by Barbara Goss
“Let’s go!” Alex said. “Doc is coming by later today to tell us when we sail. We have much to accomplish before that happens.” He hit himself lightly on the forehead. “Oh, I almost forgot the most important thing!” He reached into his pocket and removed a small case. He opened the box, took something out, and hid it in his closed fist. “Give me your left hand, darlin’,” he said in a half-whisper.
Nora held out her hand, wearing a look of puzzlement on her face.
Alex opened his hand. There, on his palm, sat the most beautiful diamond ring she’d ever seen. A large, oval diamond rested on a diamond- shaped, platinum filigree base, giving the ring a laced look.
Nora was speechless.
Alex smiled with pride.
Harry Easton, the proprietor of the hotel, had instructed the desk clerk to call the two strongest bellboys to assist Alex whenever they saw him preparing to leave the hotel for the duration of their stay. All Alex had to do was wheel past the desk and wait by the front door, and two men would seem to instantly appear and pick him up, chair and all, and carry him.
Harry had also made a fine carriage available for his use. The bellboys lifted Alex and placed him into the driver’s seat. The carriage was white. It had a seat at the front for the two of them, and a large seating area behind the driver’s bench, which they used to store his wheelchair. The back wheels of the carriage were large and thin and the front wheels small. The horse pulling the carriage snorted, as if anxious to be off.
Alex found having to be carried embarrassing. He’d never realized, when he was a walking person, how inconvenient and humiliating life was for a person who didn't have that ability. Nora thought he'd be able to live a full and normal life, but he didn’t consider his life either full or normal. Yet when he looked over at Nora sitting beside him, looking up at him with pure love glowing on her face and that sparkle in her eyes, it made it all bearable.
One of the bellboys whispered to Nora, and she whispered back. Then, the men hopped into the back of the carriage. She’d need help with Alex when they reached their numerous destinations to prepare for their wedding and their honeymoon trip to Sweden.
17
Seated hand in hand at the altar of the Calvary Church of Christ, Nora and Alex repeated their vows before the minister and his wife. To make Alex more comfortable, Nora requested they both sit in chairs. Nora knew this touched Alex deeply. He then surprised her by speaking vows of his own at the end of the traditional vows.
Alex took Nora’s hand in his and she stared at him with wide curious eyes. She didn’t know what he had planned.
“Nora,” he said, “I take you as my partner for life. I promise, above all else to live in truth with you. I promise to encourage your compassion, because that was what first drew me to you. I promise to help shoulder our challenges, because together we can face anything. I promise that while I am grateful to you, I give you my undying love, forever.” With his thumb, he rubbed the hand he held affectionately. “And lastly, I promise to be faithful to you always.”
Nora spoke with tears streaming down her cheeks, “I didn’t know you were going to do that, but as long as you have openly given me your own pledge, I’ll give mine too. I promise to love and care for you whether you walk or ride. You are the one and only love of my life, and I cherish every moment I spend with you. Today, I’m the luckiest woman in the universe to have become the wife of the most wonderful man in the universe. I give you my truth, honesty, and faithfulness, because I love you with all my heart.” Her voice faltered with emotion.
The minister pronounced them man and wife.
Back at the hotel, Nora prepared for the most memorable night of her life, when they expressed their love physically for the first time. She felt anxious and nervous at once, but she knew that it would be like heaven on earth. She hadn’t thought ahead to buy a fancy gown to wear, but to her, what she wore didn’t matter.
She pulled the same, thin nightgown on that she’d worn the night they’d slept together. She brushed her hair, letting it fall past her shoulders. Alex loved it when she’d let down her hair. When she felt she looked as good as she could, she opened the adjoining door.
Alex felt the blood rushing to his head so swiftly, it almost made him dizzy. In a short time, he’d make Nora his, forever. He’d rehearsed how he would make love to her in his mind –he had to make it the best night of her life, rather than hasty and insensitive, despite his long-suffering desire. And above all else, he had to be gentle and patient, for he knew it would be her first time.
Although Alex or Nora never consumed alcohol, he’d ordered a bottle of the best champagne. This was a special occasion, and he’d already asked God if they might imbibe a few sips this once, for it would relax both of them for this, the most special night of their lives.
Alex glanced up and the sight of her standing shyly in the doorway nearly brought tears to his eyes. Like an angel, Nora stood in the nearly transparent white gown with her hair flowing loosely. She smiled nervously at him, and after swallowing the lump in his throat he gave her an encouraging smile in return.
He patted the chair beside him. He’d had a table set up with a special dinner, but he didn’t have food on his mind.
He handed Nora a glass of champagne, which she peered at curiously. “It’s a special occasion,” he explained. “I’ve cleared it with God.”
She smiled coyly and took a sip. “It tickles my nose,” she said with a nervous giggle.
Neither of them seemed the least bit hungry, so after several sips of the champagne, he took her by the hand and led her to the bed. He lifted her onto the bed, and lay down beside her, looking deeply into her eyes the whole time. He said, in that low seductive voice that she loved, “This is it darlin’, the night we will remember for the rest of our lives.” He traced her face, memorizing the sensual look on it, and then he pressed his lips to hers, first with gentleness and then with a building urgency.
She matched his ardent desire with equal intensity.
Nora had nothing but praise for the way Alex handled their special night. He knew how much it meant to her, and he did everything he could to make it perfect. She knew, without a doubt, that she would remember and cherish this night forever. She was euphoric that Alex was her husband now, and she loved him more than she ever thought possible to love another person. Nora never realized how breathtaking the marital act could be. She was thankful they’d waited until they married, so there would be no guilt to cloud the memory of their special night. She knew she’d relive this night over and over in her mind for years to come.
Later that evening, when they were enjoying their dinner, Alex also thought about their wedding night and how perfect it had been. Nora sat beside him at the table, flushed cheeks beaming with a radiant glow.
His life— his wife—he couldn’t be happier.
.
18
A week after the wedding ceremony, Nora and Alex moved into their new home. They bought furniture, the ramps and elevators were put into place, and Evelyn Bennett moved in. Nora loved having her mother close by, even if it was for just a week. They set sail on the Snow Queen in two weeks. That gave them only one week to familiarize Evelyn with the house and surroundings, because the following week, they had to catch a train to New York City where they would board the ship bound for Europe. From there, they would take several trains until they reached the Institute in Sweden. It would be a long journey.
“Alex,” Evelyn said as she approached him one day as he worked on a crossword puzzle in the den. “Thank you.”
Alex put the puzzle down and smiled. “What are you thanking me for?”
“For sharing your beautiful home with me, especially while you’re still honeymooning,” she said.
Alex wheeled over to her. He took her hand and kissed it. “We’re family now, Mother. No thank you is needed. This house is big enough for us to have all the privacy we need, is it not?”
“Oh, yes, it surely is! I also w
ant to thank you for making my daughter so blissfully happy. I’ve never seen her so radiant and content.”
“Again, no thank you needed—it’s definitely my pleasure. You’ve reared a remarkable woman, and I feel fortunate to have her as my wife.”
Evelyn put her hand on Alex’s shoulder. “Alex, promise me you’ll let me know if I ever get in the way, or if I do something that displeases you. In-laws can be our best friends or our worst enemies. Communication is key for everyone to get along.”
“Fair enough, Mother. Since you've mentioned it, there is something I’d like for you to stop doing--”
“Already?” Evelyn asked in surprise.
“You can stop thanking me and start treating me like a son. It’s all right to scold me now and then—it would make me feel like one of the family. Come here.”
Evelyn bent close, and Alex gave her a hug. “My own mother died just before my tenth birthday, and it broke my heart. Now God has given me a wonderful wife and a new mother to love. I’m the lucky one.”
Evelyn smiled. “God bless you, Alex.”
Nora had been standing in the archway listening. Seeing her two favorite people loving each other filled her with elation, and she felt like crying, it had touched her so. She loved Alex so much for accepting her mother as his own.
“Can I get in on this affection?” Nora walked over to them and kissed each of them on the cheek. “Now, we have two more positions to interview for today, a cook, and a maid.” Nora turned to her mother. “Alex hired a driver for the new carriage we bought, so if you need to go anywhere, Alex had a bell installed on the back terrace. The driver, Jake, has a bunk in the carriage house. Just ring the bell and he’ll take you wherever you need to go. He’s agreed to Saturdays off instead of Sundays so he can drive you to church.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful!” Evelyn clenched her hands, “But I will miss you both so much.”
Nora smoothed her mother’s white hair, “Would you like Aunt Francis to come and stay with you?”
“No, she has her own house and she's set in her ways—she won’t come.”
“I have an idea,” Alex said. “Why don’t you help us hire the cook and the maid? They’ll be living in, so you won’t be alone in the house while we’re gone. I want you to help pick servants you’ll feel comfortable with.”
“I’d love that! Thank—Oops! There I go again,” she laughed. “I’m not sure I even know how to deal with servants. I’ve never had any before.”
“I’d forgotten they'll be living in—I’m not used to having servants, either.” Nora laughed.
“Simply treat them with kindness. They're hardworking people. They’ll have rooms on the third floor. It’s comfortable enough up there—the dormers allow a pleasant breeze to flow through, and the rooms are a good-size,” Alex told Evelyn. “It’s much more convenient when servants live on the premises. Many of them need a place to live more than the actual salary.”
“That’s true—we were once in that position ourselves.” Nora turned to her mother. “You look tired, Mother. Why don’t you go up and rest until lunch is ready.”
“I think I will," Evelyn said. "I feel a bit out of sorts. Is it all right to use your elevator, Alex? I’m not feeling up to the stairs.”
“Our elevator, and you are most welcome to use it anytime, since this is now your home too.”
“Oh dear,” Evelyn said. “Don’t call me for lunch for I’m not a bit hungry.” Nora put her arm around her mother, and walked her to the elevator.
“Are you sure you’re all right, Mother?” Nora asked.
“I’ll be fine. I just need to lie down for a while and I’ll be fit by dinner, I'm sure.”
After seeing her mother to the elevator, Nora put her arm around Alex. “Thank you for making her feel so welcome. She felt a bit nervous about moving in. She’s afraid of imposing.”
“She’s a sweet woman, Nora. I love that she isn’t bossy and domineering like Sylvia. She reminds me of my mother. I think Mother and I will get along fine.”
“She’s always been a meek and unassuming person. We’ve always been close, but even more so since Father’s accident. Luckily we had each other.”
Suddenly, they both heard a thud and a cry. “Mother!” Nora yelled as she ran up the stairs to find her mother on the floor by the elevator, gasping for breath. “Alex, come quickly! It’s Mother!”
Alex pounded the elevator button repeatedly, thinking if he hit it enough times it would move faster. When he finally got upstairs, he loosened Evelyn’s high-necked collar. He looked at Nora, “Can you help lift her onto my lap? I’ll take her to her room.”
Fortunately for Alex, she was a petite lady, and with his strong muscled arms from his exercising, he and Nora could get her onto his lap. Alex then wheeled her into her room where they lifted her gently onto the bed.
“Nora, I need you to ring the bell and tell Jake to get the closest doctor. Quickly!”
Alex didn’t quite know what to do. He had no medical training at all. He tried to make her comfortable, but he could see she was in considerable pain. Was it the fall? Her heart? A stroke? Until the doctor arrived, all he could do was sit by her bedside and hold her hand. He talked softly trying to reassure her.
When Nora returned, out of breath, she said, “Thank goodness we live in a neighborhood that has a doctor living nearby. Jake said a doctor lives only a block away. He’s gone to fetch him.”
When the doctor came in, he asked them to step out of the room. In the corridor, Nora began to cry. “I’m scared, Alex,” she said.
“Let’s pray, right now, here, together.” Nora fell on her knees next to Alex’s chair and they prayed for Evelyn.
When the doctor finally rushed from her room, he said, “We need to get her to a hospital. She’s having a heart crisis. My carriage is in your drive. I can carry her out, but one of you'll need to accompany me to sign her into the hospital.”
“I’ll go!” Nora and Alex both said at once.
Nora touched Alex’s shoulder. “I’ll go, Alex. The hospital will need information that you might not know.” She kissed him and left with the doctor, who carried Evelyn out through the side door.
Alex continued praying for his sweet, lovable mother-in-law. He felt trapped. His wheelchair gave him more freedom than he ever had before, but he still felt imprisoned. He wanted to be with Nora in case she needed him. What if her mother died? He should be there! Then it dawned on him—he could have Jake take him!
Nora followed the doctor into the hospital where he rushed her mother into a room and rang a bell for assistance. A nurse came out immediately and ushered Nora to a small waiting room, where she filled out papers.
It seemed to Nora that she’d been sitting there for hours waiting for some word. She’d watched doctors and nurses flying in and out of her mother's room. Suddenly, she felt someone take her hand. She turned to see Alex. She called his name, put her arms around his neck, and cried on his shoulder.
“Do we know anything yet?” he asked.
Nora shook her head. “I’m afraid to ask, Alex.”
Alex patted her hand. “All we can do is pray.”
“How did you get here?” Nora sniffled.
“Jake. I had to be with you… and Mother.”
“I’m so glad,” she said, wiping her eyes. “I've been sitting wishing you were here with me.”
Finally, the doctor came out of the room, walked up to them and sat down. “We think it’s artherosclerosis.”
“What is that?” Nora asked.
“We don’t know a lot about heart disease yet, but medical science is working hard to find out more. You see, up until a few years ago, we had few people with this condition. Lifestyle and diet changes have made it more common. People aren’t walking anymore; they take carriages. They don’t eat the homegrown vegetables, or pick fresh fruits from the trees. Mostly they don’t get proper exercise. What happens is a plaque substance blocks the heart’s arteries causing a cris
is like your mother experienced. The blood can’t enter or leave the heart’s valves easily. Of course, sometimes it’s heredity and not lifestyle that causes this condition.”
“Will she be all right?” Nora asked tensely.
“No, I’m afraid not,” the doctor said.
Nora renewed her crying on Alex’s shoulder.
“What exactly can we expect?” Alex asked.
“She probably won’t die today,” the doctor said. “But she’ll be walking a tightrope, and death could happen at any time. We have her stabilized now, but she could have another episode at any time. She should stay in bed, and her diet should consist of the most natural and healthy foods. After a week or two, she can sit in a chair for a while.”
“Should she get exercise?” Alex asked, still holding a weeping wife on his shoulder.
The doctor shook his head. “It’s too late for that now. She should be quiet and still. We don’t want the blood to have to pump through the blockages too hard.”
“Can we take her home?” Alex asked.
“I think we should keep her here for a few days. If she continues to do well, you can take her home,” the doctor said. “By the way, my name is Dr. Donald Weissman.” He shook hands with Alex. Nora continued to cry.
“Do you two need a ride back home?” Donald asked.
“No, my driver is waiting outside. Thank you for everything, doctor.”
“I know where you live. I'll send word if I need you to come quickly to the hospital. There's nothing more you can do here tonight.”
“Can I see her?” Nora asked.
The doctor hesitated. “You can, but she’s been given medication to help her relax and sleep. She’s not awake. I would suggest you visit quickly and then leave.”
Nora nodded, and she and Alex went into Evelyn’s room to see her. Her mother slept peacefully. Nora kissed her forehead, and turned and left with Alex.
