46. Callie
Chapter 46
Callie
October 2023
Mase : Boarding the plane now. Can’t wait to see you.
Me : Ah! I can’t wait either. Safe travels!
Mason doesn’t know it but I’m heading to his parents when I’m off work. I spoke with Eleanor the other night and she’s helping me surprise him. Much like she helped him surprise me this summer. I can’t wait to see his reaction and how the new barn is coming along.
It works out great because my last patient today lives down by his parents so before I left the office, I grabbed everything and put it in my car.
I’m heading to Mrs. Willow’s house now. Her house is the most beautiful cape cod I’ve ever seen. The driveway curves through the woods from the road and at the end circles around a garden with a large birdbath in the center, with small boxwoods planted around the two sides. Growing around the birdbath multiple different flowers give off a quite colorful view.
She and her husband bought this land when they first got married and then started on the house build. It’s the only house they’ve ever lived in, and it will go to their only daughter when Mrs. Willow passes. Unfortunately, Mr. Willow passed away three years ago in a tragic car accident.
Mrs. Willow is fighting stomach cancer and has been declining in the last few weeks, but as of Monday when the nurse came out was still doing okay. So, I’m hoping she hasn’t declined much since then.
I park my car and walk up to the beautiful French doors. Mrs. Willow loves flowers and plants so her porch is full of different plants and it’s such an inviting environment. She’s got a wooden swing set to the left of the door and a small table with two chairs off to the right. There’s also a small children’s table that she’s got set up for her grandchildren.
Her daughter, Marie, opens the door before I am even able to knock. “Hey, Callie. I’m so glad you’re here! Mom hasn’t been eating much this week but today at lunchtime she begged me to make her a sandwich and cut up fruit in her Greek yogurt. I was so happy she finally asked for something. She ate almost everything and drank a huge glass of water.” She pauses to catch her breath. “Sorry! Come on in. I didn’t mean to spill all of that on you at once, before welcoming you in.”
I walk through the front door, take my shoes off, and place them to my left. I lay my tote down on the entryway table and look back at Marie. “You’re absolutely fine. I am so glad that she asked for food today and ate most of it! That’s huge! I’ll make a note of it and let her nurse know as soon as I leave here. Is she awake?”
“Yes! She’s been awake since before lunch. We were just watching The Price is Right . She’s expecting your visit today. Come on, let’s go see her.”
“She sure loves The Price is Right ! I can’t wait to talk to her.”
Marie walks me through the living room into the bedroom they’ve set up for her mother downstairs. Marie’s husband and his brother made up this room for Mrs. Willow when it got hard for her to walk up and down the steps. They redid it to mirror her master bedroom upstairs and moved the paintings and pictures to hang down here. There’s a picture hanging on the wall right beside where Mrs. Willow is sitting in a recliner. It’s a picture of Mr. and Mrs. Willow the day they renewed their vows, twenty years ago.
“Good afternoon, Jean. How are you today?” I ask, sitting on the couch to her left.
“Well, I feel good today. Finally got around to eating a good lunch today. My taste buds haven’t been that happy in a long time, I tell ya.” Her smiles show me just how good of a day she’s having.
“I’m so happy to hear that! Aside from that, have you been feeling okay? Anything you’d like to talk about today? Or we can just sit here and watch your favorite show if you’d like.”
Mrs. Willow was full of chatter today. We talked the entirety of my visit with her and that’s the most active I’ve seen her in a while. I hope this isn’t a one-time fluke, she seems so happy to be more active and eating.
“Thank you so much for stopping by. I’m glad you got to see Mom happy and awake.” Maria says as she’s walking me out to my car.
“I love visiting with her—hearing stories about your dad and the house. I’m so happy she’s doing better. I know you already know, but if anything changes don’t hesitate to call the office if you need us. We’re always just a call away.”
“I seriously appreciate everything Mom’s entire team has done for her. The chaplain comes on Monday, and I hope she’s still in good spirits so she can speak with him, too. I hope you enjoy your weekend.”
“I hope so, too. He will enjoy seeing her like this. You have a great weekend, too, Marie.” I turn to walk towards my car and hear the door click shut behind me as I open my car door. I turn around, taking in the gorgeous view in front of me, hoping that it won’t be my last time visiting.
John and Mason have gone into town so that I can sneak down the driveway without Mason knowing. I’m parking my car behind the barn so he won’t see it when they get back.
Me : Hey! I’m at the gas station outside of town, I should be there in about 15 minutes.
Eleanor : Okay, I can’t wait to see you. They’ll be gone a bit longer. John “accidentally” forgot to get horse food, so they have to make an extra stop.
Me : Oh my! That’s hilarious. See you soon!
When I pull into their driveway, I see Eleanor sitting on the front porch in her rocking chair. As soon as she sees me, she stands and begins walking down the stairs. I pull around the back of the barn and grab my bags from the back seat. I turn the corner of the barn back towards the house and almost run smack into Eleanor.
“Sorry, hun. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“I just wasn’t expecting you.” I sit my bags down and embrace her in a hug.
“We better hurry and get your bags into your room. Then we’ll get you hidden in the mud room. Since they’re getting horse food they’ll be coming in the back door.” Eleanor is all about scaring John and Mason. They hate it, but the laugh it gets out of her is well worth it.
Fifteen minutes later I’m standing behind the back door ready to jump out at Mason when he opens the door.
I can hear them talking just on the other side of the door, the stairs leading up to the deck creaking under their weight. Eleanor is already giggling in the kitchen knowing this is the last thing Mason will expect.
“AHHH!” I yell as Mason rounds the door. He jumps so high I swear he smacked his head on the ceiling.
“Callie?!” he says, blinking a few times. “What’re you doing here?”
“Oh, ya know. I can plan some good surprises with your parents, too.” I say, laughing.
He pulls me into a hug so tight that I can barely breathe. It’s so nice having him home.