Chapter 14
A few days later, there was a knock on Abbey's hospital door. The guard stuck her head in the room and noted that her assignment was awake. "You've got some company."
Abbey straightened up and tried to cover up the hospital gown she had on. But the leg restraint kept her from moving too far.
Much to her surprise, Annie and Gus entered the room and ran to their grandmother's side. Liz and Doug came in right behind them.
"Nana! I've missed you so much!" Annie's words brought tears to Abbey's eyes.
"Nana!" Gus must have grown two inches since Abbey had seen him during the last family dinner they had had before she was sentenced.
"They insisted on coming Mom. We thought it would be okay." Liz and Doug had decided not to submit the children to the stress of seeing their grandmother in prison, so it had been a while since Abbey had seen her two oldest grandchildren. And it meant a great deal for Abbey to see what fine young people they were becoming.
Hugging each child the best she could, she finally could answer them. "I've missed you two so very much. How's school?"
Annie, the spitting image of her grandmother in gentler days, smiled. "Nana, I made honors again this semester. That's six in a row. I just love Norte Dame. It's such a cool place. And I'm thinking about grad school. Think I could follow Grandpa and get in the London School of Economics?"
Abbey leaned forward to give her a kiss. "Yes, Annie, I think you can do anything you want to. You're smart, just like your Grandpa."
"And you. You're a doctor."
Abbey's heart fell. "Was a doctor Annie. Was. Being an economist is a much better profession."
Turning to her maturing grandson, Abbey asked him what was special in his life.
He smiled shyly.
"Gus, tell your Nana what's going on."
Still smiling, Gus finally replied. "I've got a girlfriend."
"You do? That's great. "What's her name?"
"Lucy. She's a girl in my class and I'm thinking about asking her out. Do you think I should?"
Abbey reached over as far as she could but couldn't quite make contact. The leg restraint, thankfully hidden under the sheets, made that impossible. "Come here, Gus." He finally moved within reach and Abbey hugged him tightly. "Yes, I think you should ask Lucy out."
Gus smiled at the advice. "Okay, I think I will."
"I love both of you so much. You know that don't you?"
"Yes. And Nana, we miss you. When are you coming home?" Gus asked innocently.
The adults gasped as they realized what he had asked. But Abbey squared her shoulders and answered. "Gus, like I told you when I left, it will be a long time. You'll be grown by the time I probably see you again. And Annie, I'll probably miss your wedding and your first baby."
Annie fought back tears as she hugged her grandmother one more time. "No you won't, Nana. I'll wait for you."
Liz spoke up quickly. "It's time to go folks. I told you that Nana was sick and she needs her rest. Give her one more kiss and then let's go."
Both children hugged their grandmother, not knowing when they could do this again.
"Bye, Nana. Remember, we love you."
Through the threatened tears, Abbey responded. "Remember I do too."
As the door closed on the departing family, Abbey broke into deep sobs. The pain of separation and loneliness overcame her one more time. Her actions had once again caused her and her family pain. 'When will I stop paying for it? When?' The question remained unanswered.
