Chapter 17
CHAPTER 17
T homas stood in front of his wife’s headstone, holding flowers he’d picked from their garden and wondered how many more times he’d visit this spot in the coming years.
“They’re not here,” he used to say after his parents died. “Their bodies are there, but they are in heaven now.”
It was a belief he’d held onto for as long as he could remember. Still, the love of his life lay before him, and there was nothing and no one who could make him believe she was anywhere else.
His belief didn’t stop him from worrying that she might be cold, that somehow he could still ease her discomfort. The pain was so terrible, he wanted to crawl inside and be with her. His life before and after the illness was all about his wife and their life together, and now there was nothing.
“Hey, honey. I picked these from our garden. I’ve been trying to keep everything growing and healthy, but I’m not as talented as you are with plants. Nothing has died yet, so I guess that’s a good thing.”
Looking at the headstone, he reminded himself to be patient. It was too soon to see her name carved in the stone. There were no dates or other words to convey his wife’s impact on the world. He made a mental note to contact the mason who was scheduled to do the work.
“The boys are still at the house. You’d be so proud of how they’ve helped me through all this. We raised them right, and it’s all because of you.”
He tried not to cry, but the pain was so great. He knelt next to the newly turned soil.
“I miss you so much. I’m not sure I can do this without you.”
Suddenly worried he was not alone, he looked around and when he saw others at a gravesite nearby, he wiped his face, and got up from the ground. He didn’t care if they saw him talking to his wife this way. It was all he had left, and he wasn’t about to lose that too.
“Honey, the kids want me to go back home to Massachusetts. They think it would be better if I lived close to family. Of course, I said no. Besides, I don’t want to leave you.”
He stood in silence, as if waiting for her to tell him what to do.
“You won’t believe what they plan to do. Beth and Linda want to bring our old apple orchard back to life. Can you believe it? After all these years, they want to continue what you and I started. The kids found some of our old photos of the place and all your recipes. I hope you don’t mind that I gave them your recipe box. It wasn’t doing anyone any good in that old chest.”
The wind picked up slightly, rustling the leaves about him. He looked up, watching as the sunlight played through the branches, creating a patchwork of light and shadow on the ground.
“Linda and Beth want to start making your apple pies and jams. It’s like you’re still here, still guiding us.”
He waited a few minutes longer, listening to the birds. He took a deep breath, the cool air filling his lungs, and then touched the headstone.
“I’ll be going now, but I’ll be back. I’ll be back every day.”
As he walked to his car he felt a strange sense of peace, as if the wind had carried his words to her, and she had heard every one.
Maggie realized several days had passed since Chelsea had stopped by the inn. It wasn’t like her friend to skip her morning coffee and scone breakfast. By nine o’clock, Maggie headed out to Chelsea’s to check on her.
When she got to the front door of Chelsea’s house, she knocked several times before giving up and walking to the back of the house, and found Chelsea sitting on her lanai, headphones on.
Maggie opened the screened door and walked inside, waving to catch Chelsea’s eye.
Chelsea removed the headphones and waved back.
“Sorry, did you knock at the front door?”
“I did. When you didn’t answer, I figured I’d walk back here. I’ve been worried about you.”
“Worried? For heaven’s sake, why?”
Maggie sat in the lounge chair opposite Chelsea and took her sandals off.
“You haven’t been to my place in days. That’s not like you.”
Chelsea smiled. “I’m sorry. When I’m not at the gallery, I’m painting, and when I’m not painting, I’m with…Steven.”
“Steven? I take it, things are going well?”
Chelsea put the headphones down on the table and leaned forward. “Oh, Maggie. Something is happening to me, and I feel like it’s moving so fast I can’t keep up with all the feelings.”
It was the first time since Carl that Maggie saw a light on Chelsea’s face that explained everything. The twinkle in her eyes, the permanent smile, and the flush of her cheeks told Maggie what she’d hoped her friend would experience again had happened.
“You’re in love. It’s as simple as that. You’re in love for the first time since Carl.”
Chelsea’s clasped hands held close to her chest, she answered, “I think I am.”
Maggie screamed. “I knew it. I’m so happy for you,” she said, running to Chelsea. Chelsea got up from her chair, and the two women hugged.
Chelsea put her hands to her face. “Do you see these flowers? Steven sent them. I thought they were so beautiful, I should paint them, so I brought them out here.”
Maggie admired the mix of pink English roses, viburnum, jasmine and mint sprigs.
“This guy has good taste. These are beautiful. So, tell me about Steven. I want to hear everything. Please don’t tell me that you’re so in love, you need to keep everything to yourself. I want details.”
Chelsea laughed. “Well, the best I can tell you is that he’s willing to share his feelings, and surprisingly, he understands them. I know it sounds corny, but he feels so genuine to me. He’s easy to talk to, funny, a gentleman, and doesn’t try to impress me.”
“No? That’s unusual for the beginning of a relationship. Don’t we all do that in the beginning, you know, showing the best of ourselves?”
“Yes, of course, but what I mean is that I think he’s trying to show me who he really is, flaws and all. I’m not sure I’m as brave as he is. Then again, I don’t have a lot of flaws.”
“Very funny. I know what you mean though, and I think that’s a good sign.”
“When do you see him again?”
“Tomorrow night. I’m going to his place. He’s cooking dinner.”
“He cooks too? He sounds too good to be true. Don’t forget, I get final approval on this guy. You don’t take it to the next level without my say so,” Maggie teased.
“Don’t worry, I’m taking this slow. I don’t have any other speed, so that’s the way this will go. What about you? What’s been going on in your world? How are Kat and Nolan doing?”
Maggie sighed. “The truth is that there are much bigger struggles in my family these days. Kat and Nolan will have to figure things out without my help.”
“You mean Emily’s kidney transplant? What have you all decided?”
“Everyone is going to get tested. If there is a match, someone in my family is about to give up a kidney. It’s scary stuff for everyone, but mostly for Emily and her mother. I haven’t answered her email. I have to do that, but I’m thinking a phone call is in order. It’s not the kind of conversation to have via email or text.”
Chelsea nodded. “It’s got to be stressful for everyone.”
“It’s the not knowing. Every day now, I wonder if this is the day that one of my children gets the news that they’re a match.”
“They’ve already started testing?”
“I think Christopher and Becca are doing it first. I’m not sure if they’ve got the ball rolling already, but if they haven’t yet, they soon will. Michael is getting tested, but I honestly don’t know how that’s going to go, because Brea seems against it.”
“That doesn’t sound like Brea,” Cheslea said.
“No, it doesn’t, except I think she still suffers from PTSD from Michael’s gunshot. I understand her fear that they all would go through another round of medical tests and being in the hospital again. I’m worried for him myself.”
“The doctors aren’t going to put anyone at risk. If anything, they’ll be extremely careful with selection. I understand a living donor goes through a lot in the process. I knew someone who went through this once. She was a donor, and it all worked out fine. I’m sure everything will go smoothly.”
Maggie smiled and put her hands together in prayer.
“I won’t be able to sleep until this is all over. In the meantime, did I tell you that I’m going to be with Lauren when the baby comes?”
“Oh, that’s wonderful. I’m sure Lauren is thrilled she’ll have some female help. Jeff is a wonderful husband, but sometimes a girl needs her mother.”
Maggie nodded. “It’s a bright light in all this drama. I can’t wait for my next grandchild to be born. New life always brings so much joy in a family, and this family could use a bit of joy these days.
Nolan sat in the waiting room at the front of the gym. He’d driven by the Core Strength Fitness Center every day on his way to work. He’d never been inside, nor had he ever wanted to. However, since Kat left, he felt he had to do something to get her back.
A young woman with a clipboard called his name. “Mr. Chandler? Would you come with me, please?”
Nolan followed her into a smaller room.
“Have a seat. My name is Kari. It’s nice to meet you. So, how can I help you?”
“I’d like some information about a membership here.”
“Ok, have you ever been a member here before or any other health club?”
“No, this is my first time.”
“Great. We have several memberships.” She handed him a sheet with the prices and details.
“Are you interested in a family membership, or is this just for yourself?”
“Just me…at least for now. Maybe my wife will join me later…I’m married,” he said, happy that he could still refer to himself as a married man.
She smiled. “That’s fine. A single membership for now. Well, we have several pages of information we need to get from you. Do you have any medical condition that might prevent you from using our facilities?”
“My doctor says my blood pressure is too high and I have high cholesterol.”
“Are you currently on any medications?”
Nolan shook his head. “No, my doctor wants to prescribe some, but I told him I don’t want to take pills.”
“Okay, why don’t I show you around and then you can fill out these forms?”
“When can I start?” he asked. “I have to get in shape in a hurry.”
She smiled. “I tell all our members when they join that it didn’t take us a few weeks to gain the weight, it won’t take just a few weeks to lose it. The most important mindset is to be consistent. When we go upstairs, I’ll introduce you to Mike Walsh. He’s one of our best personal trainers. It might be a good idea for you to schedule some time with him.”
Nolan nodded.
“You can leave your things here. We’ll come back once you’ve had your tour.”
He got up and followed Kari to a large room filled with exercise equipment. Several people, both men and women, lifted weights, ran on treadmills, and rode stationary bikes with large monitors, along with many other machines he had never seen before.
Nolan started to perspire as they walked around the room, down to the pool area, and then around the basketball court. He was already exhausted following Kari and couldn’t imagine himself doing any of the exercises.
They passed the physical therapy room then to a smaller room with free weights, large rubber balls and a few benches.
“Mike, this is Nolan Chandler. He’s signing up for a single membership today and thinks he might need time with a personal trainer.”
Mike shook Nolan’s hand. “Good to meet you, Nolan.”
“I’ve never exercised before,” Nolan blurted out.
Mike smiled. “It’s not the first time I’ve heard that. Don’t worry, if you are working with me, you’ll be in good hands.”
Nolan nodded and smiled. It was the first time he felt a surge of hope. He’d do anything to get Kat home, even if it meant getting healthy.