“Where’s Jamie?” His mom stood next to him, looking from his father to Seth.
Seth tensed. He wasn’t quite ready to share his daughter with them until he knew where things stood. “She’s back at the Cactus Rose Ranch with friends. I didn’t think this would be a good time for her to see you all.”
“But, she’s my only grandchild. I wanted to see her.” His mother wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “This strain between us has gone on long enough.”
His father stepped forward. “Mom’s right. We let things get out of hand in the past and we’re sorry.” He gripped Seth’s hand. “We love both of you and now that we’ve found you we want you to be a part of this family.” He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Where had all this love been when he needed them to help keep him out of prison? On Grandpa’s side.
His mother pushed a strand of dark brown hair behind her ear and stepped forward. “I wish you would’ve brought her. I have a bedroom set up for her.”
The muscles tightened in Seth’s chest. They had wanted him to bring Jamie. Why should he? Pushing his negative thoughts to the back of his mind, he put an arm around his mother. For his daughter’s sake, he had to let it go. The family fight had gone on long enough. “Maybe next time she can come with me.” He squeezed her shoulder and let go. “How’s Grandpa?”
“Not well. He has pneumonia and they don’t expect him to make it through the night.” His father shook his head. “He’s been asking for you. I think he’s been holding on just to see you.”
“I doubt that.” He glanced toward his mom. “Mom, I’m here for you. I don’t want to see him. I wouldn’t know what to say.”
Memories of past summer vacations spent with his grandfather on the Gulf fishing when he was a kid flashed through his mind. He had been so filled with hate and anger with him he hadn’t taken time to think about the good times they’d had together before the falling out. A pain constricted his chest as he paced around the room.
His mother took his hand in hers. “You have to try to remember the things you did together in the old days. Remember when he’d come to your football games when you were in high school and college?”
His mother squeezed his hand. “You don’t understand. He’s wanted to see you, to make amends with you for a long time. Before he got sick he was planning on coming to Colorado to track you down when you wouldn’t answer his letters.” Tears glistened in the corners of her eyes. “You being here will mean the world to him. Please, just let him talk. He wants to make peace with you.”
Why should I? Peace...something that had been impossible when I really needed my family's support. He sighed not wanting to cause his mother any more pain. “Okay, I’ll do it for you.” She hugged him close and whispered in his ear. “Thanks, son.”
A few minutes later he walked into the intensive care room expecting the worst. The man lying in the hospital bed with tubes coming out of him was frail and thin. Seth's heart lurched in his chest. The last time he had seen his oil baron grandpa, he’d been tan, healthy and strong, a force to be reckoned with.
The old man opened his eyes and gazed at Seth. A gleam of recognition lit up his face. “Seth.” He reached his gnarled hand across the bed sheet toward him.
Seth took his hand, which was cold to the touch, and gently held it. “Yes, Grandpa. It’s me.” Even with their differences, it hurt him deeply to see his grandfather in this condition.
A gurgling sound came from his grandfather’s chest when he tried to speak. “You’ve come back.”
“Yes.” Seth inhaled the hospital smells, trying to ward off the look of death on his grandfather’s face. “Yes.”
“I’m glad. The family needs you. It was never the same after you left.” His dark brown eyes glistened with unshed tears while he clutched Seth’s hand. “I want you to take over the family business.” He coughed. “I’ve been getting it ready for you.”
Seth was shocked at what he was hearing. He didn’t know what to think. This was the man who had disowned him. “Why me, Grandpa? Why not Dad?” Here he was on his death bed, still issuing orders. No way in hell will I accept this offer.
“Your father never loved the business like you.” He struggled to cough into his other hand. “He does a good job, but he doesn't have the love in his heart for it like you have.”
“You’re going to get better. You’ll run the business as usual.”
“Not this time.” His voice shook with emotion and he added firmly, “I love you. I’ve been a fool for wasting our precious time together.” He swallowed hard. “I’m sorry for the past.” He broke into a coughing fit as a nurse came into the private room.
She gave him a drink of water and checked his vitals. “He needs to rest now.”
“Grandpa, I’ll be right outside.” Seth leaned over the bed and kissed his forehead. He watched his grandpa smile and close his eyes as he left the room.
It was clear that his grandfather was dying...so final. Seth fisted his hands wanting to fight an enemy, but the only thing left to do was to bury the past and be there for his mother. He didn’t want to lose his grandfather but the choice had been taken out of his hands. A sharp pain twisted like a knife plunging through his heart. He swallowed the huge lump in his throat to keep from crying. He didn't want the family business, but was the old man really sorry? Out of stubbornness, they had lost too much. The pain swirling in his gut was like a living thing, almost too much to handle.
Chapter Eleven
Grace pushed back from her laptop and stretched. She had the house to herself and had been sitting too long and her back ached, but she was happy. She had outlined Living Well With Chronic Pain and was working on the first chapter. If nothing else, it was good therapy to write this book and maybe, just maybe it could help someone if she could get it published.
Glancing back at the screen, she began to read what she had copied from her journal into the manuscript.
Journal Entry, February 22, 2009
Today I feel old and frightened. Understanding why this has happened to me is beyond my grasp. I’m living in a state of shock. I’ve always been a healthy, active person, and now I’m on my way to becoming totally disabled. The idea of becoming a burden to my loved ones and physically deteriorating to a point of helplessness scares me to death.
Each day is a struggle and it’s harder to get around in my home. My right leg gives way and I fall down. Nothing stops the pain. I ask myself why is this happening to me? There are no answers.
I don’t want to live...not like this. My mind still works, but my body is giving up on me. I can’t work or take care of my home.
Being a Christian I know suicide isn’t the answer, but when the pain intensifies, I think about ending my life...now, with dignity...before it’s too late. I hurt badly and I’m fearful of what the future holds for me. God, please give me the strength to endure this pain.
Reading the journal entry brought an ache to her heart. As Nana had said, she had come a long way from that point in her life. When she had written that in her journal she had been consumed with pain, anger, and fear, not knowing where to go for help. Somehow, she had to show the readers where she had been and how she had worked her way back.
Completely lost in her writing, she didn’t know anyone else was home until Jamie ran into the living room. Pulling herself back to the present, Grace smiled at Jamie, who looked charming in her red Winnie the Pooh sweater.
“We saw the best movie. You should’ve gone with us.” The child’s face glowed with excitement.
“I’m glad you had a good time. Maybe I’ll go next time.” Needing a break, she saved her file and turned away from the desk to face Jamie. “Tell me all about it.”
“We picked up Ida and went to the Tigger movie and I had my own soda and popcorn. I ate the whole thing.” She giggled. “Usually, Dad and I share.”
“You’re such a big girl these days. Your Dad will be proud of you.” Seth loved his daughter very much. He’d be p
roud of anything she did.
“Then when we came out of the movie it was snowing really hard. Ida said we could come home with her and we did.” She frowned. “Ida has a dog. He’s a poodle and barks when he sees her.” She sighed. “I wish I could have a dog.”
“Well, maybe one day you’ll have one of your own.” She was treading in deep water. She had no idea how Seth would feel about his daughter having a pet.
Nana came into the room carrying a cup of coffee and sat down on the sofa. “Did you have fun with the girls last night?”
“Yeah, we stayed up late and talked.” She laughed. “We probably drank too much. I’ll have to replace your wine.”
“Don’t worry about it. Sometimes you have to let your hair down.”
“I think we did that and then some.” Grace grinned, thinking about what old fashioned fun she had experienced with her friends.
“Good, it’s been too long since you’ve been home to mingle with your friends.” Nana sipped her coffee.
“I have friends in town.” Jamie frowned. “How do we let our hair down?” Her fingers played in her long, curly, blond hair.They laughed in unison. Grace leaned over and squeezed Jamie’s shoulder. “You see, Jamie, by letting your hair down, we mean getting together and talking and having fun. You could do it by having a pajama party here at the house. You make up invitations and ask some of your favorite friends to spend the night.”
Jamie stopped tugging at her long blond curls. "Oh, can I?"
Nana smiled. “I don’t see why not. I think it would be nice for you to have a pajama party. How many little girls would you like to invite?”
Jamie jumped up and sat on Grace’s lap. “You mean I can ask them to spend the whole night with me?”
“Sure. We can make pizza and rent movies.” Grace raised Jamie’s chin so she could look into her eyes. “And you know the best part is you can stay up as late as you want. When you have a pajama party you get to break the rules.”
She frowned. “I don’t know if Dad will let me do that, but it sounds like fun.” She hugged Grace tight.
“I’m sure it’ll be okay after we talk to him.” Grace liked watching Jamie’s reactions. She was pure and innocent. Things were working out as she had hoped. A natural friendship was growing between them.
“Can we make the invitations now?” Jamie’s big blue eyes begged for her approval.
“I don’t see why not. I have all we need right here in the desk. First you have to make a list of who you want to invite.”
Jamie named her girlfriends, counting them off on her fingers. “I like Lydia, Jessie, Hannah, Makaela, Jayda and Natalie. Can they all come?”
“If it’s okay with their parents. We’ll invite them and see what happens. How about Friday night? Your friends can ride the school bus home with you.”
“Oh, boy, I can’t wait to tell them. Can I call Lydia now?”
Nana laughed. “Sure, honey, you can use the phone in the den, but remember we have to get final approval from your dad?”
"It'll be okay with dad. He likes me to do things with my friends." Jumping off Grace’s lap, Jamie gave her a hug, then ran to Nana and did the same before she raced out of the room.
“What a darling child.” Nana’s gaze followed Jamie out of the room.
“Yes, she is a sweetheart.” Grace wished she had a child of her own to make plans with, but in the meantime it was a treat to play with Jamie.
“I have something I want to discuss with you.” Nana set her china cup down on the coffee table with her manner becoming serious.
“Sure. Is something wrong? You sound upset. Do you think Seth will mind if we let Jamie have the pajama party?” She frowned. “It’s harmless fun.”
“Oh, no, I don’t think he’ll care. This is about something else.” She glanced at Grace. “You know I take in foster children from time to time.”
“Yeah, what’s up?” Had Nana found another child who needed her help?
“You know, Ida is a social worker. Well, over dinner last night we were talking about one of her clients. She’s at her wit’s end on where to place this young man.” She clasped her hands together, taking her time before she spoke. “I’ve met him. He’s in the hospital, only thirteen, and has been shuffled from one foster care situation to another over the past year.” She cleared her throat, seeming to hesitate before she continued. “He’s a difficult child and nobody wants to take the time to deal with his situation. He’s due to be released from the hospital soon and has nowhere to go.”
“Oh, I see. You want to bring him here.” She raised her eyebrows in surprise. “I don’t have a problem with that. What’s wrong with him?”
“He was in a bad car accident last year, lost his whole family, and it left him in a wheelchair. His leg was crushed. He needs physical therapy, counseling on a consistent basis and a lot of work. Most foster care homes don’t have the facilities or the time to give to him.”
“Sounds like the kid is in bad shape.” She twisted a strand of hair between her fingers, remembering how tough it was when she lost her parents. Her heart tugged in sympathy for the boy.
“You might say that. He’s hurt, angry and sullen, shut himself off from everybody. He’s still grieving over the loss of his family—his mom, dad and sister.” Nana sighed and leaned back against the sofa cushion. “They were on their way home from the amusement park in Denver when a semi ran a red light and smashed into them.”
“How terrible. What can we do to help him?”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I think it would be good for him to come live with us for awhile. We have plenty of room. And we have the indoor pool. We could do most of his physical therapy here and I think I could get Doc Kruger to come out on a regular basis to help us out.” She paced around the room. “But I couldn’t do it by myself. I would need your help.”
“I’d be happy to help out with his therapy or in any way I can. It’s not like I have a full-time job or anything.”
“I was hoping you would say that. Also, Ida thinks it would do him good to be around other children. Being around Jamie will be painful for a while, but it will help him work through the loss of his sister. She was about the same age.”
“When does he get out of the hospital?” She stopped twirling the strand of hair she had been playing with, excited about the prospect of helping the boy. This was something she wanted to do. It sounded like this kid really needed some tender loving care.
“Not for a couple of weeks. He has the last surgery on his leg tomorrow. The doctors think with care and hard work on his part eventually he’ll be able to walk again. The thing is he needs the proper care.”
“We can help him. I'm sure we can make a difference in this boy’s life. I’ll go to the hospital with you to meet him.”
“Good, we can go tomorrow after his surgery. However, because of Jamie, I want to talk to Seth about this. I don’t think he’ll have a problem with it, but I don’t want to spring it on him unawares.”
“That’s understandable. He should know what you have in mind. By the way, he called earlier this morning and he’ll be calling Jamie tonight.”
Nana picked up her coffee and sat back down. “Good. I’ll speak to him when he calls. If we decide to do this, we’ll have to build a ramp onto the side porch in front and back. The boys from the bunkhouse can do most of the work. The doorways and everything else are already handicap accessible.”
Grace’s heart beat a little faster as she realized Nana had been subtly getting the place ready for her, in case she ended up in a wheelchair. She had noticed the doorways were wider, but hadn’t mentioned it. “Sounds to me like you’ve already decided to do this.” Grace walked over to hug Nana. “I’m behind you a hundred percent. I’ll help out where ever you need me.”
“Wonderful, we’ll do this together. I’m so very glad you’re home.” Nana hugged Grace back.
Grace laughed. “You forgot to tell me the boy’s name.”
/> “It’s Joey, Joey Henderson. He has dark brown hair and big brown eyes. A handsome young man with a huge chip on his shoulder. He’s angry at the world right now. This won’t be easy. I want you to know what you’re getting into.”
“It doesn’t matter. Imagine what he’s going through? The pain has to be unbearable. The poor kid has to lash out at something. At the least, we’ll make sure he receives the care he needs.”
“Yes, we will, and I think in time he’ll come around. With what he’s had to handle by himself, it’s natural for him to be going through such a tough time,” she said. “He's been in four different homes in the last six months. The poor boy hasn’t had a chance to settle down and do his grieving and healing. He probably feels like the entire world is against him.” Nana sighed. “I’ve been told he’s given up. I’m sure you can relate.”
“Yes, I can. And if I can use some of what I went through to help this child, then it’s worth it.” Her greatest fear was ending up in a wheelchair. She would do whatever it took to help this young man overcome his obstacles.
Chapter Twelve
Seth closed his eyes and grimaced when the first shovel full of dirt hit his grandfather’s casket. His mother shuddered while he held his arm around her. “Mom, it’s time to go.” The bag pipers played Amazing Grace as the mourners drifted down the hill to the waiting cars.
“Just a minute.” She resisted and held her ground when Seth nudged her elbow towards the waiting limo. Wiping the tears from her eyes with a handkerchief, she looked at her son. “I want to say good-bye to my father.”
Holding her other arm, his Dad said, “Take your time, we’ll wait for you down the hill.” He hesitated for a moment. “Honey, I’ll stay if you want.”
No Direction Home (Sweet Home Colorado) Page 12
