Doris returned his smile.
“And, while you are so obliging,” Father continued with a twinkle in his eyes, “There is one other request I would ask.” Father noted her hands gripping the edges of her desk. Clearly she was unaccustomed to residents entering her office and asking to do something.
“What else is there, Father?” Doris cautiously asked.
“Well, since the chapel is only used in the mornings for mass, it’s a shame that it remains empty and unused for the rest of the day. I was wondering if it might be used in the afternoon to have Bible study and sharing? We would schedule them around any activities the care home already has. This, too, would be strictly voluntary, of course.”
Doris sat back in her chair, her shoulders lowered and her hands released their grip on the desk.
“The chairs in the chapel are individual and can easily be moved so we can sit in a circle. And that beautiful Heintzman piano in the corner would be just wonderful for a sing-song or two, don’t you think?”
“Well, yes. It may need a tune up.”
“I know just who can do it. Mr. Schmidt tunes the piano and the organ at St. Mary’s Church whenever we need him.”
Doris looked at Father thoughtfully, with a slight smile on her face. He could tell she was almost as excited as he was.
She leaned forward in her chair. “Well, Father, what you’re suggesting would certainly introduce a lot of change. That would get the residents talking for sure.”
“Well, isn’t that what we want? Something to stimulate the blood a little and maybe get the feet dancing. That is, if it’s okay with you if we dance in the chapel.” Father winked, his eyes twinkling.
Doris chuckled a bit, “That’s assuming some decide to attend of course.”
“Well, Doris, let’s keep that up to the Lord. If we do our part, let’s put our faith and trust in Him to do the rest.”
Doris shook her head in astonishment. Her smile deepened.
“Well, Father, once again I can’t find any objection. The only restriction I would place on any of this is that the residents are free to choose. No coercing or coaxing; if they want to go and attend fine, if not, just leave them alone.” Doris looked directly at Father with a semi-stern look on her face.
“I assure you, Doris, what you are asking is totally in the hands of the Lord. I am only an instrument of His peace here to do His bidding. Who He wishes to bring into my path is His business.”
“Well, fine, then. You can put up an announcement on the bulletin board and I will also mention it to all the residents during lunch, tomorrow. I will stress that this is completely voluntary and if anyone has any objections to it to please come and see me. Is that okay with you?”
“Oh, yes, Doris, that is very satisfactory to me.”
Doris smiled then cringed as she asked, “Is there anything else?”
“That is all, for now,” he said with another wink of his sparkling eyes.
“Thank you for coming in, Father. Please feel free to see me at any time. I am very happy you decided to come to our care home, I truly hope it does become a home to you.”
“I assure you, Doris, it already has. I can hardly wait to say mass in my Father’s house.”
Father got up and just as he was about to leave, Doris said, “Father, do you still make hospital visits?”
“Yes, I do,”
“The reason I ask, is that we had a resident here who was returned to the hospital but may have been transferred to another facility already. She needed more care than we could provide. However, I noticed on her application form that she is Catholic and if by chance you are visiting the General Hospital, I thought you could drop in and see her.”
“Yes, yes, of course. Do you have her name?”
Doris sorted through some papers on her desk and found the one she wanted then jotted down the name on a Post-It note.
“Thank you for coming in, Father, it was a pleasure talking to you.”
Father smiled, “It was a great pleasure talking to you as well, Doris.”
He turned and as he walked out of the office, he glanced down at the paper which Doris gave to him and read the name of the patient … Marjorie Hamilton.
“Slow down, Father, I’ve never heard you so excited.” Henry was sure Father was jumping up and down on the other side of the phone.
“Henry, I can say mass here! The director also said I can start a Bible study group and I found some vestments in the small room next to the chapel, they must have belonged to the pries—”
“Father, just hold it for a minute, I can’t understand your jabbering.” Father was breathless and sounded about to keel over. “So, you can say mass in the chapel and start up a Bible class?”
“Yes, yes, see how quickly the Lord works. I couldn’t find any chalice, bread or wine though and I was wondering, Henry—”
“If I would buy you some wine?”
“Yes, yes, how did you know?”
“And you like the Jewish wine, Manischewitz.”
“Henry, you are reading my mind.”
“And, we have some beautiful goblets in the gallery that one of the potters brought in that would make—”
“Yes, yes!” Father exclaimed. “A goblet molded and created by an artist to be used in the house of the Lord. Yes, perfect, Henry—”
“And the bread, do you want me to pick some up at St. Mary’s?”
“Yes, Henry, if you would be so kind as to stop at the church, Father Knuka will give you some.”
“No problem, Father. I won’t be able to make it this afternoon, but will see you sometime tomorrow. Will you be there all day?”
“Yes, I am planning to visit the Santa Maria Home on Friday right after mass to make a visitation call, and the General Hospital in the afternoon, to visit a lady who has cancer.”
“How is everything else going, do you like it there?”
“Oh, yes, Henry, the Lord and I have big plans.”
“I’m sure you have. Well, we are quite busy here, today. The café sounds packed. It is so loud with chatter you’re beginning to fade out. I think I’d better see if they need any help and say ‘hello’ to my customers.”
“Yes, that’s very important, Henry, to make your guests feel welcome and to—”
“Serve. That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?”
Father remained quiet for only a moment and then quipped, “I taught you very well.”
“Yes, indeed, Father, you did, and I am still learning. See you, tomorrow.”
“Yes, I am looking forward to your visit already.”
Chapter Fifty-Four
Jenny could hardly wait for J.J. and his family to arrive. J.J. had left a message with the administration office that they would arrive October 28th. After calling Air Canada, Jenny knew the plane arrived at 9:40 a.m. and so she could expect to see them before noon.
First thing that morning, Jenny changed from a white gown into a pair of pink lounging pajamas and matching robe. Her hair was so sparse and raggedy she had it all shaved off a week ago and asked Mable to buy six different coloured bandanas. With the outfit she had chosen to wear she put a pink bandana on her head. Jenny was all set to meet J.J. and his family in the visiting room rather than in her bedroom. She wanted to look healthy and fit, rather than sickly and drawing sympathy.
In spite of her critical illness, Jenny on the whole did a very good job camouflaging it. But by 10:30 she was so exhausted from the hustle and bustle to appear healthy and normal that the room began to spin. Fortunately, she was right beside a chair and put her hand on the arm rest and turned herself around so she could collapse into the chair.
A nurse walking down the hall saw Jenny through the open doorway slouching in the chair. She rushed in and caught her just before she fell onto the floor. The nurse pushed Jenny in the chair over
to her bed allowing Jenny to fall face first onto the edge of the bed. The nurse was able to reach the emergency cord and buzz for help.
They slipped off Jenny’s robe and got her into bed. Jenny was semi-conscious and winced with pain each time she moved. She was breathing excessively hard and her heart was racing. Another nurse brought in a needle with a combination of pain killer and sedative. Within minutes Jenny was breathing regularly once more, but her eyes were getting heavy. Sounds and chatter in the room grew faint and then completely silent as she fell into a deep sleep.
Around 11:30, J.J., his wife and son entered the nursing home. They thought they would briefly visit Jenny before going to the hotel where they had made reservations, despite Jenny’s insistence that they stay at her home.
“We are here to visit Marjorie Hamilton,” J.J. announced to the receptionist.
“Are you relatives?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, you are her son? I have a note here that she was expecting you and to send you right up to her room. Just one moment and I will call up to the nursing station”
“Hi, Jan, this is Noreen. Jenny’s family is here. Oh, I see, around 2:00. Okay, I will tell them.”
Noreen put the receiver down and looked up at J.J.. “Apparently she was all ready to see you, but had a fainting spell. They gave her a sedative and she is asleep. The nurse on duty says your mother would be able to see you around 2:00 this afternoon. Would you be able to come back then?”
A mild cuss passed J.J.’s lips.
“So? What should we do, Nora?”
“Well, this would be a good time to check in at the hotel. We can change, have lunch and be back around that time. It will be all right, J.J.. She needs her rest.”
“Well, let’s go then,” said J.J.. He turned to the nurse, “Would you please call us a cab.”
“Certainly, we usually call Co-op, will that be fine?”
“Yes, any one will be fine. Let’s wait outside, Nora. I don’t like the smell of nursing homes.” He walked past Nora and his gibbering son and led the way back to the front door.
J.J. and Nora returned at 2:30 p.m.
J.J. approached the desk and rested his elbows on the high counter.
“Is Marjorie Hamilton able to see us, now?”
“Yes, I called up and she just woke up and asked for you. Her room is 207 on the 2nd floor. There is a stairwell just down the hall,” Noreen pointed, “Or, if you wish, just past the stairs and to the right is an elevator.”
“Thank you,” said Nora.
“Let’s take the stairs. We’ll probably have to wait an hour for the elevators in this place.”
“Oh, J.J., I’m sure the elevators work fine, but the stairs will do. I like the exercise after sitting on the plane all morning,”
Without any further comment, J.J. marched down the hall, leaving his wife trailing behind.
A nurse had turned up Jenny’s bed slightly so she was in a better position to visit. The sedative they had given her didn’t quite alleviate her jittery nerves. Heavy footsteps drifted into the room from down the hall. Oh, I hope I look fine, was the last thought Jenny was able to ask herself, as J.J. turned into her room followed by his wife and son.
Jenny and her son just stared at one another.
God she looks old, and tired and so thin, thought J.J., a feather would probably knock her over.
“Hello, Marj.”
Jenny smiled and opened her arms to receive him, but he just stood there.
Nora, seeing her husband’s reluctance to greet his mother with a hug, walked past him.
“Hi, Marj, I hope I can call you that. I just can’t believe we have not met yet! I’m a little uncomfortable with calling you mom, just yet, anyway.” She extended one hand to Jenny and held onto James the Third with the other. “This is your grandson, Jimmy.”
“Oh my, what a handsome young lad you are. Here, want to come to grandma?” Jenny lifted her arms, but Jimmy drew back and winced.
“Oh that’s okay. Let’s give it a little time. Come sit down. Take a chair, Nora. I asked the nurse to bring in another one.”
Nora pulled the chair a little closer to Jenny while J.J. stood at a distance and remained unresponsive.
“I had it all planned this morning to greet you in the visiting room, but somehow wasn’t able to make it. You know how grandmas can get at times.” Jenny tried to make light of it.
“How are you feeling, Marj?”
Jenny wished her daughter-in-law would call her Jenny as she had on the phone, but thought better not to correct her. She longed for J.J. to call her mom, as he had when he was little.
“Oh, I’m fine, just a little tired, that’s all. But I am so glad you came. So you decided to check into a hotel?”
“Yes, Marj,” said Nora, “It’s a little more convenient and the room is very nice.”
“Yes, the Hotel Saskatchewan is a very old and prestigious hotel. The Queen of England, always stays there when she visits Saskatchewan I’ve been told. So, how are you, J.J.?” asked Jenny, turning to him with a smile.
“Busy, very busy.”
“Well, I am so glad you took a little time to come and visit.”
“I understand you want me to look after your house. Are you sure you want to sell it?”
“Yes, I won’t be able to go back there anymore. I thought about getting a full-time nurse and living at home a little while longer, but I think this is better, and my doctor thinks so, too. On the end table…” Jenny turned slightly and waved her arm with effort towards the table beside her, “is an envelope with the house key and the security code. Maybe later today or tomorrow you and Nora can go there. The antique furniture is very beautiful and you’re welcome to—”
“No, we are not interested in the furniture, Marj, we have our home furnished the way we want it. So, what do you want for your house?”
“Well, I thought perhaps you could discuss that with a realtor and see what the market value would be.”
“And what about the contents?”
“I thought you might want some of it. If not, we could sell it.”
“I really don’t have time to wait around and sell old furniture.”
“J.J., it’s not old, it’s antique,” Nora corrected.
“Well, don’t get any ideas, Nora, I won’t have any of that stuff in my home.”
‘My home’ as opposed to ‘our’ home. Jenny sensed that Nora was not as naïve as she had been, but was heading towards the same fate. Jenny tried to sit up a bit more, but just didn’t have the strength. She put her arms out to Jimmy again.
“Would you like to sit with grandma a little?” James still shrank away. “Well, maybe tomorrow,” said Jenny.
“He just needs a little time,” said Nora.
J.J. appeared as a statue, making no effort whatsoever to keep the conversation going or show any interest in his mother. His stony-hearted attitude infected the atmosphere with a coldness that grew more frigid with each passing minute. He looks so young and…immature to be a father…
Nora rose from her chair.
“Well, Marj, perhaps we should go, you seem a little tired and with the excitement of us being here, we should let you rest a bit.” Nora reached for the envelope on the end table. “We will visit your home, this afternoon, call some realtors and begin making arrangements to sell your home.”
“Feel free to take anything you wish.”
Before J.J. could say something rude, Nora said, “We will look, Marj. Thank you so much for the offer.”
Deep hurt and rejection swept through Jenny as her son turned and walked to the door without so much as shaking her hand or saying good-bye.
“Good-bye, J.J..”
Nora stepped forward and took Jenny’s hand. “It was so nice to see you, Marj.” It was obvious Nora was trying to
compensate for J.J.’s rudeness and shift attention away from his coldness. As Nora was about to turn away, Jimmy reached out his hand towards Jenny.
“Aah,” Jenny said, “That’s my boy,” and quickly she reached up towards her grandson. Nora moved a little closer so Jenny could touch her grandson.
“Oh, Jimmy, thank you, it won’t take long for you and me to become friends.” Jenny winked at him and gave a sincere, genuine smile.
J.J. oversaw the scene with a cold, blank detached look on his face as if annoyed by his son’s action.
“Well, let’s go, Nora. We have a lot of things to do.”
“Thank you, again, for coming, and thank you, J.J., for looking after the sale of my house.”
J.J. didn’t answer, but walked out the door ahead of his family.
A gush of tears spilled down Jenny’s cheeks even before Nora walked out of the bedroom door.
“Oh God, what am I going to do. J.J. is so angry towards me; I find it so hard to accept his coldness. I must find a way to reconcile with him before he goes back. If we don’t, I’m afraid we may forever be in this unforgiving bondage to each other. Oh, God, please let us make up like mom and I did.”
Jenny reached for her pewter guardian angel on the chain around her neck and continued to whisper softly, “Please, I wish for you to help, too…”
The angel felt warm and soothing. She brought it up to her lips and as she kissed the angel, Jenny began to imagine Henry kissing it the day he sent it off to her. The thought gave her some warmth and comfort, a respite from the lingering chill left behind by J.J.’s distressing visit.
Jenny rolled onto her side as fresh tears were absorbed into her pillow. She closed her eyes and made one more request of her guardian angel. It was an odd request not really related to her son’s visit and yet, perhaps it was.
“I wish with all my heart that, someday, Henry will find me and kiss me as tenderly as he did this angel.”
Jenny held onto to that thought for but a moment or two before sleep rescued her from the heartless encounter with her son.
The Angelic Occurrence Page 51