Chapter 52: Take off your Hat, I Want to Stand Up.

Take off your hat, I want to stand up.

There was concern etched on the furrowed brows of the hand-holding circle around Ev's hospital bed. My mom looked like a greased mutt, her shiny well-kept hair was folded into a rough bun. Her skin was stretched tight and dry across her face. Her eye-lids fluttered, revealing a thin slit of her iris.

The circle, lead by my brother Donnie's wife, Christine, chanted. Their eyes heaven sent, their hearts open to the spirits above. The hum from the gathering rose in sing, song like unison. Ev, licked her lips with a fat tongue, swallowed tightly, and said, for Christ sake could you all just hold it down for a minute. I have a headache and you're giving me an even bigger one. 

The friends in the hand- holding circle respected her tune and shifted their voices low. They cried, and presented more of a hum, resembling a Buddhist monk like mantra. A cool breeze entered the room as the door opened and closed.

Ev's  eyes became open and wide. She stared off into the distance, searching for a fixture, something was out there. Then she said; "take off your hat, I want to stand up."

A smile of genuine nature, creased her face, as she left this world, forever. Ev died.

The end