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Post by wolf on Dec 23, 2020 19:09:16 GMT
Thanks Dizzy. We will as long as you say a couple prayers for wolfie to maintain her sanity.   😄😘
Thank you so much Dizzy darlin'!
Really appreciate all of that lil Sis. 😊
I'm around, I'm just still really busy.
Will be posting more here very soon.
....And don't pay any attention to Dio!
He's been doing outstanding work
and making all this really great and fun.
Hope you're feeling good today Diz! a054 😊
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2020 19:15:00 GMT
Thanks Dizzy. We will as long as you say a couple prayers for wolfie to maintain her sanity.
Thank you so much Dizzy darlin'!
Really appreciate all of that lil Sis. 😊
I'm around, I'm just still really busy.
Will be posting more here very soon.
....And don't pay any attention to Dio!
He's been doing outstanding work
and making all this really great and fun.
Hope you're feeling good today Diz!  😊
(rofl) |
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Post by osnafrank on Dec 23, 2020 19:58:39 GMT
Thanks Dizzy. We will as long as you say a couple prayers for wolfie to maintain her sanity.
Thank you so much Dizzy darlin'!
Really appreciate all of that lil Sis. 😊
I'm around, I'm just still really busy.
Will be posting more here very soon.
....And don't pay any attention to Dio!
He's been doing outstanding work
and making all this really great and fun.
Hope you're feeling good today Diz! a054 😊
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Post by wolf on Dec 23, 2020 20:16:28 GMT
Hellooo DIO!....🤨🐺🤠. 😄😘
Thank you so much Dizzy darlin'!
Really appreciate all of that lil Sis. 😊
I'm around, I'm just still really busy.
Will be posting more here very soon.
....And don't pay any attention to Dio!
He's been doing outstanding work
and making all this really great and fun.
Hope you're feeling good today Diz! 😊
Part XIII, about to be posted. 🙂 |
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Post by wolf on Dec 23, 2020 20:26:14 GMT
"Back in time for Christmas"
(Part XIII: Day10 of 13)
Monday. Faithfully at both of Richard’s bedsides, were mother and daughter. Lydia was reading a book to him, Amanda was on her cellphone in quiet repose. It had been a typical morning and lunch time, and it was now early afternoon. With no type of warning, Richard's body suddenly seized and he gulped in a huge amount of air loudly, almost choking it looked like! All at once the equipment hooked up to him started screaming. Lydia and Amanda, frozen solid, could only look at each other with horror and panic in their eyes.Within seconds a nurse was in the room taking Lydia and Amanda out. Less than a minute, and a small army of doctors and nurses were there, crash cart in tow. They filled the room making it look like a minor war zone.
The nurse that had swiftly ushered Lydia and Amanda out of the room took them to the waiting room... hurriedly saying “wait right hear till someone comes back to talk to you” and then ran right back down the hall to where she was most needed. Alone, Amanda, weeping, hugged her mom with such force it took Lid’s breath away. She had never faced death before. “Mom, is dad gonna die?” “Honey, I don’t know…I'm sorry!.... all we can do is pray for him, and know he has the benefit of excellent doctors, nurses and equipment.”More than three hours went by, they weren't being provided any updates, Amanda sat quietly in a chair alternating from crying to checking her cellphone while her mom paced the waiting room, hand over her mouth and fighting back tears. The time was spent like this and only broken by the occasional hug between the two.
Finally, Nurse Thomas, the floors head nurse escorted a doctor in scrubs and lab coat into the waiting room and pointed out Lydia to him. His clothes were splattered with blood, she envisioned it being violently coughed out of Richards lungs. Walking up to her and Amanda, he introduced himself,“Mrs, Johnson, I'm doctor Morris, your husbands attending physician. First of all, your husband is out of immediate danger and is resting comfortably for now. Unfortunately he suffered a cardiac arrest and not a heart attack. A cardiac arrest is when the heart malfunctions and suddenly stopped beating unexpectedly. The pumping action was disrupted to where the heart unable to pump blood to the brain, lungs and other organs. He needed the aid of a defibrillator, several times, and we had to perform a coronary angioplasty for the blood clot that was blocking an artery leading to his heart. He is also receiving anti-arrhythmic drugs to stabilize his condition. Blood clots are often a result of the type of trauma your husband received from the accident.”
“Thank you doctor", before she could say anything else, he continued, “We still have some major concerns. The seriousness of his entire condition still makes him a high risk factor for stroke, and with the lack of oxygen to his brain for a period of time we cannot rule out the fact that some degree of brain damage occurred. And you need to prepare yourself in the event he might be severely brain-damaged and indefinitely tied to a ventilator.” Doctor Morris ended with, “I believe in laying everything out to the family so they can prepare themselves just in case. I believe it best you and your daughter head home and stay there until you get a call from us that it’s okay for you to visit again. You two take care and know he is in the best of hands.” He grasped her hand, gave her a ceremonial and well practiced half-smile, turned and walked away.
Lydia thought… 'He better be a damn excellent doctor because his bedside manner is for sh!t… I can understand saying those things to me, but why in the world would he say those things in front of his young daughter'. The head nurse came soon after, and asked Lydia if she should arrange transportation for them home if she wasn’t up to driving. “No, I can drive just fine Nurse Thomas. But thank you.”Lydia wasn't being curt or cold, but her was voice was flat and business like. The experienced nurse got the message, and courteously left them alone, knowing how much they had been through since Thanksgiving. They gathered their things and headed home, it was well into the evening hours now.
The whole day had been exhausting for Lydia and, especially, Amanda. Physically and emotionally exhausting. The tempestuous afternoon had killed both their appetites. Neither wanted to eat dinner, but Lydia insisted and said as enthusiastically as she could, "Kid, you're still growing. You have to eat for me. I don't want to, but I will! If you have dinner with me. Please? We'll order in and get something you really like! Okay?" Amanda thought about it for a minute, and more to humor her mother than anything else, she agreed. "Okay, mom. How about Taverno Anteros? We haven't had anything from there in a very long time." Lydia was flexible, and just so long as Amanda was eating she was satisfied. And Greek did actually sound good for a change. "You got it, Amazin' Grace! Good Idea!...I can go for some Spanokopita, especially since it's Christmas." They got the takeout menu from the kitchen junk drawer and ordered a special Mezze platter for two that included some of the spinach pie. They sat on the floor of the den and dined in front of the fire, watching tv. Lydia even went so far as to get a bottle of red wine for them, and let Amanda have a glass. The food was excellent, and they found they could eat something after all, though it wasn't as much as they might normally eat. Both looked forward to the leftovers for some breakfast or lunch the next day. They tried, but the mood remained terrily solemn. After dinner a very tired Amanda put everything away in the kitchen for her mom before going to her room for the night. Lydia appreciated that, she sat a few minutes in her chair and finished her last glass of wine. When she was done with that, she took care of everything in the den and kitchen, locked up and headed for bed.
Will met her in the hallway. And was so glad to see him. His shadow form walked up to she got another new present of Will....she feels him very faintly, chastely, kiss her just at the corner of her mouth. And she got to smell him again, but this was just a little different. It was just like the night before but this time it was as if he'd just got home, but had just finished with doing some mowing too. It was so cold and snowing outside, had been for a long time since the end of November, but she could actually smell fresh cut grass, like it is spring or summer.
Lydia went on into room to sit on the side of her bed, she was too drained to even go through the normal bathroom ritual. She peeled off clothes and slipped in between the sheets, pulling the covers up almost over her head. She wished for nothing more than blissful unconsciousness for at least a few hours. The last thing she thought was, 'we'll wait for the call from the hospital, then go'. She was descending into that blissful unconscious state when she felt Will on top of the bed behind her. His body settled down against her back and an arm was gently placed over her. And that kindness escorted Lydia on into her dreams.
(Part XIV coming soon!)
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Post by wolf on Dec 29, 2020 19:32:57 GMT
"Back in time for Christmas"
(Part XIV: Day11 of 13)
Tuesday....Lydia awoke feeling a good amount better than she had the night before, she'd had a right, restful night's sleep that was needed. She thought of Amanda, and hoped she had slept as well as she did. The morning went the same as the other mornings, but 'her sounds' were a little quieter...fainter, she thought. After her shower she got her new picture, just like every morning, but this picture was not the same as the rest. With the exception of the one of him in front of the flickering firelight. The others had been of Will in sunlight and surroundings had been looking like it was Fall. This picture was very different and beautiful, It was a close up of Will in a dark room in front of a window. Through the window she can see out and that it is snowing heavily, and at night. It was very dark in the room but his face was lit from a bluish light being reflected off the snow covered yard. She looks very closely and sees it is her own back yard, the light was from the mercury vapor lamp hanging from the unseen garage. And the window that he was looking out of was the one in her den. As always she took her time examining every detail. His face, so handsome. But his expression (especially in his eyes) was solemn, as he stared out at the snow. He looked as if he was deep in thought. She loved this picture, same as all the others, but this one left her feeling pensive and vaguely out of sorts.
When she went to her closet to pick out her clothes and get dressed, she waited for his hands to reach for her. They didn't. Lydia swallowed a feeling of sad fear and shoved it back down where it belonged. She'd gotten so much of him from the night before. That was more than enough, she wouldn't let this change of events discourage her, or hurt her heart. She finished getting ready, turned the clock radio off, and went down to the kitchen. She saw Amanda's door was still closed, as she passed by. Lydia thought she might be asleep, and was going to let her sleep undisturbed. Going to the kitchen she poured a cup of coffee and went to the den and turned on the TV to get the morning news and weather. *** STORM WARNING *** was scrolling across the bottom of the screen as the hosts seemed to battle one another on who could make the impending storm seem more ominous. Heavy snows were moving in and due to hit around 5 pm. 6 to 8 inches of snow was expected. She could already hear the city maintenance trucks doing their duty out placing a layer of brine on the surface of the pavements to prevent snow and ice from freezing to the road. Lydia was skeptical that the process produced the desired results, but figured that kind of stuff was above her pay grade.
She knew they had said to wait for their call, but she decided to make a call to the nurses station in the ICU to check on Richard. Amanda would want that. The desk nurse said she'll check his chart and for her to hold on. About two minutes later she came back on the line and said “Mrs. Johnson there have been no changes or developments. Your husband is resting peacefully and is being monitored as closely as possible.” Lydia, remembering what she saw of Richard in the mirror, thought to herself 'That damn coma isn’t resting peacefully…' still she desperately hoped he did have some moments of peace. She thanked the nurse and said, "I didn't think there would be any change yet, but I want to be able to tell our daughter that for sure, when she wakes up and asks. I appreciate your help." Lydia hung up the phone and looked back to the news, praying that the weather would cooperate and let her and Amanda get to where they needed to be, when they needed to be there.
Amanda arose from her sleep not too long after that, and came into the den looking for her mother. Lydia got up and fixed her a cup of coffee and gave her the run down she'd gotten from the ICU nurse. They both settled back on the couch under the chair blanket and watched the news together. They had an excellent brunch with the leftovers from Taverno Anteros,
and ended up spending the day together in the den waiting for the phone to ring. Talking and watching a few movies. Lydia was happy and grateful to hear from Amanda, that she had slept very well, and that she was feeling alright. Very worried about her dad, but not as terribly anxious as she had been the day before. The phone call from the hospital never came, but the snows and ice did. The next morning they would wake to a brand new sort of winter wonderland, and hopefully a phone call with an update of any kind.
(Part XV coming up! Determined to get you guys a "2ferTuesday".)
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Post by wolf on Dec 29, 2020 22:40:15 GMT
.....Yep, Dizzy ! 
Still writing on the Story here with Dio, lil Sis. 😊
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Post by Dizzy on Dec 29, 2020 22:43:38 GMT
I'm Still Enjoying it wolf I Read You Guys Newest Part a Lil While ago it is Amazing Sis an diobolic Congrats you Both!
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Post by wolf on Dec 29, 2020 22:47:12 GMT
I'm Still Enjoying it wolf I Read You Guys Newest Past a Lol While ago it is Amazing Sis an diobolic Congrats you Both!
Very happy you are liking it!
Won't be long and it will all be done. 🙂
...working on Part XV right now, just taking a little break.
I hope to have it finished and posted later this evening. |
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Post by Dizzy on Dec 29, 2020 23:11:06 GMT
It Ok wolf Take Your Times Sis! I Wish More People Would Check Out You Guys Christmas Story its Awesome. c017 It Seems Like a Proffessionals Write it both You 2 did Great
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Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2020 23:36:37 GMT
I'm Still Enjoying it wolf I Read You Guys Newest Part a Lil While ago it is Amazing Sis an diobolic Congrats you Both! |
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Post by wolf on Dec 29, 2020 23:51:30 GMT
I'm Still Enjoying it wolf I Read You Guys Newest Part a Lil While ago it is Amazing Sis an diobolic Congrats you Both!
Lol, you've been doing great Dio, no worries. 😊
Thank you again, Dizzy .😊  |
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Post by wolf on Dec 30, 2020 1:14:14 GMT
"Back in time for Christmas"
(Part XV: Day12 of 13)
Wednesday....Lydia's A.M. progressed for her just as Tuesday's had. Again she forced herself to quell the feeling of sad fearfulness. Will was ever with her, but his presence was waning. And there was no picture this particular morning. She had to wonder if he was having to wean her off the gifts, and was preparing her for his eventual departure. Whatever happened she was going to accept it, and be happy and grateful for all she had received these days of Christmas. She turned off the clock radio after dressing and headed for the kitchen. Amanda's door was open as she passed by it, and on entering the kitchen she heard Amanda on the phone. She was talking to the ICU desk. Lydia poured herself a cup of coffee and warmed Amanda's half full mug. Pulling back the kitchen nook curtains, she drank and surveyed the outdoors she was mistress of.Just as predicted the snow and ice came, and all the beauty with it. And of course, as Lydia knew it would be, it was 'a wait and see scenario' as to when the roads would be clear enough to get to downtown when they were supposed to. Amanda got off the phone and turned to Lydia, looking outside with her. "No change Mom. The nurse said someone would call immediately if the Doctor determines there's enough improvement to allow visitation again." Lydia reached over and put her arm around her, rubbing her arm and pulling her into a hug, "Well, hopefully by tomorrow, kid. When the roads will be cleared for sure. Don't know if the trucks are going to make it out this way today." Amanda sighed and warmed her hands around her mug, " Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, I want to see Daddy, even if he isn't awake Mom." Lydia nodded,"We'll do our best to get there, kid. Let's just keep hoping the phone call comes soon." Amanda agreed and drank her coffee. She was still in her robe, and when she was finished eating some breakfast with her mother she went back to her room for a shower and to get dressed.
When Amanda went to go to her room, Lydia put the news on in the den and sat back in her chair with her coffee. She was feeling somewhat anxious and craved one of those rare cigarettes. She opened the drawer in her side table to get one when she saw the fortune cookie she'd put away a few nights ago. She lit a cigarette and figured this was as good a time as any to see what secret could be waiting for her in it. She took a few long satisfying drags and put the cigarette out. She opened the cookie up and would eat it with her coffee, a nice waiter in a Chinese restaurant had once told her to eat the cookie to make sure her fortune would come true. She'd always liked that idea, like blowing out the candles on a birthday cake after making your secret wish. The fortune on the little slip of paper read: "Wish upon the first star you see to have good luck the next day". Lydia looked up from the fortune to pick up her cup, when she did a silver and gold star ornament on the Christmas tree caught her eye. Automatically, without thinking about it at all, she whispered "Will" to it. She ate the cookie with her coffee, and slipped the folded slip of paper into the cellophane encasing her cigarette pack. She stashed everything away back into the drawer, and waited for Amanda to come back and sit with her.
After a long hot body and soul cleansing shower Amanda stepped out and wrapped a towel around herself. Her first thought was to glance at the mirror, to her relief only the fog from the steam was present. As she went to leave the bathroom and dry her hair in the bedroom she hears a soft spoken voice mutter a drawn out “Amanda.” Immediately turning she observes a presence again in the mirror. “Daddy?” she voiced back. Advancing towards it she wiped the mirror, and a hazy figure of her father was standing in front of her peering out. He was still obviously sad, and much paler this time. The figure holds up a hand from the other realm to the mirror and says “I love you Amazin’ Grace. It’s alright!” Amanda wasn't afraid this time, sensing her father’s need to communicate. There was pain in her father’s face, but Richard did the best he could to signal that he wanted, needed, her to be alright. Amanda raised her own hand touching the mirror against his, she finds the courage within herself to say “I love you Daddy, I think I understand.” With that Richard smiles and nods in agreement. His spirit moves backward towards the other region that has him trapped between life and whatever it was, ever fading, with hand still raised, until he was no more. 'I’ve got to tell mom what I saw soon, and let her know dad will be alright, no matter what happens.' she thought. But she wouldn't tell her too soon, Amanda wasn't up to another one of those talks again right away. And she wanted to think about it more, as well as think abot what she would say exactly to Lydia. She still couldn't help feeling like she would sound crazy, even though her mother was so understanding and accepting.
Snowed in. Lydia and Amanda spent Wednesday the way they spent Tuesday. Amanda wasn't as talkative though, but not in enough of a way to get her mother's attention in an alarmed way. Bedtime came around and like most nights Amanda went to her room first, and Lid followed later. This night there was no shadow figure waiting for her in the hallway, and her house noises were becoming more faint with every hour she thought. But Lydia kept on resisting the sadness and fearfulness, putting it all back down where it belonged. She went on into her bedroom and on into the bathroom to get ready for bed.
Turning the water off she glanced up at the mirror, not expecting to see anything but herself. Then there it was. Another new "Present"...... In the bathroom mirror, she saw Will like before, but his vision stayed longer this time, she could see his hand stroke down her arm as well as feel it so solidly. He said to her, "Get ready, baby." The solemn expression from her last picture of him, on his face and in his eyes, then gently he disappeared. Strangely it wasn't as heart wrenching for her as it has been before when his reflection faded to thin air, or when his shadow form melted away into the back of the hall's deep shadows. She thought that maybe that was another gift from Will, helping her to cope with and accept him leaving her for good. Lydia set her clock radio, and got into bed. Sleep came mercifully quick.
The next morning was the beginning of Christmas Eve. And also, it would be a brand new beginning for Lydia and Amazin' Grace.
(Part XVI coming VERY soon!)
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Post by Dizzy on Dec 30, 2020 3:05:18 GMT
Nice Work again You 2 Thank You For Sharing! Have a Great Night! c017 olfEOEbpO0rxuamBULVg a200 a054
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Post by wolf on Dec 30, 2020 3:16:52 GMT
Thanks Sis!
Good night Diz, see you tomorrow sweetie. olfEOEbpO0rxuamBULVg
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Post by wolf on Dec 31, 2020 3:13:51 GMT
"Back in time for Christmas"
(Part XVI: Day13 of 13)
Thursday. Christmas Eve morning. Lydia woke to her alarm clock, the radio dial set right where it was supposed to be. Her favorite morning Disc Jockey was playing 'Beatles for Breakfast'. Being a long holiday weekend "the WOLF 99.9 FM" would be playing The Beatles A to Z. It was a fine time honored tradition. "My love don't bring me presents!" sang out Paul, nigh unto jubilance, in praise of his love. Another favorite of hers and her Will's.
Lydia left the volume up, not worrying about disturbing the Amazin' Grace. She was sure the girl would be up early, and on the phone to the ICU desk again. Lid had to charge her iPhone the night before, so she unplugged it and checked for any new messages. And made sure to not check for new pictures. She thought of the previous day, and was determined to not feel sadness or any kind of fear. She was accepting that Will was most likely gone now. She rose from the side of the bed and went to shower. There were no gentle house noises to accompany her. On getting out of the shower she brushed her teeth like every morning. Before turning off the running sink water and looking up, she thought of what she saw and heard in her bathroom mirror the night before. And what she felt. Lydia turned the water off, placed her tooth brush in it's proper place, then looked up to the mirror to see how she was looking this morning. Some days her reflection looked better than others, this morning she looked rather stressed and her eyes were wide. Open with a profound sad stare, that she couldn't hide from herself. She just knew she would never see William Mason in her mirror again. Taking a deep breath she combed her fingers through her wet hair and said to her mirror image, "It's alright. I'll be fine. Time to move on and not look back." She left the bathroom and didn't look back. Turning off the lav's light and looking to her bedroom window, she wondered if the winter Wonderland outside was going to cooperate with what she and Amanda needed to do, and have happen to today.
There were no tastes of touch, there were no taps, or light knock-like sounds. And there was no brilliant, unexpected, attention getting flashes from her cell phone's camera. Lydia stood up it all with a solemn grateful smile, and thought of what she did have. She was dressing when ever so violently the radio station changed, just as the television channel had changed that one awful night.
{....(static)...frantic frenetic blips, blurring blurps, gleeps, meeps and farts..}
....then finally she heard on another station she would occasionally listen to, Sinead from the 80's mournfully songbird out, "...nothing compares to YOU...." Lydia listened.
Not one of her most favorite songs, but it was a good heartful one. She knew that it was nothing from, or of, Will. It was those damn 'Imps in the air'....their death throes. Their last attempt at tormenting and mocking her, degrading and defiling her love and her beloved memories. She looked at the radio as she continued dressing for the day, and she let the song play. She sang along. She did not get angry, she did not falter, she did not go over and change the radio's station dial back. She spat in the imps eyes and defied them, and denied them their malicious pleasure by letting the song play and singing along until it was done. Then she switched off her and Will's Bose clock radio and headed for the kitchen.
Amanda was waiting for her at the kitchen bar fully dressed, coffee in hand and a brighter smile than she'd had in days! "Mom! The hospital called and we can go! The roads are all clear too!" Lydia took the cup her little girl was handing to her and smiled bright for her, hugging her tight, "Alright kid! Let's get this Christmas going and get to your Daddy!" They ate a miniscule breakfast of toast and a bit of butter with their coffee and left. They reached the hospital and went directly to Richard's side. Though it remained a dire and woeful place and time, it felt good to be back with him. For the both of them. Lydia read. Amanda sat her chair close to Richard and held her Daddy's hand, occasionally letting loose to check notifications on her phone, and listening to her mother's soothing voice with her father. Right before lunch time, things changed....and got busy.
Lydia read the last lines of the Epic War novel she had been reading to Richard, she let out a deep sigh, lastly saying “The End.” Almost on cue the ominous machinery surrounding Richard began to sound their horrible outcries. “Not again” Amanda moaned tearfully.
The two of them had been through this before, and weren't as shocked and fearful as that first horrible episode. Lydia couldn't help but look at the war novel and think of her last words, "The End", frantically she thought, 'Oh God ....is this it for Richard!?...the end of his war'.
Just like before the medical staff came pouring into the room within seconds, and again Lydia and Amanda were whisked away to the foreboding waiting room.
Both felt something was different this time. An eerie calm seemed to hover over the intensive-care ward after a short while. Mother and daughter were lost in their thoughts, arm-in-arm staring out the third floor window. The snow was removed from the walkways and they watched as people went by with their lives. A older couple strolled into the hospital hand-in-hand. Two parents were battling with their young son, obviously upset with the thought of coming inside. And then Lydia spied a familiar impressive and greatly comforting sight. It was Grandfather. Dressed in his deerskin jacket same as ever. Long white hair, and beautiful skin tone, glowing in contrast against the muted grays of the skies and all the concrete and darkened street snow below. With that easy long stride he walked along the sidewalk towards down town. But then he paused for a moment and looked up at the hospital. Lydia felt within her being he was looking directly at her. He simply nodded, smiled that small calm smile, and went on his merry way, probably back to the bookstore for some leisurely reading and excellent free coffee. In her mind
Lydia heard his words, that came back to her time after time, during times of duress since she'd met him, "It'll be alright. Whatever it is. Just stay strong woman".
Quite suddenly Lydia and Amanda together, felt the hair on their arms and neck stand up, and cold draft from out of nowhere. It felt as if something had just passed through their bodies and souls. Looking directly at Lid Amanda could only marshal a faint “Mom” Lydia nodded and replied “I felt it too, baby.” The emotions were overwhelming, it all felt so surreal, and yet so real.
This was the moment that Amanda knew it was time to tell her mother what she had last seen of her father in the bathroom mirror. "Mama....It's alright. I just know that." Lydia looked at her somewhat puzzled, but patiently waited for more. She could see in Amanda's eyes there was more coming. "I saw Daddy again, it was better this time. He told me he loved me and that It's alright." all Amanda could do was shake her head haplessly, not knowing what else to say except that. All she could say was what had happened, exactly as it happened. Lydia stroked her hair and kissed her cheek, "Okay baby. I understand. It's good Amanda, whatever it is, whatever is happening...it will be alright."
Returning to their chairs they sat in silent contemplation. Lydia thought the worst and best. Had her husband passed on? Saddened by the possibility she was also happy that if it were the case it was a relatively painless passing and no suffering from a long and protracted vegetative state. Also, she resolved herself knowing they had time to say goodbye and for her to resolve difficult feelings with him. The doctors said her husband might be able to hear what her and Amanda were saying to him in his coma. She held onto that thought.
And to all she knew she had said to Richard when he came to her in that bathroom mirror.
About a half hour later Doctor Morris ('mister bedside manner' himself) accompanied once again by Nurse Thomas, both with grim faces and funeral eyes. They made their entrance into the waiting room. The nurse approached Amanda and held her hand, and the doctor gently took Lydia’s. “I’m very sorry Mrs. Johnson… We did everything we could to save your husband, but he suffered a catastrophic stroke. It was an intracerebral hemorrhage… an artery in the brain burst and flooded the surrounding tissue with blood. There was nothing we could do. I AM so sorry for your loss.”
Lydia's eyes and attitude softened towards him, the man was being so sincere, his tone truly compassionate and pained. He and Nurse Thomas both, looked as though they felt and shared the grief with mother and daughter. Lydia choked back tears and managed an emotional, "...thank you." with a most weakened voice.
Lydia moved to Amanda, hugged her, and both burst out in tears. “Can we see him to say goodby?” Lydia asked. “Yes ma'am. Most certainly." the doctor replied ”But please give us a couple of minutes to prepare him for you to see.” Lydia nodded to that, and both medical officials walked away.
Not long after Nurse Thomas reappeared and said “please follow me” Richard was in his bed with only his head appearing from sheets surrounding him and a very thick, white bandage wrapped around his head. Lid looked closely at what could be seen of his face, he looked so peaceful, more so than he had in all the days of his coma. That gave her a feeling of relief and great hope for him, wherever he was now. Lydia stood on one side of him and Amanda on the other, both with hands on his shoulder. Lydia said “Goodbye Richard I love you, and I do believe you have found peace,” and Amanda nodded in agreement, taking her mother's hand and through her tears, uttered “Goodbye daddy, I love you.” Then for a few long lingering minutes, the pair stood silently. The warmth had now left his body, and both felt that in his hands and on his shoulders. “Time to go, baby, he is gone.”
Amanda cried more, but spoke " Yeah, I feel it too Mom. He's cold now. We don't need to see him get colder. I don't think."
They walked, arm-in-arm out of his room. Lydia contemplated how her family had just changed forever, and pondered what would lay ahead.
Back home again, In front of the tv and fire again. Amanda didn't want to be alone, she stayed close to Lydia. The good mother spent all her time and attention on Amanda, soothing her the best she could. Amanda was exhausted from the grief and crying. She and Lydia had accepted the inevitable, and let Richard go as he so desperately needed, but there was the mourning left to be fought through.
Amanda eventually fell asleep next to her mama. Lydia breathed out a sigh of relief, she feels sad about Richard, but can't help feeling sadder and more distraught that she hasn't seen or heard from Will this Christmas Eve. She put it out of her mind, and sat resting for awhile in front of whatever movie it was they had on the big screen. Hours had simply flown by. That was how their early evening was going for them......the latter part of the evening would prove to be more .....exciting. And distressing.
(FINAL Part XVII in next post. Coming VERY Soon.)
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Post by wolf on Dec 31, 2020 20:36:48 GMT
"Back in time for Christmas"
(Part XVII: The Night of Christmas Eve)
Christmas Eve night. Lydia looked at the Silver and Gold Star ornament on the lit up tree. That 'metaphysical rollercoaster' ride was done. And it had been a wonderful ride. Just as she and Amanda had to let Richard go, Lydia had to let Will go too. After Amanda had fallen asleep beside her, Lid finally looked at the pictures in her phone. All the photos of Will remained, they hadn't disappeared, she had those treasures of him to keep. He had gotten her through this most difficult time, so she figured it was time that he just had to go. Lydia remembered the old adage, "If you love something set it free. And if it doesn't come back to you then it never belonged to you in the first place." She loved him, and was grateful to him and God for those good parts of this Christmas and she would never forget any of it. Lydia set Will free, and Richard too. It was time for them both to be where they truly belonged now.
She covered Amanda and carefully placed a couch pillow more comfortably under her head without waking her. She kept the tv volume low and watched. "It's a wonderful life" was on. An hour went by and Lydia checked the time on her phone, 9:00, as she put the phone back down beside her, the landline rang. At the same time 'Clarence' was cheerfully exclaiming, "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets their wings!" Lydia wondered how many more old adages would be around tonight. On hearing the nerve rattling ring of the old thing, (an antique the phone was) Amanda woke up, and Lydia got up to answer the phone sighing, "Now who could that be?" Amanda, rubbing sleepy eyes, looked at the movie in a daze, and listened as her mother spoke to whoever was on the other end of the line.
The caller was the head nurse who had taken care of Richard up until his death. Nurse Thomas. And she was having a difficult time making this call, because she knew what all Lydia and Amanda had been through, and was loathe to disturb them in their grieving. "Mrs. Johnson?" there was a palpable massive hesitation in her voice, "Yes? Nurse Thomas, is that you?" She confirmed, and had to ask Lid, "Are you Lydia Banks Johnson?"Lydia thought this was very odd and didn't care for the nurse's uneasy tone, "Yes, I am. What is this about Nurse Thomas?" Tentatively she explained that a man has just woke up from a coma and the only thing that he can remember is that name. Lydia really started to get upset on hearing that, "No! My husband died this afternoon! You know that!" the nurse replied, "No ma'am! You misunderstand! I'm referring to the OTHER man." Lydia still didn't know who the nurse was talking about, "No, Nurse Thomas! The other driver was killed. What is this all about!?".....the nurse apologized and patiently explained further, " No, Mrs. Johnson. The OTHER man, the pedestrian. Did you not know about HIM?" Lydia was more than confused, she getting very agitated." I have no idea who you are referring to Nurse Thomas, what exactly do you need from me?"She went on with asking, "Identification? Possibly, Mrs. Johnson?"
Lydia listened closely. This pedestrian had been struck by Richard's careening car and severely injured like Richard himself had been. Compound fractures of the tibia and both bones of the forearm on his left side, very badly broken ribs, collapsed lung, laceration of the liver. And a severe concussion that lead to swelling of the brain and coma. He had been in surgery at the same time as Richard, and had been just 3 doors down from Richard's room on the ICU all this time since the accident. This man had awaken from that coma, and was speaking.
He was found with no I.D. The police had been trying to find fingerprints, missing person reports...etc....and had not come up with anything at all. The man was on the verge of becoming a ward of the state. And he has no memory of anything except for Lydia's full name. (So he says.)
Nurse Thomas said the police were there, working on trying to identify the individual. And she thought that it would be better for her call Lydia, rather than them. Lydia said she understood and thanked her, and told the head nurse she would come to the hospital and try to help them, and the unfortunate man, out. Amanda had been listening and was fully awake now. When Lid got off the phone and hung it up, she asked "Mom, what's going on? You have to go to the hospital again? Why?" Lydia shook her head with a little exasperation and some surprise in her eyes, "Amanda, I don't know what is going on, but yeah I better go." She told Amazin' Grace everything she knew so far, and the good girl, having had a restful nap, insisted on accompanying her mother, though Lydia tried to protest.
............
(FINAL Part XVII con't. in next post.)
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Post by wolf on Jan 1, 2021 2:40:43 GMT
"Back in time for Christmas"
(Part XVII: The Night of Christmas Eve Con't.)
2nd Half of Part XVII.....
Getting off the elevator with Amanda, Lydia turned to the locked ICU doors and looked through the narrow windows on them. Two police occifers were leaning on the nurses desk having coffee, and looking fairly bored and disgruntled. (probably down in the dumps for having to work on X-Mas eve) Nurse Thomas saw her and waved, buzzing them in. She came around from behind the desk and met them. One of the officers started to say something, and immediately she put a hand up at him, "Danny! You're in MY jurisdiction. Do not make me go Nurse Ratchet on you." Officer Danny shut up and drank his coffee. His partner decided to remain silent so nothing would be used against him. She turned back to Lydia and smiled in a muted, apologetic way, "It is so good of you to come Mrs. Johnson." and she promptly continued, quietly telling Lydia and Amanda both, "....he is awake right now, the doctor said it's okay to have some visitors for awhile. Would you see him now? He knows you're coming." Lydia took in a deep breath and shrugged, "Yeah....Now better than later I suppose." Nurse Thomas' smile brightened a little and she led them to the mystery man's room.
Lydia Banks Johnson was never one to be shaken or rattled easily. And on occasion that she did get a shake or a rattle she played it off extremely well. The man in the hospital bed had his head turned and was watching tv. It was another channel, not the one that Lydia and Amanda had been watching, but the movie was the same, but not as far a long in the story as their movie had been. Lydia knew that hair, that jawline and cheekbone. Yes, she knew this man, but said nothing at first. He heard their steps as they entered and looked away from the television. He simply smiled and said, "Hi." Amanda surprised her mother when she walked up to the bedside first, she was still so sad and quiet, but she felt bad for this guy too. "Hi. What's your name?" he shook his head, "Been trying to remember since I woke up. What's your name?" Amanda picked up a book he had on the side of his bed looking at it, "I'm Amanda. This is my mom, Lydia. Do you know her?" He looked at Lydia then and smiled more, especially with those ever so expressive eyes, "I hope so. All I can remember is that name, for some reason." Amanda turned to Lid, "Mom look, he has the same book as you do." handing it to Lydia," Where did you get it Mr. Man?" she asked, not knowing what else to call him at this point. He shrugged as best he could without hurting his still sore and aching body, "Don't know. They said it was in a brown paper bag laying under me when they found me. I was thinking of reading it. Maybe it'll help me remember something. Lydia took her her eyes off of him long enough to look at the books cover, and at a bookmark or something that was stuck in it horizontally. It was the John Irving book.
When she looked at the card, she also noticed that the page the front of it faced was page 113.
She looked closer at the card. It was Tarot. Like hers, but this one was beautiful in a very different way, the Lovers on it's face were whole and healthy in body. 'Whole and healthy in body.... and heart, mind and soul too, I'm sure', she thought to herself.
Lydia hadn't read the Irving novel yet, but wanted to know what was on that page 113. She read the first line at the top of the page...
"I'll be fine," Alice announced. She turned away from the mirror and didn't look back."
(- John Irving -
The first line at the top of page 113 of "Until I find you".)
That instantly reminded Lydia of what she herself had said into the mirror that very morning. Her next thought was, 'Alice is still on that metaphysical rollercoaster in Winter Wonderland after all.'
A light knock was tapped on the door behind her, she turned and saw it was Officer Danny, "Excuse me folks, may I come in a minute?" Lydia and Amanda looked to the wrecked patient in the bed, he nodded enthusiastically, "Yes sir! Com'mon in." The officer entered, "Thank you, I won't be long. Ma'am, I need to ask you if you recognize this gentleman. Do you know him?" Lydia looked over at Will, they spoke to one another with nothing more than their eyes, "Yes officer, actually I do. I remember him from a number of years ago, he and my husband had worked together briefly. He's a builder, and I am sure I remember correctly that his name is Mason Williams."
There was no way she going to say more than that, or give his correct name. She made a fervent fast prayer that this would be enough and it all passed quickly and easily. She looked at Will with a questioning hope. He smiled and gave her the subtlest of nods, approving, "That sounds vaguely familiar." Officer Danny's shoulders relaxed visibly, "Well that is good! A start! At least we have a proper name to work with. Thank you ma'am, you have been very helpful. Mr. Williams, very nice to meet you and I will see you again at a more convenient time. Good evening and Merry Christmas sir. Ladies." They all wished him a Merry Christmas and he left the room to confer with his partner and Nurse Thomas, who was still watching him with a raised eyebrow. CHRISTMAS...the nurses and doctors, and police men have seen just as strange and stranger things happen.....though they never want to admit it.....and decide not to make a big deal out of the uncanny coincidence glaring at them, they were all just happy something good was happening this Christmas Eve., after the trauma and tragedy these unfortunate people had been suffering. Amanda said, "I don't remember him mom. When did he work with Daddy?" Lydia stuck to not being too specific under these unique circumstances, "It was a long time ago, baby. A little while before you were born." That sounded reasonable to the Amazin' Grace then she turned to Will, "What's going to happen to you Mr. Williams? Is that what you want to be called?" Will smiled, he was really liking Lid's good kid, " As far as I know right now, they'll turn me over to the Social Security Admin, the State...and or other authorities. That's all been a blurr since I woke up. I thought I heard someone say 'halfway house on discharge' or something like that. I guess I'll just have to wait and see. And you know what?...for some reason I kind of think I'd rather you call me Will. Seems like I might remember that being a nick name I had at some time. It's just sounds better to me than Mason, or Mr. Williams. Those are too formal I think. Those don't feel like me." Amanda agreed, saying "Yeah, that does sound better. I think you look more like a Will than a Mason." Then turning to Lydia, "Mom. We need to help him. It's Christmas." Will shook his head, "No. I don't need to be any more bother to you! Your mom has helped me out enough coming down here like this. I do appreciate that, Mrs. Johnson." Amanda ignored everything he said, "Mom. We can fix up the office as a bedroom again, or maybe something like that." Lydia looked at her good little girl, so very happy and proud of her, for wanting to help and take care of this poor lost stray, "Yeah Amanda you're right. It is Christmas and we need to do some good. We'll see. We will help Mr. Williams out any way we are able." Amanda got up, and Lydia handed the book back to her to give back to Will. "Mom, I'm going to go see if the gift store is still open, I'll be right back." and with that she went out, leaving Will and Lid alone for the first time since they arrived. "Okay, hon." she called after her, then took the chair in the corner and pulled it closer to the bed. She sighed with a great relief and took his offered hand that was held out in that "What!?" Will gesture of his.
"How? How did all this happen Will?"
"Lid. I don't know! It just did. All I knew was that I had to find you and get to you.
"
"What do you remember, Handsome?'
"Hmmm....the hallway, the mirror, the kitchen and den....everything about you. But the rest was like a dream, being in the dark and searching for a light. The light was you baby. A lot of it is a blur and I don't remember everything....except for one thing.... For some reason there was always this damn White Buffalo around, and he kept following me, butting me in the a$$ and pushing me forward. "
Lydia had to chuckle at hearing that. "I'm going to have to tell Grandfather about that, one of these days."
"Who is Grandfather, Lid?"
Lydia smiled, "Oh, I'm sure you'll know him when you meet him."
They were briefly interrupted by the nurses desk phone ringing, and right after that 'Clarence' was heard on the television, cheerfully exclaiming, "Every time a bell rings, and angel gets their wings!" Lydia had to really smile big now, looking up at the TV, she told Clarence, "....or sometimes when a bell rings an Angel has fallen back to earth."
Will liked that, and kissed her hand, looking past Lydia, making sure none of the nurses were looking in through the door when he did, and said "Just had to come back to get my Earth Angel. Hey Gorgeous, if we can pull all this off at Christmas, I wonder what we'll come up with for New Year's!"
(The End.)
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Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2021 2:45:45 GMT
Yeah, I'm biased... but WOW... what an edging. Wolfie... 👏👍🤩
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Post by Dizzy on Jan 1, 2021 2:50:59 GMT
wolf diobolic You Guys Did Awesome! I am Really Impress With The Whole Stories! I Love it maybe You 2 Can do More of Other Ones too Please? c029
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😊
