Abandoned Souls

by Marianne Spitzer

  “Boss, want some coffee? Tony is going down to get a thermos. He could bring an extra cup.”

  Randy shook his head and said, “No thanks.” He took a step back to get a better view of the roof.

  As Randy backed into the shingles he had just stepped over, Chris yelled, “Boss look out.”

  Tripping backward, Randy did his best to catch his balance. Chris ran toward him. It was too late. Randy fell backward off the second floor roof with a startled yell.

  Chris ran to the front of the house, “Help, help, call 911. Randy just fell off the back of the house.” He was down the ladder by the time he finished yelling. He raced to the backyard while Tony called 911.

  Rounding the corner of the house he could see Randy was seriously hurt before he reached him. He saw both of Randy’s legs bent in unnatural positions. Chris dropped to his knees next to his boss. “Randy, Randy, can you hear me?” Randy didn’t move, and Chris couldn’t find a pulse.

  Two other crew members followed Tony as he ran to tell Chris he called 911, and they were on the way. Chris looked up and said, “It might be too late. I can’t find a pulse.”

  Tony knew CPR, but the first push on Randy’s chest let him know most if not all of his ribs had broken. He heard the bones crack further when he had begun CPR.

  #####

  Chris knew in his heart that Randy was dead. Despite that, he stayed on his knees next to him telling Randy to hang in there until he could hear the sirens stop in front of the house. They had been best friends since high school. He didn’t want to let him go.

  The paramedics did what they could, but they were unable to revive Randy. Tony and Chris watched them transfer Randy to a stretcher and head for the hospital. Chris told the other two crew members to go home. Chris and Tony drove to the hospital.

  Chris called Mrs. Jensen and told her that Randy had an accident at the worksite. He didn’t want to give her the news over the phone. Chris explained Randy was being taken to the hospital. He and Tony discussed going to her house, but knew she had a mild heart condition and the best place for her when she received the news was in the E.R.

  Chris and Tony arrived before Mrs. Jensen and told the E.R. staff why she was coming there to receive the news. One of the nurses knew her and said it was the best option. They would be ready if anything happened.

  #####

  While waiting for Mrs. Jensen, Chris thought about Kellie. He didn’t know they had broken up. The phone woke Kellie from her morning nap.

  “What? No, how bad is it? No, no what happened. Please tell me.” She listened to the details of Randy’s accident, thanked Chris, dropped the phone on the bed, fell back on her pillow, and cried.

  She reached for the phone again and called Taylor. When she explained the tragedy and how it happened after their break-up, Taylor assured her it wasn’t her fault and was on her way home.

  #####

  Mrs. Jensen and her neighbor arrived at the E.R. The nurse escorted them into a private sitting room with a couch, table, and phone. “I don’t like it, Dorie. They usually take the family to see the injured person. Something is wrong.” She began to hyperventilate.

  “Calm down, Sue. I’m sure they are super busy, and this is a peaceful room. Maybe Kellie was here. You know how they treat the Malones around here even if she doesn’t use the name. I bet they put her in here and then took her to see Randy. It’s a nice relaxing room.” She handed Sue Jensen a brown paper lunch bag to help her stop hyperventilating.

  Sue finally calmed down and began to relax when the doctor opened the door. She saw his face, and tears began to run down her cheeks. She never imagined Randy would die, but she knew from his expression that it was bad.

  “Mrs. Jensen, I’m Dr. Colburn. Randy had serious injuries; we did all we could, but I’m sorry…”

  Sue’s voice was barely audible as she said, “No,” passed out, and fell to the floor. She was quickly taken to an E.R. trauma room and examined. Her heart rhythm was normal, and she was doing well. She passed out from shock. A mild sedative injected into her I.V. helped her relax, and Dorie was allowed to sit with her.

  She opened her eyes and saw Dorie sitting at her side. “Is it true? Randy’s gone?”

  Dorie fought back tears as she nodded.

  “Did I have a heart attack? Why am I in a hospital bed hooked up to an I.V.?”

  “You passed out from shock. Your heart is fine. The doc gave you a sedative. You have to remain calm, so you don’t get sick.” Dorie took her hand.

  “What will I do without Randy? I have to call my parents. How can I tell them? I have to make funeral arrangements. I can’t do it, not again. Not after Randy’s dad.” She threw her hands over her face and began to sob.

  Dorie let her cry for a while and then said, “The first thing we will do is call Pastor John. He’ll know what to do to make things easier.”

  “We?”

  “Of course we. You and I have been neighbors and friends for twenty years? I won’t let you do this alone. I called Hank at work, and he said he’d take care of Randy’s crew and make sure everything gets taken care of properly. Then he’s coming home early in case we need him.”

  “I’m not sure what I’d do without the two of you,” Sue said.

  “You don’t have to worry. We’re both your friends. We’ll help you.”

  #####

  The nurse walked in and asked, “How are you feeling Mrs. Jensen?”

  “Physically or emotionally?”

  “Both. We want to take care of you in everything you need.”

  “Physically, I feel okay. Emotionally I doubt I will ever be the same.”

  “I understand, Mrs. Jensen,” the nurse patted her hand. “I’ll tell the doctor how you’re doing.”

  #####

  Taylor and Kellie were sitting in Kellie’s living room sipping the herbal tea Taylor insisted on making. Kellie had been quiet, lost in her own thoughts and guilt. When she had been sitting holding her cup for ten minutes without moving, Taylor decided it was time to bring her out of her trance.

  “Kellie,” Taylor needed to repeat her name three times before Kellie’s head turned toward her. “Whatever you’re thinking stop. It was not your fault.”

  Kellie placed her cup on the end table and looked back at Taylor. “My heart tells me breaking up with Randy was the best thing, but my mind is racing in several directions. I know it was an accident. He would never have walked off the roof intentionally. Chris explained he tripped walking backward, but what if while lost in thought by what I said his mind wasn’t on the job? He wasn’t as cautious as usual and fell. That makes it my fault.” She crossed her arms, dropped them to her knees, and leaned forward. She fought back the bile she felt rise in her throat.

  Taylor’s cell rang, and she walked into the kitchen to answer it. Caller ID let her know Hunter was finally returning her call. She explained what happened, and he said they were busy with the top boss all afternoon, but he’d be home as soon as he could.

  “It’s okay, honey. Cole and Andrea have client appointments this afternoon. They’re coming after work, too. I’ll stay here with Kellie. Love you back.”

  Kellie looked up when Taylor returned to the living room. Taylor said, “Hunter can’t get out of work either. It’ll just be me and you. Is there anything you want to do?”

  “No,” Kellie shook her head. She reached down and patted Rufus’ head. “He’s been whining occasionally. Either he understands what has happened, or he’s reading my emotions.” Rufus stood, jumped up, put his front paws on Kellie’s legs, licked her cheek, dropped back down on the floor, and whined again.

  “You might be right,” Taylor said.

  #####

  The doctor released Sue with a script for a mild tranquilizer and told her to return if she had any physical problem. “I will, thank you doctor, but first I need to see Randy.”

  “His foreman identified him. With his job, most of the staff including myself have helped him with one
injury or another. You don’t need to do it,” the doctor said.

  Sue insisted.

  Dorie helped her dress and the nurse pushed Sue in a wheelchair to the elevator. The three women rode the elevator to the basement level. When they reached the morgue, Sue could see a window with a body inside covered with a sheet. The nurse knocked on the window, and a young man removed the sheet from Randy’s face.

  The shock knocked Sue’s breath out of her, and when she inhaled she began to cry again. “I need to go in and see him.”

  The nurse tried to explain that was unusual, but Sue insisted. The nurse said, “Wait here. I’ll see if I can clear it.” She disappeared into the room. Returning a few minutes later, she said the coroner agreed, but she needed to stay in her wheelchair. Sue agreed.

  The nurse rolled Sue up to the table where Randy lay. Sue ignored the nurse’s instructions and stood. She laid her body over Randy’s and held him tightly. Her sobs wracked her body, and neither a nurse nor Dorie could get her to loosen her grip. After a few minutes she stood again, took Randy’s face in her hands, and said, “I love you my sweet son. Rest in peace. You’ll be in my heart forever.” She kissed his face and sat back down in the wheelchair.

  Looking up at the nurse, she said, “I’m ready to go.”

  The nurse pushed Sue to the exit while Dorie brought her car around to the door. Sue stared out the window on the drive home. She ignored all of Dorie’s questions. When Dorie pulled into Sue’s drive, they saw Pastor John’s car in front of the house.

  “I hope you don’t mind, but I called Pastor John,” Dorie said. “I knew he would be able to help you.”

  “I understand thanks. How am I going to live without Randy? I can’t do this.” Sue began to sob leaning her head against the side door window.

  “I know. That’s why I called Pastor John. Between the three of us, we can do this and Hank will help, too.

  Sue did her best to stop her tears so she could speak to the pastor.

  #####

  Hunter, Cole, and Andrea arrived at Kellie’s after work. They all had the same opinion. Kellie wasn’t responsible for Randy’s accident. No matter how many times she heard it, she still had doubts.

  Andrea said, “Kellie, you take on the guilt for everything that happens. You blamed yourself when I nearly drowned, when your grandfather cut Cole’s arm with the sword, and for Hunter and Taylor’s auto accident. You may have dealt with the evil that caused the events, but it wasn’t your choice or fault. Today was tragic. Perhaps Randy was lost in thought and didn’t pay attention, but he owned the company. He worked at this job for years. He taught others, and I’m sure he taught safety. Maybe he didn’t follow his own rules. If he were upset, he shouldn’t have been on the roof. He never would let any of his employees up there if they were upset.” She nodded her head once, took a deep breath, and sat back. As the quietest of the group of friends, when Andrea had something to say she said it and didn’t mince words.

  Kellie stared at Andrea. “What you said is true. Most of me knows that, but part of me thinks if I hadn’t brought it up this morning he’d be alive. Maybe I should have waited for a weekend where he would have time to assimilate it all.”

  Hunter said, “I think in time you will realize that you aren’t to blame for any of it. Did you eat lunch?”

  Kellie shook her head. “I had half a bowl of cereal for breakfast.”

  “It’s important to eat and keep up your strength when you’re under stress,” Hunter added. “We’re all going out to eat, my treat. No arguing. There’s that new place down the highway. No one knows you there, and you won’t have to talk to people.”

  Kellie agreed, and the friends left for a quiet dinner.

  #####

  Pastor John walked up to Dorie’s car and opened the passenger door. He helped Sue out of the car and put his arm around her shoulder. “I’m sorry for your loss. I know you’re in unimaginable pain, but please take comfort in the fact that Randy walks with God now. Randy and I spoke many times after the men’s meetings he attended, and his faith was strong.”

  “Thank you Pastor John. Please come in,” Sue said as she headed for her back door. She couldn’t recall if she had locked it. “I was right. I was in such a hurry. I forgot to lock the door.”

  Pastor John insisted the women wait while he checked out the house. “Just in case,” he said. “You never know.” He was back in a few minutes. “All clear.”

  Sue and the pastor sat at the dining room table while Dorie made coffee and looked for the homemade cookies she knew Sue would have on hand.

  Pastor John did his best to try and ease Sue’s pain, but he also knew it would take time. He sat with her when she called her parents in Florida. The pastor spoke to them when Sue’s voice broke, and she couldn’t continue. They would be on the next flight back to Malone Springs.

  Dorie brought in the coffee and cookies just as Sue finished her phone call. She tried to get Sue to eat at least one cookie. “A little something in your stomach will help.” Sue sipped her coffee.

  She looked at the pastor and said, “I don’t know what to do. When Joe died, Randy was here. I had to be strong for him. How am I going to make arrangements? Going back to Walker’s Funeral Home holds so many terrible memories. It’ll be hard enough attending the funeral without sitting there making all the decisions.” She ran her fingers through her salt and pepper hair as she stared off into space.

  “I’m friends with the head funeral director at Walker’s. If I called him and asked him to meet us at church tomorrow, we could make the arrangements there. You could hold the wake and funeral at church and not have to go back to Walker’s at all.” He reached out and took Sue’s hand.

  “Would you do that, please? It’ll make this horror so much easier to bear.” Sue did her best to smile.

  “Of course, excuse me.” Pastor John walked into the kitchen to place the call.

  “You’ll get through this,” Dorie said. “We’re all here to help.”

  Sue shook her head and said, “Maybe I’ll make it through the next few days when my parents are here, but I’ll have years to mourn and miss Randy. Why did this have to happen?” She began to cry again.

  Pastor John returned. “Mr. Walker’s son will meet us at church tomorrow at two o’clock. He’ll bring everything you’ll need to make plans with him. Will that time work for you? We’ll meet in my office.”

  “Yes, can I bring Dorie with me?”

  “Of course, bring anyone you wish. I must be going now. If you need me at any hour, please call.”

  “Thank you, Pastor John.”

  Chapter Three

  After dinner, Kellie insisted she’d be all right at home alone. “After all, I have Rufus. I promise to call Taylor and Andrea in the morning and check in with them. If you insist Hunter, I could turn the walkie talkie on again.”

  Hunter smiled at her. “Sounds like a good idea. You can turn the volume down, but if you need me hit the panic button, I’ll hear it and be over in a flash.”

  Taylor was tapping her foot, “You think that’s necessary. She’s not fighting an evil spirit. If she needs anyone, she has a phone. Stop being over-protective, Hunter.”

  “Okay, I was just trying to help.” He made sure Kellie was safely in her house and walked across the yards to meet Taylor on their front porch.

  #####

  Kellie walked through her house flipping on every light switch she had. Ever since she was a kid, she needed all the lights on when she was upset or scared. She let Rufus out and turned on the backyard flood light. Hunter and Taylor’s also went on. Taylor understood her need for light. Both would stay on until morning.

  Rufus came bounding back, and Kellie walked upstairs headed for a long soak in the tub. She left the lights on downstairs and turned on lights in all the upstairs rooms including the empty ones. It somehow made her feel less lonely.

  Sinking into the hot water, Rufus dropped to the floor next to the tub. “Well, boy life
is going to be different. I wonder if you’ll notice Randy isn’t coming here again.” She felt tears form in the corners of her eyes and splashed her face with water.

  Her mind wandered to Randy’s mom and what she must be experiencing. I should call her, she thought, but I’ll wait until tomorrow. She needs a little time to assimilate the news, and I’m not her favorite person. Poor Mrs. Jensen, my heart breaks for her.

  A soak in the tub made her tired. She stood, dried off, and slipped on a nightgown. She curled up on her bed and felt its emptiness. She knew Randy wouldn’t be spending any more nights, but she never thought he would be gone forever from everyone’s lives. Rufus walked past his bed to the other side of Kellie, laid his head on what had been Randy’s pillow and whined.

  “You do miss him. You have never done that on the nights he stayed at his place. Do you feel more than I think you do? You sense he’s gone, don’t you?”

  Rufus jumped up on the bed. He was never allowed up on the bed except for the night he and Randy had a tug-of-war with a feather pillow. Rufus lay down with his head on Randy’s pillow, his big brown eyes staring at Kellie.

  She reached out and stroked his face. “Okay, boy, but just for one night.”

  Rufus let out a small whine and closed his eyes. Kellie drifted off to sleep with every light in the room along with the TV on.

  #####

  Hank returned from the bathroom and looked out the front window. “Dorie, hey Dorie, wake up.”

  “What’s wrong?” She asked.

  “Not sure, but Sue is sitting on her front porch drinking coffee, I think. It’s too cold out there. It’s barely four o’clock.” He turned to look at Dorie.

  She was already out of bed wrapping herself in her warmest robe. “I’m sure she’s not sleeping because of Randy. I’ll see if I can get her back in the house and maybe settle down at least on the couch. I’ll be back.” She blew Hank a kiss and hurried downstairs.