Chapter 13: The Man at the Window – Thunderstorms in Heaven – 14



Poppy was enjoying work. Amy was enjoying school. Mary was enjoying the doting. Baby number two was growing healthy. The sun was shining bright on this beautiful family. They lived in their own bubble, small and warm, full of love. Every evening, Amy and Poppy would wait at the bus stop for Mary to come home. Oh, the smiles when they would spot her in the crowd!! They would buy some “pakodas” and “jalebis” and would happily chat on the walk back home. Mary would freshen up while poppy would make her a cup of tea and give Amy her glass of milk. Yes, she was a big girl now, even though she would sneak in a few breast feeding sessions from her mommy darling, Mary, who couldn’t get her off the habit. “Tasty” she would say and ask for her share ensuring there was enough for the baby. It was funny and full of affection.

The maid would cook the dinner while Amy did her homework and Mary and Poppy caught up on the activities of the day. Dinner was in front of the TV as everyone would be happily exhausted from the day. Amy would knock off on the sofa and magically wake up in bed every morning and no matter how many times that would happen she still woke up with a sense of magic every morning. It would be years before she would realize her magician was “Poppy”. They followed this routine everyday and yet there was a beauty in this routine. There was a bond in this routine, there was an assurance in this routine, and there was comfort and confidence in this routine …. They looked forward to it and never took it for granted.

As Poppy told me this, I played it in my head. That’s the beauty of memories I guess, you can always go back to it and while I played it like a love story, I could see it gave Poppy mixed feelings. It made him happy and yet there was something he missed. So much that I could feel his grief even though I didn’t know what it was.

Mary was in her eighth month of pregnancy, the baby was doing well but off late, her migraines had gotten really bad. Remember this was the eighties and there was no medication she could take because of the baby.  For one week she had been coming home early. Then one day she walked back from the bus stop. Poppy was getting worried. But she said it was nothing a hot cup of tea and rest couldn’t cure. He would do anything to make it better.  A foot massage, tea and a nap later, Mary was feeling better, much to Poppy’s relief. Poppy’s mother had come to stay over to help with Amy. The next day Amy woke up happy and giggly that Mary was going to be home with her. Poppy explained to her that Mary and the baby needed to stay in bed and rest and she very obediently stayed in bed with them. She didn’t even ask for “tasty”. It was a restful day and everyone was getting ready to go to bed when Mary took ill again. This time, Poppy had to rush her to the hospital. The neighbours were very helpful and gave them their car. Amy was scared but Granny comforted her saying they would be back soon and maybe it was time for the baby to come. Poppy held Mary’s hand throughout… not letting go for a second. They admitted Mary into hospital that night …… It was going to be a long night for all of them. It had started to rain that night and the thunder scared Amy who cuddled tight with Granny. Granny prayed for sunshine ….. Oh, how they needed the sunshine.


Poppy stopped just as his second daughter walked in and greeted the old man with a kiss on his bald head. Oh his smile!! Boy, was I waiting to see that. I walked home that day with a sullen head. Somehow I didn’t think I would like the end of this part of the story but Poppy was always full of surprises so I kept the kite of my hopes flying high……

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