Threads of Love (39 page)

“Tessie, it’s good to see you,” he welcomed, rising from the chair beside Addie’s bed. “You look wonderful.”

“What are you doing here, Charlie?” Her voice wavered between hostility and dismay.

“Why don’t you take off your coat, and I’ll explain,” he answered warmly, although his first thought had been to ask where she had been when he arrived at the hospital.

“Don’t fight. Please don’t fight,” came Addie’s plea from the bed, causing Tessie to feel ashamed of the way she had greeted Charlie. “I love both of you, and I want you both with me,” Addie continued. “So, just talk nice and love each other,” the child instructed.

“We’ll try our best,” Charlie answered, giving her a wink. “Why don’t we sit down over here? Maybe Addie will be able to get to sleep and won’t be able to read our lips quite as easily.”

“Folks are missing you in Florence,” he began. “Doc Rayburn can’t wait for you to return. Says he doesn’t know how you ever talked him into coming out of retirement during your absence. And the folks at church, they’ve all been praying for you and Addie,” he continued.

“I’m pleased to hear that, Charlie,” she interrupted, “but what I really want to know is why you’re in Chicago. You’re opposed to all of this, and then without a word, you show up like you belong here.”

“I do belong here, Tessie. Addie had John deliver a letter to me asking that I come to Chicago. I have prayed earnestly about the operation and what my role should be. I know we disagree about the surgery, but I hope we both want what is best for Addie, not ourselves. I had just about decided to make the trip, and then I got a wire from Mr. Vance calling a meeting here in Chicago. So, you see, I had to come to Chicago. I guess some folks would say it was Mr. Vance that called me here. I think God called me here,” he finished.

“And me, too. I called you, too,” Addie stated from across the room.

“Addie, how were you able to read my lips from over there?” Charlie asked, moving toward her.

“I didn’t,” she answered. “I listened with my ears.”

“What are you telling me? Are you saying you can hear like you used to?” he asked.

“Almost. It’s just a little quieter, but it’s louder today than yesterday,” she responded with a bright smile.

“Addie, why didn’t you tell me?” Tessie inquired incredulously.

“Because I knew you wanted to learn all about the operation. I heard you tell Dr. Lundstrom today how excited you were about helping with my operation and that it was a big opportunity. I didn’t want to spoil it for you,” she answered soulfully.

“Oh Addie. What I wanted was for you to be able to hear again, and instead I’ve made you feel that all I was interested in was learning a new surgical technique. Perhaps I was thinking more about myself than you,” she answered, tears welling in her eyes.

“Don’t cry, Tessie. I wouldn’t have let you do the operation. I heard Dr. Lundstrom reminding you about that dizzy stuff I’d have after the surgery. If it hadn’t been for that, I might have let you do it, but I don’t want to be woozy and throwing up for days,” she stated.

Long after Addie had fallen asleep, Tessie wrestled with herself. Before Charlie left for his hotel, the three of them had joined in a prayer of thanks for Addie’s restored hearing, but she knew that Addie had spoken the truth. The surgery had become an obsession, and she hadn’t wanted anyone or anything attempting to dissuade her. She wanted her way in the matter, not Addie’s and certainly not God’s. Completely ashamed of herself, she knelt down beside her bed and earnestly prayed for God’s forgiveness. Forgiveness for her self-serving attitude after He had entrusted her with the care of this young child, and forgiveness for the way she had treated those who questioned her decision, especially Charlie. Climbing back into bed, she fell into a deep, restful sleep, the best she had had since meeting Edward Buford.

“No one knows exactly what causes things like this to happen,” Dr. Lundstrom stated to Tessie. “My guess is that some severe trauma in her life caused her hearing loss. I don’t know if it was the fear of surgery that caused her hearing restoration or not,” he continued.

“No, it was God. I’m really sure it was,” Addie interjected to the group of adults gathered in her room.

“I vote with Addie,” Charlie stated.

“And so do I,” Tessie remarked.

“Edward asked that you come by the house as soon as possible. He’d like to visit with you. I know you’re planning on leaving in the morning, so I told him I’d bring you home with me,” Dr. Lundstrom told Tessie.

“I have a meeting to attend so I must be on my way,” Charlie stated. “Addie, I’ll see you as soon as my meeting is completed,” he told the child and walked toward the door.

“I’ll see you later too, Charlie,” Tessie called after him.

Several hours later Charlie returned. Pulling Addie’s coat from the closet, he told her she was certainly well enough to go out for lunch with him. Over the nurse’s protest, the two of them met Mr. Vance for an elegant meal in one of the fashionable downtown restaurants. Addie charmed both of them throughout the meal and profusely thanked Mr. Vance for allowing her to come along to such a fancy place. As they were leaving, Addie told Mr. Vance it was nice to meet him and then stated, “You must come to Florence sometime. Our lunch today was very good. But my Johnny’s food at the Harvey House is even better.” Both men appreciated her remark, knowing she probably spoke the truth.

Tessie was waiting in the hospital room when they returned, and Addie quickly related all the details of the fancy luncheon she had attended. “How was Mr. Vance?” Tessie inquired.

“He’s doing just fine. He asked me to send his regrets that you hadn’t been available to have lunch with us. And your meeting with Edward, how did that go?” he inquired, knowing he might be overstepping his bounds.

“We can talk about that on the train ride back to Kansas. I assume you’re leaving in the morning also?” she inquired, not wanting Addie to be a part of their discussion about the meeting with Edward.

“Yes, in fact, I was hoping you’d agree to leave the hospital now. We can get you and Addie registered at the hotel and at least have an enjoyable dinner together. That is, if you don’t have other plans,” he offered.

“No other plans. I think you have a grand idea. It will be nice for Addie to see a little of Chicago. I know I’d sleep better in the hotel than this hospital, and it would be fun to have dinner together again,” she answered.

For the most part, the trip home was pleasant, although they were all anxious to get back to Florence, making the journey seem longer than anticipated. Charlie proved to be a much more enjoyable traveling companion than Edward, showering attention on both Addie and Tessie. When Addie fell asleep on the seat in front of them, Tessie revealed to Charlie that Edward’s intentions had been honorable. He had proposed marriage and wanted her to move to Chicago. He had already discussed the matter with his brother-in-law, and the two of them had agreed that Tessie could join Byron’s practice and work at the hospital with him. He wasn’t as thrilled about the prospect of having Addie, however. His plans for her were a boarding school in England, where she would attend classes and have occasional visits with them. It would be a much better life than anyone would have ever anticipated for the “poor waif,” he had explained to her.

“You know I would never do that to Addie, Charlie,” Tessie said, watching as he bristled at the remarks.

“Yes, I know that. I also know you’d never let a man plan your life for you either. Apparently Edward didn’t know that quite as well as I do,” he said, laughing at her look of mock indignation.

“I really am sorry for all the trouble and pain I’ve caused you, Charlie. I hope you’ll forgive me. I know things can never be the same between us. I’ve ruined that with my lack of trust in you, but I hope you’ll remain our friend,” she implored.

“Tessie, I had hoped you knew my feelings for you were deeper than that. Surely you know I’ll forgive you. I love you, and with that love comes my understanding and forgiveness. It may take a little time for us to get back to where we were, but I’m certain we will. Hopefully, even further,” he said, leaning over to kiss her on the cheek.

“Thank you, Charlie,” she whispered, slipping her hand into his.

“Welcome back!” John called out to the trio as they stepped down from the train. “I got your wire saying Addie was fine, and you were coming home today. Told the kitchen help they’d better keep things on schedule ‘cause I was coming to meet my friends.”

“Johnny,” Addie called, rushing to meet her favorite chef. “I can hear now. Isn’t it wonderful?”

“You bet it is, little woman. It’s good to have you home, all of you,” he answered, amazed with Addie’s ability to once again hear. “Restores your faith, doesn’t it?” he said to the adults.

“It certainly does and then some,” Tessie replied. Charlie gave her a knowing look and squeezed her hand, leading them into the station.

“Mary, get yourself over here and take a gander. Looks like Mr. Banion’s back in the doctor’s good graces again,” Cora told her friend. Rushing forward, Mary peeked around Cora’s plump figure.

“Wouldn’t you just know it!” she seethed.

“I think you’d better give up on this one. It appears to me they’re headed for the altar,” Cora replied, sounding smug.

“Whose side are you on, anyway?” Mary asked, noting Cora’s tone of voice.

“This time I think I’m on that little girl’s side. They make a nice-looking family, if you ask me, and there’s plenty of other men for you to conquer,” her friend answered.

“Well, thanks for nothing,” Mary replied, stomping back to her desk, while Cora stood watching the threesome gather their baggage and walk away from the station.

Tessie smiled down at Addie as she tucked her into bed. “I’m glad we’re back home,” Addie said, after they had finished prayers.

“Me, too,” Tessie and Charlie replied in unison, causing all three of them to laugh. “You get right to sleep, and tomorrow we’ll talk about enrolling you in school. It’s going to be such fun for you, with new friends, and I know you’ll be an excellent student. I love you, Addie,” Tessie lovingly told the child, leaning down to kiss her good night.

“I love you,” the child answered, “and you too, Charlie,” she said while holding her arms open for a hug.