Nana's Love by Denna Holm (always you kirsty moseley .txt) 📕

Jess. How does that sound to ya?”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah! Gonna ride Ol’ Jess.”

Stella had to struggle some with her hands trying to get Josh out of his car seat. Of course he wasn’t helping much by wiggling this way and that while trying to slip the harness. Then she had to pin him against the back of the car with her hip while she pulled out her lawn chair, too afraid he might try to jump out into traffic if she left him free for a second. Finally they had everything together and Stella tucked her lightweight lawn chair up under her armpit, holding onto Josh’s hand as they started up the sidewalk.

They were supposed to meet one of Stella’s friends out in front of Bart's Market, but it appeared to be where everyone else in town was planning to meet as well. It wasn’t easy trying to keep hold of her squirming grandson and not drop the chair as she weaved around the growing crowd of people. There wasn’t an open spot close to the market, but Stella was fairly certain Debbie could still find them just fifty or so feet up the street.

“Josh, sweetie, Nana’s going to set up her chair now. You stand right here until I get finished, okay? Don’t run off.”

“‘Kay, Nana. I won’t. Is the ‘onies comin’ here? Will they come right here?”

“Yep, they’ll walk right past us.”

“When? How long? How long now?”

“Won’t be long.”

A loud siren went off and all the kids standing around jumped for the curb.

“See, sweetie, the parade is just about to start. That’s probably the fire truck getting ready to lead the way.”

“Yeah, yeah. Can I sit there, Nana? Can I, with the other kids?”

Stella looked up and down the street for her friend. “Come on, Debbie, you’re gonna miss it.”

“Nana, can I?”

“Can you what, sweetie?”

“Sit there, with the rest of the kids.”

Stella frowned, not sure she wanted Joshua that far away. But the only alternative would be to sit down on the curb with him and she didn’t think her back would take the punishment. “Okay, Josh, but you sit right in front of Nana, okay? You don’t run out for candy unless I say you can. Can you do that?”

It was a useless question. Joshua was already at the curb, squeezing in between two other boys about his same age. She relaxed some when he looked back, a huge smile turning up the corners of his mouth, his eyes shining so bright they sparkled. When he looked this happy it was hard to refuse him anything. What the hell, she thought. That’s what grandma’s are for, spoiling the grandkids. Let mom and dad take care of any discipline problems. She’d already raised hers.

The sirens wailed again and a police car slowly began to head their way. Not far behind came the fire truck with three firemen and a spotted Dalmatian sitting on top. Joshua started to stand up and Stella had to yell out. “Sit down, Joshua.”

He looked back and she could tell he hadn’t heard a word.

“Joshua,” she said a little louder, “I said to sit down.”

“Look, Nana, look. The dog. Can I pet him, Nana? Please?”

“No, baby, they have to keep going. Sit down and watch the rest. Look, a float is coming next. Isn’t it pretty?”

His attention was already back on the parade and Stella could sit back and relax for a few minutes. The parade was almost half over when she finally caught sight of her friend on the opposite side of the street. Debbie was packing her own lawn chair and trying to weave around all the people. When Stella caught her eye, Debbie smiled and waved. She’d have to wait for the next float to go by before she could cross the street.

Finally Debbie got across and Stella stood up to greet her. “What happened,” she asked. “You almost missed it all.”

“Gawd,” she said, pulling Stella in for a quick hug. “It’s lucky I made it at all. Phone wouldn’t stop ringing and I had to move Lee’s truck to get my car out. I just about didn’t come, but I figured you’d be waiting. How’s it been so far?”

"Oh, you know, it’s a parade. But Joshua’s having a great time. You made it in time for the horses anyway. That’s the best part.”

Debbie used to go with Stella when she hit the rodeos. They’d been good friends for most of their lives. Debbie never did the barrel racing, but she sure could sit a horse back in her younger years.

Debbie was just getting her lawn chair set up beside Stella’s when they heard a scream from somewhere up the road. A little trickle of unease slid through Stella’s mind. She stood, trying to get a look, but there were far too many people in the way.

“Nana, look, the ‘onies are comin’. Come on, come on, look.”

Joshua stood up and took a step out into the street.

“No, Joshua, you get back here.”

But he wasn’t listening. Stella could see whatever was going on up the street had him captivated. More screams were heard, but this time she knew something must be wrong.

“Joshua, come back here! Now! You listen to Nana.”

He wasn’t hearing anything. Stella’s heart dropped when he took a couple more steps out into the street. She knew he wasn’t trying to disobey, he was just going with the rest of the kids, trying to see what was going on.

“Stella,” Debbie called, “There’s a runaway wagon, two Draft horses pulling. Gotta get the kids out of the way.”

Debbie was much taller than Stella. She could see over the heads of a lot of those standing around.

“Josh! Josh! You get back here. Right now!”

She could hear the noise now, even if she couldn’t see anything yet. People screaming, running. But they were all running towards Stella and she couldn’t get through.

“Josh, Joshua.” Oh God, please help me.

It was like the world slowed down to a snail's crawl. Joshua was standing alone, almost in the middle of the street, people scattering like ants, running off in every direction. Stella looked up the street and saw two huge, dark bay Drafts pulling a covered wagon. No driver and the horses were running panicked.

So close, she thought. I won’t make it.

Joshua looked back and she could see the fear in his eyes. He was too scared now to move.

“Dear Jesus, please help me.”

Stella ran. She didn’t take her eyes off her grandson in his little black cowboy boots and his black cowboy hat. Those bright blue eyes opened so wide as he reached out to her.

Stella felt her fingers close on his pretty western shirt, and then she whirled, lifting him in an arch over her own body, still praying for help when she let him go. Stella couldn’t see his eyes anymore, but she saw his tiny body flying through the air. He’s okay, she thought, just as the horse on the right hit her dead center in the chest.

Stella didn’t feel anything. She knew it was bad by the sound of the crowd, but she didn’t feel any pain. She could hear people shouting, some saying to get back as others called for an ambulance.

Voices, so many voices and all she wanted to hear was the one.

“Nana, I want my Nana.” He was crying. “Nana, Nana.”

He was crying, but Stella knew her grandson was alive and that was all that mattered. The horses had missed him. It’s okay, baby, she wanted to say. Don’t cry.

Nana’s going to sleep for a little while, then you and I will go ride Old Jess. Everything will be okay.

The End

Imprint

Publication Date: 12-28-2009

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
To all grandmothers out there who show such dedication to their grandchildren. You are an inspiration to