The Family Gift

By Obelia Akanke

Parker, her younger sister, and their grandmother are the model example of the bond between grandparent and grandchildren. They are three peas in a pod. Ethel has spent the last 16 years rearing and caring for her granddaughters to the point of giving all she had to make sure their needs were met. Likewise, Parker would move Heaven and Earth, if necessary, for her grandmother and sister.
 

When Ethel breaks her hip and is hospitalized, Parker attempts to fill her grandmother's shoes as head of household. She quickly discovers that she still has lots to learn about life and must do so in a short time before their house is sold from underneath them due to nonpayments. Can Parker figure out a way to save their house, or will they lose their home at Christmas? How will their relationship and interactions change now that their once independent grandmother has become dependent upon them?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Obelia Akanke
• Release date: Dec 13, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393364153

Book preview

The Family Gift

Obelia Akanke

Text Copyright © 2019 Obelia Akanke.

All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or in any means – by electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise – without prior written permission.

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Cover designed by mdmehedi333 on Fiverr.

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Dedication

This book is written in memory of my grandmother, whose wit and sass were (and still are) unmatched.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

About the Author

Other Books by this Author

Chapter 1

Parker Johnson forgot how to dial 9-1-1. Her grandmother lay on her side on the bedroom floor, writhing in pain and screaming out prayers. Wendi flapped her hands as she moved side to side around their grandmother crying and on the verge of hyperventilating; she made the situation worse.

Oh, help me! Don’t let me go out like this. Not in front of my grandbabies. Ethel beat her fist against the floor and grabbed at strands of carpet each time she released her fist to beg for mercy. Please just make this pain stop! Knock me out. I can’t take it!

Parker pushed the button to get a dial tone so she could call for an ambulance. Her grandmother had insisted on having a landline so people could reach emergency personnel in case there was ever a power outage. Parker carefully dialed as she verbalized 9-1-1, concentrating on the task at hand – getting an ambulance.

We’re at 1057 Sycamore Lane. It’s the blue house at the end of the drive. My grandmother fell down and said it hurts too much to move. I think something’s broken. Please hurry.

The operator asked questions about how the injury occurred.

My grandmother said she went to sit on her bed to take her pills and slid off. I think she hit the metal rail on the way down because her elbow is bleeding. She’s on her right side and yelling that she broke her butt. Parker gave directions to Wendi. Put a pillow under Grandma’s head. Try to keep her comfortable. Stop freaking out. Grandma will believe it’s worse than it is if you don’t calm down.

Wendi fanned her face, breathed out as if she were doing Lamaze exercises, and followed instructions. Grandma, you’re gonna be alright. Parker’s on the phone with the paramedics, and they’re on the way.

How am I going to be okay when you’re over here about to give birth? Ethel called out to Parker. Child, tell them to hurry. My butt’s broke, and your sister done gone into labor! Why now? Why? I’m too old to be raising more children.

Parker went to her grandmother’s side to rub her uninjured arm and try to help her relax. Grandma, Wendi’s not pregnant.

Then why she over here hee hee hoo hoo breathing in my ear like she about to push out a 10-pound baby? Got my nerves all worked up. My blood pressure already through the roof. I’m laying on this floor and can’t move. Some strangers about to come in and see me in my nightgown. She tried to fix her gown with her left hand. Oh, my word. I can’t let them see me with my thighs showing. Help me get covered. Grab that throw blanket and put it over me.

Parker reached behind her grandmother. The blanket was partially under Ethel, so Parker draped the rest across Ethel’s legs then instructed Wendi to unlock the door and wait for the paramedics.

And straighten the front room. Ethel called out after her. We can’t have people coming here, thinking we live in a pigsty.

Wendi turned and opened her arms as if to question why she was worried about cleaning the house at that moment, but Parker shook her head and gave a forward wave for Wendi to let the comment pass. Both women knew their grandmother would not tolerate a dirty house. They always picked up after themselves and helped clean. Visitors to the house meant an additional once-over to make sure everything was in order. Parker knew her grandmother’s routine. Whenever anyone left for longer than a couple of days, extra measures would be taken to ensure they returned to a clean house. She figured her grandmother knew she’d be gone for a long time and wanted to leave the house in good shape.

Within a few minutes, sirens could be heard, and voices and the sound of wheels and metal moving through the house alerted Parker that paramedics had finally arrived. They moved around Ethel and decided the best way to help her onto the stretcher.

Grandma, I’m going to drive Wendi to the hospital. We’ll meet you there, okay? We love you. Parker made sure her grandmother could see her until the doors to the ambulance were shut. She grabbed her keys.

They got to the emergency room and were told their grandmother was being seen. They would have to wait for someone to give them an update. Parker checked her cell phone for messages. She tried to emotionally distance herself by working on the monthly budget. Wendi paced in the waiting room.

Do you mind pacing over there? I’m getting dizzy.

Wendi wrung her hands. I’m sorry I can’t be as calm about this as you, Parker. Grandma’s seriously hurt. What are we going to do? I’m not ready to live without her.

First of all, that woman prayed and screamed so loudly, death would be too scared to get her before she’s ready to go.

Wendi giggled.

Secondly, who said it’s time to panic? You’re worried about news you haven’t even gotten yet. Grandma’s strong. You heard how she was still trying to run the house and make sure everything’s in order while stuck on the floor.

Yeah, you got that take charge attitude from her. Why didn’t I get that kind of confidence?

"Because as the older sister, I had responsibilities you didn’t have – like