The Fourth Day of November

by Mark Campbell

  Hyacinth had summed up what it would take to get our business on the right track. She explained everything to us in layman's terms. She mentioned not having much to work with, but that she could work a miracle. We were more than impressed.

  Hyacinth spent the rest of the day at my desk, working diligently on the computer, taking our business to new heights. From that day, things took a turn for the better. Calls started flooding the office. We had to hire more help. In fact, I would leave home at 7:00 am and not return until 7:00 pm. Hyacinth had pulled it off. She managed to land us an account with the city in the excess of a $300,000 contract.

  It later came about that the three of us wanted to make Hyacinth a partner. We even set up an office space for her in the mobile unit. Hyacinth was a woman who never needed to be obsequious. She was very proficient to say the least. It would be foolish of us to bypass a maven like Hyacinth. When she heard the news that we would be taking her on as a full partner, she was humbled when she accepted our offer.

  June 3, 1989

  Graduation day for my wife was transcendent. Expeditiously going above and beyond her goals, Lee left no room for error in her pursuit to become a barrister. The family and I sat together in a huge hall inside the university surrounded by other proud parents and friends waiting to witness the commencement formalities. While waiting, a quartet played. Onlookers enjoyed their rendition of Kool and the Gang’s Celebration.

  Soon after, the dean walked on stage with professors in tow. I looked among the many blue robes, hoping to see my wife. She sat in the front row. Her eyes met mine and we blew a kiss to each other.

  Lacy jabbed my left side, insisting that I pay attention. “Why don’t you mind your own bloody business?” I said to her as Grandpa poked Lacy with his stick before waving it in my direction.

  “Hi, Alistair.”

  I jumped up in my seat. “Good God! You startled me!”

  Wendy, Mike and Marcus were running late because of the city traffic. My friends had shown up just in time, having been victims of New York gridlock.

  The ceremony went on for an hour. Before closing, Lee delivered her unforgettable valedictorian speech, which insisted that each and everyone pursue their individual paths.

  Lee tapped on the microphone and cleared her throat before reading Acts 20:35 from the Bible. “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘it is more blessed to give than to

  receive.” Lee continued. “Whatever passion you have, follow it. Whatever makes a difference, do it. May God bless all of us. Thank you.” Lee stepped down from the podium to applause and cheers.

  ---

  Afterwards, the family wanted to celebrate by having a meal at the Olive Garden. We drove for thirty minutes to Long Island. Willy and Lucy made special reservations there.

  Once we arrived, everything was in order. Food had been prepared in a detailed manner. Lee and I ate so much shrimp pasta that night, but still managed to have dessert and hot tea afterwards.

  Lucy told stories about her girls’ upbringing. Lacy and Lee had always been close, sharing a special bond. Lucy said if either girl got in trouble, neither would give the other up. This resulted in both of them being disciplined.

  Hearing this made me long for my own family. It had been a long time since I last saw them.

  ---

  Once we reached home, I wasted no time running a hot bath to help soothe the aching pain in Lee’s back. After throwing some bath salts in the tub, Lee came into the bathroom holding her back. She stripped off her clothes and stepped into the tub.

  “Aren't you getting in?” Lee asked dipping her toe in the warm water, making sure it wasn't too hot.

  “I’m going to join you right now.” I grinned.

  “Before you do that, can you get me some crisps and a drink of Pepsi?” Lee asked fluttering her eyelashes.

  “Haven’t you had enough to eat, tonight?” I was perplexed.

  Lee batted her eyes even faster.

  “Okay.” I gave in. I ran to the kitchen poured some Pepsi in a glass and grabbed a pack of cheese and onion crisps, before racing back to the bathroom.

  “Thank you, honey.” Lee took the food and drink and started munching away as if she had not eaten in days.

  “Sweetheart, I have to ask. Since you've been expecting, you haven’t gained much weight. Yet, I watch you eat like a bloody horse.”

  “I’m feeding for two. Mommy can't starve her baby, can she?” Lee rubbed her protruding belly as if she was talking both to me and our unborn child.

  Despite the occasional back pain and munchies, my wife had what one would call a normal, healthy pregnancy.

  October 29,1989

  The months passed rather quickly. Lee was nearing her due date, just weeks before we put the finishing touches on the nursery. After several indecisive changes, Lee settled on a neutral color scheme. Although there was not much room in our small flat, we made do with what little space we had. We hoped to be homeowners in the near future.

  To be honest, I was excited, but also worried about becoming a progenitor. I didn’t know whether or not I was cut out to be a father. It wasn't until I called dad that I was able to isolate any qualm I felt. He instructed me that all the needed answers to be a good father were, and had always been in the Bible. Dad had doubts of his own when he first became a progenitor. He wondered if he would be a disappointment. Instead, my grandfather told dad precisely to seek and you shall find. He also offered the words of Ephesians 6:4: “Fathers do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in discipline and instruction of the lord.”

  November 4, 1989

  I was going barmy. Lee’s water broke as we approached the hospital entrance. I squeezed her hand before shouting for help. In a matter of seconds, two nurses surfaced wheeling a wheelchair.

  “How long since your wife’s been in labor, sir?”

  “It’s been an hour, or so.” I looked at my watch.

  “Mrs. Scott, can you tell me if you’re having contractions?”

  “Yes, they’re five minutes apart.” Lee winced breathing heavily.

  The nurses wasted no time taking Lee into an awaiting room in the birthing unit. Once inside, they helped her from the wheelchair and into a blue hospital gown before easing Lee onto the hospital bed.

  “How are you doing, sweetheart?” I nervously asked.

  Lee managed to smile between squeezing my hand when a sudden grimace of pain shot across her face. “These pains are getting more and more insufferable.” She winced, breathing heavily.

  “Just hang in there. You can do this, sweetheart.” I exhaled deeply.

  With each breath, Lee's pains became stronger and increasingly frequent.

  “Nurse, is there something you can do for my wife's pain? It’s growing stronger.” I panicked.

  The nurse lifted up Lee's gown, confirming her dilation progress before calling for other nurses. Lee felt the urge to push.

  “Hold my hand, baby.” I attempted to comfort Lee.

  Lee took small deep breaths in between pain and curses. “You did this to me, Alistair!”

  “Done what, love?”

  “This getting me pregnant! Get out now!” she screamed.

  “Come on baby, remember Lamaze class. Breathe in, then out.”

  “It’s not bloody working!” Lee screamed gabbing hold of my hand, tighter this time.

  Doctor Pang entered the room to take charge of the delivery. “Looks like you’re almost there, Mrs. Scott. The baby’s crown is in place. Give me a big push.”

  Lee gave an almighty push then took a deep breath. She repeated the process until we heard the cry of our baby.

  Sweat poured from Lee's forehead.

  “It's a girl, Mrs. Scott.”

  Short of breath, Lee asked if she could hold our daughter. We named her Emma Jochebed Scott. Doctor and nurses determined mother and baby were doing fin
e, and put them in separate rooms.

  When I informed the family, they wasted no time arriving at the hospital, baring gifts, flowers and pink balloons with the phrase It's a Girl printed on them in white lettering.

  “How are the new mother and father?” Lucy asked proudly hugging her weary daughter.

  “Where is my little precious granddaughter?” Willie stood smiling ear to ear after giving me a fatherly hug.

  The nurses brought in Emma Jochebed Scott wrapped in a white blanket. With strands of straight jet black hair poking through a skull cap, she looked around with her beautiful hazel eyes. Everyone crowded around the bundle of joy, making baby noises.

  I turned to Lee held her hand and said, “Sweetheart, I can't believe we did this. Emma Jochebed Scott is a divine gift from God. We are truly blessed.”

  She agreed with me, and held our newborn while family and friends took pictures. In the midst of all the excitement, I couldn’t help but think that my mum and dad did not know they had just became grandparents. So, I placed a long distance call to England to tell my family the good news. Mum kept Lee and I on the phone for over an hour, crying with joy.

  After a few days rest, Lee and Emma were released from the hospital. Two nurses followed us out the car to ensure our daughter was going to be traveling in a properly installed car seat.

  November 17, 1989

  My mum and dad are set to arrive sometime this afternoon. Lee is looking forward to meeting her new in-laws.

  ---

  When Lacy dropped by for a visit, her face told us she wasn't her normal self. Something major was eating away at her. “I’ve got bad news.”

  “What is it?” Lee asked.

  “It's Joanne. She died this morning.”

  “No, no, no…she can't be dead.” Lee rambled.

  Lacy held her little sister as they both clasped on the settee. My heart pounded fast trying to acknowledge or digest Joanne's passing. I was lost for words. Lee and I had just seen her last week. She had mention she had not been feeling well, but promised us nothing could stop her from seeing her goddaughter being born. Our celebration of new birth had transformed into mourning the loss of a friend.

  ---

  Picking up my parents at JFK was an emotional reunion. They asked to stop at their hotel before going to my flat. My mum could sense something was wrong. Lee and I explained the passing of our good friend.

  “Listen to me, both of you.” Mum gave her point of view as I drove. “Just think of the things your friend Joanne loved to do and didn’t get to finish. Make her proud and continue whatever she was passionate about. Honor her memory so it will live on forever in you, and in the hearts of many.”

  Lee turned to me and smiled, finding comfort in her mother-in-law’s sound advice.

  I found myself changing the subject and regretting it. “Mum and dad, you both look fantastic. You’re looking younger than ever.”

  “Well, son that’s because your father and I have plenty of sex.”

  “Mum!” I yelled trying to control the car’s sudden veering from left to right.

  Minutes later, we pulled up outside our flat. I was hoping and praying my mother would not continue to embarrass me any further with sexually explicit tales. But of course, my wife thought it was funny. Walking into the flat, mum immediately asked to see her granddaughter. Lacy babysat while we were out, and told my mum that Emma was asleep. Lee wanted to make sure she was okay and lifted our daughter from the crib. Emma opened her hazel eyes. Lee placed Emma in her grandmother’s anticipating arms.

  ---

  Mum took to Lee immediately. They sat, for hours, chin-wagging like good friends. This interaction helped take Lee’s mind off Joanne’s funeral. Dad handed out supplies of British foods that I enjoyed and missed. He gave me a bag filled with round trees, yorkie bars, McVites chocolate biscuits, prawn cocktail crisps, tomato-flavored crisps and morning coffee biscuits. Then mum unwrapped stilton cheese in silver foil, which she smuggled over in her suitcase without declaring it through customs.

  “I can't afford your bail if you get arrested.” I told my mother.

  “Be quiet! You sound just like your father. Nag, nag, nag.” mum replied. “Your Aunt Monica sent the cheese. She knows how much you love the stuff.” Mum justified her smuggling. “She even made chips fried with slices of bacon.”

  Bradley and I had always enjoyed eating when visiting Aunt Monica and Uncle Clinton as children. Aunt Monica had always been a fabulous cook. She was the go-to person if a wedding, party or any special gathering was happening.

  Lee's mother arranged a special dinner for my parents. She wanted to meet them as soon as possible. Both families bonded, inheriting love and respect from one another.

  November 25, 1989

  St. Mary's Church was packed with friends and family there to say their final goodbyes to Joanne Mackintosh. Uncontrollable sobbing filled the church. Lee rested her head on my shoulder in lament. Father Patrick held his head down in sorrow as he walked to the pulpit. He had christened Joanne when she was just one month old. Now he was preforming her home going service.

  Five men wearing black suits carried Joanne’s casket down the nave, placing it in front of the podium. Thereafter, they walked back outside and returned with flowers. When they put the sympathy arrangements to the left and right of the coffin, mourners sobbed louder.

  Father Patrick began to read from the Bible:

  “The spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God and if children then heir-heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Romans 8:16-17”

  After reading the scripture, Father Patrick asked that we bow our heads as he said a prayer. He then asked Lee to read the eulogy. Lee walked to the podium with tears in her eyes and spoke from her heart about a friend she knew personally. Lee never wanted to read something written, she needed to say what was felt inside . Lee barely held it together, although, she concluded with her thoughts and prayers for her dear departed friend. Lee wept as she stepped down. I walked over to solace my wife, leading her back to our seats.

  Joanne’s passion for life was unprecedented. Whenever someone was feeling down, Joanne knew just what to say or do. Her life may have been cut short, but those of us who spent time with Joanne got to know her. We were sincerely blessed to have her as our friend.

  Joanne was laid to rest at Pine Lawn Cemetery.

  RIP Joanne Marie. We will never forget you.

  ---

  Driving home, my sense of empathy was tested as my wife intensely stared out of the car window with a box of Kleenex in her lap. We drove from the burial site in silence. Only the sound of the car’s engine and breeze blowing were heard.

  Suddenly, Lee spoke. “I've made up my mind. We have to dedicate whatever time is needed to make a difference. First Trang and now my best friend? It just doesn't seem right for any of us to sit around doing nothing. Lee looked in our direction for approval.

  Whether or not Lacy and I entertained the concept, my wife was going to spearhead the project with or without our help. I learned first hand just how driven my wife could be, and what she would do to set things in motion.

  November 30, 1989

  At the end of each month, the four of us got together to evaluate business concerns. This particular day, Hyacinth presented a lucrative idea, suggesting we invest what revenue we made in stocks. However, not just any stocks. After doing considerable research, she knew what course of action to take, handing each of us a beige folder with sheets of detailed documents.

  Hyacinth gave a meticulous account of what our investments would be in technology stocks like IBM, Polaroid and Apple. She knew there was more money to be made. And her lucrative knowledge was sought after. However, she declined several bounteous offers, knowing that some corporations bred a different strain of human being. Hyacinth vowed to never become a life-sucking vermin all to make money. But now, she just neede
d each of our signatures to proceed.

  In comparison to other meetings, this one went on for several hours. Lee made a baked ziti with shrimp, and she and little Emma delivered it to us for lunch. After eating our meal, we covered more essential facts, and then signed our lives away with the proceeds we made from our company over the months. Hyacinth put the papers together and placed them in an attaché case.

  Before adjourning our meeting, I mentioned the upcoming breast cancer benefit walk. My friends were as fervent as Lee and wanted to join the cause. Lee wrote particular tasks for each participant. She assigned promotions to Hyacinth and herself, leaving Peter, Ronnie and I to get printed t-shirts and baseball caps.