Читать книгу Memories of Hell, Visions of Heaven - Esther Joseph - Страница 7

Elias’ godmother, Ms. Janie, was my mother’s best friend. Actually, they were more like sisters. Ms. Janie’s husband, Mr. Victor, was my father’s drinking partner. They lived a short walking distance from us with their only daughter Glenda, who was about the same age as Jeanette. After my mother became a born-again Christian, she tried converting everyone, including her best friend. Ms. Janie, who was happy being a Catholic, made a simple request, “If you want us to remain friends, don’t try to convert or save me, I don’t need saving.” So my mother gave up, knowing her friend was serious. She did not want to risk losing the only friend my father allowed her to have.

Ms. Janie was a kind, yet no-non-sense person. She never watered down or repeated her words. As far as I know, she never tried telling my mother what she should do about my father. She was just always there, unwavering in her support. Initially, my mother would run to Ms. Janie’s house for shelter and it was the first place my father would start searching. She soon stopped going there - not wanting to drag her friend into her mess.

My father disliked Ms. Janie, but in an odd way I think he admired her strength. He knew that she would never tolerate his ridiculous behavior if she were in my mother’s shoes. In turn, he considered Mr. Victor a weakling for being respectful to his wife.

Although Ms. Janie was not my father’s favorite person, he did not interfere in the women’s friendship or the other couple’s personal affairs. This was his way of keeping his drinking affiliation with Mr. Victor intact. I will not say that the men were good friends, since they did nothing but drink together.

Mr. Victor, even drunk himself, would make sure that my father got home in one piece. When he was intoxicated he never got out of control like my father, he was a quiet man, drunk or sober. When he went home after a night of drinking he never disturbed his family, but instead spent the night in his outdoor kitchen. Although Mr. Victor drank like my father, he was able to provide for his family and be a decent husband and father. Two things were clear -there was another kind of family out there, and my father’s problem when far beyond just the liquor and his drinking, there was something seriously wrong with him, mentally.

My mother and Ms. Janie’s friendship puzzled me. How could two women so different be friends? If their opposing religions and marital styles were off limits, what did they talk about?

Whatever the case, I suspect Ms. Janie was placed in my mother’s life for a reason. She was an angel—the only person who was truly compassionate—never asking for anything in return. Ms. Janie gave my mother the support her own siblings and church could not give. I maintain Ms. Janie’s presence and strength kept my mother going and was conducive to preserving her sanity. Ms. Janie and my mother remain best friends to this day, as are Glenda and Jeanette.