Part 7: Chapter 5

Gals Group

Photo by Abe Drzycimski on Unsplash

Saturday, July 25, 2020
	During gals group this morning, Auntie Bev says that she’s grateful that Quaker Community is back to online church as that means she gets to meet with us and Shannon and possibly Cherise and Jacob again in our living room. She praises the church and the elders in their struggle to do what’s right for the congregation, and she thinks it’s so wonderful that they’re beginning an outdoor service Sunday evenings. 
	“Will you be going to this?” I ask.
	Auntie Bev laughs. “Well, I don’t know. I don’t like to drive in the dark, but the sun doesn’t set until late these days, so I don’t know.”
	She next says that Gilbert has presented her with a gift. She raises a canvas into view and we lean close to our computer screens to see. It’s rather difficult to make out the details, but the shapes and colors all indicate that this is supposed to be a portrait of Auntie Bev. It’s a woman, that’s for sure, but her face has stripes. Are those supposed to be wrinkles? And her hair resembles how Opal draws white puffy clouds. In fact, I'm pretty sure Opal could’ve painted this picture.
	“Why, look at that!” Beatrice exclaims first.
	Auntie Bev bursts into laughter and has to wipe her eyes of hysterical tears. Believe that she understands what’s behind Beatrice’s exclamation. We are all chuckling and laughing too.
	“Is Gilbert nearby?” Lucy asks concernedly. 
	Auntie Bev shakes her head.
	“Well, that’s a mercy,” Beatrice says. “What are you going to do with it?”
	“You know…I don’t know,” Auntie Bev says, and we burst into laughter again. 
	The painting is very bad. Need I say that? It’s childish and unflattering. Gilbert has given Auntie Bev a squint and has highlighted everything that bespeaks her age. 
	“He’s doing one of James next,” Auntie Bev says.
	“Must he?” Beatrice asks.
	“Yes, it keeps him off the streets,” Dianne answers.
	“There are online classes he can take,” Beatrice suggests.
	“He’s taking them,” Auntie Bev says.
	“Oh dear,” Beatrice says. “I guess he can only go up from here.”
	After this comical start, Auntie Bev tells us how Gilbert wished to immortalize her and Uncle James as they are elderly. Gilbert thought that someone ought to have their portraits done. This is both touching and distressing. Auntie Bev’s children are out of state and no one, aside from Nephew Gilbert, is here to be with them in what may be their last years. Uncle James certainly has declined quite a bit since COVID began. I still pray that he won’t have a fall and get stuck in a hospital room where visitors aren't allowed.