“I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it. I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln went down to New Orleans, and I’ve seen it’s muddy bosom turn all golden in the sunset. I’ve known rivers, ancient, dusky rivers. My soul has grown deep like the rivers.”

“Baby sis, you must be kidding me. That’s too depressing even for a funeral. This is a celebration of life.” Kit said looking up to heaven as if she could feel his presence.

When Angie heard what her mother had in mind for the reading, she came up with a better idea.

“Let’s hear what you got Angie?” Kit encouraged her niece who at age 6, was bright, beautiful, and had an engaging personality.

“I was reading this book to grandpa, but I never finished it. I think he would like to hear how it ends.”

“That’s my girl.” Melvin smiled down at his granddaughter and was thankful for Tina’s influence.

Even though she’d indulged Bette’s behavior in the weeks before Melvin died, Tina wouldn’t tolerate the moroseness of impending death during the Saturday visits with the kids. It was Melvin’s best day and he loved opening his eyes and being surrounded by his grandchildren, especially Angie.

***

Since that first day that he showed up at her school their lunches became a weekly ritual for the rest of her kindergarten term. They shared a hot meal and talked about everything. She was a curious and precocious child, and Melvin just loved challenging her intelligence and teaching her critical thinking.

When she graduated into first grade, dropping in at school wasn’t as welcomed so they moved their weekly lunch to Saturdays. Tina had made sure that being in hospice care didn’t change that as every moment spent together with her grandfather was a gift Tina never tired of opening.

As his health started failing, he couldn’t hold the types of conversations that Angie was used to, so Tina suggested that she bring a book to read to him. Sometimes he appeared to fall asleep, and Angie would climb up on the bed and read softly so as not to wake him up.

During those special moments Tina would stay, and Bette would take Alex and Adam to get ice-cream or to play in the children’s room.

***

The older she got the more she reminded Melvin of Bette. Angie was only six, when he died but he already knew what kind of woman she would grow up to be. She had the best qualities of both her mothers wrapped in a beautiful heart.

It was agreed that Angie would read the eulogy at her grandfather’s funeral with excerpts from their favorite children’s book.

***

In the afterlife Melvin was greeted by Maxine holding a baby boy. He took the child and kissed his face, needing no introduction. This grandson never had life on earth, but his heavenly spirit had lived on in eternity with a grandmother that loved him unconditionally, and now he would know the grandfather that had come to love him too.

The spirit family of Melvin, Shirley, Maxine and baby Jason beamed with happiness from their heavenly perch watching their siblings, cousins, children and grandchildren respectively for many years to come. The families were bonded in a strong legacy of caring, forgiveness, unconditional love and acceptance.

***

Six months later Angie got her wish. Bette and Tina welcomed her little sister Karina into the world.

The End.