johnny: testify against Drake and get probation or lie in the stand and do time. Johnny testified against Drake in court. He wasn't going to lie and be dragged down along with Drake for something he didn't do. As the bailiff put Drake in handcuffs and led him out of the courtroom, Drake looked Johnny in the eye. He said that Johnny was not his friend and for Johnny to burn in hell.
Drake's three brothers, Aaron, Tyler and Jeremy, looked up to their brother. So, if Drake hated Johnny, they did too. Drake's dad was always making excuses not to spend time at home. He was either working late or having a drink with his friends, so he had no clue what was going on.
But Magda was a saint as far as Johnny was concerned. She never harbored resentment toward Johnny. She was always willing to help Johnny and his mom in any way she could. Johnny loved her for that. He gave Magda a hug goodbye and tried to salvage what he could. He took anything that was practical and could fit in the trunk of his car. He grabbed his pillow and blanket, clothes and personal items, CDs and books, and any food that didn't need to be cooked or refrigerated like peanut butter, jelly, bread, dry cereal, cookies, potato chips, bottled water and orange juice. Once he had everything he needed, he got in the car and took off. Where am I gonna stay tonight? He asked himself. He remembered that the church ran an overnight shelter, so he decided to see if he could stay there. But when he passed by, the line to get in was already around the block even though it was only 4:00 and it was still raining. He decided just to sleep in his car.
This car was a blessing. It had been the family car but after his dad was put away, Johnny made a point to get his driver's license. Not just so he could use the car for himself but also to drive his mom around. When she became too sick to work, she was also too sick to drive. And now this car was his home.
Johnny found a parking spot near the playground. After a dinner of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, potato chips and bottled water, he got his pillow and blanket from the trunk. He then got in the car, locked the doors, settled in the back seat and went to sleep.
