Heart of the Woods

by Grant C. Holland

  “Once the house was going up, he didn’t have to do that. There was enough extra space on that side that they already dug when laying the foundation. We added some topsoil, and it was ready to plant.”

  Levi said, “We could build a barbecue pit with the stones I’m pulling out of here.”

  “Don’t tempt me., but I think I’m already making you work hard enough.” Grandma carefully sat on the rocking chair placed in one corner of the porch. “It’s not so bad in the shade. You will have to stop soon, Levi, and rest. It will probably be cooler tomorrow. We don’t have to get it all done in just one day.”

  Levi stared down into the small excavated pit. He felt like he’d worked for almost two hours nonstop, and the new garden wasn’t even a full foot deep. “Tomorrow I want to go to Iron Crossing and get some topsoil. You have those two paintings you want me to deliver, and I’ll take them with me.”

  “Oh, yes, I almost forgot. Some days I wish that I could see the gallery in New York. It’s hard to explain the sensation. It’s a lovely experience to see your babies lined up on a crisp, clean wall. Then the people in expensive clothes speaking million dollar words pass by with an ‘ooh’ and an ‘aah.’”

  Levi leaned on the spade again and looked up. “Grandma, we could take a trip. I’ve never seen New York City. I’ll take care of all of the logistics, and you can see how much everybody loves your paintings. I’m sure the gallery owner would be thrilled to meet you.”

  For a moment, she seemed to grab hold of the idea, but then he saw her interest fade as the light in her eyes dimmed. “No, I need to stay here. This is where I belong. When Walter and I came here, we meant to leave all the rest of the world and its commotion behind. This is my home. This is where I belong.”

  Bending over and reaching his fingertips under the edge of a flat stone, Levi tugged forcefully trying to pull it out of the ground. “These are stubborn. I worry that I might find a huge one, and when I yank on it, that will be like pulling a rug out from under the cabin.”

  Grandma laughed. “Hopefully you can do it like a magician without breaking a dish.”

  “Grandma, did your grandmother have a flower garden?”

  Levi tapped into a pleasant memory. Grandma Daley rocked with more deliberation and gazed out toward the forest. “We’ve always had flower gardens. I remember them when I was a little girl.”

  “They were bigger than this?”

  “Grandma had a huge vegetable garden ringed with marigolds to keep the pests away. There was also a small meadow just for cutting blooms. I spent two weeks each summer with my grandparents.”

  The stories about growing up weren’t new. Levi believed that he’d heard almost all there was to tell, but he loved the sound of Grandma Daley’s voice when she talked about the distant past. He didn’t think there was anything more successful at brightening her mood. Levi heard the lilt of a little girl’s laughter around the edges of the words. He stood up to lean on the spade and listen to her stories again.

  “I loved the names. She had bachelor buttons, pinks, snapdragons, and busy Lizzie. Then, in the fall, I was always excited to see the naked ladies. They danced in a row next to the back of the house.”

  Levi looked up to the porch. “Naked ladies? I don’t remember you talking about those. Surely, your grandpa didn’t have risqué friends.”

  Grandma Daley laughed out loud. “No, naked ladies are a flower. The leaves came up in the spring, and then they died back. Late in the summer when we thought they would never show up again, they popped up all along the back foundation of the house. They were big pink flowers. Grandma always made a bouquet for the dinner table.”

  “Do you ever miss those days, Grandma?”

  “I don’t think so. My parents taught me always to look forward and never look back. They said the world always had something new to show you if you kept paying attention. I learned to look for what was different and exciting.”

  Levi nodded. “I think that’s true. The world keeps showing me new things, and it’s starting to happen faster now. Look what’s happened with getting to know Brandon. I never had any idea something like that could happen. He’s so different from the guys I knew back in college. He’s real, and he’s sweet at the same time. He’s so incredibly handsome, too.” Levi blushed. He couldn’t believe that he was rambling on about his relationship to his grandmother. He always kept things like that private.

  Grandma Daley didn’t say anything in response. Levi looked up to the porch. The rocking of the chair was slower, and her eyes were closed. He smiled. She’d decided to take her afternoon nap out in the open air.

  Levi climbed the front steps of the porch. He thought that a blanket from the back of the sofa would make a good wrap. He knew that when she woke up, it was possible Grandma would feel a little disoriented. She could pull the blanket up for comfort.

  As he reached out for the handle of the front door, Levi saw movement out of the corner of his eye. He turned toward the rocking chair and gasped. Grandma Daley slumped toward the side in an unnaturally contorted position.

  Levi stepped up to her and reached for her shoulders. He shook gently, but there was no response. He placed a hand on her chest. He sighed with relief as he felt the slow pounding of her heart. After he shook her again, she moaned and said, “I’m not feeling so well.”

  Helping Grandma Daley to her feet, Levi wasn’t sure what to do next. Her body was almost limp. He knew that if he let go, she would fall to the floor. Her eyelids fluttered, and she didn’t say anything else. The trip was slow. Every third or fourth step, Grandma Daley helped with her own movement, but she almost fainted in between.

  Soon, she stopped assisting. As Levi helped her to bed inside the cabin, Grandma’s feet dragged across the hardwood floor. He heard the scrape of the heels of her shoes. Levi tried asking her questions, but she failed to speak any words in response. As he lay her down flat on her bed, Grandma Daley feebly raised her right hand into the air like she was waving him away.

  Levi bit his lip when he noticed that the left corner of her mouth contorted unnaturally. He knew that it was a medical emergency, and they needed help. “Grandma, I don’t want to leave you here, but we need a doctor.” She feebly waved the hand one more time, but this time it only rose half as high as the time before.

  When he left the room, Levi knew that if Grandma Daley understood what was going on, she would expect him to take the canoe all the way to Iron Crossing to get help. Instead, he plowed his way into the woods to get far enough away from the cabin for cell phone reception. He cursed his grandfather’s installation of the blocking system thirty times before he saw the reassuring lines denoting a successful connection showing up on the screen of the phone.

  At the last moment, Levi debated whether to call 911 or call Brandon. He decided to try Brandon first. If there was no answer, 911 was the next option.

  As soon as Brandon picked up on the other end, Levi screamed into the phone, “She’s having a stroke, Brandon! She’s having a stroke! We need help!”

  Brandon asked a few brief questions and listened to the responses. His voice was calm and reassuring when he said, “Keep her comfortable. Have water available in case she needs it and can drink it, and keep her warm. Talk to her, Levi. Don’t let her fall asleep. I’ll have Gabe out there as quick as we can make the trip. I’m heading out the door right now.”

  “Please hurry! I think she’s dying. She can’t die. Please don’t let her die!”

  “I’m giving your phone number to Elle. If you need anything, she’ll know what to do. I need to be off the phone for a few minutes because I have to get Gabe out into the woods with the canoe. Once we’re on the lake, I’ll call. If I don’t get an answer, I’ll assume you’re with Grandma Daley. It’s going to be okay, Levi. Trust me. It’s going to be okay.”

  17

  Brandon

  Gabe said, “Brandon, you paddle. I’m still making calls to get my backups in place, so we can get her out as fast as
we can. If it’s a stroke like Levi describes, time is a huge factor. Minutes, even seconds, can make the difference.”

  Brandon couldn’t remember paddling across a lake so fast in his life. His shoulders ached, but he ignored everything but his thoughts about Levi and Gabe’s comments about making phone calls. Levi’s grandmother was fortunate they were near an area with cell phone reception. Despite the fact Levi had to walk some distance from the cabin, at least he could connect. Much of the BWCA was still well out of range of electronic communication.

  Gabe said, “They’ll fly her from Arrowhead Falls to the hospital in Ely. Another pair of EMTs are heading up the route behind us. We should meet them about halfway back, so if you’re exhausted, buddy, you only have to last until then.”

  “You know, Gabe, if I don’t tell you often enough, you’re a fantastic person. Don’t hold it over my head when we’re having fun ragging on each other, but I don’t know if I would have the guts to do what you do.”

  “Half of the guts come from training. You learn what to do, and you follow the guidelines. Thank you for the compliment, but maybe you should think about dating a boyfriend who lives a little closer to civilization.”

  Brandon laughed. He appreciated that Gabe had a sense of humor even in dire situations. He always thought Gabe’s ability to make people laugh kept some people alive who would have otherwise perished on their way to the hospital. Gabe’s humor in a tough situation reminded Brandon of their breakup. He couldn’t remember laughing when he broke up with anyone else.

  After they had a bitter argument that culminated in yelling at each other, Gabe gripped the doorknob, threw his head back in a dramatic gesture, and exclaimed, “In the deep, dark night, you’re going to miss this body. It’s the best one you’ve ever had!” He turned the knob and stepped out into the night slamming the door behind him.

  Brandon couldn’t stop himself from laughing, and he laughed hard. He called Elle and exclaimed, “You won’t believe what I just saw!” He still chuckled every time he remembered the high drama.

  Fortunately, in an emergency, Gabe was all business. He didn’t let the occasional dry humor comments interfere with his efficiency. As they slipped the rescue canoe into the waters of the second lake, Gabe asked, “Do you need any help paddling?”

  Brandon dug his paddle into the placid surface of the lake and said, “I think I’ve got this. You can help me on the way back.” Brandon attempted to bring some levity to the situation and asked, “Are you worried about the Wendigo? It could be out there watching.”

  “I do that to tease you. I’m more worried that Larry will corner me in the grocery and try to kiss me. He’s a societal menace.”

  Brandon shook his head and smiled. “I don’t think you have much to worry about from Larry. He only means well. It’s his inane songs that do the real damage.”

  “You are wicked when you want to be. Aren’t you my friend? A true friend would protect me from the kisses of amorous strangers.”

  As they carried the canoe across the last portage to Lone Cedar Lake, Gabe said, “I’m glad I don’t do this very often.”

  In a confused voice, Brandon asked, “Go on rescue missions?”

  “No, go on missions to rescue someone on a haunted lake in the middle of Buttfuck Nowhere.”

  “I think that’s all of northern Minnesota.”

  As they pushed the canoe into the edge of the lake, Gabe said, “No, there’s the middle of Nowhere, and then there’s Buttfuck Nowhere. That’s two towns over.”

  Brandon giggled. In a few moments, he pointed at the dock and said, “Here’s where we pull out.”

  Gabe surveyed the area. “It’s just a little old dock. Where do you go from here? Do you plunge into the woods and hope for the best?”

  Brandon climbed out of the canoe and helped with Gabe’s equipment. “No, there’s a path. You can’t see it until you’re on top of it. They try to keep it hidden on purpose. That way they don’t get unexpected visitors…like me.”

  “Now there’s privacy, and then there’s being lost. I think this is dangerously close to the latter.”

  Brandon pointed at the first stones. “See, they’re right there. Just follow the stones.”

  “Okay, I’ll trust you.”

  As the clearing emerged in their sight, Brandon spotted Levi on the front porch. He jogged to the cabin while Gabe ambled up behind. Levi said, “Oh, man, the two of you are about an hour earlier than I expected. I came out here for a breath of air.”

  Brandon asked, “How is she?”

  “I don’t know. I’ve tried to keep her awake, but she can’t talk very well. Her mouth and cheek look all wrong, and she can’t move her left arm. When she fell asleep, and I couldn’t rouse her, I came out here for a minute.”

  Gabe pushed past the two of them, opened the door, and called over his shoulder, “Which room?”

  “The door on the right.”

  Brandon wrapped an arm around Levi’s waist as they followed Gabe. He said, “I’m so sorry about this. It’s horrible.”

  Levi reached up and wiped tears from the corner of his right eye. “I’m so glad you’re here. I didn’t know what to do. I thought about putting her in the canoe with me, but I didn’t know what I would do. I didn’t want to hurt her. I don’t think I could concentrate enough to paddle. My gut’s all tied up in knots. Every few minutes I feel like I want to vomit.”

  Gabe sat on the edge of the bed with a steel box of medical instruments. He asked Grandma Daley questions in a low voice. Brandon stepped up behind him. “Do you need anything?”

  “I don’t. Levi, it’s good that you called us. I’m checking a few things, and then we’re going to load her onto the canoe. We’ll do our best to immobilize her so that we don’t cause any injuries. The sooner we get her to the hospital in Ely, the better.”

  Levi watched Grandma Daley wave her right hand again, and he choked up. He asked Brandon, “Can we go to the living room? I’m worried I’m going to be sick.”

  In a commanding voice, Gabe said, “Take him into the living room. That’s fine. I’ve got all I need here. Get yourselves together. We leave in about five minutes.”

  As soon as the bedroom door closed behind them, Levi threw his arms around Brandon and hung on tight. He blubbered, “I knew it would happen someday, but I guess I couldn’t ever be ready. It all happened so fast. Is she going to die?”

  Brandon looked into his eyes and brushed hair away from his face. “I can’t tell you that. I wish I knew how to answer. I’m not a doctor, and I don’t think Gabe can make a diagnosis either. We’re going to take her to the hospital in Ely. She’ll get the fastest transport and the best treatment we can give her.”

  Eli said, “Maybe I should have noticed yesterday. Maybe I should have seen something at breakfast. Oh God, Brandon, what if I could have done something, and she dies.”

  Brandon held on tight. He said, “Don’t think like that. Did you see anything unusual? A few days ago when I was here, she was doing great. Did something change?” Brandon put his hand on Levi’s chest. “Take a few deep breaths before you say anything.”

  Levi closed his eyes, breathed deeply three times and said, “No, I didn’t notice anything at all. In fact, she’s been doing great for the last couple of weeks. It’s been more like it was when I first moved up here. I was getting a little worried she would try to get down in the dirt and help me dig the flower beds. When she’s feeling good, sometimes she forgets that she’s over eighty years old.”

  Brandon laughed softly. “You have one tough Grandma.”

  Levi smiled for the first time since he noticed something was wrong. “You don’t know the half of it. She is tough as nails, and she’s stubborn, too. She’s going to hate going to a hospital.”

  “Why would she hate that? Is she scared of them?”

  “No, but she told me to call for the people with the box if she was ever too weak to get out of bed. I think this qualifies as that kind of situation.”


  Before Brandon could respond, Gabe opened the bedroom door. “Okay, guys, it’s time to get this beautiful woman to the hospital. We’ll carry her out on the stretcher we dropped outside. I don’t want to risk causing any problems.”

  As Brandon periodically rubbed Levi’s shoulder, it gave Levi the strength he needed to help get Grandma Daley to the canoe. He said, “It will be easier for the two of you if I take my canoe and paddle along with you, won’t it?”

  Gabe said, “That’s not a bad idea. Let me call and see where the other guys are.”

  Levi looked at Brandon with questions in his eyes. “Other guys?”

  “Gabe has another crew on their way to help out. Like I said, it’s the best assistance she can get.”

  “Wow, it’s like a small army helping out.”

  The return trip to Arrowhead Falls unfolded like clockwork. Elle waited at the edge of the woods with the transport to the airport. As they loaded Grandma Daley onto a plane, Gabe said, “Brandon, you go with Levi in the air. I’ll ride with Elle, and we’ll meet you in Ely a little later. This great lady is still with us, and that’s a good sign.” Just before they climbed into the plane, Gabe shook Levi’s hand and said, “You did a great job. I want you with me in an emergency.”

  18

  Levi

  Levi couldn’t remember setting foot in a hospital since he was a five-year-old child having his tonsils out. Those memories were vague. He was only at the hospital overnight, and much of the time he was woozy from the anesthetic. The pale-colored walls and intense white lights made him nervous. The smell of disinfectant was almost unbearable.

  Brandon asked, “Are you sure you’re okay? There’s nothing we can do now but wait. I’m sure she’ll have the best care possible. The doctors will let us know what’s going on soon.”