Maisie struggled to control her fingers, to squeeze Jenny’s hand. There was nothing anyone could do. She was on her own.

     Daphne and Jessica fussed and clucked around the bed, straightening the covers. “You might as well sit back down,” Jennifer said, turning toward them.  ”I’ve something important to tell you.”

     Eyebrows raised, and exchanging glances, the sisters pulled their chairs even closer and sat down. “Well, spill the beans,” Daphne said.

     Jennifer clasping Maisie’s hands in her own, took a deep breath, and swallowed.  ”I’ve thought this out and made a decision. I’m going to move in with Grams, and look after her. I can take a leave of absence from school.”

     Jessica, stood up, golden bracelets flashing and jangling through the air. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of,” she said, her voice rising along with her anger. “You can’t possibly mean it.” She stood in front of Jenny. “What about your education, your career? Are you going to just throw it all away?”

     Maisie struggling with her own emotions, lay helpless.

     “Mom, sit down. You’ve no say in the matter.  You two make me sick, anyway, always arguing. Of course dancing is my life, but I’ve my whole life ahead of me.” Jennifer said, lifting Maisie’s hand to her lips. “I’ll work out, choreograph, dance. When she’s better, I’ll pick up where I left off.”

     “You know dear,” Daphne added. “This will be quite a burden. Couldn’t we hire private nurses?”

     “Hmph!” Maisie thought. For once in our lives, we all agree on something.  She never imagined she’d be a burden.

     “You can’t trust strangers.” Jennifer looked directly at them. “If her family won’t care for her, then who will? She’s my Gram. She’d do the same for me in a heartbeat. End of discussion.”

     “I don’t know what to say.” Jessica said. “I mean…”

     Jennifer interrupted. “Why don’t you and Aunt Daphne go down to the cafeteria for coffee. I’ll sit with Gram.”      Maisie heard the scrape of chairs and soft muttering as they left the room.  A heavy sensation was growing in her chest. Was she drowning? she thought. She could barely swallow. She caught a ragged breath, and trying to reign in her struggling emotions. Stay calm. Stay calm, she told herself. She thought of Jenny. Sweet Jenny.

     Jennie would dance. Maisie had made sure of that, recalling the day she’d argued with her attorney. Maybe that’s where Jessica got her stubborn streak. She’d left enough to Daphne, Jess, and the grand-kids to keep the attorney happy, but the bulk of her estate, she’d endowed to the “Maisie Cameron Dance Trust” with Jenny as beneficiary. She’d have money enough to finish her education, even start her own ballet company.

     “Are you okay, Grams?” Jenny said, dabbing at her forehead with a soft white towel. “You feel cool and clammy.”

     She held tightly to Jenny. A crushing pain gripped Maisie’s chest, rolling through her from head to toe. A burning began to consume her.

     “Grams” Jenny cried. “Oh, Grams.”

     Maisie’s eyes narrowed as she struggled to breathe… struggled not to breathe. She watched as Jenny reached for the call button. Maisie fought to communicate, to send a message through the path of pain and chaos.  Their eyes met. She clenched her fist with all the strength she could command. No, No, she thought. For God’s sake, Jenny…no.

     Jenny snatched up the call button, then stopped, her blue eyes opened wide. With the button raised in her hand, her fingers slowly caressed the hard, cool, cylindrical sides. A puzzled look flickered over her face. She lifted the button to her lips, frozen in thought.

     “Oh Grams” she cried. Still her fingers never touched the button. “I love you Grams,” she whispered. “I will always love you.”  She dropped the call button to the floor, and cradled her grandmother in her arms. Maisie’s grip relaxed, and floating gently in the warmth of the loving embrace, she felt Jenny’s hot tears fall softly to her face.