by Jodi Woody
“I am just about done. Why don’t you sit down and I’ll make you some tea,” she replied. “Is there anything special you’d like for dinner? I was thinking of making a soup out of all these fresh veggies and some chicken.”
“Sounds good to me. Chicken soup is always good comfort food. My mom used to make it whenever we weren’t feeling good,” said Daffyd.
“Are you having a rough day?” she asked.
“I am feeling a little fluey today. It’s the nature of the beast. Sometimes I get the chills and the aches. That’s how this all started. I thought it was just a case of the flu…but two years later it’s the same old, same old,” he answered.
“What can you do for the symptoms?”
“Not much, with all the other junk they pump into me, I just have to tough it out. But it’s not too bad today. So can you make biscuits?” he asked trying to change the subject.
“I can do a pretty decent cat head,” she said.
“A what head?” he asked with a frown.
“Cat heads, they are a cheaters version of a rolled biscuit. I’ve never been able to get the hang of the super soft round biscuits. So I do the ones that you mix up and drop them on the pan. They are kind of lumpy and bumpy and my dad always called them ‘cat heads’.”
“Then would you mind serving some cat heads with your soup tonight? I think there is some more of Trisha’s homemade strawberry rhubarb jam left in the fridge too,” he asked.
“Oh, that does sound good, hot biscuits with real butter and homemade jam. I think I’ll skip dessert and just make extra biscuits,” she said.
“I think I’ll go and take a short nap before we eat. If I am not down before dinner is done, can you send Bryce up to wake me?” Daffyd asked.
“Will do. Sweet sleep,” she said.
Samantha had just put two pans of biscuits in the oven when Bryce and Seanna came in from the pool. She shooed them up to change and forgot to ask Bryce to wake up his uncle. She took off her apron and decided to run up and do it herself while the biscuits were baking. The soup was about done, and the table was already set. She quickly headed upstairs and knocked on Daffyd’s door. When no one answered, she cracked the door and peaked in. Daffyd was tangled in the blankets on his big bed. She could see that he was soaked in sweat. She hurried over to the bed and felt his head. It was hot. He was still sleeping but was tossing in the bed. She laid her hand on his chest and tried to wake him.
“Daffyd, can you hear me?” He opened his eyes, but they never focused in on her.
Samantha stuck her head out the door and yelled for Bryce. He came running, pulling his shirt over his head. Seanna came out of her room close behind him and they hurried down to Daffyd’s room.
“What’s wrong?” asked Bryce.
“He’s burning up. He said he felt fluey earlier and he came up to take a nap before dinner. He isn’t responding to me,” she said with her voice full of concern.
“This has happened before. I’ll call the doctor and see if we can give him something to reduce his fever. Could you get some cold water and a wash rag and try to cool him down. We need to get him out of those blankets too,” he said as he picked up the phone.
Seanna ran downstairs for a bowl and some ice, while Samantha untangled Daffyd. Then she went to his bathroom for some wash rags, running one under cold water. By the time she got back into the room, Bryce was trying to get his uncle to swallow some pills. Bryce had obviously done this all before. He was able to get the pills in his mouth and Daffyd’s reflexes took over from there. The pills were down.
“That should help bring his fever down. The doctor says he can take these every four hours as needed. Did he eat anything today?” he asked.
“He had some tea and toast again this morning. But I can’t remember him having anything else,” she answered.
“We should see if we can get him cooled down and then try and get him to drink something. When he gets this hot he can dehydrate real quick,” said Bryce.
Seanna returned with the bowl and ice. She set it on the table and Samantha wasted no time dipping the cloth in, wringing it out, and laying it on Daffyd’s forehead. Bryce grabbed a dry pair of pajamas out of the dresser and started taking Daffyd’s wet clothes off. Seanna offered to go and make sure dinner wasn’t burning not wanting to get in the way. Soon they had Daffyd in dry pants and opted to leave off the shirt.
“He’ll go from hot to cold. So if he gets cold we can just wrap him in the blankets again. But for now we can cool him down better without his shirt,” he explained.
They each had a cold rag. Samantha bathed his face and head, while Bryce did his torso and arms. Soon Daffyd calmed and he stopped tossing on the bed. Seanna returned with a bottle of water and let her mom know that she had taken the biscuits out of the oven and turned the soup way down. It took Bryce and Samantha to lift up Daffyd’s head as Seanna held the bottle to his mouth. They were able to get him to drink about a fourth of the bottle, before he pushed it away. No sooner had they laid him down and he started shivering. They bundled him up in the blankets and tucked them in around him. After a bit he was lying still and he seemed to be sleeping peacefully.
“He’ll probably sleep for awhile now. The fever hasn’t broke but the meds will kick in soon,” said Bryce.
“Why don’t you two go and eat and I’ll sit with him,” offered Samantha. “I can call you if I need you. I’d hate for all that food to go to waste. He asked me to make the biscuits earlier, now he won’t even be able to eat.”
“We’ll put some away for him. He loves them. These episodes can last a couple of hours or a couple of days. He may be feeling better before the night is over,” Bryce explained.
“Should we bring you something, Mom?” asked Seanna.
“Sure as long as he is sleeping, I can have a cup of soup. Butter me a biscuit and put some of Trisha’s jam on it too,” answered Samantha.
Soon Bryce brought up a tray for Samantha. Seanna had included a thermos with just plain broth for Daffyd for later. Samantha ate at Daffyd’s desk, keeping her eye on the patient. He continued to sleep. When the kids were done eating, they came up to see how everything was going. Bryce offered to stay with his uncle while the girls cleaned up and did the dishes. He ran to his room to grab something to read while he was sitting with his Uncle. Samantha left the broth for Daffyd and reminded Bryce to call if he needed them. As the girls finished up dishes, they talked about the events of the afternoon.
“Bryce seemed so calm and I was freaking out. Were you scared, Mom?” asked Seanna.
“When I first saw him I was. But after Bryce came, I remembered what Daffyd said this morning about his cancer having flu like symptoms. This has obviously happened before. Mostly I just feel helpless. Whenever you used to get sick, when you were little, I always felt the same way. All you can really do is make them comfortable and pray. When I was bathing his head I prayed for the fever to leave,” answered Samantha.
“That’s what I did when I came down to check on dinner too. I knew I could pray out loud and Daffyd wouldn’t hear me,” said Seanna. “So…now what? Do we just leave Bryce up there to take care of him?”
“I feel like I am not doing my job by letting him do it. I think I’ll go talk to him. You two could watch a movie or something tonight and I can stay with Daffyd,” Samantha offered.
“Daffyd has tons of movies in his media room. I can make some popcorn and smother it in butter while you go talk to him. If he doesn’t want to leave, then you come and watch one with me. Ok?” Seanna asked.
“Sure, one of us will be meeting you there then. Thanks,” said Samantha. When Samantha got back to Daffyd’s room Bryce was pacing and Daffyd was still sleeping.
“How is he doing?” she asked.
“I got him to drink some of the broth earlier and a little water. Now he’s sleeping like a baby again. He started getting hotter again, so I gave him the meds again. It was half hour early, but that should be fine,” he answered.
“Seanna wanted to know if you were up for a movie and popcorn. I could stay with your Uncle,” said Samantha.
“If you’re sure you don’t mind, that would be great. I haven’t been able to read much and I am tired of just sitting. I’ll check in after the movie.”
He made a quick exit while he could and Samantha checked their patient again. She tucked the blankets up around his chin and felt his forehead. He wasn’t overly hot so the meds must have kicked in. She picked up the book that Bryce had forgotten and saw that it was a bible, so she sat down and opened up to psalms ninety-one and started reading.
Bryce and Seanna were in the media room and Seanna was curled up on one of the couches, holding a pillow in her lap while Bryce was browsing the selection of movies. They were carrying on a running conversation as Bryce held up DVD cases. Seanna would shake her head ‘no’, make a face, or say ‘maybe’ to each title. The maybe pile was growing, but they hadn’t chosen anything. They were talking about their families again. The conversation started with Seanna remembering going to one of the movies with her Dad when she was little.
Soon they agreed on something and Bryce popped it in the player. Seanna had eaten most of the popcorn, so they went back to the kitchen to pop another batch. Before long they were both comfy on the couch and Bryce had the remote in his hand. Just before he pushed play, Seanna asked if he minded waiting for a bit.
“Sure, what’s up?” he asked.
“There is something bothering me and I guess I need to talk to someone about it. Talking about my Dad has it all bugging me again. Do you feel like letting me unload?”
“Shoot,” he said.
“Well it’s about Dad.” Seanna said as she picked at the pillow in her lap. “I remembered something else.”
“And what did you remember?” asked Bryce.
“When I was in grade school I used to walk to the store after school. Mom always had papers to grade and I liked hanging out with Dad. One day I had gotten an ‘A’ on this science project that he had helped me on, so I ran almost the whole way there. When I got to the store, Dad wasn’t at the counter. Whenever he wasn’t there, it usually meant he was in his office in the back. So I headed back there and I could hear voices coming from the office. The door was cracked so I peaked in. I shouldn’t have listened at the door, but I did.”
“There was this guy there and he was sitting across the desk from my dad. He was saying that he had made a mistake and that he wanted Dad to come back with him…somewhere…the guy was crying. Dad was just shaking his head and he looked like he was about to cry. I remember thinking, maybe it’s his brother. I had never met any of dad’s family and thought that maybe the whole time I had had an uncle or something, you know how little kids think. Then my dad was telling the guy that he had to leave because his daughter would be there soon. The guy said ‘you have a daughter!’ Like my dad just told him he was an ax murderer or something. It was just weird!”
“Dad told him that he was married to a wonderful Christian woman, and he emphasized both those word. Dad stood up and told him again that he had to leave. He asked him not to come back, that he wished him all the best but that he was not the same person that he used to be. I ran and hid behind one of the racks and watched the guy leave. He was real good looking and looked like the typical gay guy on TV, and he was still crying… a lot.”
“How old were you?” he asked.
“I think about seven or eight,” she said.
“Maybe you’ve made a mountain out of a molehill,” he suggested.
“Maybe… I don’t know. I never talked to him about it. I just felt sick, kind of embarrassed, like I caught him doing something wrong. But if it was what I think it was, then it was all over before my mom…and he told the guy to leave…that should count for something, right?” she said.
“I never met your dad, Sea, so it’s hard to say. But I do think that being gay is a choice and if your Dad chose to leave that life and then married your mom, that you shouldn’t hold it against him. Maybe your mom already knows and just didn’t want you to think any less of him. I think maybe you should talk this over with her. Maybe you just misread something all those years ago, or maybe it was just a friend from before he met you guys.”
“But what if I bring it up and Mom doesn’t have a clue. I just think that would be too much to handle after all that she’s gone through,” said Seanna.
“I think you should ask God, he’ll tell you what you should do. Have you prayed about it before?” he asked.
“Most of the time I’m just asking God for it not to be true, pretty childish I know,” she commented. “Why is it hard to deal with this junk about my dad, but so easy to accept your Uncle?”
“I guess it’s always easier when it’s not your family. I’m pretty much feeling the same way about your dad, but have a hard time with Uncle Daffyd.”
“I think you’re right. Thanks for the advice. I feel better just saying it all out loud. You’d make a great big brother, you know that?”
“Yeah, and you’d be a pretty cute little sis, telling your big bro all your problems, and letting me talk some sense into you,” he teased.
“Ok, big bro how about that movie…” she laughed.
Samantha had been reading next to Daffyd for some time when Daffyd finally stirred. “Trisha…” he whispered
“No, it’s Samantha,” she whispered back.
“Oh…where’s Bryce?” he asked a little disoriented.
“He and Seanna are watching a movie. He has been sitting with you most of the day so I told him I’d stay for awhile.”
“What are you reading?” Daffyd asked sleepily.
“Bryce’s Bible,” she answered.
“Can you read Psalms twenty-three?” he asked.
Is he really asking me to read him the Bible? She wondered.
“Of course…”She quickly back tracked to Psalm 23, and softly read, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.”
“You can keep reading…” he whispered.
Samantha read several Psalms until she realized he was sleeping soundly. She reached over to feel his head. He was completely cool. Thank you, Jesus, for allowing me to read your word to Daffyd tonight. I thank you that it will not return unto you void, but it will do what you have set it out to do. Thank you that the fever is gone and that Daffyd will have sweet sleep the rest of the night. Speak to him in his dreams, Lord. Heal his body and his spirit. Thank you for the opportunity to care for Daffyd in his time of trouble. I thank you also that you are keeping me and Seanna in your tender care.
Chapter 12
Unmasked
The next morning Daffyd woke up to find Bryce asleep next to his bed. The poor kid had tried to scoot two chairs together and stretch out a little. Daffyd’s heart warmed at the sight of his nephew’s care. He could see by the clock that it was still early, barely five o’clock. What a rough night that was. I remember lying down to take a nap before dinner…guess I missed out on those biscuits I asked for. Then I remember someone reading to me?
“Bryce,” he croaked.
“Um…what,” answered the sleepy boy.
“Go to bed,” laughed Daffyd.
“Uncle Daffyd, how are you feeling?” asked Bryce.
“Just peachy. You can go sleep in your own bed. Thanks for keeping me company, but I’m sure your back is going to complain about it later,” said Daffyd. Bryce untangled himself from the blankets and chairs and stretched like a cat. He quickly put everything back where
it belonged.
“Do you need me to get you anything before I go?” Bryce asked.
“I have some water here, maybe you could hang around for a second while I see if I can make it to the bathroom without some help…” answered Daffyd. After a few minutes, Daffyd returned to bed and propped himself up with some pillows.
“Did you read to me last night?” Daffyd asked Bryce as he was leaving.
“Nope, maybe Samantha did. She sat with you for the first half of the night,” said Daffyd.
“Thanks, was wondering if I just dreamt it or not... now go to bed!”
After Bryce left, Daffyd reached for the water on his night stand and saw that there was a Bible laying there. Was that what she read to me last night? Daffyd opened it up and saw that it belonged to Bryce. He flipped to the psalms and read the same verses that he remembered from the night before. I asked her to read this…man I must have been out of it. How long has it been since I have even opened a Bible? Daffyd took his drink and then settled into his pillows and continued reading while the rest of the household slept.
Samantha came into Daffyd’s room later that morning with his usual tea but instead of toast she brought a couple of buttered biscuits with jam from the night before. The girls had let Bryce sleep, finding a note that he had left early in the morning saying that Daffyd was better and that he was going to bed. They took his kitchen turn and cheated having leftover biscuits and coffee for breakfast, making sure to save some for him. The morning was looking dull and overcast. Samantha figured they would have rain before lunch. Daffyd was sleeping and Bryce’s Bible was lying next to him on the bed. I thought I put that on the table, thought Samantha. Leaning over to grab the Bible, she laid her hand on his head to check for a fever. Daffyd opened his eyes to find Samantha face to face. He smiled wide and she quickly backed up and gave him a sheepish grin.
“Sorry, was just checking to see if you were normal...” she stammered.
