I don’t know how many times the priest came. He would anoint ma and give her the last rites, but then she’d revive. They don’t call it the last rites anymore. Now it’s called the “blessing of the sick.”
Best of Chicago voting is live now. Vote for your favorites »
I got up early in the morning and got my father’s breakfast–two soft-boiled eggs in a big cup, a couple of pieces of toast, and coffee. Then I made his lunch–two sandwiches, a piece of fruit. Wrapped ’em in newspaper, tied it with a string or a rubber band.
He brought my mother out–carried her out–and put her on the couch in the dining room so she could see the Christmas tree. She was there maybe a half hour or so, and then he carried her back. She was so weak.
Lunchtime, as soon as I got in the door, Mrs. Ahern ran to her house to get lunch for her kids. I would fix the lunch for Ed and Rosemarie. Marge was in high school. She didn’t come home for lunch.
