Miracle Walk (The Designed Love Series Book 2)

by Patricia Hoving

  “That sounds like a good idea.”

  I walked ahead of her and held the door open for her. “The pup I saw was adorable.” I gazed across the room to the heavily panting pug. To see that the second pup had still yet to make its appearance, I looked down at the watch to make sure they were still within a good time frame. Unlike humans, dogs do not give birth for hours on end, four tops.

  “Pugsley?” she cried as she approached the simpering dog. “Can’t you give her anything for the pain?”

  This was a common question that he got from most pet owners whose pups were born in a vet hospital. “I know that it’s hard to see her in pain, but its a natural process and its normal for her to feel some discomfort.” He clenched his jaw knowing that a tirade was coming.

  “This doesn’t seem normal to me,” Mrs. McCarthy commented, folding her arms across her chest as she faced me.

  “I think you just have to keep in mind that puppies are small in relation to a human baby. What people normally associate labor with.”

  “Well of course but—”

  “Okay, take a breath and let me explain. Because of that, the pain dogs experience during labor is way less intense. And this pain specifically is not responsive to normal painkilling medicines and they aren’t likely to be of any help.”

  “I suppose I’ll just have to trust you on that.”

  “I have been her doctor since she was a year old.”

  There was no hesitation. “And a good one at that. Perhaps I’ll have time to pick up some extra dog treats for her for all her troubles.”

  Jerry grinned and pointed at her. “Like a push present?”

  “A what?” she asked puzzled.

  “You know that new thing where you give your wife a gift after giving birth. Going through hard labor.” She looked at him still confused. “Never mind. Bad joke.”

  “That sounds ridiculous.” She said turning on a dime and exiting the room without so much as a goodbye. Leaving behind a potent fragrance causing me to cough.

  “Its stupid, but she’s doing it for a dog,” Jerry said grimly.

  I walked over to the animal and scratched her behind her ears. “I don’t know look at this cute old lady face. Doesn’t she deserve a push gift.” I withdrew my hands once I saw that she was actually pushing.

  I found a swivel chair and made faces at the turtle recovering in a tank. He was brought in a couple of days ago with a cracked shell. I looked back at the yelping dog out of the corner of my eye. This was definitely going to be a long Christmas for the two of us.

  5

  Ruthie

  I sat on a chair, munching on pretzels as Opal ran a brush through my frizzy brown hair. Using every product known to man to tame my frazzled mane. Opting for a wispy braid and low bun. It didn’t matter to me what she did with it, I just wanted something manageable for the plane ride and first day in another city. It was a small town, I imagined that anything we wore would be on trend and ahead of the curve being from Chicago. It also helped that it was already summer here in Chicago and it would be summer there. So no dressing for winter and changing in the airport bathroom to something more July worthy.

  “I have to remember to bring a stick of gum,” Opal said, always the one you can count on to have a to-do-list of things to do or bring. “I remember not bringing it one particular trip and my poor ears were suffering.”

  “Okay.” I stifled a yawn, and then popped another pretzel into my mouth before she noticed. Clutching the can of spray and gel in my left arm for her easy reach. “I’ll just make sure that I have a stick in my pocket as well. But what trip have you been on? I don’t remember you taking any trips.” Wondering why I didn’t have any water nearby.

  “There.” Opal pinned the wispy braid around the makeshift bun. “I’m glad you didn’t do it yourself because tomorrow you are going to be ready for the ball or at least the long lines at the airport.”

  “At least the TSA agent will think I’m beautiful.” I laughed. “Not that I’m trying to impress anyone. So this better not be one of those high maintenance styles of yours.” I stood and moved over to look in the mirror on the wall. Leaving the items in my hand on the chair. “But you’ve been holding out on me what trip did you go on? You know you can share the good news with us.”

  I froze as she kicked the chair over, practically snarling like an angry bull in a china shop. She sometimes had a temper, but I’d never seen her like this. Alarmed, I moved closer to the television but hesitated out of fear of knocking it over. Why was she so angry?

  “Opal.” I moved to pick up the chair, trying to keep the fear from my expression. “Count to ten when you get upset, remember.”

  I picked up the bag of pretzels from off the floor, looking up into her red face, her hands covered in gel. “You and Naomi sit in this house, in your glass bubble, as if no one else could ever feel what you feel. My husband died too. The last trip I took was with him to Puerto Rico.”

  Shocked that I even could have forgotten that detail, I just nodded my head.

  With fearful clarity, I saw that in our efforts to be there for each other that we might not have always reached back to take Opal’s hand. “I’m sorry that I let that detail slip my mind,” I pleaded with her as I moved to give her a hug. “But I was on that plane with you on the ride back sitting in the seat that he should have had. Trust me Opal that we have not forgotten that pain.”

  I glanced around to catch sight of Naomi standing at the top of the stairs trying to peer down over the low ceiling. Her eyes wide, as she hunched over, shakily holding on to the railing.

  “Is everything alright down there?”

  I smiled gently before looking back at Opal. “Just two clumsy Betsy bugs as you like to call it. I fell out of the chair and spilled some pretzels on the floor.”

  “But I heard screaming?”

  I snickered as I put my forehead up against Opal’s. The woman as close to me as my own sister. “Opal was just upset that I almost ruined the masterpiece that she did with my hair.” Closing my eyes as I grabbed her hands and said a quick silent prayer on both of our behalf’s.

  I could sense her reluctance before she exhaled loudly and then relaxed, repeating what I said after me. We both said Amen and went about the business of cleaning up the mess Opal had created. The can of spray and gel had also busted open. Some of its contents having made it onto the wooden floor. I rushed into the kitchen and grabbed some paper towels. Handing a few to Opal.

  Cold reality hit me like I had done the polar plunge—Opal, a civil litigation lawyer and rock of this family was about to get on a plane for the first time since Mailer died. She was always strong and was the last one to tell us when anything was wrong, but she just cried out just now. It was my job to hear her.

  But in my past experience, she wasn’t always the most receptive to help.

  I sat back on the couch and beckoned for her to join me. Handing her the remote and contemplating what kind of dessert we had in the fridge that she might be interested in.

  “I’ve got to go wash my hands,” she said, turning to the news before she stood up.

  “Okay and then maybe we could talk when you get back. We’ve got ice cream,” I said, standing up with her.

  “Ruthie, relax its just a chair.” Rushing up the stairs to the bathroom when there was one down on this floor.

  I shook my head, realizing that her walls were already back up. But that didn’t mean she didn’t need ice cream. Sauntering to the kitchen to fix us both a bowl. Catching my reflection in the kitchen window and appreciating my new haircut.

  * * *

  After the only flight Opal was able to find leaving Chicago to Columbus, Ohio was at 7 a.m. in the morning, with one stop and we’d be stuck on that flight for three hours. I restlessly tossed and turned in my bed trying to get some sleep. So that I could be well rested on the plane. The exhaustion I’d felt earlier running around the house trying to ensure that we didn’t leave anything was replaced by
an edgy nervousness. It didn’t help that Opal was right downstairs sleeping in the guest bedroom, I thought I might never sleep again. Questions and anxieties about how she was going to handle the flight tomorrow whirled in my head like a washing machine.

  Naomi and I would have to be vigilant and watch out for any mood swings. I could sit in the aisle, in case she managed to start crying and field any inopportune questions about what was going on. Perhaps, I could blame it on her being a new flyer? Maybe I should have tried to convince her to take something so she could fall asleep on the plane?

  Eli’s death had triggered Mailer’s spontaneous side and he had quickly turned into a grab life by its horns kind of guy. So they took lots of trips rock climbing and scuba diving whenever they could. Not that they had much money coming in since she was still a student at that time. Most of the trips were paid from Mailer’s inheritance from Eli. Flying a trip filled with butterflies of excitement, but coming back devastated with your sister-in-law in the seat that belonged to your husband. I can’t step in a hospital for a stubbed toe without getting queasy and avoided it like the plague. I couldn’t imagine what Opal was going through now.

  I hugged my pillow and drowned my tears. If only God had never taken them from us, to begin with.

  My alarm jarred me awake at 4 a.m. prying my heavy eyelids open with its screeching. I must’ve drifted to sleep, only to awake with a massive headache. I felt physically tired, but it was much more than just a lack of sleep getting me down. A soft knock came at the door.

  “Come in.”

  “I got Naomi up a little early,” she said, her mouth twisting into something that was supposed to be a smile but didn’t quite make it. “So she can get dressed and I called a cab.”

  I threw my feet over the side of the bed. “Thanks for taking care of her.”

  “Well, she’s my mother too,” she went on, putting the light on in my room. “Did you sleep in the clothes you’re wearing tonight?”

  “Yeah, I wasn’t sure how much time I would have to take care of myself and mom.”

  She looked down at the ground. “I know I’m sinking everything I have into this practice, but it’s not an overnight thing. I’m barely making any money. I don’t need you to make me feel bad for not being around as much as I should.”

  “That’s not—” I heard the sound of Naomi’s feet sliding across the rug, followed by a soft cough just outside the doorway and knew that we would have to table this conversation for later.

  “Let’s just go downstairs.”

  I nodded and went to the bathroom to freshen up. By the time I was ready to go our cab had arrived and Opal was taking the bags out to the curb. “Ruthie, come on now!” she cried, looking up to see me standing in the doorway. “Oh, there you are, sorry.”

  I blew out a breath as we piled into the van. It was a mostly quiet ride as Naomi and Opal nodded off, and I watched the quiet streets of Chicago at night as we made our way to the North Side. Passing the time by day-dreaming about what the coming trip might bring. The street lights like stars against the darkened sky. The lights came on in the van when we arrived at our stop.

  It was a 30 minute drive and we got to O’Hare airport in more than enough time to get through all the checkpoints. We got our things out of the van and followed the signs, feeling a little out of sorts as we tried to find the right floor. If I was expecting the place to be quiet because of the late hour by the time we got to baggage check it was bustling with loud boisterous teenagers, screaming kids and people running about trying to figure out what gate they should be going in.

  Opal hurried to grab one of the 7 kiosks to check in.

  I bent down to pick up her carry on bag to see if it would fit when she stopped me. “I have agonized over this decision for some time and I don’t think I want either of you to accompany me.”

  “What are you talking about? We bought tickets and packed a bag and someone who said they remembered you even agreed to comp our rooms at a very sweet bed and breakfast. Its all planned.” Opal’s gaze met mine. “If you think we’re going to be in your way. I’m sure that Ruthie and I can find something to do while you visit with family.”

  I was about to say that we would prefer to stay together and perhaps convince her to be our unofficial tour guide to her favorite spots when she countered, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your deceased husbands and to me.”

  I pressed my lips together in disbelief as she leaned over and kissed us both on the cheek. My gaze floated over to Opal, her eyes turned toward the hard ground, her hands limp at her sides.

  “May the Lord grant each of you with rest in the home of another husband.”

  I wept aloud like a little girl lost in a store. Uncaring who might turn around and see me for indeed I was lost in the world without her. “We will go back with you to your family.”

  She took her bag back and grabbed the tickets from Opal’s hands. Her hands trembling. “Return home my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons to be your husbands?”

  “No.” I closed my eyes as if I could not bear to watch her face as I pleaded with her, “But—”

  “Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons—would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you because the Lord’s hand has turned against me!”

  Opal looked positively terrified as she reached out covering Naomi’s hand with her own. So that it looked like she was helping her with her bag instead of what it really was, a daughter’s last plea. Her eyes red as our mascara trickled down her cheeks. “Please,” her voice quavered.

  She looked at her pityingly. “You have thrown yourself into work so that you don’t have to feel everything that is going on up there. Ruthie and I have both tried, but we are not who you need. Please, return to your mother.”

  Opal kissed her on her cheek and gave her a hug that I thought would squeeze the life out of her before she released her. Grabbing her bag and filing past me before squeezing my arm goodbye.

  Naomi raised her brow in surprise that I was still standing there. The last thing I wanted was to cause her pain, but this decision of hers would only hurt us both. I picked up my bag but made no move to turn away. Instead, I reached for her free hand.

  She pulled away from my grasp. “Look! Your sister-in-law is going back to her parents and any symbol of a life she can still have. Go back with her.”

  “Don’t tell me to leave you or to turn my back on you,” I told her.

  She bit her lip and frowned.

  “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your family is my family. I’ll call my parents when I get there and let them know of my decision. Honestly, may the Lord deal with me, be it, however so severely, if even death separates you and me.”

  She hesitated then cleared her throat. “Okay.”

  “Okay,” I giggled in relief as I embraced her. I pulled back and kindly gestured for my ticket to be returned before stuffing Opal’s into the side pocket of my bag. I’d keep it always to remind me of her.

  * * *

  Up in the air, I couldn’t even tell if we were still over Chicago or not, but once we ascended into the clouds it was daytime. Before the seat belt sign even went off, a couple stragglers had already made there way back to the bathroom. A voice came over the speakers for everyone to remain seated. Naomi frowned covering her ears with her hands. Her ears popping like mine.

  “Eli and I actually drove the last time I made this trip.”

  I smiled and handed her a stick of gum. An hour in everything seemed to have settled.

  Naomi still managed to nod off once more, her head lulling to the side and coming to rest on my shoulder. I turned my head and looked out the window at the empty blue sky. Catching t
he couple in the seats in front of us. Sharing what appeared to be a headset as she laid her head on her husbands or boyfriends shoulder. That mixed with Naomi’s tantrum earlier had my emotions in turmoil.

  Naomi was acting out of grief and I should know that better than anyone:

  “Go upstairs and get mom,” Kohen said, coughing into his handkerchief. My head languishing on his shoulder. “I think we’re almost ready to get this repast underway.”

  I nodded, shadows of grief circled his eyes as I rubbed his back. Unable to bear the wounded look in his eyes as he came to terms with what it meant to be without his father.

  For everyone’s sake, I managed to hold back my own grief. I clamped my lips together and held my head high as I made my way up the stairs. Tomorrow, after things had settled, I would find my own place off to the side to cry. So many people had known him longer, had a closer relationship that my grief didn’t seem like enough. Like somehow I’d be detracting away from everything else Kohen, Mailer and Naomi were going through.

  But what I saw as I made my way into her room to knock on the bathroom door destroyed all that.

  “Mom, the guests are all waiting for you downstairs,” I told her, easing the door open. “Don’t worry you won’t have to say anything. I think Mailer has a few words prepared.”

  My blood ran cold seeing her sitting on the toilet with a bottle of aspirin in her hand. “Did you—”

  She shook her head. “There are only three pills in this bottle. I don’t think that’s enough to give me a heart attack. Never mind sending me to meet my husband.”

  My shoulders slumped as my heart ached for her. I bent down in front of her and put my hand over the bottle taking it from her. “You don’t mean that.” My tone was so low you would have thought there was a newborn in the next room and I didn’t want to wake it.

  “He was my soul mate,” she choked out.