1- The Glass Room 2- The Spirit Stone -3-bear Hugs-4- Believe

by Beverly Machado

  “Jimmy, I thought you weren’t coming home because you found someone up north.”

  “I never even looked at another woman up there. I never want anyone but you. But I was told you have another man in your life. My sons plotted that lie to keep us apart. Anna, my love, to think of all the sleepless nights I spent thinking of you with someone else. I couldn’t bear it. And now I find out you have been alone. Gail just told me they lied to her and put her up to telling you that I had someone else.”

  “I never did have another man in my life. I never wanted anyone but you. I could never love any man the way I love you.”

  Gail pushed the wheelchair closer to Anna. She took the baby from her. Anna got up and hugged him. “Oh, Jimmy, I waited for you all that time. All I ever wanted after you left was for you to come home and stay with me. Not anyone else, just you. I love you so much and to think that all that time, you loved me; only me. Oh, my love. Am I dreaming? Are you still in love with me?”

  “I will always be in love with you, never doubt my love for you. It is endless. You are forever mine, oh how happy that makes me.”

  They couldn’t let go of each other. They had what they had wished for all these long months. “Anna, are you a patient here?”

  “Yes, it is my heart, but I will be alright now that the stress I have been feeling is gone. You are here with me. And you, you are trembling again. Several times I felt you trembling. What is it that makes that happen to you?”

  “I have Parkinson Disease. I have medicine that helps me some.”

  “To think we are both patients here and didn’t know it. Thanks to Gail, we are together again.”

  “I have so much I want to tell you about what has been going on in my life. Will you listen?”

  “I will always listen to you. Remember my willingness to listen when we first met? It still stands true.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  From then on, they were inseparateable. He spent more time in her room than his own. He told her part of the reason he was here is because he could not feed himself with his hands shaking so much.

  “They feed me and I have to drink out of this baby cup. I hope I don’t embarrass you.”

  “You would never embarrass me and from now on, I will feed you. I will be happy to do that for you, my love.” And she did feed him, very patiently, and in-between the spoonfuls, she kissed him. “You are forever mine.”

  “And mine”, he said.

  She pushed him around this whole building, and especially to the glass room. Everyone knew where to find them on full moon nights. Anna would help him get from the wheelchair to the padded cushions on the sofa; where she sat next to him. She would lower her head to his shoulder while his arm encircled her. His hand was trembling as he held on to her, but it didn’t matter. It was his hand, the hand that she loves and he was here with her at last.

  It was on one of these nights that Bill decided to visit his dad. He saw them nestled together and thought, what a fool I was not to realize the true love his dad felt. He felt ashamed of his actions. He knew he was wrong. I can tell him I am sorry, but JD was also a part of this deception and he can’t tell him he is sorry. Where there is true love, it will always find a way. They didn’t know he was there. He didn’t want to disturb their moment of shared love. He finally left. He couldn’t face them, not now, maybe never. Time will tell.

  “My love, remember we are still engaged. I gave you an engagement ring. He held her hand and placed his finger over the ring he gave her. “You are still wearing the engagement ring.”

  “It is my way of holding on to our love.”

  “Will you marry me now?”

  “Yes, I will happily marry you.”

  The wedding plans were being made by Lilly and Gail and her friends that worked at Roseland. Of course Anna helped as much as she could. Lilly took her shopping for her wedding dress. She decided on an off-white, full length, form fitting, satin gown with lace collar and sleeves. She also chose a shoulder length veil to top it off. She and Lilly was very pleased with their choice.

  Jimmy wanted his son, Bill, to help him in his wardrobe, but because he did not want to have anything to do with the wedding, Jake helped him. He already owned the suit he wanted to wear. Because he was born and raised in Texas, he wanted to wear his favorite western cut suit and white cowboy hat.

  A white sofa that was in the living room at Roseland was decorated with white balloons and white, silk streamers. Two large planters that held Magnolias were placed at each end of the sofa where the bride and groom were to sit to receive their wedding vows. A wedding cake was made by the cooks that work there; besides white frosted cup cakes for all the patients. The preacher they chose is the same one that visits and preaches to the people living there. The piano was already there in the living area and the song that they chose was “Forever Mine”. It was their favorite song that told of their love for each other. It would be sung by Gail who had a beautiful singing voice. Both Jimmy and Anna had chosen Gail to be the Maid of Honor and Bill to be Best Man, but because they weren’t sure he would be there, they had Jake for a back up. Carnation boutonnieres were for the men with a bouquet of carnations for the Maid of Honor. Anna’s bridal bouquet was white magnolias surrounded by lace. Little sandwiches were made there by the cooks which would be easy for the patients to eat also. Everything was arranged.

  “What can I give you for your wedding present, Anna?”

  “Get me a silk wedding night gown that is sexy.”

  “You are trusting me to get you a nightgown that is sexy? Wait and see what I choose for you.”

  “Lilly, I said sexy, not naughty. Okay?”

  “Okay, I’ll behave myself. I will get you a beautiful long silky white gown.”

  They were both so excited. This is the day they dreamed of; the day that would make them man and wife. Bill walked in his dad’s room just on time to help him dress. “You look good for an old man,” Bill said.

  ”I’m glad you came, son.”

  He did look so handsome in his western outfit; hat and all. A lady from the church played the wedding march and as Anna walked out of her room toward Jimmy, he had to take a hard swallow. She looked like an angel to him, so beautiful, it took his breath away for a moment. She sat next to him on the sofa and as they held hands, Gail sang their song, “Forever Mine.” The preacher then went through the ritual wedding vow sermon and finished with, “I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.” Their kiss was just a loving short one with a promise of what was to come when they went to Anna’s room.

  “I now want to present to you, Mr. and Mrs. James Dennis Williams.”

  Happiness overflowed at Roseland. Even the patients that weren’t aware of what was going on felt that something magical just took place.

  When Lilly got Anna off my herself, she handed her her wedding gift. Anna opened it and it was something a harlot would wear.

  “Lilly you know I am not going to wear this on my special night.”

  “Just kidding, here is your wedding nightgown.” It was exactly what she wanted; long, silk, white and captivating.

  “It is beautiful. Thanks.”

  “Now have fun and make up for all that lost time together. One more thing, since you both are going to stay in your room, shouldn’t you bring something in the room to eat and drink?”

  “Yes, I forgot? Would you bring us a plate of grilled cheese sandwiches and a bottle of white grape juice? Oh, and two champagne glasses.”

  “Grilled cheese sandwiches?”

  “Yes, we are going to celebrate our love. Thanks.”

  With the permission of the nursing home, a double wide bed that each side could be moved to different positions was placed in the Anna’s private room that they would share. It was their wedding present from Bill and Gail.

&nbs
p; Finally they were alone. Jimmy took her in his arms. “I wish my hands weren’t shaking so much. I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “She picked up his hands and kissed them. I love you; all of you even your hands. Don’t worry.”

  “Do you remember the first time we made love how anxious I was? That’s how I feel now.”

  “Me too.”

  They had waited so long for each other. Their need was so powerful to fulfill their love, that it ignited all sense of urgency and craving by each move, each touch, each kiss.

  Jimmy said, “Now you are mine.”

  “Forever mine,” Anna said. “No one can ever separate us again.”

  They laid together, holding each other to make sure they were not dreaming. Anna spoke first, “Are you hungry? I have our grilled cheese sandwiches to celebrate our love?”

  “Yes, that is what I need now.”

  “Lay there, I will feed you and pour us each a glass, not of champagne, but white grape juice. I will hold the glass for you. It will be our toast. I love you so much, Jimmy. I couldn’t be happier than I am right now.”

  “That’s how I feel. Now I feel complete at last.”

  They were inseparable. When you saw one, there was the other. She fed him, gladly; she even brushed his teeth for him and shaved him. She helped him dress. Anything he could not do for himself, she did. She pushed him all around this whole building and even to their favorite room, the glass room. She was telling him about the red birds that she loved to watch. They were gone now to her dismay.

  When Gail brought Emily Jane to visit, they both were elated. Anna never had a baby of her own, but now she enjoyed her as much as if she belonged to her.

  One day when Lilly and Jake came to visit, she asked her if she would buy a honey coated bird seeds in the shape of a bell and to hang it in the Sycamore Tree close by the window in the glass room. She was happy when the day came for her to hang it in the tree. Weeks passed and not any bird found it, but then one day when she and Jimmy was looking outside in the glass room, she saw the female red bird eating of the sweet seeds then flying away.

  “She’s hiding it from her friends.” she told him. Then days later they watched when the female bird brought her male friend and had him stay on a lower branch. She would fly to the sweet bell and bite off a piece of seeds and bring it to him and put it in his mouth. She was feeding him. Everyday from then on she would feed him the sweet seeds as they watched.

  On this day Jimmy was telling Anna that he didn’t feel well. She gave him his medicine and said, “I know what will make you feel better. She pushed him to the glass room and lifted him from the wheelchair to the padded cushions on the sofa. She sat on side of him resting her head on his shoulder as he had his arm around her. It was a closeness they loved.

  Back in the nurse’s station, the nurses were putting the medicine in each little cup to be brought to the patients. One of them noticed the white pill in the cup. “Alma, you didn’t give Ms. Anna her heart medicine?”

  “I thought I did. Oh, she has got to have her medicine.”

  As the two lovebirds, Anna and Jimmy, sat on the sofa, arm in arm they were watching the female feeding the male. After they both ate, the two red birds remained sitting on the limb.

  Jimmy was having trouble breathing. It alarmed her and even though she felt the pangs in her chest, she was more concerned about him. Just when she picked up the alarm to call for help, she heard him take his last breath while at the same time, his body stopped shaking. His hands went limp. Just then the male red bird flew to the glass window looking in. She hurried and put the alarm buzzer down for her chest pain became unbearable.

  When Nurse Alma went to give them their medicine, she realized they had both passed from this world to the next. As she looked out of the window she saw the two red birds flying off together.

  THE END

  BEVERLY MACHADO

  THE SPIRIT STONE

  Chapter One

  Serious words were spoken as the Comanche Chief and his warriors gathered around the large council tepee. Chief Buffalo Bull spoke for only his warriors to hear. Plans were made; when, where, why were heard with opened ears and excited hearts; for in the tepee were his bravest and his most darest of all his Comanche warriors.

  Three moons ride to their north they would travel on their horses to their enemy territory to steal as many horses as they could.

  “You will travel when the moon is half round; enough to see, but not enough to be seen. All of you will ride until your shadows can not be seen. There you will leave your own horses with Little Buffalo. He will keep watch over them. You will go on foot for last part of journey. Quietly. Take as many of their horses and ride with speed until you reach your own horses and bring them to our people. I have spoken.”

  All ears heard. All hearts beat fast with excitement for the adventure they craved. They left early on their own horses and arrived on time for the long walk arriving as was planned. All Apaches slept. They reached their enemy’s horses. And while the night was quiet, they were also. They slipped on the backs of their conquest and silently slipped off into the darkness; all but Night Hawk.

  Night Hawk was too daring. He wanted water to quench his thirst. He would not wait. As he neared the water he saw a squaw just step out of the cool water. It was a hot night with no wind. Her body was too hot to sleep in the tepee with her mother and father. A cool dip in the water and then she could sleep; only as she stepped to the bank did he appear into a dim light, did she see him; strong, muscular, bronze skin clothed only in his breech cloth; one thick, long braid hanging down his back with one eagle feather woven thru and held straight up in his hair. He held himself straight on a horse he was not familiar with as the horse’s hoofs rocked from one to the other; eager to follow the others.

  So surprised, she could not move as she stood there in her nakedness. He looked her up and down; she was unashamed for she knew of the beauty she possessed.

  “Your name?”

  “Raven.”

  “Yours,” she said pointing to him.

  “Night Hawk.”

  “You mated?”

  “Promised.”

  He spit on side of the horse saying, “Promised means nothing to me. I will see you again. Meet me here next dark moon,” he said while moving his knees to the horses sides to turn from her to reach the others.

  What just happened, she thought. She could still see him in her mind; shiny, bronze, damp skin from the heat of the night. She was also wet, but not from night heat. She had to get back in the dark water to cool. But she couldn’t get the picture of him out of her mind. Strong, daring, but wait, what was he doing here? He was sitting on Sitting Bird’s horse. He was stealing her cousin’s horse. How can I let myself admire him when he was here to steal from us? There was no wind, with heat unbearable; it brought a torrential storm. It wiped all traces of tracts left behind.

  She entered the tepee as her parents slept. She could not get the picture of him out of her mind. I am promised. I must not look at another with lust; but I do.

  When Night Hawk reached his friends and the captured horses, Long Snake rode up to him, “Why it take you so long to reach us?”

  “My mouth was dry. I needed water. I went to creek there.”

  “Your orders from Chief Buffalo Bull were to hurry back with the horses.”

  “Orders. I take no orders. I make my own orders.”

  “Your thinking will get you in trouble yet, my friend. Wait and see.”

  “I’ll wait and see,” he said while smiling. Turning his horse to reach his own horse, he then tied the enemy horse with a rope and slid on his own horse, “Flash”.

  She woke early the next morning with all the commotion coming from outside. “Half of our horses are gone,” Rising Sun said. “We sleep too hard.”

/>   “It was the storm that blew away the sound. Not sleep too hard.” this came from their chief, Chief Running Bear.

  Just then, a squaw came dragging her son by his ear. “Tell them.”

  Looking down at the ground, he said. “I don’t think I put tree fence up right. It is my fault horses gone.”

  The warriors all looked at Chief Running Bear and waited for his answer. “You must learn the way of our people. Tonight you are going for your trial to become a new brave. You will go to mountain top. There you stay for days until you get your vision of learning. It will come to you, but only if you are alone without food or water. Your mother will feed you now, but when the sun disappears, you leave and not come back until you can come to me and tell me of your vision. Go. “

  The young boy, only twelve circles of seasons looked frightened, but knotted to the chief. He had to obey. He ate well and left to climb the mountain; afraid.

  All warriors spread out, still angry, but now knew it was a boys mistake, not enemy’s doing.

  Only Raven knew better. She could have spoken up to save the child, but knew his time had come for his trial to have his vision to become a warrior. So she said nothing.

  Straight Arrow, her promised one, walked up to her. He was waiting for all full seasons to pass to claim her as his own. He was the only son of Chief Running Bear and will one day become chief of their tribe. He didn’t love her, but wanted to possess her because of her great beauty. All others knew she belonged to him and not to think of claiming her. He was very jealous and possessive and controlling. All others knew not to look at her too long or they would have to deal with his anger.

  Chapter Two

  The moon came dark. When her mother and father started snoring, she quietly lifted the buffalo hide that hung at the opening. She looked and saw no one. When she got to the creek, he was there waiting for her. He slid off his horse and taking her hand led her into the thick forest.