A Gathering of One

After two personal tragedies in one year, the landscape of Gertrude's life looks flat and barren. Suddenly childless, she wanders in a vast emptiness for months. Her women gather, bringing sustenance and encouragement, but it is not until a long look in the mirror shows a serious weight loss and sickly pallor, that she knows a change must be made. Summoning an intrepid strength, Gert pulls herself together and takes a step forward. With relief and wide open arms, her boss welcomes her back to work. When her younger sister, Mildred, gives birth to Mark, Gert is instantly enamored with him. Every moment of her spare time is spent helping with her adorable nephew. However, as the little boy grows, she notices odd behaviors and repetitive actions that worry her. She keeps these concerns to herself, as Mildred has a fragile constitution and often needs care, herself. Shortly after Mark turns five, he becomes a big brother to Bonnie. Gert becomes Bonnie's other mother and lifelong hero. Born into a troubled household, Bonnie takes on the role as the easy one. Her father works in the movie making industry, which requires him to travel all over the world. Sadly, when he is home, he can not contain his anger at Mark's disruptive behaviors and resorts to physical punishment. Mildred has retreated to bed, where she barks out demands to Bonnie and hides when Mark is being admonished or hit. Bonnie hides, too, while beseeching God to let her die. It is during these times that Gert infers there is distress and dependably shows up to offer comfort to everyone, especially to young Bonnie, who is living such a restricted life. She becomes a reliable presence who brings support during chaos and shared joy during all of the triumphs. She sees Bonnie through every milestone and heart break, including a high risk pregnancy and devastating stillbirths. As Bonnie grows up, the caring between her and Gert becomes reciprocal and lasts for the rest of Gert's life.