J O N N Y                                                 W E A R I N G  H E R  M A S K

        "Grace," Dad hugged the woman and she disappeared inside his chest.  Sobs escaped her, shoulders shook violently. 

        "Drowned my baby!  Drowned her and left her there!"  Her sobs were piercing daggers shooting us one by one.  I looked at Jessie, I was prepared for another breatk down.  This time I would be the one to touch her.   I would do what I should have done.  Jessie did not fall down.  She fell in.  She reached over and mechanically hugged Grace completing the circle.

         Grace recovered and emerged a little older.  She rubbed the palms of her hands down her jeans and smiled despite the water in her eyes

          "My, my, my," she mumbled breathless.  "What the world throws at us."

          I watched Claire's grandma place Jessie's hand inside her own.  Grace was shaking badly and I wondered who brought her there.

           "I'm parked in the third garage.  I found a real nice spot."

          There it was.  She drove herself.  I couldn't believe it.  It wasn't right.

           "I'm driving Grace," Race jumped in.  He found a cart and loaded our bags.

           I watch her.  Jessie.  I watch her all the time.  I know when she's about to take a hard right on a bike.  I know when she eats something she doesn't like but she'll eat it anyway, with a lot of water.  I know when she's hurt by something by the way her brow falls forward.

             "Thank you Race," Grace wearily lead us away.

              I know when Jessie wants to say something but good manners prevents her from doing so.  All this I know in a heartbeat.

              "You're all staying with us of course," Grace threw over her shoulder as she patted Jessie's hand.  "We have plenty of food."

            I smiled.  I was still full from the last visit.  Dad agreed with a nod and we went through the double doors to the outside. 

            "My, my, my," she mumbled as she blinked under the sun.  "Doesn't seem right that the day should be so bright and pretty."

             "It's nice to have a little sun," Jessie whispered gently to her.  Grace smiled and patted her fingers again. "It will be okay Grace. It will."

              I knew it then.  The polite comment.  The small silver lining.  Jessie smiled and squeezed Grace's hand.  It was another completed circle and I knew for certain.  Jessie was wearing her mask.  The mask of calm and cool.  The mask that allowed her to take care of other people.

               Maybe there's something wrong with me.  I mean, is that so bad?  We lost our friend but Grace lost her granddaughter, practically a daughter and I'm focusing on Jessie wanting to be strong for her.

                No, that isn't it.  When we got in the car, Grace sat between Jessie and myself still holding her hand.  There was something in Jessie I didn't recognize.  A decision being made.  A page turning.  I realized it that precise moment.  I didn't recognize Jessie Bannon.  I didn't know this mask.  And I thought I'd seen all of them.

            Race eyed me in the rear view mirror.  I wondered if he caught it too.  I wondered if bracing myself was all I could do.  Maybe this cold polite new mask wasn't coming off.