Harvesting Acorns

by Deirdré Amy Gower

  She was walking, so deep in thought and not paying attention to her surroundings that she did not hear James calling to her. Only when he ran up to her did she snap out of her reverie and notice him.

  “Chloe, I was calling you for ages!” he chided her light heartedly. His mother caught up in a minute.

  “Hello Jessica, lovely to see you,” Chloe greeted her warmly with a hug.

  “Hi Chloe, James just had to come and say hi. He is so fond of you. Are you OK, we could not help noticing that you seemed far away in thought?” Jessica asked concerned.

  “I was,” Chloe replied a little sheepishly, “I am sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude. I have just come from Ben and Hannah. Ben is not a match as a bone marrow donor for Hannah, and so I am going to be tested tomorrow to see if I potentially may be. I was just thinking how to encourage others to do the same, it is not something I am able to use my journalistic influences for, it is quite a sensitive request. Quite different to the general appeal we made for people to register as donors.”

  “Well count me in,” said Jessica. “Hannah has been a very important part of James’ life and it is the least I could do for her, and for him.”

  James, who had been listening patiently to their conversation hesitantly spoke just then.

  “I have been thinking about it so much. I also want to be tested.”

  Chloe and Jessica both looked at him with such admiration and pride. This little boy was asking for a chance to save his best friend’s life. Neither of them knew if it would be allowed. Jessica’s heart flipped at the thought of her own child going through that intense procedure, but she knew how important it was to him. She agreed that she would find out if he could at least be tested, and then, results depending, they would take it from there.

  The sun had set during their conversation and the last bit of light was fading. They said their goodbyes and agreed to call each other in the morning to meet at the doctor together to begin testing. Chloe stopped briefly at Phoebe and recounted the afternoon’s events. By the time she left Phoebe had also offered to be tested and said she would speak to Jean Pierre, whom she was sure would also be glad to be tested.

  The next morning Chloe went into the office early to get a head start on her work so that she would not feel bad taking more time off two days in a row. She phoned Ben to find out if he had arranged with the doctors for a suitable time for her to go and also told him that Jessica, James, Phoebe and Jean Pierre would also be tested. He said he would just confirm if they could all go together and call her back as soon as possible. While she waited she went to speak to Edward about taking a little more time off to be tested. He was more than understanding; he was so impressed he offered to go with to be tested and immediately phoned Beth to tell her to join them as well. He told the rest of the staff that he and Chloe would be out for the afternoon, and when he explained why, they suddenly found themselves with the entire office complement offering to join in being tested.

  Ben called back and said that the doctors had agreed to have two nurses on standby every day for anyone who wanted to come in to be tested. They would not need appointments if they were just coming to be tested for Hannah. Chloe phoned all those who had agreed and they arranged to meet at midday at the doctors rooms. When Chloe arrived she was blown away. There was a long queue in the doctor’s rooms and she was told that word had spread and more people had offered to be tested. By one o’clock there were twenty people being tested. By two o’clock another five had arrived and by closing time at five o’clock a total of thirty people had been tested. Ben and Chloe discussed with the doctors whether to wait for the results of those tests or to continue testing anyone who came. They were concerned about either testing too many when one of those already tested may be a match, or whether if they turned people away they may miss out on a potential donor. They agreed to continue testing anyone who came and just confirming with those being tested that even if they were not a match for Hannah, if their results could be put on the general bone marrow registry and possibly help another child in need.

  The first results would start coming through within a week, further testing would be done on those with matches on first level, and then second level. All in all it would be about three weeks for final results of a confirmed donor. They all knew the anticipation would be nerve-wracking. James came up with another brilliant idea.

  “Until a donor is found, could all of us gather under the tree to send our intentions, hopes and prayers up together for Hannah?” he asked Chloe and Jessica.

  “James, a collective vigil would be just the thing we need to wait patiently together. I will see what I can organise” Chloe encouraged him. She began calling a few of the people she knew had been tested. Eventually it spread and it was agreed that whoever wanted to, they would meet every evening at six o’clock just for a fifteen minute time of hope in the park, beneath the tree that started it all. The sense of community and fellowship that followed formed friendships that would last a lifetime and softened so many hearts. This little village was united in love and compassion that would echo in the town’s spirit for many generations to come.

  Chloe did not realise at the time just how significant this would be for her personally, and just how central a part of all of this she was. She, the newcomer, stranger to the village, had been the one to bring them all together; changed neighbours into family and built bridges and paths where there weren’t before. People began to take the time to visit with neighbours and talk over the fence again. They began to take an interest in the challenges of their peers and not remain single mindedly focussed on their own troubles. Burdens were shared and therefore lightened. All in all, over the next three weeks a change came over the village that brought back the old sentiments that had whispered to Chloe from the buildings that had remembered how it used to be and was now becoming again.

  Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of waiting, Ben called Chloe to say that the doctors had found a possible donor, and would let him know as soon as they had contacted this person to receive consent that he or she was still willing to proceed. They were still busy speaking on Chloe’s office phone, when her mobile phone rang, she asked Ben to hold on while she quickly answered.

  She answered and then when silent as she listened to what was said and then answered with a few brief acknowledgements, thanked the caller and hung up. She retrieved Ben’s call and told him:

  “Ben, that was the doctor. I am a match for Hannah. I am most likely going to donate bone marrow after they have done final tissue typing.”

  Ben went silent. When he spoke again his words surprised her.

  “I knew it would be you. I just knew. It had to be.”

  Chloe couldn’t say anymore. The room started to spin and so she told him she would see him later and hung up. This was all just a little too much for her to take in. She was not scared to be the donor, quite the opposite in fact, she was ecstatic that she could be instrumental in helping Hannah. It was just all of the events of recent months that swarmed through her thoughts. As comforting as it had been not too long ago to have a sense of a higher power guiding her every move and working for her, ahead of her, this was now all a bit frightening. The feeling that absolutely everything was beyond her control and all figured out in advance left her feeling a bit vulnerable. She felt all of a sudden that she had back slid in her beliefs and faith and she was long overdue for some quiet time and the stilling of her mind to absorb what was taking place in her life. Also to consider was her job, how was she going to tell Edward that she would be hospitalised and unable to be in the office editing. Even if for a short time, this would affect their production of the magazine.

  She was still sitting, dazed and ashen, at her desk when Edward walked in. He took one look at her and guessed.

  “Chloe, has there been some news about all the tests?”

  She turned around, looked up at him, and nodded slowly.

  “I am a match,” was as much as she could say.
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  “And how do you feel about that, besides shocked as I can see? Are you willing to go through with it?” he asked.

  “I am more than willing… there is just so much to think of, with regard to…”

  “Your work will be here waiting when you have recovered,” he interrupted her trail of thought. “You are important to us Chloe, we need you here, but a child’s life comes first. We will make a plan.”

  Chloe teared up at the sincerity and support in his eyes and voice.

  “Thank you,” she said, “that is all I needed to know.”

  “Now go, you are not going to be able to concentrate for the rest of the afternoon anyway. Take some time for yourself to process this all.” He really was the kindest man she had ever worked for.

  She packed up her things and headed to the beach for some solitude and influence from nature to calm her spirit. She had always found the best answers came when she was alone with the world and her thoughts. She walked and thought. She sat and thought. She went over everything Ben had told her about what to expect with regard to the transplant. And she found that she really was prepared to go through all of that for Hannah, a little girl she barely knew, whom, a few months ago was not even a consideration or thought in her life.

  She was exactly where she was meant to be. All her life she had dreamed of helping others with her stories, touching hearts, healing lives. Now she was given an opportunity to live that in a way that exceeded her hopes a million fold. And she would see it through no matter how frightening or painful or what she may have to sacrifice doing so, although she knew nothing would be lost, only a life saved. She was just walking back along the beach as the sun began to set when she saw Ben approaching. He looked worried as he got closer.

  “Chloe! There you are. I was so worried. I called your office and they said you had left and your mobile phone has just been ringing. Are you OK? I know this must be a huge decision for you to make. I will understand if you can’t go through with it.” He was rambling, obviously concerned and anxious. It strangely warmed Chloe to realise that some of that concern was for her, as well as Hannah.

  “Ben! I’m all right!” she reassured him. “I just needed some space and time away from the clutter of noise to process it all. My decision was made the day I got tested, it would be the greatest honour to do this, it is part of my destiny.”

  She saw Ben physically relax as he sighed a huge sigh of relief. She was not offended that he had been worried she may back out of helping Hannah, she understood completely, but again, she also saw that part of his relief was that she was all right. She was not mistaking that, it was obvious. Their friendship really had begun to grow through all they had been through together the past few weeks.

  They stopped off together briefly at Tea for Two and told Phoebe and Jean Pierre the big news. They were surprised and so happy to hear this odd turn of events. Ben told them that he needed to get back home to Hannah. There was a nurse looking after her and it was time for her to go home. He greeted them all and left. When Chloe looked back from the door when he had left, she caught Phoebe looking at her with an amused expression on her face.

  “And that look?” Chloe asked her.

  “I could ask you the same thing,” teased Phoebe, “but I will leave it there. For now. Everything has its time and place.”

  Chloe ignored that and proceeded to tell Phoebe and Jean Pierre about how Edward had taken the news and had been so understanding and accommodating of her decision. They told her they would be there for her through everything and she need not worry about anything at all. Whatever needed to be taken care of while she was in hospital and recovering, they would see to it all. The only focus now was for Hannah and Chloe and what they were about to go through.

  The next few weeks flew by with preparations, more testing. Hannah was admitted to hospital to prepare her for the transplant. Apparently the actual transplant process was not as serious as what she needed to go through first. First her immune system needed to be crashed so that her own body would not attack the new cells that were being transfused. Once the transfusion had been done, the healthy bone marrow would replace the unhealthy bone marrow and the healing process would begin. It would take some time and she would be susceptible to the slightest infection during that time and so would have to be kept isolated in intensive care for an extended period.

  Chloe went in to have the bone marrow harvested. It was an excruciatingly painful procedure but the love and support of all of her friends kept her spirits high. Grace and Joel visited, as well as Phoebe and Jean Pierre. Jessica also brought James to see her and Ben visited often, bringing her flowers and gifts and making sure she was comfortable and had everything she needed. He was so grateful to her and she could tell in his efforts that he was trying to do something to make up for the pain she had to go through and also express his gratitude for her saving his daughter’s life. She could not begin to imagine what all of this must have been like for him, watching another person go through pain to save his child. He would have done it in a heartbeat for Hannah, it was different watching an outside person doing it.

  Chloe recovered very quickly, the doctors were surprised at how she bounced back. She attributed it to the care of her friends, her support system, her lifeline. They all in turn attributed it to her determined and stubborn character.

  Hannah took a long time. Ben said she was fragile, like her mother. There were many times he had feared for her life during the time leading up to, and following, the transplant. He became another version of the jittery, anxious man Chloe had first met. She called and visited him often to make sure he was coping and to catch up on Hannah’s progress.

  The doctors agreed that it had been rough on her, but they were happy with her progress and confident that, although slow, her recovery was progressing. She was actually tougher than she first seemed. They were all confident she would be just fine and they urged Ben to relax and just go home and spend some time doing some things for himself. He would need his strength to care for her when she was eventually allowed to go home. Chloe managed to persuade him to leave the hospital and just go and have a shower in his own shower, dress in his own robe and just either climb into his own bed or watch some mindless television. Anything just to get him to unwind and calm himself. The strain of the last while showed deeply on his face.

  Chapter Eleven

  Eventually Hannah had recovered enough to go home. She was not quite up to any visitors just yet, but Grace and Joel organised that as soon as she was strong enough and felt ready, they would throw a celebratory party in her honour. She really was a warrior and had fought her illness with grace and quiet strength. Ben was ecstatic, his little girl was safe and on the road to full recovery. James was beside himself with anticipation; he couldn’t wait to see his friend again. When she had been home for a few weeks Ben invited James to spend the afternoon with them. He rented movies for them, but they had so much catching up to do that all they could do was talk and giggle. It had been beautiful to watch. He had invited Chloe over as well so that she could spend some time getting to know the little girl to whom she had given a second chance at life.

  The following weekend Grace had arranged to hold the welcome home and happy health party for Hannah. They held it at Ben and Hannah’s home and invited only those who were closest to the family, they did not want to overwhelm Hannah. It had been a small gathering: Grace and Joel, Chloe, Phoebe and Jean Pierre, Jessica and James and, of course, Ben and Hannah. They also invited the Taylors as Edward’s company had been instrumental in getting the story out there and giving Chloe a platform to make it all happen.

  Ben proposed a toast, to Chloe, and everyone joined in acknowledging all she had done and gone through to make that day of celebration possible. Chloe blushed at all the attention and then gave a short return speech of her own. She thanked them all for welcoming her into their lives, their homes, and hearts at a time when she was down and out and lost. She thanked Phoebe for giving her the
push she needed to realise she could not run from destiny, and for her and Jean Pierre’s hospitality. She thanked Edward and Beth for being supportive and understanding employers and landlords. She thanked Grace and Joel for sharing their story and letting her believe in magic and the power of dreams again. She thanked Ben and Hannah for allowing her into their lives and to have been able to realise her destiny through them. And lastly, she called James to her. She crouched down to his level to see each other eye to eye and she cried as she told him how he had changed her life and shown her true, untainted beauty of heart and spirit.

  The love and sense of family, not even community anymore, filled the room as they all engaged in the moment of appreciation for life. Ben came over and gave Chloe a hug and over his shoulder she caught the same look on Phoebe’s face that she had seen not too long ago. She averted her eyes.

  Later on, when she was away from everyone else, Phoebe came over to her.

  “It may not be obvious to everyone else, you are good at covering it up, but you can’t fool me,” she prompted Chloe.

  “I don’t know what you are talking about,” Chloe denied.

  “Love should never be silent. It is deafening to the heart that holds it. And when it does eventually come tumbling out after being pent up, it is a lot scarier to be heard than if told gently and lovingly and freely. Think about it.” And she walked away, leaving Chloe standing confused in the middle of the room.

  What was she talking about? Love? Whom? And then it hit her with a force that almost knocked her off her feet. Ben. All those little moments she had not been able to make sense of. The warm feeling she had when she saw his concern for her. How she felt in his presence, and how she enjoyed his company. Even the decision she had made without hesitation to help his little girl, whom she had felt a kinship with the moment James had mentioned her. It all made sense now. But her and Ben? He would never consider her. His life was devoted to Hannah, there was no room for her. He had never looked at her that way, or even hinted that he may feel anything. She looked at him now and he met her eyes, their gaze lingered for a moment, he smiled and she looked away and left the room.