“Hello, sweet girl,” Clark said in an easy tone. “Want to go home with your grandma and me?”
Sarah’s eyes flickered with recognition. “Grandpa?” she said in a hoarse voice.
“We’ve got the car,” Anna told her. “The old station wagon. Do you feel like you’re able to travel?”
Sarah let out a shallow sigh then closed her eyes as if in pain. Her thick black lashes fluttered over the dark shadows beneath her eyes, and her breaths seemed shallow and labored. Anna touched her forehead to find that it was a bit too warm.
“Clark,” Anna whispered. “Do you think she needs to see a doctor first?”
“No.” Sarah started to sit up.
“You’ve been very sick,” Anna said sadly. “We want to help you. Your friends think you should go home with us, but you seem so weak.”
“Home.” Sarah’s weak grip tightened slightly on Anna’s hand. “I want to go home.”
Anna and Clark exchanged glances.
“Yes,” Anna told Sarah. “We want you to come home, too.”
Without Sarah seeing him, Clark mouthed the word “Lauren” to Anna then held his hand up like a phone receiver. Anna nodded, and with that, Clark leaned down to tell Sarah he was going for the car and would be back shortly.
While he was gone, Anna helped Sarah slip a raggedy-looking green and orange hand-knit sweater over her thin cotton dress, slowly buttoning it up to her chin. Then, just as she was helping her into some thick socks and a worn pair of brown clogs, Clark returned. “I pulled the car up to the back of the building,” he said. “I left it running.”
“We have blankets and things in the car,” Anna said as she helped Sarah stand, with Clark on the other side so they could both support her. “And I brought some food and drinks.”
“I packed Sarah’s things for her.” A girl carrying a limp brown paper bag joined them. “I hope she gets better.”
Anna smiled at the girl as they slowly walked Sarah toward the door. “Don’t worry. We will get her well again,” she declared.
It tool all three of them to get Sarah out to the car and into the backseat where Anna sat with her. With the blankets and quilts tucked snugly around Sarah, Anna tried to make her as comfortable as possible. But as soon as the car started to move, Sarah was clearly in pain. She seemed to feel every bump and rut in the rough gravel road and at each lurch or turn would let out a little groan.
Anna had placed a down pillow in her lap to cushion Sarah’s head. And knowing lavender was a natural soothing herb, she’d even tucked a sachet inside the smooth linen pillowcase early this morning. As she cradled Sarah’s head with the fragrant pillow, Anna wished for a stronger way to buffer this ride for her.
Sarah’s features twisted as they hit another lumpy part of the road.
“Maybe we should take her to the hospital,” Anna said quietly to Clark.
“No,” Sarah said in a weak but firm voice. “Home.”
As encouraged as Anna was to hear how badly Sarah wanted to go home, she wondered if the sick girl could possibly make the almost eight-hour trip. This wasn’t just a bad case of the flu. Sarah was seriously ill. Not only that, but also it would be the middle of the night by the time they reached town and the river, and they’d still have the boat ride back to the inn. And once at the inn, the doctor and the hospital would be nearly an hour away if they needed medical assistance.
“Clark?” Anna put a hand on his shoulder. “What do you think?”
He didn’t respond as he continued driving down the graveled road as carefully as possible. The main road was in sight now, but Anna could tell by the angle of Clark’s head and the way he was rubbing his chin that he was probably trying to decide what was best.
“Home,” Sarah said again.
“It’s a long trip,” Anna told her. “You’re very weak.”
“I think Sarah’s right,” Clark finally said, “we’ll keep heading for home. I’m not the least bit tired of driving, and if we need to stop somewhere between here and there for help, we will, but the sooner we get her home, the sooner you can make her well again. If anyone can make her well, Anna, I believe you can.”
Anna wasn’t so sure about this, but it did remind her of the basket she’d packed with this in mind, and once Clark was on the smoother highway, she began trying to coax Sarah to drink some of the cool tea she’d poured into canning jars last night. Infused with chamomile, lavender, and catnip herbs, it was sweetened with clover honey. She even packed some straws. Sarah could only manage a few sips at a time, but after about an hour on the road, she seemed to be resting better. Or else she was going into a coma.
Stroking Sarah’s hair, Anna prayed silently for her granddaughter . . . prayed for them to make the journey safely and quickly . . . and prayed that whatever was ailing Sarah would be treatable without hospitalization. Anna felt relatively sure that Sarah wasn’t with child. This had been her concern earlier when Lauren had called with the news that she was sick. Anna had instantly flashed back to the time when Lauren had seemed so sick . . . but had simply turned out to be pregnant . . . with Sarah.
Anna studied Sarah’s profile in the dusky light. The sallow tone to her skin suggested vital organ trouble—perhaps liver or kidneys—and Anna knew that was serious. Very serious. Sarah was even thinner than the last time Anna had seen her. Her fragile wrists looked like that of a young child. But the length of Sarah’s dirty fingernails gave Anna a smidgeon of hope . . . perhaps it hadn’t been that long since Sarah had been working, which would suggest she’d only gotten sick recently. So perhaps her malady, whatever it was, wasn’t too far along.
No one at the commune had seemed to know exactly when Sarah had become ill or what was actually wrong with her. Danielle had claimed that Sarah had been sickly from the start and that they were concerned that she might be contagious. Not that any of this mattered so much to Anna. Mostly she’d just wanted to get Sarah away from there. And now she only wanted to get her home. And get her well. Hopefully they would make it there in one trip.
Anna knew that it was only God’s grace and the soothing help of the herbal concoctions that got Sarah safely home to the river in the wee hours of the morning. But as the sun was coming up, Sarah was finally resting relatively peacefully in her old bedroom in the main house. Anna had coaxed Sarah to sip some chicken broth and apple cider and now felt like she could finally relax some herself. Clark had long since tumbled into bed and was fast asleep.
Thankful that no guests were with them, Anna explained the situation to Jewel, who had waited up for them. “Would you mind handling the cooking for tomorrow,” Anna asked as she put some things away in the kitchen.
“No problem. And I can use the kitchen downstairs,” Jewel assured her. “So it will be nice and quiet up here.”
“Good. Did you hear anything from Lauren?” Anna wasn’t sure if she was still in California or at Babette’s house.
“She called earlier this evening. She plans to get here tomorrow.”
“Well, you better get some rest.” Anna let out a tired yawn.
“Is Sarah going to be okay?” Jewel asked with concerned eyes.
Anna sighed. “I think so, but I’m afraid it might be serious, Jewel. I can tell she’s very sick.”
“Oh, no.” Her hand covered her mouth.
“Pray for her,” Anna said. “And we’ll do the best we can for now. But I plan to call the doctor tomorrow.” She shook her head. “I mean today.”
“You should go get some rest,” Jewel told her. “If you like I can sit with Sarah while you sleep.”
Anna considered this. She really hadn’t wanted to leave Sarah alone. “You don’t mind?”
“Not at all. I fell asleep on the couch for several hours while I was waiting for you guys to get home.”
Anna thanked her, gave her some instructions about keeping the fluids going, and then went off to bed.
The next morning, Sarah seemed about the same, and Anna knew that she needed to
get some professional medical attention for her. But the idea of loading the poor girl back onto the boat and then the car again seemed like cruelty. Anna remembered the days when Dr. Robertson used to make house calls. Unfortunately, he had long since retired. Since then, Anna and Clark had relied on Dr. Albers for their medical care. And he was a nice fellow and even enjoyed fishing with Clark occasionally, but Anna doubted that he or anyone else made house calls anymore.
Even so she called his office then waited on hold to talk to him personally. After initial greetings, she began to explain the situation, going into detail over Sarah’s symptoms and yesterday’s difficult journey.
“I’m so glad to hear you found her,” he said. “I’d heard you folks were looking for her again. How fortunate to have her home in time for the holidays.”
“Yes, we’re relieved to have her back with us, but I’m terribly worried about her, doctor. You know I believe in herbal remedies, but this seems very serious.”
“Yes, it does sound like liver or kidneys. She needs to be seen, Anna.”
“I know. But the trip will be hard on her. And she is so adamant about not getting medical attention.” Now Anna explained some of Sarah’s strange beliefs. “I suspect they’re things she picked up at the communes.”
“No doubt.” Now he asked her to hold.
While waiting, Anna tried to decide what to do. What if Sarah’s illness was life-threatening? Wouldn’t it be better to force her into a hospital than to respect her wishes for natural treatments?
“Anna?” Dr. Albers interrupted her thoughts. “How about if I come out there?”
“A house call?” Anna was stunned.
“I just checked with my nurse, and I only have two more appointments today. I could come out there this afternoon if you like.”
“You would do that?”
“Sure. That is if Clark can pick me up.”
“He’ll be happy to.”
“Tell him to meet me at the dock at two.”
She thanked him several times then hung up and ran to find Clark.
“I’m going to owe him several fishing trips for this,” Clark told her.
“I’d gladly take him myself,” Anna said.
It was close to three when Clark returned with Dr. Albers, and by that time, Sarah was starting to feel much worse. Thankfully, this reduced her resistance to Dr. Albers. She was in too much discomfort to protest.
Anna tried to busy herself in the kitchen by making ginger snaps and a fresh pot of coffee, but by the time Dr. Albers emerged from Sarah’s room, Anna was on pins and needles.
“Something smells good out here,” he said.
She offered him coffee and cookies, and as they sat down at the kitchen table, she asked how Sarah was.
His brow creased slightly. “You’re right, she’s in bad shape. I want to send some samples to the lab, but I’m fairly certain she has a kidney infection.” He pulled a packet of pills from his jacket pocket and handed them to her. “These are samples of an antibiotic I brought along just in case. I already started her on them, and I’ll have my nurse call in a prescription for you to pick up tomorrow.”
Anna felt relieved. “So that’s all then?”
He shook his head. “No, I don’t think so. I suspect she has hepatitis as well.”
“Hepatitis?” Anna wasn’t sure of all the ramifications, but she knew this was not a simple diagnosis.
“Yes. I hope I’m wrong. But she has all the symptoms, and based on how she answered some of my questions and her life these past couple of years, well, I think it’s highly likely.” He frowned. “It’s not uncommon in some of these communes. Poor health standards and whatnot.”
“Oh.” Anna sighed. “What does that mean? What’s the treatment?”
He explained that there wasn’t medication for it. “Mostly you treat the symptoms. You try to keep the patient comfortable. And usually they improve over time with plenty of rest and a healthy diet. Lots of clear fluids to help the liver repair itself.”
“Herbal teas?”
“Yes. I’m sure you have some good ideas for that.” Then he went over a list of things she shouldn’t have. “Also, I told her, and you need to know as well, that she needs to be very careful of hygiene, and you can’t allow her to work for the inn until she’s completely recovered. Hepatitis is contagious, but if she’s cautious, it should be no problem. However, if word got around that she has it . . . well, you know, it could hurt business.”
Anna nodded. “We’ll keep that in mind.”
He smiled. “But, really, if Sarah gets plenty of rest—and no strenuous exercise—and wholesome food and lots of fluids, she should be back to normal by, say, springtime.”
“That long?”
“The liver takes time to heal, Anna. And having the kidney problem on top of this.” He reached for another cookie. “Well, it’s a good thing you called, Anna. That girl could’ve very well been hospitalized if a few more days had gone by without antibiotics. The combination of hepatitis and kidney infections, well, it could’ve turned lethal. I told Sarah she’s lucky she didn’t end up in the hospital, and if she doesn’t take care, she will yet.”
“Will she feel better soon?”
“She should start feeling better in twenty-four hours. But keep those clear fluids going.” He listed off some juices that might be helpful then held up a cookie. “And get some good food into her as soon as her appetite returns. The poor kid looks half-starved.”
Anna walked him down to the dock where Clark was working on a boat engine. “I don’t even know how to thank you for coming out here like this,” she said.
“Well, it’s Christmas.” He shrugged. “Besides it’s always fun to come up the river and see this place.” He looked around. “You and Clark sure have the good life.”
Anna laughed. “It didn’t feel too good yesterday.”
“No, I expect it didn’t. Just be glad you got her out of there when you did.”
“We are.” She paused on the dock and thanked him again.
“And like I told Anna,” Clark said as he joined them. “I expect that besides your bill, I will have to take you on a few deep-sea fishing trips.”
Dr. Albers grinned. “Sounds like a deal to me.”
Clark asked about Sarah, and they filled him in. Then Anna hurried back to the house to check on her. She knew that, despite the doctor’s visit, Sarah was not out of the woods yet. Jewel met her at the foot of the stairs. “Is she going to be okay?”
As they went upstairs, Anna told Jewel about the diagnosis and recommended treatment. “And Sarah isn’t supposed to help with the inn for a few months either,” Anna said as they went inside, explaining about the contagious factor. “The doctor let her know, too. Mostly she’ll just need to rest and recuperate.” Anna filled another glass of apple cider and put a couple of still-warm cookies on a plate. “I want to check on her now.”
“Do you want me to call Lauren?” Jewel offered. “I know she’s anxious to hear.”
“Yes.” Anna nodded. “I completely forgot. And tell her I’ll call her later with more information.”
“Should I invite her to come for dinner?”
Anna considered this. It seemed unlikely that Sarah would leave her room today. “Yes,” she said. “I think that will be all right.” As she opened the door to Sarah’s room, it hit her—how quickly things had changed again. One day, she and Clark plan to spend Christmas alone, the next day they have both Sarah and Lauren back with them. But these were good changes . . . or at least they would be good . . . eventually.
22
The days before Christmas were quiet and subdued at the inn. Although Sarah was somewhat improved after a day of antibiotics, she was still in need of round-the-clock care. Between the pain, bouts of nausea, and mood swings, she was at best unpredictable. For that reason, the three women—Anna, Jewel, and Lauren—split Sarah’s days into three shifts. Anna took the first shift, then Jewel handled the late afternoon into e
vening, and then around midnight, after Sarah was asleep, Lauren would step in.
“She opened her eyes and saw me last night,” Lauren told Anna as they were fixing dinner together. “The full moon was coming through the window, and I’m sure she knew who I was.” It was Christmas Eve and Sarah was finally starting to show signs of being able to come out of her room.
“Did she react?” Anna paused from mashing the potatoes.
Lauren shrugged. “She just kind of moaned then rolled over.”
“She hasn’t said anything to me . . . to hint that she knows you’re here.” Anna dropped a clump of butter into the potatoes, then continued mashing.
“But when she does?”
“We’ll deal with it.”
“I wish there was something I could do,” Lauren said sadly, “to change how she feels about me. I love her so much, Mom. I know what a failure I’ve been as a mom. I know I let her down a million times when she was growing up. I want to make it up to her. But I just don’t know how.”
“Just keep doing what you’re doing, Lauren. In time, Sarah will figure it out.”
“I don’t know . . .”
“It’s going to take time,” Anna told her, “but eventually, she will come around.”
“I want to believe that, but it’s hard.”
Anna knew it was hard. She knew it was taking a toll on Lauren. She would see Lauren out walking by the river in the early-morning fog sometimes. She would raise her arms up and down as if she was having a conversation—perhaps she was praying—and then eventually, she would get in a boat and head on back over to Babette’s house, where she was living all alone. It made Anna sad. And yet what could she do?
Christmas came and went, and when Sarah finally became strong enough to venture from her room, and no longer seemed to need round-the-clock care and supervision, Anna encouraged Lauren to return to her apartment in Eugene. “At least you have friends there,” she told her. “You’re so isolated here. And Sarah isn’t ready . . . yet.”
Lauren nodded. “And I decided I should look for a job for next semester.”
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