A JEWEL FOR A QUEEN

On a humid July evening, I received a voicemail message from my friend Regina.
A brief message, saying “call me I have news.”

In 2002, Regina and her family moved to Conyers, Georgia, when her family returned from Japan. Her husband, Rodney, who was in the US Military, was stationed in Okinawa, Japan for four years. I know it was four years, because Regina and Rodney adopted twins, Marcus and Alaina and the adoption was finalized when the twins were a few days old, and they moved to Japan a shortly after.

I returned Regina’s call, she told me she was pregnant, and the baby was due the first week in February. It was her “miracle baby.” She called her that, because eleven years earlier, a doctor told her she would never be able to have children.

I don’t know who was more excited, me or her. I asked her was she going to find out the sex of the baby, how was she feeling, and what her family thought. She planned to find out the sex (a girl), the twins and her husband were all eagerly awaiting her arrival.

As the time passed, we talked at least twice a month. She was considered “high risk” because of her age (41) and she had to visit the doctor weekly. She told me, she felt great and had already decided to name the baby Isley. As the months progressed she remained happy and expectant.

In the later part of January, during one of our monthly conversations, she was experiencing Braxton Hicks. She explained to me it was contractions, and Isley could be arriving sooner than expected.

The next phone called I received from Regina, was from her hospital bed, Isley was born on January 30th, via c-section and she was feeling OK, and Isley was beautiful. I told her I would call her when she got home, and I would soon plan to visit to see her, and the family.

I received a call one week later, on February 6th. The caller id, said “Regina,” however a man's voice was on the line and he said, “No, it’s Rodney.” Which was a little odd, however, I just assumed Regina asked him to call me. I extended congrads and asked was everything alright. “We lost Regina today.” I paused for a moment, I think, so my brain could process what I had just heard, then I screamed.

I composed myself and I asked Rodney what happened? He explained that Regina went into Cardiac arrest on her way to her follow-up visit and died on the way to the hospital. I was stunned. I expressed my condolences and asked if there was anything I could do, Rodney said, “just keep me and my family in your prayers.”

Regina and I first met in Greensboro, North Carolina, where I first attended college. She was born in North Carolina and had spent a summer in Brooklyn with relatives. We bonded immediately sharing our New York stories.

I withdrew from school and left Greensboro, after three semesters Regina. We have remained friends since. Although, we did not see each other often; Regina was one of my closet friends and confidants. Our lengthy conversations were just like visits.

When she was in Japan, she would write and tell me when to expect her call. I made sure I never missed her calls.

I think about her and her family often. Her husband recently emailed me, the last pictures he had taken, a picture of the Marcus and Alaina, a picture of Isley and a picture of Regina.

Regina Antoinette Hucks Cain February 9, 1966 – February 6, 2008. Regina, left to mourn 10 year old twins, a one week old baby, a husband, relatives and a friend who will miss her terribly.


Currently Reading:
A Piece of Mine – Stories by J. California Cooper, one story in particular "A Jewel for A Friend" which inspired this entry.