Izabela

Elizabeth had been watching her son to gauge how her plan for Izabela to care for her in her final months would fit in with his introverted personality. She’d done everything she could think of over his growing years to encourage him to mix with his peers at school and even invited them to the home on occasions to try and make him more socially aware. He was polite but it was obvious he valued his privacy except for his interaction with his parents. In the home was where he suddenly morphed into a normal young person laughing and joking with his parents and enjoying their outings together. He had a particular interest in nature and loved hiking the trails of the UK with his parents on holidays or the occasional vacations in Europe. So, Elizabeth hoped that having someone in the home he was not familiar with would not be resented as she knew he’d put his career on hold to spend the remaining precious time with her and she wanted him to be happy.

She’d watched anxiously as Herbert appeared down the hallway at her summons to supper. She could read his moods immediately so looked for signs of irritation. To her surprise she noted a different expression on his face as he glimpsed Izabela bustling around the table making final touches to meal preparation. She turned to look at Izabela and noted her beauty and exuberance as she worked. Then turned back to her mesmerized son. Her anxiety evaporated and her mind raced at the possibility that perhaps this young woman of a family she loved dearly could be the one to take her place as the woman of the home. She smiled happily.

Izabela chatted animatedly as they ate their food and in true continental form fussed over the man of the house making sure he was well supplied. It was the natural way of a European woman. Herbert sat there enthralled by this human dynamo not quite able to make up his mind how he should react to this change of pace in a normal British home. He was used to helping his mother in the kitchen after a meal, but Izabela took over and ordered Elizabeth and her son into the lounge room to enjoy themselves as she cleared the table and tidied up in the kitchen scrubbing and polishing until there was not a speck of dust or grime to be found. Then she joined them in the lounge to inquire if there was anything more Elizabeth wanted done and was about to retire to her room when Elizabeth indicated she should sit.

“Izabela did you want to phone your parents to tell them you arrived safely? I’m sure they’d appreciate that. Feel free to do that as there’s a phone by your bed. I have a credit card I need to give you tomorrow which you can use to purchase supplies and food for the home but first we need to see you are oriented to Manchester. I know you’ve been here with your parents when you visited us before, but I’d like Herb to take you around to the shopping centers and malls you need to be familiar with and you both can use Cedric’s car. I use both cars to keep them in good condition, but you can both take over Cedric’s car. Herb. will you see she is well oriented to the city to take over home management and you Herb take over the overall finances to see everything is cared for properly. You’ll need to get familiar with our tax accountant and the law firm we use Herb as you oversee our assets now. We need a trip to the bank to get you on as signatory to the bank accounts. I want to just concentrate on getting through my last term at the University and know my energy levels will be progressively deteriorating. I’m OK with my medications for the present but Izabela you will need to keep an eye on me from now on and accompany me on my specialist visits. One more thing. Izabela what kind of driver’s license do you hold we may need to see how that works with driving regulations here in that you will be going into your master’s studies after I’m gone and need a local one.”

Izabela began to sob. The families had become entwined even though they were of different nationalities, and she looked on Elizabeth as an aunt and was saddened Elizabeth wouldn’t be part of her life after this cruel disease had removed her. She spontaneously rose from her chair and sped to Elizabeth’s side and put her arm around her quietly sobbing. Elizabeth stroked her hair as she sat there. Then spoke.

“You’ve had a stressful day Izabela. Go phone your parents and tell them you arrived safely and then try to get a good night’s sleep. I’ll be off to the university probably by the time you get up and Herb will take you around the city tomorrow to orientate you to all the places you need to be familiar with. Just a minute, before you go let me give you that credit card and pin number, so I don’t forget. The card is linked to my account and Herb will see it is paid off regularly.”

Elizabeth quickly rose and went to the office returning to hand the card and pin number to the still distressed girl who departed still sniffing. Jetlag and sadness had overcome Izabela, but she determined not to let her feelings get the better of her from now on as Elizabeth needed to have someone with a positive mind frame as she managed her condition until the inevitable occurred. She’d watched the deterioration of cancer patients so many times as a nurse and was aware of what lay ahead.

Herb had watched the interaction with extreme interest. He marveled at the love between the two women and as he deeply loved his mother felt a sudden bond with this stranger who’d appeared to interrupt his predictable life. He’d make sure he supported and protected her in this land foreign to her to facilitate her continued loving care of his mother. When Izabela had returned to the guest room and closed the door to shower and get ready for bed Elizabeth spoke quietly so she couldn’t be heard.

“Herb, I want you to go out of your way to make this young woman welcome in our home. She is like a daughter to me now and will be very important in caring for me in the final months of my life. I know you like to have your privacy, but can you do this for me?”

Herb nodded soberly.

“You can count on me mother. I’ll help her and see that she feels at home. It must be hard for her to leave the environment she loves to do this for you, and I’ll be eternally grateful to her. I’ll go out of my way to see she feels I appreciate what she is doing for you to.”

Elizabeth smiled. This was progress and perhaps she could encourage a relationship as Herb would need someone in his life after she was gone and hopefully Izabela would grow an interest in him as they jointly managed the home. She’d love to see that develop into a relationship for life.

“Herb I’m going to bed now. Please don’t stay up all night managing your investments as tomorrow will be a busy day for you orienting Izabela.”

Elizabeth went to bed feeling happy. Herbert resolved to turn management of his investments over to the firm in New York he’d worked with and only monitor his assets occasionally. He knew that would be a safe option for him as they were top of the game, and he’d concentrate on facilitating Izabela’s care for his mother in the coming months.

To be continued.

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