This is a Story about a Woman Named Janice By Sandra Washington

This is a Story about a Woman Named Janice

By Sandra Washington

Janice met her husband Case, who was a friend of her brother. She was attracted to him right away; she felt the feelings were mutual. About a month after meeting Casey she met his family, he had two brothers and two sisters. They were raised by a single mom named Maye. The first time she met Maye, the woman was cold and distant, she didn’t even speak to Janice, she turned to case and said, “Rita asked about you the other day.” Casey looked at Janice and explained, “Rita is my mom’s neighbor, I grew up in this house. Rita is just a childhood friend.” On the way back to Janice’s apartment Casey apologized non-stop for his mother’s behavior.

He told Janice, Maye was the kind of mother who believes she knows what’s best for everyone, even controlling her children which are now all adults. He said she was so adamant about picking mates for her children, one of his sisters left town to get away from her.

About a year and a half had gone by, Janice and Casey were still seeing each other and they were engaged. It was their secret. Six months later they were married. Maye didn’t come to the wedding, yeah she knew about it as she was invited. During the years of their courtship, Janice kept her distance from Maye. She and Casey bought a home. They were happy! Maye, showed up at their home one day unannounced, she hadn’t changed a bit, matter of fact had gotten worse. Over the years she continued here her unwelcomed behavior. She started telling lies about Janice to Casey, ruining their lives. Janice was afraid Casey may start to believe her.

Janice and Casey had been married for about thirty years by now, they didn’t have any children. Casey was all she had as far as she knew. Yes, she had family members but didn’t see them or talk to them often; she had a younger sister she would talk to about once a month.

Case died, he had a heart attack, and Janice died mentally with him. She never stopped grieving for him and on top of that Maye blamed her for his death. Even after Casey’s death May continued coming by Janice’s house still uninvited, complaining about everything.

One day Janice got a call from one of Casey’s brothers, he told her his mother had died. He said she had gotten really sick after leaving her house one day. Janice remembered that the last night Maye had come by her house; she knew what he was talking about. It was the night she had made homemade ice-cream with a special ingredient just for Maye.

Janice is long gone now. She told me this story on her deathbed. I am her sister Fannie. Janice was one hundred and two years old.