“She’s got eyes like your mother,” added Jerry. “You noticed that too, huh?”
“Couldn’t help but notice. But I still don’t think she wants
anything to do with you.”
“I suppose she would want to go out with you, Jerry?”
“No, she can’t have me. She doesn’t have any tattoos that I’m aware of.”
“You really serious about this tattoo stuff?” he asked. “Absolutely!”
“Really?”
"You really going to the parking lot?" Jerry volleyed back.
“Maybe.”
“I’ll tell you what. You go to the parking lot, and I just might get a tattoo.”
“I’m going to have to think about it.”
“Look, if this lady had a conversation about you with your mom, then I think what she’s doing is what Mom asked. Sounds like something she would do, doesn’t it?”
“That’s exactly what I thought,” Nick said. "It sounds precisely like what Mom would have someone do."
“Amazing woman, your mother,” Sal said. “Not even here anymore, and yet she’s still trying to change people’s lives. That’s a talent I think I’ll never get over.”
“To Mom,” Nick said as he raised his glass.
*****
There was a chill in the air, but the sun was shining brightly, and Nick stepped out of his car in the doctors’ parking lot, absorbing the weather in all its glory. Even though it was quite early, children played on the playground. Nurses' aides stood scattered throughout. He looked up and saw other children inside the hospital watching through the glass. As he stood near the playground, he couldn’t help but realize there were few joyous sounds coming from the kids who were playing. The ones not confined to wheelchairs moved around, but many were moving very slowly. As he was looked around, he missed Shelly pulling into her parking spot.