In her Wake

The breeze was surprisingly cool for the first day of Jasmine’s last summer break from college. That’s what made it so sweet to her. The pine scent along with occasional gardenia bushes was one of the few things she liked about Georgia. Jasmine pulled into the driveway wishing home was somewhere else. No need to bring anything from the car, her room was occupied. Her aunt told her it had been three years. They thought she wasn’t coming back.

Jasmine did online applications for work, no response yet. She’d figure it out. She always did. She went inside the house, said hello and left. She hated it there. Her parents passed in a car wreck when she was thirteen. Now life was...ugh. She had a full tank and decided to visit some friends. Maybe there’d be some good food and sleep in it. On the first call, her friend from high school answered and told her to come over. She remembered Cassie well. She was a bit arrogant, entitled, but a lot of fun. She loved you by including you in her escapades, but she also sometimes left you there alone to figure your way home. Maybe she’d grown, maybe not. Either way it was a great distraction.

When she arrived at Cassie’s, some memories return. She recalled Cassie’s grandmother Allegra. Whenever Jasmine’s feeling were bruised by her friends or family, Allegra always called her to the kitchen and made her tea. She told her stories of being young in Italy and dancing on stage. She mostly spoke about love. Jasmine was so intrigue that she was often forced away by her friends. They teased her about liking old people. Jasmine didn’t care. Sometimes she’d visit Allegra on her own. They’d walked the block slowly chatting on life’s then and now contrasts. Jasmine longed for the romantic life Allegra spoke of. They were reflections of each other, both were neglected by their families. Allegra’s family was impatient with her strong accent and her bold, outspoken ways. Cassie’s grandfather passed years ago, just after he and Allegra arrived in America. Cassie’s family seemed to tolerate her because of her inheritance. The older she became, the more they isolated her. Jasmine could relate.

After catching up in conversation and having a drink or two, Jasmine asked about Allegra. Cassie told her that she never comes out of her room. Jasmine thought, “No way, how could that be?” Then she asked if she minded if she looked in on her. Cassie shrugged a careless shoulder and called the rest of her friends out to the pool. Jasmine waited for everyone to leave, then she went to Allegra’s door. She gave a light tap and listened for response. None. She took a deep breath, pushed the door open and peeked in. Allegra looked so small lying in the bed. Jasmine couldn’t tell if she was sleep, so she stepped in for a better look. Allegra shifted her eyes towards the door and rubbed them in disbelief. She rose to her elbow and smiled.

“Come to me little flower.”

She reached her arms outward and Jasmine went in for embrace. She couldn’t understand why Allegra stirred tears from her, but it was a welcomed released. She wiped her eyes and looked at her old friend saw the beauty of the woman she had come to know. Jasmine pulled up a nearby chair and sat close to the bed. Allegra looked her over and asked about her life now. Jasmine told her it was her last year in college. Allegra sensed sadness and asked about home. She remembered how unpleasant it was before. That was one of the reasons why she pulled her under her wing. Jasmine answered that it was like they forgot about her. She mentioned how she was hesitant about coming home, but now she was happy she did. Jasmine confessed that she never felt like she belonged. She told Allegra that she was the closest

thing to family she had. Allegra held Jasmine’s hand and said she felt the same. She said it felt like winter when she went away. They shared teary smiles and chatted like old times. Before Jasmine left, she told Allegra that she was coming back every day to her until it was time to return to college. Allegra’s eyes lit up with new life.

Jasmine was up early for a job interview. Afterwards, she drove straight to Allegra. She knocked on the door. Cassie opened it with a smirk.

Cassie – I’m beginning to wonder if you have a geriatric psychosis. I was wondering why Granny was up. Interesting. She is the kitchen.

Jasmine – Thanks.

Jasmine made her way to Allegra. She was surprised to find her dressed and ready to go. Jasmine – I feel underdressed.

Allegra – That is something we can change. Amunninni.

Still a little slow, Allegra extended her elbow for Jasmine to grab. She did so with enthusiasm. Jasmine loved Allegra’s fashion. She loved her embroidered, lace dresses and garden world jewelry. First a little unstable in her pumps, then grace was found. Allegra never lost her form and beauty. Jasmine recalled Allegra saying, never miss an opportunity to go barefoot or wear heels. They got in the car and they were off.

Allegra guided them to an eclectic part of town, where café’s and boutiques were accompanied by bistros and bakeries. They were both anxious to get out and explore. Allegra nodded towards a boutique called The Emerald. Inside there was an array of European dresses and accessories. The owner was an older woman who remembered Allegra from before. They embraced and went on about the styles of yester year. Jasmine absorbed every moment. She felt so alive. Then Allegra’s eyes fell upon a pale pink summer dress. It was a silk mini, painted with tangerine bougainvilleas with green leaves. There were thin gold threaded swirls along the entire dress. The owner placed it against Jasmine and sighed, “Perfect.” They pushed her inside a dressing room to try it on. They also handed her complimenting shoes and jewelry. Allegra found a few more things and purchased them all. When Jasmine exited the room, Allegra teared at her beauty. She didn’t like Jasmine being neglected, she was so lovable. The Pink patent-leather high-heel sandals added flair. The owner went to Jasmine and released her ponytail. She fluffed her hair into a desired style and pulled her to a mirror. Jasmine gasp in surprise from her appearance. The owner pulled at her shoulders and said, “Never slump dear.” Allegra came close and looked in the mirror with her.

Allegra – My precious little flower. Bellissima.

Jasmine – (unable to hold her tears) I only feel like a girl when I’m with you. Thank you for this. Allegra – It’s as it should be, you should always feel like a girl.

They left to eat at a nearby bistro. Allegra went all out. A basket of goodies, tropical mimosas, fruit and cheeses. They spoke of travel and love. Allegra was surprised to hear that Jasmine hadn’t had a beau. Just a few moments of passion. She encouraged Jasmine to live passionately. She said that her life was magical until her husband died. She surprised Jasmine with the knowledge that she was only a grandmother by

marriage and her family in Italy had long ago passed. She claimed Jasmine with the word, figlia, meaning daughter. Jasmine was pleased. That summer they shared the best of life. Even getting a room for two at a bed and breakfast. Allegra didn’t want Jasmine to work, so she didn’t. They both confessed to not feeling this happy in a very long time. It touched Jasmine’s heart when Allegra told her that there’s nothing greater than when your daughter becomes your best friend. Jasmine squeezed her tight and said.

You’re mine, too.”

One afternoon, Allegra insisted on a photo shoot. They dressed for the occasion and had a ball. Allegra’s favorite was the one where Jasmine’s elation led her to squeeze the life out of her with a kiss on the cheek. They slept in the afternoons and sipped wine in the parks at night. When it was time to return to school, Jasmine told Allegra she didn’t want to leave, she could work. Allegra insisted that she finish what she started. After a verbal battle, Jasmine gave in.

On the last night, Jasmine laid her head on Allegra’s chest once more. She told her that she hated them returning to unhappy homes. Allegra smiled and said, “But now we have memories that will warm us in cold moments.” Then she asked for her purse. Jasmine found it and gave it to her. She pulled out a little black book. She placed it in Jasmine’s hand and said, “Not now, you’ll know when to open it.” Allegra’s voice gave an eerie feeling to Jasmine, but she didn’t mention it. The next morning she took Allegra home. They refused to say good-bye. Allegra gave Jasmine an envelope with money and shushed her objection. They engaged in a long embrace, then parted. As Jasmine drove to school, her mind returned to Allegra and their memories countless times.

A month later, Jasmine got up early and called Cassie. She was worried, because she had called Allegra several times. Cassie didn’t answer, so she went to class. When it was over, she had two missed calls. She didn’t recognize the number. She listened to the voicemail and her heart broke. A lawyer informed her that Allegra had passed and that she was being requested to the reading of her will. It was clear that she couldn’t process school right then, so she went to her room and wept with their picture clasped to her heart.

When she arrived at the lawyer’s office, reality shifted her emotions from sadness to awareness. She hadn’t thought about what it meant to be called in for a will reading. Cassie’s family gave cold stares while Jasmine took a seat away from the family. As the lawyer read, the family gave bouts of protests. Jasmine stopped breathing. He mentioned a hundred thousand for residing in their home, but the rest belonged to Jasmine. Then he spoke of a little black booklet that held all accounts. Jasmine almost didn’t hear it. The lawyer continued that if it wasn’t found in ninety days, the money would go to the family. The family was pleased because they had already cleared Allegra’s room. They were confident that it wouldn’t be found, but then...Jasmine pulled out the little black book. She looked around the table, then softly said, “I have it. She gave it to me.” The family insisted that she stole it for Allegra’s money. A few slams on the table towards her caused her to blink out a few tears. She was prepared to give it up, but Cassie blocked her way and told the family that it was Allegra’s wish to give everything to Jasmine. She looked Jasmine in her eyes and said,”Ora vivi l’amore e balla.” Jasmine’s shoulders slumped as she understood her words to mean Now live, love, and dance. Allegra said it often. Jasmine quickly adjusted her shoulders. No slouching. She gave Cassie a big hug and told her thank you. The rest of the reading was calm. Shortly after, when the lawyer returned the little black book to her, Jasmine opened the pages. Allegra wrote,

Figlia, I love you dearly. Suffer not because I am gone, but live. I have left you wealth and a deposit box with a key to my home. Remember when I insisted on you getting a passport? You have a ticket and a new home in Italy.

Two months later, Jasmine stood in front of a large villa. A gush of wind blew her hat into the air. Tears leapt off of her cheeks into the wind. She looked into the blue sky and said aloud, I love you Mother! La vita inizia.