"Delightful news. Delightful. Thank you. Thank you. I'll be there shortly."
Vera got off the phone, raised her arms and shook them.
"Yippee," she said. "I have to pee."
She did and washed. A few pinpoint spots appeared on her hands.
Nothing to worry about because Jasper's better. And that's all that matters.
Chapter Eight
Jasper meowed the following morning, waking Vera up. She sat up and Jasper leapt onto the bed. He stepped up the blanket and bonked his head into hers.
"Oh, Jasper. You're better."
He purred and pushed into her.
"Are you hungry?"
Vera got up and Jasper got down. He ran into the kitchen with Vera following. She undid the child - or rather cat - safety clip from the cupboard with the cat food inside. She measured out a quarter cup of the dry morsels and poured it into his dish. Jasper ate.
"Slow down, kitty. You eat like you're starving...Well, I guess after being sick, you would be quite hungry."
Vera made a piece of toast with raspberry jam and a cup of instant coffee. She sat at the kitchen table and ate. She checked the time - 8:05am. She showered and got ready for cribbage at the Veiner Hall, the local seniors center. The phone rang. Sharon's number appeared in the call display. Vera answered.
"Hello, darling."
"Hi, Grandma. How are you? How's Jasper?"
"We're both fine."
I won't tell her about Jasper eating the Easter lilies. It'll upset her when she doesn't need to worry. She has to get better first.
"Has he been any trouble?"
"No trouble at all."
"Oh, good. Can you keep caring for him a little longer?"
"Yes, dear. I'd be glad to. Is everything okay?"
"The treatments have taken it right out of me. I need more time to recover. I miss my Jasper though."
"How are you doing?"
"I'm exhausted, Grandma. I get tired so easily now. I wish this would just go away. Give Jasper a kiss for me. Thanks, Grandma. I love you."
"I love you too, darling."
They said their good-byes and hung up.
"My poor girl."
Vera's legs ached when she bent down and picked up Jasper. She kissed the top of his head.
This is a first. I've never kissed a cat before. Soft.
"That's from your mommy."
Jasper jumped down and went to his food dish. It was 8:45am.
"Fifteen minutes. I've got to get moving."
Vera rushed into her bedroom and changed her clothes. She returned to the kitchen and got the tray of quartered sandwiches she made for the potluck brunch. She headed out the backdoor and stopped.
"Darn, I forgot my purse."
She stepped in and retrieved her handbag. She went back outside the open door, turned and locked her house shut.
"I'm going make it in time," she said and drove away.
She did not check on Jasper.
Chapter Nine
Vera arrived at the Veiner Hall at two minutes to nine. She put the sandwiches on the potluck table and found her fellow cribbage players. She sat down at their table. They set up the board and dealt the cards.
They started the game and talked - each sharing the events of their week. Mitch informed everyone of his trip to Arizona to visit his doctor-son again. Else spent the week helping other seniors clean their homes. John's one-year-old Scottish terrier tore his slippers apart. And Vera told the Easter lily story.
"He loves his treats," she continued. "I shake the bag and he runs as fast as he can. He'd only eat treats if I let him. He likes to sleep with me. Every time I lie down for a nap, I wake up and he's next to me sleeping. Sometimes he runs around for no reason. He's so funny. He loves to play with milk jug cap rings. I accidentally dropped one on the floor and he batted it around all morning. He's so cute. I love him."
Vera gasped and held her hand to her mouth.
"What's wrong?" Else asked.
"I love a cat. Me? A dog person? I love that always hungry, mischievous, playful, ball of brown, black and white fur, naughty kitty."
The three stared at her.
"I don't want Sharon to take him back when she's better. But he's her cat. I don't want him to go. But he's not my cat."
"I guess you'll have to," said John.
"You could get another cat," Else said.
"There's not another Jasper. I know it."
"Let's play," Mitch said and dealt the next hand.
They played until brunch. Vera's corned beef and mustard sandwiches were devoured first. The thirty-two seniors in attendance finished brunch and visited for another hour or so. Afterwards, Vera left and stopped at the IGA Grocery Store for some milk, chocolate bars and some Temptations cat treats. When she arrived home, she took her groceries inside.
"Jasper."
He did not come.
"Jasper?"
Still no Siamese cat.
Vera retrieved the cat treats and shook the bag.
Nothing.
Is he sick again?
She searched the house - under, upper and in-between. No Jasper.
Oh no, did he get out? He must have. But how? When I came back in to get my purse, I left the door open, but I didn't see him get out. How could I be so stupid?
She raced to the back door and swung it open.
"Jasper. Jasper."
She checked the yard and garden and peered over the neighbors' fences.
"Come on, Jasper. Come on."
"Are you looking for your cat?" Jessica, Vera's neighbor, asked. "I heard you calling so I came out. Is he Siamese?"
"Yes, yes. Have you seen him?"
"After you left this morning, I saw him go across the street."
"Across the street? He could get hit by a car."
Jessica pointed to the open field with tall grass on the other side of road.
"Oh, God. There's coyotes, foxes and rattlesnakes in there. We have to find him. Will you help me?"
"I really don't have the time," Jessica said.
"Oh, please? I need your help. He could get hurt."
Her neighbor nodded, and they headed to the field.
"He'll be hard to find in those weeds, but we'll try."
"Thank you so much."
They combed through the grass, looking with strained necks.
"Jasper," they called.
After an hour, Jessica said, "I don't think he's here. I have to go home. The kids will be home from school soon. Sorry, Vera. Lots of times cats come back on their own. You just have to wait."
"I guess you're right. I don't think he's here either."
Vera's shoulders slumped. They walked back to their homes. Vera opened the gate to her backyard and went around the house. Jasper sat on the doormat.
"Jasper! I found him," Vera yelled.
Her heart rate accelerated and she ran to him. She picked him up and hugged and kissed him, missing what lay on the mat beside him.
"Don't ever do that to me again."
She kissed him some more. A dead mouse rested below.
"You brought me a gift, Jasper? How gross."
Chapter Ten
"Hi, Grandma," Sharon said, her voice chipper.
"Hi, honey. How are you?"
"I'm feeling much better now. My cancer is in remission. I'm on my way back to town. I can't wait to see you and my kitty."
"I knew this day would come," Vera said after a long pause. But I'm not ready for it.
"Grandma? Everything good? Can I come and pick him up tomorrow?"
"Yes, dear." Her voice cracked.
"Grandma, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, dear. I'll see you tomorrow."
Vera hung up without saying "good-bye."
She held back tears. Jasper slept on the recliner and she went to him. She picked him up. He meowed. She held him and kissed his whiskers.
"Tomorrow is too soon."
*
In the morning, Vera fed Jasper.
After cleaning out his litter box, she carried it upstairs.
I won't miss this box. That's for sure. Even though, he's worth it.
Vera didn't eat breakfast even though her stomach told her to. She took the cat carrier out of the closet and placed it by the front door. She turned on CHAT Radio for some country music. An Alabama song played. Vera sat and listened. Jasper joined her and stretched across her lap.
"I'm going to miss you, my Siameser."
She stroked his back and he purred.
*
A little after lunch, Sharon knocked. Vera put Jasper aside and answered the door. Sharon entered and hugged her grandmother. Vera smiled with her lips pressed together.
"You know, he's been a real good cat."
"Thank you for taking care of him. Where is my Jasper?"
"Do you want to come in and visit?"
"Can we do that another day? I've got lots to do today."
"Okay, Sharon. Jasper's on the couch."
Sharon took Jasper off the couch and smothered him with kisses.
"I missed you so much, my furry face."
Sharon brought him the carrier and bent down to push him in.
"Can I say 'good-bye' to him?" Vera said.
"Of course, Grandma."
Sharon placed Jasper into Vera's outstretched arms. Vera held him, petting and kissing the Siamese. Tears pooled in her eyes.
"I'm gonna miss you, Jasper."
Her chin trembled when she handed him back to Sharon. She took him and tears rolled down Vera's face.
"You really love him, don't you?"
Vera nodded and wiped her tears away with a tissue from her pocket.
"I'll be all right."
"Do you want to keep him?" Sharon asked.
"What? Yes! No. I can't."
"Why not?"
"He's yours."
"Now...he's yours."
"I can't take him away from you."
"You're not. I'm giving him to you. Don't you want him?"
Vera smiled.
"Yes."
"Is it all right if I come and visit him though?"
"Yes. Anytime."
Vera hugged her granddaughter with Jasper between them. After a while, Sharon released Vera and gave the kitty good-bye loves. She left holding back her own tears. Vera waved to her as she drove away. Vera smiled the entire day and night and fell asleep still grinning.
Chapter Eleven
A few weeks past and Vera and Jasper played and cuddled. Sharon stopped in every week or so loving Jasper and visiting with Vera.
*
One Saturday afternoon, Sharon knocked on Vera's door several times before the elderly woman answered. Vera cracked the door open.
"Grandma, what's wrong?"
Sharon stepped in and Vera backed away from her.
"Just the flu. You better not get too close. Can you come back another day?"
"You're bleeding. Did Jasper scratch your hand?"
"No, I hit it on the door knob."
"And what happened to your face?"
"I don't know. I woke up with it. I must have hit the headboard in my sleep."
"Grandma, that's a big bruise. You've lost weight. Have you been eating?"
"I'm not hungry."
Sharon kissed her forehead.
"You have a fever. I'm taking you in. Who's your doctor?"
"Doctor Richards. But he's not open today. I'm so tired."
"I'm taking you to emergency. Something's wrong. Let's get your shoes on."
"And a sweater. I'm cold."
Sharon put her shoes on for her and the sweater too. She got her to the car and drove her to the hospital.
*
At admitting, Sharon and Vera explained her symptoms and were directed to the waiting room. Four minutes later, a nurse entered with a wheelchair and took Vera to Emergency Room Two. She took her temperature and checked her pulse.
"You need to put this gown on," the nurse said and left.
"I'll help you," Sharon said.
Soon, Vera's gown hung on her thin frame. A man dressed in a lab coat pulled the curtain aside and entered the room.
"I'm Doctor Jacobs. I understand you've been having some flu-like symptoms."
"Yes. She's bruising and bleeding easily too."
Jacobs picked up Vera's hand and asked, "How long have you had these pinpoint spots?"
"Oh, for a while."
He examined her some more.
"How long have you felt sick with the flu?"
"On and off for a while."
"How long? Days? Weeks? Months?"
"More than a few weeks."
"Your lymph nodes are swollen. You’re pale. Do you know where you got these bruises from?"
“No.”
"Why didn't you say something before?" Sharon asked.
"I'm an old woman. I get tired."
“Have you had any nosebleeds or unusual bleeding?”
“Yes, nosebleeds.”
"I'm ordering some tests. Someone from the lab will be here shortly," the doctor said.
Jacobs exited the room.
Sharon sighed.
She should've seen her doctor before. But if I say something, it will upset her, Sharon thought.
The curtain opened and a woman entered with a tray on a cart.
"I'm Leslie. I'm from the lab and I need to take some blood."
Leslie drained some blood from Vera's right arm. She placed a cotton ball surrounded by tape on the injection hole in Vera's arm. Leslie left. And they waited.
*
Sharon sat at the foot of the bed when Doctor Jacobs re-entered the room after a long wait - his face dour.
"Mrs. Boxton, you have leukemia. A rather aggressive form of the disease called acute myeloid leukemia. We need to do more blood tests to see how far the cancer has gone. You shouldn't have waited so long to see a doctor. Someone will take you upstairs to a room. We'll get the blood test called a CBC for complete blood count done as soon as possible."
Sharon's heart caved in and knocked the wind out of her. She gasped.
"Oh, Grandma."
Vera stayed silent. The blood drained out of her face.
*
After more tests, Vera rested in the hospital's west wing with Sharon by her side. Dr. Jacobs came in with the test results.
"Mrs. Boxton, I have bad news. The cancer has taken a toll on you. Your white blood cells are extremely elevated and your red blood cells and platelets are very low. There is nothing we can do. The leukemia is so pervasive that any treatments would be ineffective. It is terminal. At best, you have two maybe three weeks until you pass."
"No, not possible," Vera said.
"I'm afraid so. You will need to get your affairs in order. We will make a call to General County Hospice, and you'll be transferred there when a bed comes available."
Sharon held her grandmother and they wept. The doctor excused himself. Vera stopped crying and held Sharon's face.
"I knew this day would come, eventually. I am old, Sharon, honey. Please take Jasper back and care of him for me. He's yours again."
"I will, Grandma." Sharon wiped her tears.
"And could you call my attorney? His name is Thorston Young and tell him to come and see me right away."
"Yes, I will."
"I need some rest, honey. Please get Jasper and call Mr. Young. I need to be alone right now."
"All right."
She kissed Vera on the cheek. She stepped outside the room and gathered herself.
"Dear Lord, I'm on my way. Please forgive me for the sins I have committed during my life. And, more importantly, please watch over Sharon and Jasper. They only have each other now."
Chapter Twelve
The next morning, Vera's lawyer attended to her in her room.
"In my will, I want everything to got to my granddaughter so she can take care of herself and Jasper. Also..."
Vera pushed a breath of air through her lips.
"I wan
t a 'do not resuscitate' order in place when I'm dying.”
Young wrote it all down on his laptop and printed the forms. Vera signed the documents and they parted.
*
That afternoon, a nurse came into Vera's room.
"There is an opening at the hospice. You'll be transferred there in the morning."
"Thank you. I don't want to be burden on the hospital. Other people need this bed."
Her bruising and bleeding worsened. A fever made her shiver. She refused food so they put her on intravenous fluids. Vera slept on and off throughout the day. Sharon returned that evening.
"Grandma, how are you doing?"
"As good as I can be. A bed opened up and they're moving me in the morning. Someone died."
"Oh, Grandma."
"How's Jasper? I wish I could see him. But they won't let cats up here. Maybe in the hospice. I really miss him. He's such a kitty."
"He's doing fine. I'll see what I can do when you go to the hospice."
Sharon stayed and talked with her until Vera fell asleep.
*
Morning came and two men dressed in scrubs arrived and moved Vera to a gurney. They wheeled her to the paramedics, waiting at the ambulance. The paramedics, a man and a woman, greeted Vera and lifted her in the EMS transport. The woman rode in the back with Vera with the other paramedic driving to the hospice.
Smiling staff welcomed Vera to the hospice, and soon she lay in a firm bed in a private room. She rested. A nurse entered and asked her some questions.
"I'm sinking and I want to see Jasper."
"Who's Jasper?" the nurse asked.
"He's my cat."
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Boxton, we don't allow pets in here. We have sick people here who could get an infection or be disturbed by the presence of a cat," the nurse said and left.
"I want my baby," Vera said. Her chin quivered.
*
After work, Sharon visited Grandma in the hospice. Vera appeared pasty and pale with small red dots on her arms. And more bruising too. Sharon sat in the chair beside the bed. Vera opened her eyes.
She looks so sad, Sharon thought.
"Sharon?"
"I'm here, Grandma. How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine, I guess. A little tired. It's so good to see you. How's Jasper?"
The Christmas Cat Tails Page 11
