Winter Passing Read Online Free

Grandma sometimes tried so hard to sound American with her proper English, emphasizing slangs and especially accentuating the Ws in an effort not to pronounce a V sound, that she actually sounded more foreign in her efforts.
    “You’re just jealous that I found a way to make money hiking among the pine-scented forests.” Darby reached for her grandmother’s hand. “And what’s this about keeping you from the grave? It looks like you have enough spunk to chase the Grim Reaper away for the rest of eternity!”
    “W-well, let me tell you.” Grandma pointed a trembling finger at Darby. “Mr. Reaper and I have developed a nice relationship. You know, he’s been misunderstood over the years. I’ve found him a pleasant fella once you get to know him.”
    “Are you giving my daughter a hard time this morning?” Carole entered the room with a bottle of pills and a glass of water.
    “I wouldn’t want to disappoint my granddaughter.” Grandma winked. Darby, who was watching her carefully, perceived an underlying weakness in her tone.
    “It’s time for your medicine!” Carole said loudly, putting two pills in her hand.
    “I’ve told you before, Daughter, I may be dying, but my hearing is just fine!”
    “Oh, hush, and open your mouth.”
    Darby watched her mother hold two tablets and a glass of water before Grandma’s mouth.
    “I’m not a child either. I can take medicine all by myself, thank you.” Grandma Celia grabbed the pills and swished them down with the water.
    “Grandma, you’re as feisty as ever.”
    “What did you expect? That I would get docile in my last days? Goodness, no! I’m ready to march up to those pearly gates and give Jesus the biggest w-whomping kiss he’s had in the last millennium.”
    “You mean whopping . Here, give me the glass.” Carole took the cup and walked out.
    “No, a w-whomping kiss,” Grandma Celia called after her, then turned back toward Darby. “I like the sound of that better—no matter what it means.”
    “Well, Jesus can wait awhile longer for whatever kind of kiss you give him,” Darby said, crossing her arms. “You aren’t leaving us yet.”
    “Quit that nonsense talk, my dear. Look at me. I’m as thin as a pencil.”
    Darby didn’t want to look at the arms she had stared at the night before.
    “You young whippersnappers believe you must pretend life on earth does not end. But it does, and that’s certainly the way it is. A time to be born and a time to die.” Grandma Celia patted Darby’s hand and sighed. “But I must say it’s an odd place to be, on the threshold of death’s door. You look back and see it all, your whole life. The mistakes, sorrow, joys, triumphs. Then you look ahead and wonder what’s really on the other side.”
    Darby leaned closer in surprise. “Grandma, are you doubting?”
    “Mercy, no! God has w-worked enough in my life for me to know that he is real. But I think it’ll be more, so much more w-what’s the w-word?—immense or spectacular, than I ever imagined. It’s very exciting, with maybe a hint of scariness mixed in.”
    Darby wished she could argue with her grandmother. She wished she could promise a longer life, but Grandma Celia spoke the truth. Celia was dying. But how could her grandmother speak so casually about death and seem almost excited about the prospect? Even with Grandma’s body waning before her eyes, Darby could not imagine life without her.
    Grandma fumbled with the pillow, and Darby noted how even such small movements caused her breathing to labor. Grandma Celia squirmed into a comfortable position, took another long breath, and addressed Darby again.
    “Tell me all about your latest work. Not the boring stuff you do in town, pictures of weddings and snooty-nosed children. I want to hear the mountain adventures! Did the group go to the Trinity Alps like you suggested?”
    “Yes, and it was wonderful!” Darby exclaimed.
    Grandma Celia reached over to move a few brown tendrils of hair