James Coady was collecting evidence and at yet another meeting in his office he assured her that in a court he would prove that Joshua’s long-term drug addiction, fuelled by the vast amount of his father’s money, was what really killed him.
‘We can request copies of his bank account statements which will prove it, Martha, and this is long before you ever knew him.’
‘I don’t want Joshua’s name dragged through the mud,’ she said firmly. ‘He doesn’t deserve it.’
‘And the Armstrongs?’ questioned Dan, who’d insisted on coming along to the meeting with her.
‘There are full medical records that can be requested showing the child’s congenital heart problem. We can call the anaesthetist who cancelled her surgery, the nurse who cared for her at home – even her father! We have a very strong case. Should we go to court, I think we can win and possibly ask the court for damages.’
‘There you go,’ said Dan.
‘I don’t want it to go to court,’ insisted Martha. ‘How can we stop it?’
James Coady pulled himself up to his full height, lifting his glasses off his long face. ‘You’re my client, Martha. Is that what you really want, even if you can win?’ he asked.
‘Yes.’
‘Then I will talk to Steve Duncan, Mr Harris’s lawyer, and see if we can sort this mess out.’
‘I would like to be present, if that’s all right with you, James,’ said Dan. ‘Glenn Harris is assuming that Martha has very little support – seeing you and I walk into a room together may change his opinion.’
Two days later both sides met at Coady Hill Bennet’s office. Martha, too nervous to attend, agreed to meet them afterwards. She sat outside in the reception area on tenterhooks, praying silently and waiting. Acknowledging Glenn Harris when he walked out past her, she noted how much he’d aged since the death of his son.
‘It’s over, Martha honey!’ called Dan, scooping her up in his arms. ‘They’ve dropped all charges including those against the rehab place.’
‘Thank God,’ she said slowly.
James Coady made her sit back down as he explained it to her.
‘I think that having Mr Kendrick on your side was a big asset, as Mr Harris could take it that costs would not be an issue.’
‘How did you do it, James?’
‘We just showed him our information, which would naturally be released to the press with time, and as you already pointed out, Martha, he’s a man who loved his son, and was not about to let his boy’s reputation be destroyed in open court.’
‘Oh, thank God it’s over,’ she said, covering her face with her hands.
‘The Armstrongs’ suit is also being dropped,’ he confirmed. ‘Mr Kendrick here raised the matter of damages accruing to you as he feels you have been crucified by the press and media over this. Steve Duncan and I settled on an appropriate amount. Glenn Harris is prepared to pay two thousand dollars to you directly.’
‘I don’t want his money, James.’
‘He is prepared to pay it.’
‘Then take it, James, and donate it to that rehab clinic that Joshua was in. I don’t want to see a dime of it.’
Martha was not a wealthy woman, dependent still on Mike to support herself and the kids, but she certainly didn’t want any of Glenn Harris’s money or to profit from his son’s demise. She was so relieved that the threatened court action was finally over that she could only think of going home. ‘I just can’t wait to tell my kids and my mother the good news,’ she smiled. ‘Thank you, James, for looking after everything, I really appreciate it.’
‘It was the very least I could do,’ he said. Fumbling in his suit pocket, he drew out a leather wallet, passing her a photo of a pretty student.
‘That’s my daughter. Probably you don’t remember her, we didn’t want any media attention or fuss. She’s had anorexia for years and we brought her along to meet you.’
‘For a healing?’
‘Yes. Whatever happened the night in the Tanner Radford hall last year I don’t rightly know, cos she sure didn’t want to be there or to co-operate but something you did started the healing process and let our daughter find herself again. If we’d had to go to court Melissa was prepared to stand up and let people see what you did for her!’
Martha was overwhelmed at James Coady’s support and candour. Thanking him again, she and Dan left his offices, Martha feeling like a heavy constricting weight had finally been lifted from her shoulders.
Chapter Fifty-two
MARTHA THOUGHT LONG and hard about it, determined that this was a decision she alone had to make as she considered both herself and her children.
Patrick, Mary Rose and Alice all ached for a return to normal life, and to just having a mother who loved and cared for them alone – and in the aftermath of the legal accusations who could blame them!
Alice’s sunny-natured openness was already changing, as she became suspicious of other children who asked about her home life or family, warned by her big brother and sister not to say anything.
The gift to heal had brought Martha great joy, the ability to help many people and alleviate much suffering. She had discovered strengths and a courage within herself that she had never expected. The journey of a healer was a long one and she still had much to learn, but the cost had been high, too high, and it had been borne by her husband and family and all those around her. She tormented herself thinking of Cass and now Joshua, and all the others she had failed. She had let herself become too emotionally involved, had grown too attached to them, which made losing them all the harder. Mike had been right: she was no saint! No Jesus come again! She was just an ordinary woman and she had sacrificed much to do the work of the Spirit. Too much.
She had invited them to come and sit at her table, good friends gathered together to eat. Mary Rose helped her to prepare and serve the large dish of lasagne and side salad. Martha passed the two bottles of red wine around and they all filled their glasses.
Tired and tense, she talked to them of her true feelings and her intention to stop healing and make a new life for herself and her children away from the public eye. Kim and Kathleen begged her not to give up her healing work.
‘It’s too important,’ urged Kim. ‘Look at all the people you’ve helped.’
‘Think of all the people that I can’t help,’ she insisted. ‘Those I disappoint and let down who are still sick, still lonesome, who cannot be healed and must accept their fate.’
‘Martha, maybe you’re making a mistake deciding so soon after all that legal crap,’ suggested Rianna. ‘Why don’t you take time out, think about it?’
‘I’ve thought of little else for the past while,’ she told them.
‘What about the sessions we’ve organized and booked, the plans for next year, and the website?’ demanded Ruth angrily.
‘I guess we’ll have to cancel them all. I’m sorry but I don’t want to do any of it any more. I can’t take the crowds! All the hundreds of faces. Often I can’t remember their names or what’s wrong with them. Sometimes when I touch them I feel nothing – absolutely nothing. It’s not what I planned—’
‘Don’t go blaming us. We have all worked so hard, Martha, on your behalf! You can’t just go and throw it all away and turn your back on what we’ve built. You can’t!’
Ruth argued against her as Martha tried to be resolute. ‘We have built a good organization around you. You can’t just walk away from it! All the fucking hard work that Kim and I and Kathleen put in obviously means nothing to you now. We believed in you, supported you, and had such plans!’
‘I’m sorry, Ruth, truly I am. I do appreciate everything you and everyone did, honest I do, but I’m not prepared to live my life like this any more. I’m sorry.’
She listened to their thoughts and concerns for her as she told them of the new life she had planned.
‘I need to get away, to somewhere away from all that has happened, and just get back to being plain old me,’ she confide
d.
‘Where will you go?’ asked Evie, concerned.
Martha slowly told them about going away and leaving them.
‘We’ll miss you,’ murmured Kathleen.
‘Sure will!’ echoed Rianna, hugging her.
They were her good friends, loyal and true, who had been there from the start. How could she ever repay them for all they had done for her?
The kids had listened as she told them about the changes she planned, Patrick whooping with joy when she said that there would be no more tours, no interviews, no working in the upstairs room or people coming to the house any more. Alice’s eyes widened with a look of sheer delight as she thought about it.
‘But that means you’re going to give up healing?’ said Mary Rose softly.
‘Yes, pet.’
Mary Rose squeezed her hand in sympathy.
They had seen it somewhat differently when she told them about the house she had arranged to rent for four months in Ireland.
‘It’s a load of crap!’ complained Mary Rose. ‘Why do we have to go there?’
‘Your dad and I had always intended taking you guys on a trip to see Ireland once you were old enough and I guess with all that’s going on right now this might be a real good time!’ she explained, too scared to admit the truth. ‘I’m going to rent the house and hire a car and we can just take it easy and relax and maybe get to see a bit of the countryside.’
‘You’re running away and trying to make us go with you,’ argued Mary Rose. ‘Why can’t I stay here in Easton for the summer with Dad?’
‘Because you’re coming with me, that’s why. Your dad will be working, and I’m not having you hang out all day on your own.’
‘When are we going?’ asked Patrick.
‘As soon as possible, once I’ve made all the arrangements.’
‘What about school?’
‘I’ve cleared it with your teachers, Mary Rose. A few weeks discovering a new country is an education in itself.’
‘But, Mom, I can’t take time out of school, you know that!’
‘I know, Patrick. You can finish off this semester in school and then come over to Ireland once you get your holidays. You can stay with your dad till then.’
Only Alice was excited about going away, talking about what she was going to take and what she was going to do over there.
Her mother came over for Sunday lunch and helped Martha to set the table and prepare the vegetables. Martha showed her the printout from the internet of the house in the Wicklow hills she was renting.
‘That looks a nice place to spend the summer, pet. God knows you could do with a break after all you’ve been through this past few months!’
‘It reminds me a bit of when we were kids,’ Martha admitted. ‘I guess even after a day or two I always felt I belonged there.’
‘Your father felt the same,’ declared Frances Kelly. ‘He always intended ending his days back in Ireland, the two of us buying a retirement cottage in the old country and selling up here. That was his dream, you know.’
‘Poor old Dad.’
‘I’d thought of sending his ashes back to Cork when he died, but in truth I wanted to keep him here near me, near his family. Have a grave I could say the few prayers over. I’ll really miss you,’ her mother said.
‘You’ve got Annie and Jack and Brian and Lisa and Sean and Carrie!’ Martha reminded her gently.
‘Aye, I know, but they’re not you, dote. And how long are you going away for?’
‘A few months, maybe more, I’m not quite sure yet, Mom,’ she admitted.
‘I could come visit.’
‘Of course, Mom, that would be great and the kids would love it!’
‘Bee’s always saying she wants to go visit Ireland, take in the sights. It would be nice to have someone travelling with me, show her the place I was born, come stay with you . . .’
Martha nodded.
‘You sure you want to go away?’
‘Yes, Mom, I’m sure.’
‘I’m going to miss you and the kids,’ sighed Frances, trying not to cry.
‘And I’m going to really miss you too, Mom,’ said Martha, holding her in her arms.
Chapter Fifty-three
HENRY MADISON ROSE early, showering and shaving quickly after his regular breakfast. The day was already overcast. He pulled on his clean white shirt, tweed jacket and fawn trousers. Moving slowly and stiffly, he cursed as he dropped his comb and was unable to bend to pick it up.
William was obviously tired; sleeping in like this was most unlike him but at least it gave Henry the opportunity to dress in peace.
His appointment at Mercy Hospital was for 10 a.m., and he had booked a cab from Jimmy Mulholland’s local service, which would pick him up and drop him directly there. Celeste was due any minute and had promised to sit with William till he returned. There was no telling how long he’d be as probably he’d have to have an X-ray or one of those scan things and some blood tests done. The pain had eased for months following his visit to Martha, but of late it had begun to come back, dominating his waking and sleeping hours. Last night had been particularly bad.
Checking himself in the mirror he decided he’d better go in and wake William, and have him up and dressed at least. Celeste would give him a bowl of Cheerios or Lucky Charms and a slice of toast when he was gone.
‘William! William! Come on, wake up,’ he called, stepping into the room and reaching to open the curtains. His brother’s huge frame was hunched up with the heavy comforter and sheet pulled almost up to his chin.
‘Come on, William, get up! You have to get washed and dressed, come on now!’
There was no response. His brother didn’t move, lying perfectly still.
‘William!’ he cajoled.
He was either fast asleep or being difficult, and Henry hoped it wasn’t the latter. ‘William!’ he said sharply. ‘Get up!’
Henry stood by the bedside and grabbed a hold of his shoulder, only then noticing how cold and stiff his brother lay. Apprehensively he reached forward to touch his face and realized at once that William was dead, a contented expression on his face. Just sleeping like when Henry had left him last night! There in the bed, he looked like the small boy he’d minded and cared for most of his life. Aware of the ringing of his doorbell, he went to open it and led Celeste to the bedroom where his brother lay. He heard her gasp, as she saw that William was gone. His friend and neighbour put her plump arms around him and told him that everything was going to be all right, everything was going to be fine: both were grateful in their own way for William’s ease of passing.
Chapter Fifty-four
MARTHA HAD DRIVEN up to West Hartford to say goodbye to Thea. She was surprised to see her using a walking frame, standing among a rich border of pinks and lavender.
‘I can’t do it for too long,’ Thea joked, showing off, ‘but at least I’m on my feet for a few minutes every day.’
She listened carefully as Martha told her about going to Ireland and not really knowing when she’d come back. ‘Lord, I’m sure going to miss you,’ she smiled.
‘My kids think I’m running away,’ admitted Martha. ‘They don’t see that I’ve got to make changes for all our sakes.’
‘Are you happy about it?’ asked Thea, the first person to enquire about her own happiness. Why, she had barely thought about it! Martha looked around the haven of peace that Thea had created for herself and her family, wishing for something similar.
‘Yeah, I guess I am!’ she smiled.
Martha went into the bedroom, helping Thea to lie down flat as for the last time she laid her hands on her. Martha could feel her fingers vibrate as she worked from chakra to chakra, and concentrated energy and light on the dark spots. Thea’s life force was stronger even than on her last visit, and Martha could feel her body fighting back against the illness that had almost destroyed it.
Back outside they watched as Erik and the boys kicked a football down the bottom of the gar
den, the boys shouting and screaming at each other when anyone tried to score a goal.
‘Thea, I’m sorry. I feel so guilty about going away and leaving you.’
‘Martha, don’t be! I should be dead by now by my doctor’s reckoning, and yet because of you I’m here. Watching my sons play in the sunlight for another while. Each hour, each day, each week is precious to me and that’s what you’ve given me.’
‘I feel your body is trying to fight back against the cancer,’ said Martha, ‘but you need to take it easier so you don’t tire and weaken yourself, and let the body gradually heal and renew itself. Promise!’
‘I promise,’ smiled Thea as they both said goodbye.
Martha had all the tickets and passports to hand, the bags packed and ready to go in the hall. Alice’s backpack was stuffed with such an assortment of teddies and toys that Martha hoped it wouldn’t burst on the way.
Mary Rose was playing the drama queen, having loud conversations with her girlfriends, bitching about going away and how boring it was going to be.
Dan Kendrick had come to visit her the weekend before, the two of them doing nothing but talking and walking, grabbing a quick bite to eat before going back to his hotel room to make love.
‘Martha, you know it’s bad enough for me to have to fly halfway across the States just to see you, without you adding another six hours’ flying time on to it!’
She was going to miss him so much it didn’t bear thinking about. He’d made his position clear, telling her exactly how he felt about her and what he wanted from their relationship. Martha was the one needing time to think.
She’d said goodbye to Evie the night before, the two of them staying up till late, trying to make sense of all that had happened and wondering what the future might bring. Martha knew that the friendship between them would never change, no matter what, or no matter where they were in the world!
She checked the tickets one more time. Mike was driving them to the airport, and was minding the house while they were away. Arriving late he had to throw the bags in the back of the car and put this foot down to get them to Logan’s busy departure terminal, then helped to carry their luggage and get the three of them checked in for their transatlantic flight. Alice clung to her dad like a little monkey as they said goodbye, with Mike and Patrick promising to behave and take care of each other as they walked them to the gateway.
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