No ‘Moore’ Mess- Chapter Sixteen (Serial Version)
By: Craig Hoffman
Tags: Metoo, Serial Novel, Serial Fiction, Fiction

Chapter Sixteen- Mary Moore Says Goodbye To Her Old Life

Nancy had her baby a few months later, too. It was a charming boy. She called him Carl. Helen was elated. It had been more than 30 years since anyone in the Moore family had a son.

“Maybe, the ‘Moore’ anger will skip this generation.”

Mary stayed away from Jackie. She did call Jackie at her office two years later. Mary saved a considerable amount of money from her job. Jackie helped her get into an array of investments including virtual currency. Mary made a killing as a silent partner in Jackie’s new startup venture once it went public. That was a fortunate thing.

The increase in online shopping crushed the in-the-box retail model. The CEO of Mary’s company called her in his office to give her the bad news. Mary was ready for the worst, and she got it.

“You know the overwhelming consumer move to online shopping has hit our profits and stock price hard Mary.”

“Yes, I know. Sales were down a third last quarter.”

“That’s correct. The company decided to adjust our management structure. We are demoting you to the rank of assistant manager. A reduction in your salary will be made to match your new work responsibilities.”

“That’s it?”

“Take it or leave it.”

Mary shook her head as she looked at her designer, black shoes. She knew long ago in-the-box retail was not the future. Her choice was easy.

The CEO was stunned. He expected Mary to accept the demotion without any issues. But he was mistaken. He backtracked, but it was too late. Mary was history.

“Harold, I’m done.”

“But you just can’t quit. The company needs you. I need you, Mary. What will you do?”

“I don’t know. But I know it won’t be here.”

Mary left the CEO’s office with a smirk on her face. She knew exactly what she was going to do. She put her condo up for sale, and sold her belongings including her car. Mary booked an around the world tour.

“We at Zufall Travel thank you for your business Ms. Moore. You have a wonderful adventure.”

“Thank you, I’m sure I will.”

Mary gave consideration to saying goodbye to Helen. She had the taxi driver take her to Helen’s house. She sat and looked through Helen’s open front window. She could see some action going on in the living room.

Helen, Nancy, and Carl were playing together. Mary wanted to run in the house and give everyone a big hug. She realized far too much had taken place between everyone for that to be a joyful reunion. Mary decided to leave well enough alone.

“Ma’am, the meter’s still running. What are we gonna do here?”

“Airport, please.”

The taxi stopped in front of the international departure terminal. Mary had never been on an airplane before that day. Her shoulders raised, and she grinned.

Mary pulled out a crisp 100-dollar bill, and she said a little prayer. The taxi driver waited as she finished a last domestic-based plea to almighty God. Mary was ready to leave for parts and adventures unknown.

Mary pulled out four more hundred dollar bills. She folded them in half, and Mary handed them to the taxi driver. He was confused.

“It’s only $34.50, ma’am.”

“I know. Keep the change.”

“Thank you, ma’am. Bless you. God bless you.”

Mary boarded the airplane, and she never looked back. Mary realized looking back in life had done her no favors. She was committed to looking forward to the vast unknown that was her future. She wished for the best for Helen, Nancy, and Carl, but she would not be any part of their future.

The years passed and age crept up on Helen. By the time Carl was in elementary school, Helen was using an oxygen tank and a walker to get around her house. Her heart like Roberta’s was not what it once was in her younger days. Nancy had no choice but to move her mother to an assisted-living home. Helen was not a huge fan of the decision.

“You are going to throw me away like trash?”

“No, mother. You need more help than I can give you. You know that.”

“Shame on you, Nancy. Leaving your poor mother here to rot in this despicable place.”

Nancy didn’t take Helen’s words to heart. Like Pastor Andrew long ago, Helen’s mind was affected by dementia. She was fortunate her mental decline was far slower than her father’s was in the past. It left Helen unable to control her ‘Moore’ anger on occasion.

“You go on now Nancy. Leave your poor, old mother in peace. Let me die alone. My child has forsaken me.”

“Love you, mother. I’ll be back soon.”

“That’s what everybody says. I have no idea what I have done to deserve such a daughter.”

True to Nancy’s word, she visited her mother as often as she could. Nancy brought Carl with her to see his grandmother. He was the sweetest boy. The ‘Moore’ anger had skipped a generation.

“Grandma Helen, do you want me to clean up your room or help you with anything?”

“No, sweetie, grandma’s good. Thanks.”

“Okay. Can we pray together, Grandma Helen? I’d like to ask God to make you better.”

Nancy advanced in her company and became a senior chairwoman. She set her schedule, so she could take Carl to school. Nancy made sure she had enough time to coach Carl’s youth soccer team.

The years passed quickly for everyone. Carl was in junior high school when Helen’s condition took a turn for the worst. The doctor broke the bad news to Nancy.

“I’d give her a month maybe, two. But no more.”

“Thank you, doctor. My mother’s an ornery old bat. I’m sure she will last at least three just to keep God waiting. He is a man after all.”

The old doctor didn’t get the joke. Nancy took time off from her job to spend the last weeks of Helen’s life together full time. The pair recounted stories of the old days, and they spoke of family members like Bertha, Arlene, and Erica.

Nancy brought up Mary, but Helen would magically have a memory lapse. Nancy knew it was a lie, but she let it go. This was no time for any ‘Moore’ anger nonsense to ruin Helen’s final days.

“Mary who? I don’t know any Mary. You must be mistaken.”

“Your younger sister, Mary Moore, remember?”

“No idea.”

Nancy tried to track down Mary. She hoped the estranged sisters could make peace before Helen passed away. Nancy made calls and sent several emails and letters to Mary’s last known whereabouts. But she received no response.

Helen’s condition put her in a deep depression. Out of desperation to lift her mother’s spirits, Nancy called an old friend of Helen’s in the hope it would bring her out of her funk. The next Saturday the friend came to the nursing home for a visit.

“Helen, how are you doing? Do you remember me?”

“Sorry, my memory isn’t what it used to be. Who are you?”

“Shelly Cox, from the hospital. Remember my Arnold? My daughters?”

Helen’s mouth dropped open. Her shoulders raised, she got out of bed by herself for the first time in weeks. And Helen smiled.

“I have got one more surprise for you, Helen. You can come in girls. It’s okay.”

Two beautiful young women came through the door. They carried a baby in one hand and held the hand of a toddler in the other. And Helen cried.

“I like you to meet my daughters and my adorable grandchildren.”

Shelly filled in Helen on all that had gone on with her life. It had been a long time. They had not seen each other since Arnold’s funeral.

“I got married again five years after Arnold passed.”

“That’s great.”

“I was sorry to hear about Erica passing.”

Shelly moved to Hawaii to be closer to her family after Arnold died. She only recently moved back to the area to be near her married daughters and her grandchildren after her second husband died. Shelly also was getting on in years. She was living with her oldest daughter and her family.

It was a fortunate thing Nancy hired his youngest daughter, Cathy, to work at her company a few months earlier. The women were discussing their families one day. Nancy realized Cathy was talking about the same Shelly Cox her mother often spoke about when Nancy was young.

Once Shelly learned of Helen’s condition, she wanted to stop by to see her in the nursing home. They spent the afternoon chatting, but soon it was time for Shelly to go. The pair said a prayer, and they hugged for the final time.

“Amen. You take care now, Helen. God bless you.”

“And amen. You too, Shelly.”

The days and weeks passed and Helen was nearly gone. The doctors made it clear it was only a matter of days. Nancy lamented she was unable to reunite Helen and Mary. Helen realized her ‘Moore’ anger cost her a sister.

“You still have not heard anything from Mary?”

“No sorry, mother. I’m trying. Really, I am.”

“I know, dear.”

Helen fell into a coma two days later. Three days after that, Nancy came into Helen’s hospital room. She had a smile on her face and a folded paper in her hand. Nancy hoped Helen could hear her as she read the letter.

My Dearest Helen,

I love you more than you could ever know.

When I left America, I was uncertain about my life. To be sure, I failed, and I fell short of the expectations I set for my life. I was disappointed. In my defense, I set the bar far too high in my mind.

Years ago, my lot in life was my weary body standing behind a cash register at a Little K while addicted to drugs. I remember seeing many people over the years come into that store. I would have sold my soul to be on the other side of that counter. But it wasn’t my time to shine in life. Sadly, there was nothing I could do about my situation.

The doing nothing part bothered me. The inability to do anything to improve my life. Yet sometimes the best thing one can do in turbulent times is nothing. I worked; I prayed, I got right with God, and I waited. Finally, I left.

In choosing to see the world, my view of all I knew changed, softened. I don’t know what it is about the women in the Moore family. We think we know everything. It takes a lot for me to admit that I am not perfect.

I have searched during my time abroad for ways to become like the beautiful cherry blossoms of Japan. But people like the cherry petals fall and are forgotten over time. Know I will forever remember you, beloved sister.

I miss you every day Helen. But I will not be coming to see you, and I know you and Nancy must find that selfish of me. Yet for the sake of peace and my sanity, I think it is the right choice to let this letter be the end. I promise there will be no ‘Moore’ mess in our lives today.

Your sister,

Mary