It had been a gray morning. Dark clouds blanketed the sky while the air hung heavy with the smell of rain.
Tonya watched as her older sister's body was laid to rest. A small gathering of friends and family said their goodbyes. Her sister had a heart attack while doing yard work. At thirty-eight years old she was Tonya's senior by ten years. She had been too young to die.
"Miss Knowles?" Said a voice.
Tonya snapped out of her reverie. "Sorry Dr. Sutton. What were you saying?"
Dr. Louise Sutton understood what Tonya was going through. She had seen it time and time again, a sudden unexpected death and a relative having to take over the care of a child. So much happening at once they had a tendency to go into themselves and relive everything that had just happened. "Miss Knowles. Tonya. A lot has happened in the lat three days for you. If you would like to take a week to sort through things, I will understand."
Tonya was alert again. "No. I am sorry. Please continue."
"As I was saying, taking responsibility for the well being of another is no simple task under normal circumstances. Taking care of someone like Jerry, with a severe developmental disability is even more difficult, both on Jerry and on his care giver."
Tonya interrupted. "Dr. Sutton. Excuse me, but I know Jerry. I've known him his entire life. I know what he is like as well as a lot of his needs. I visited my sister and Jerry at least twice a month. He's been over to my house lots of times."
"I understand. And that will make it easier for him, reducing his adjustment period to a new environment as well as getting use to someone new taking care of him. But do you really understand the amount of work. Even though he is nineteen years old, he will need the same type of help as a toddler. Help getting dressed and taking a bath. You will constantly having to clean up after him. He can eat and go to the bathroom on his own, but he requires constant supervision. You will have to effectively give up the life you knew and his would dominate."
Tonya listened patiently to Dr. Sutton. She knew the Doctor was only looking out for his best interest. "I know. I also promised my sister years ago, that if anything ever happened to her. I would take care of Jerry."
"That's admirable. But making a promise to a relative when everything is good is one thing. The reality is considerably different."
"I know." Replied Tonya. "Giving him the necessary attention is no problem. I work from home on my computer. Besides, Jerry is my nephew. He's family."
"Ok." Said Dr. Sutton. Not sure if Tonya really knew just how much work it would be.
*****
Jerry ran through the door as soon as Tonya opened it. "Aunt Tonya. I stay here?"
"Yes Jerry. You're going to live with me now." It had been over two months since her meeting with Dr. Sutton. She had to fill out endless forms as well as undergo several interviews to make sure she was ready to take care of a mentally handicap person.
"Mommy to?"
She had explained this to Jerry several times already. Jerry had Down Syndrome, with the classic abnormal facial features commonly associated with mental retardation. As well as slow growth which stopped his growth at about five foot two. "No Jerry. Mommy is not coming. Remember. She went to heaven."
"Ok."
Tonya fixed something to eat for her and Jerry. After lunch she then put in a children's DVD, she had just purchased for him. Jerry sat down on the left side of the sofa and watched as Tonya read the various books and pamphlets on taking care of people like Jerry.
Tonya was tired. It had been a very long day and her eyes hurt from reading. "Come on Jerry, time to go to bed."
Jerry got up and followed his aunt. "Ok Aunt Tonya."
Tonya turned on the lights to what had been the guest room. "Jerry. This is going to be your room now. OK?"
"I have a room at my house."
Tonya lowered her head. They had told her the adjustment period would take a while, as Jerry was surrounded by new things. "That was your old room. This is your new room. Do you like it?"
Jerry nodded his head. "Yeah."
"Alright let's get you into bed."
"This is my new bed?" Asked Jerry.
"That's right. This is your new bed." Replied Tonya. Hoping Jerry was starting to understand.
Jerry walked to the closet. "This is my new closet." He then walked to the TV. "This is my new TV." Jerry walked around the entire room pointing to everything.
Tonya followed him around and affirmed that these were in fact, all his new things.
Tonya was woken up the next morning by Jerry pushing on her back. "Yes Jerry?"
"Aunt Tonya, I'm awake now."
Tonya looked at the clock on the night stand. It read seven AM. "Yes you are. Are you hungry?"
"Yeah."
"Alright, let's go get you something to eat." Tonya was about to throw off the covers and get up before she realized she only sleeps in her panties. "Jerry. Can you wait outside my room, while I get up?"
Jerry walked to the entry to her room and took one step out. He then turned around looking at Tonya, waiting for her to get up and fix him breakfast.
Tonya laughed. Deciding he had the mind of a child there would be no harm. Tonya got up and walked to her closet in her panties. Turning her body so Jerry could see as little of her as possible. Putting on a t-shirt, she went with Jerry to the kitchen to make him breakfast.
Jerry ate his breakfast while watching the TV in the kitchen. Tonya had started reading another of the books on taking care of the mentally handicapped.
"Aunt Tonya. I am finished eating."
"You ate it all. Good boy Jerry. How about we give you a bath now?"
Tonya led Jerry to his bathroom. She turned on the shower and made sure it was not to hot. "OK Jerry. Go ahead and take a shower. When you're finished, I will be in the living room."
Tonya sat down on the sofa and started watching TV. Five minutes later a wet naked Jerry walked in and stood in front of her.
"I finished taking a shower."
Tonya did her best to not burst out laughing. Here was a naked; soaking wet nineteen year old, standing in front of her. "Jerry, honey, you forgot to dry yourself off and get dressed."
"Mommy does that."