Covered Bridge Charm (40 page)

“I gotta go.”

“All right. Tell Crusher, I’m making his calls.” Adam kissed her and left.

After she fed Cocoa, she sat at her table with Crusher’s list in front of her. But before she could make any calls, she would allow herself to mourn her friend.

Already feeling vulnerable from grief and lack of rest, Carly returned to Sweet Life Thursday morning to find Helen engrossed in deep conversation with Sherie at the front desk. Dread trickled down her spine, and with head dipped, she hurried past them. She placed her coat in the staff room and glanced at Helen’s back, rushing down the hall to start her rounds.

A fresh wave of grief hit her when she saw Dot’s closed door. Swiping her eyes with her sleeve, she gripped the handle to Nines’s room when Martha popped her head into the hall and motioned her over. “I could use some help.”

Hastening across the hall, she followed Martha into her room. The elderly woman was struggling to breathe, so Carly readied her breathing machine. “Your daughter’s here.”

“Not a good time.”

“It’s hard losing Dot, isn’t it?” Carly asked.

Martha nodded and pulled her mask aside to speak. “I’m glad I started that Bible study with her.”

“You were good friends. And you’ll meet again someday.”

She sank back against the recliner’s headrest, her shoulders slumped, and allowed the medicated air to help her breathe. When the treatment was finished, Martha closed her eyes. “I’m so tired. Can you help me back to bed?”

Carly rose and placed her palm against Martha’s forehead. No temp. But she understood. “Sure. Unless you want to wait for Helen?”

“Nope.”

So Carly removed Martha’s shoes and helped her into bed. She removed her covering and tucked the covers under her chin. Martha turned onto her side, facing the wall.

Widow Martha stared at the wall, entertaining all kinds of evil thoughts. Why had she been born with asthma? Why was it getting worse? If only she could breathe well enough to rest. She was so tired, she just wanted to sleep and never wake up. It hurt bad that Dot was gone. Oh, the real Dot had been gone a long time, but losing her felt even worse.

Her friend’s death reminded her that her own time was shortening. And she didn’t think she had the strength to see it through. She should pray or read scripture, but she just didn’t have the strength. Maybe if she fell asleep, her daughter would leave, and she wouldn’t have to talk and be reminded she was growing forgetful. Anyway, she’d been having some delicious dreams lately. She felt someone kiss her check and flinched. Carly. God’s special gift.

Carly turned to leave. But Helen was blocking the door from where she’d been observing them. She summoned her with a crook of her finger.

With dread, Carly stepped into the hall. “Do you want to go someplace private to talk?”

Helen shook her head. “I just want to apologize.”

With a wave of relief, Carly replied, “No need.”

“Yes, there is. I was so frightened when Mom got snowed in. And then when I learned about Dot, I saw things more clearly. It’s my own fault Mom’s lonely. She’s taking this hard and I don’t know how to help her.”

“Just walk through it with her. We’ll help her together.”

“But I said such terrible things to you. They weren’t true. I knew it when they were spewing out of my mouth. I just haven’t known how to cope with Mom’s situation.”

“I understand. I’ve been thinking, too. It wasn’t fair I didn’t warn you about James.”

Helen gave a harsh laugh. “For months Mom’s been obsessing over her birthday. Now she’s obsessing about playing bingo with James. Well, she was before Dot’s death. And I don’t have the strength to fight it. Maybe we need to let her have her way. It might cheer her, letting James come to bingo. But you will make sure they’re chaperoned when he’s here? I don’t trust that old geezer.”

“I’ll make it a personal point to chaperone them. But his grandson, Jason, will always be with him.”

“Good.” Helen sighed. “It’s rough. But I’m going to try to do better. I don’t know what I’ll cut out of my schedule, but something’s got to go. I don’t want any regrets when it’s Mom’s time to pass.”

Carly didn’t want to think about that day. Of all the residents, Martha had wiggled her way right into the center of her heart. Maybe because she was a little tough like Aunt Fannie.

Later that morning, she found a few minutes to slip away to Simon’s office. He was happy to hear the report that Helen was no longer holding a grudge. He claimed they’d had a good talk on the phone. His fatherly pat lifted her spirits.

During the afternoon, Carly had a sudden inspiration. Sherie affirmed her suggestion because the storm had cancelled some of their scheduled weekly programs. It only took one phone call. And with the schools closed, Ann was able to round up a helper and bring several children to the facility.

They gathered the residents in the lobby by the Christmas tree to sing carols. Helen managed to convince Martha to come and listen. Even the Hall Patroller left her station. Klepto’s hands touched only the children, and the General was fully clothed.

The angelic faces, so earnest and radiant, sent positive feelings throughout the center. Everyone laughed when the birds joined in with the singing. Miranda seemed happy. And for at least that hour, Carly was completely content.

B
y Friday, all the roads were plowed, so Shirley decided that since so many activities had been cancelled during the week, they would hold their regular Thursday bingo a day late. Knowing that she now had Helen’s permission, Carly called Jason and arranged for him to bring his grandfather down for the afternoon.

When Martha wouldn’t come to breakfast, Carly thought it might be because of her excitement about bingo. When she went to check on her, however, she was shocked to discover Martha still clothed in her nightgown, rocking in her chair and staring at the wall.

“Hi, sweetie.” Carly sat on the edge of Martha’s sofa. “Did you remember what today is?”

Martha turned a vacant stare at her. “The days are so long. At one time I thought they sped by. Now they just drag on and on.”

“Not today. Today’s going to be fun.”

“Why?” Martha grunted. “You come to give me a breathing treatment?”

“No. Did you remember that today’s bingo?”

Instantly a spark of interest lit Martha’s eyes, but she argued, “Today isn’t Thursday.”

“No, it’s Friday. But Sherie’s organized it for today to make up for all the other activities we missed because of the snow. And James Irish is coming to join in the game.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I had a dream about him though. He was at my party. The silly part—you know how dreams can be—he was there both as a young version and an old version of himself.”

Feeling as if she’d fallen into some kind of sci-fi zone, Carly managed a smile. “That wasn’t a dream, honey. It’s real. His grandson brought him to your birthday party.”

Martha’s mouth gaped. Carly watched her put the pieces together. “And Dot died?”

“Jah. She’s gone to heaven.”

Nodding, Martha said, “I’m having trouble thinking straight, I guess.”

Carly watched the woman’s struggle as she tried to convince herself that she wasn’t losing her mental faculties. “So let’s put on your best dress and get you ready for bingo.”

“But I don’t want him to see me this way.”

“He won’t, we have time.”

“No. I mean… old like this.”

Carly smiled. “But, he’s old, too.”

Her eyes sparkled. “Oh.”

Martha presented herself at the game table early, announcing to everyone who came to join, “I’m saving this seat for a friend.”

“Saving for a friend,” Repeater mimicked. “Ain’t we friends?”

“Shush! There he is.”

Carly turned to see Jason and James crossing the lobby. Jason wore a gray sweater and tight jeans.

Widow Martha glanced at James with delight. After Carly convinced her she hadn’t been dreaming about him or the birthday party, she’d found the book of poetry he’d given her. Helen had stashed it, along with the carvings, inside the linen closet. Hurrying across the lobby, she greeted him.

“It’s like a wonderful dream that you’re here.”

“Life is a vapor, my dear. But I’m all yours today.”

Giddy with the emotions of young love, she hooked her arm through his. “I missed you.”

He squeezed her arm. “We still have things that’ll keep us apart, but I don’t see why we can’t enjoy each other’s friendship. Do you?”

“Certainly not!” she said, breathless.

His eyes teased, “You’re a lot easier than when you were young.”

“No, just wiser.” Wise enough to realize that she would live one day at a time. She would enjoy James. Have a little bit of heaven on earth before she moved on to the more glorious land. Meanwhile, she’d thank God for the blessing of friendship and trust Him to provide the strength she needed.

Carly watched the joy on the elderly couple’s faces and heard Martha say, “It’s like a wonderful dream you’re here.”

Beside her, Jason said, “Gramps was really stewing about the storm.”

“Martha’s best friend passed away this week. She’s struggling.”

“I’m sorry. Hopefully this will do them both some good. Say, what’s going on outside? They have that smaller building barricaded off.”