“Boy, do I have a story to tell her,” he thought. He climbed out of the cab with a small bouquet of flowers in his hand and marched up to Apt. 128. He rang the doorbell. A delicate woman in her 70s came to the door.
“May I help you?” she said. Charlie was taken back. He double checked the apt. number to make sure he hadn’t pushed the wrong doorbell. Sure enough, it was #128.
“I’m looking for Diane Haley. She used to live here with her roommate Jackie,” Charlie explained.
“They moved out. I’ve only lived here for two months. I believe Jackie still works at the hospital. You can check with her about Diane,” the elderly woman said. Charlie nodded and excused himself.
He caught a taxi to the Tripler Army Medical Center, where he found Jackie on duty. One look at him and she almost fainted. She told her supervisor she needed to go on break, and took Charlie outside the hospital, where they sat on a bench.
“You’re alive?” she stuttered as she looked him up and down. “They gave you up for dead.” Charlie just smiled broadly.
“The reports of my death were greatly exaggerated,” he said with a chuckle.
“This isn’t funny,” Jackie said. “You asshole - Diane nearly died of a broken heart. She was destroyed. She couldn’t get out of bed. She wouldn’t eat. She practically lost the will to live. What the hell happened?”
“I was shot down,” Charlie began. Jackie cut him off.
“I know that. You were MIA for about six months until they listed you as presumed dead. But she still held out hope.”
“I was taken prisoner, starved, tortured, barefoot and blindfolded, trussed up and kept in a hole for over a year. When I finally escaped and was rescued, I was out of my head. I didn’t even know who I was. They had me in a hospital in Da Nang for months nursing me back to health. I’m still not 100%. I’ve been discharged and released. I’m going home, and I’ve come to collect Diane. So, where is she?” Jackie thought for a moment, then decided Charlie needed to know.
“Diane is married,” she said. Charlie looked like he had been shot in the chest with a .45 slug.
“She’s what?” Charlie said.
“She got married two months ago.”
“Why?”
“Charlie, you were dead. The Navy had given you up. But Diane kept saying ‘I know he’s alive – I just know it.’ But every week her health declined. She wasn’t sleeping, she wasn’t eating. She was dying. After a year we begged her to move on, to let you go. But it seemed like she’d rather die. I can’t stress enough to you, Charlie, the downward spiral she was in.”
“So, what happened?” Charlie said.
“A few months ago an architectural team from North Carolina came out here to add a new wing to the hospital. The hospital decided to put Diane on the advisory committee to help the team with any design issues. They thought it might take her mind off her depression. Well, she met one of the architects and he really helped her. He heard about her loss and was very tender and kind. He brought her back from the brink. A couple of months ago they got married and he took her back with him to North Carolina. They’re planning on adopting.”
“Does she love him?” Charlie said.
“Charlie, he’s good to her and she healing. She’s happy.”
“Where does she live?”
“Charlie, leave her alone. She is married. Think about her needs. You need to let her go. I’m not going to tell her you’re alive, and it will just kill her if you show up.”
“But doesn’t she at least deserve to know?” Charlie said.
“No. This is one of those ill-timed truths best left unsaid. I’m sorry it all turned out the way it did. I think the two of you really had something, but that door is closed now. For her sake, I’m begging you to move on.”
v
Phil sat in stunned silence at Charlie’s heartbreaking story of love lost.
“That’s terrible,” Phil said. “I’m so sorry. And you never tracked her down?”
“What would be the point? Jackie was right. It would just pile on guilt and regret she didn’t need to carry. Besides, who could blame her?” Charlie said. “After 12 months MIAs never come back. But I’ll tell you this - she saved me out there in the jungle. I’d have given up if it weren’t for her.”
“I’m not going to try to tell you what to do, but I would have at least tracked her down to let her know you made it out alive,” Phil said.
“Really, Mr. Branson, it’s Ok. I made my peace a long time ago,” Charlie said.
Jessica Strait, the new nursing aide, entered the room. She spotted Phil.
“Good morning, Mr. Branson,” she said.
“Good morning, Jessica,” Phil replied. Jessica turned to Charlie.
“Mr. Davis, I was told to help you finish packing if you needed it,” she asked.
I’ll get out of your way,” Phil said. Then he turned to Charlie. “I appreciate your sharing your story, and I’m glad we were able to get you back on your feet.” They shook hands. “I’ll be sure to say good bye before you leave.” Phil checked his watch – it was about 8:30. He excused himself, and Jessica got busy.
“Let me help you pack your things,” she said.
“Why don’t you start with my nightstand. I’ve got a small box you can put things in.” Jessica spotted a small collection of framed pictures. She paused at a framed family portrait. It showcased Charlie, his wife, and their two sons.
“Is this your family?” Jessica asked.
“Yes, that’s my wife. She passed away a few years ago,” Charlie said.
“She looked very lovely,” Jessica said. They finished packing. “You’re all set.”
“You know,” Charlie said, “I promised I’d say good bye to Stan Malinski, before I left. He’s over in the assisted living wing. We both served in Vietnam together. Would you mind wheeling me over?”
“I’d be happy to. Climb aboard,” Jessica said. Charlie got comfortable in his wheelchair. He pointed to his box of picture on the nightstand.
“Grab that box. I’d like to show Stan some pictures of my Skyhawk. He’ll get a kick out of them.” Jessica grabbed the box and set it on Charlie’s lap.
“Here we go,” she said. She wheeled him out to the rehab nursing station. Jessica turned to the nurse on duty.
“I’m taking Charlie over to assisted living. If his son comes by, send him our way.”
Chapter 19
At the assisted living nursing station Elpie busied herself with paperwork when she saw Dillie Mertz approaching, once again wearing a heavy sweater and toting a travel bag. Elpie heaved a sigh.
“Dillie,” Elpie said. “Are you going somewhere?”
“My son is coming to pick me up in a little bit, and I just thought I would wait for him out here,” Dillie said.
“Why the travel bag? Are you going somewhere overnight?” Elpie said.
“I’ll be staying at his house for a few weeks,” Dillie said.
“Let me call the front desk to see if he made any arrangements to take you overnight,” Elpie said. She picked up the house phone and dialed the front desk.
“Hello, this is Elpie at assisted living. Is this Tina? Ashley Childers? You’re just starting today? Well, welcome aboard. Can you transfer me to Tina?… Thanks… Hi, Tina, this is Elpie. Dillie is sitting here with her suitcase in hand. Did anyone make arrangements to come get her for some reason?… All right. I’ll let her know. Thanks.” Elpie hung up the phone and turned to Dillie.
“Dillie, did your son call you to tell you he’s coming?” Elpie said.
“Yes, I just got off the phone with him,” Dillie said.
“You can wait in your room. I’ll send him over when he comes by.”
“I can wait here. I don’t want him to think I wasn’t ready,” Dillie said.
“Suit yourself,” Elpie said. Just then the phone rang. “Hello, The Sanctuary, this is Elpie.”
“Is that my son?” Dillie said. Elpie cupped her hand over the recei
ver.
“Dillie, I can’t hear.” She put the phone to her ear again. “Hello, Sanctuary… Oh, Hi, Annie…” She covered the mouthpiece again and turned to Dillie. “It’s Mr. Branson’s girlfriend. Look, hon, please just wait in your room, and I’ll put the call through if your son calls.” Dillie picked up her suitcase and sadly returned to her room. Elpie went back to her call. “No, Phil’s not here right now… I think he’s visiting a resident… No, the weather is fine. It might snow this afternoon… Well, if I see him I will remind him to give you a call… Yes, before she goes for coffee. Bye now.” Phil arrived from down the hall.
“Mr. Branson, Annie just called. She wants you to call her back,” Elpie said. Phil grabbed his cell phone and bean typing a message.
“I’ll just leave her a message,” he said. The text read “I’m swamped right now. I’ll call you in a bit.” He turned and noticed Dillie once again marching out of her room, wearing her overcoat on lugging a travel bag. Phil gave Elpie a look.
“Don’t ask,” Elpie said.
“Dillie, are you leaving today?” Phil asked.
“My son is coming to pick me up,” Dillie said.
“Are you sure?” Phil said.
“Yes, I knew you would ask, so I brought my calendar with me. He said he’s coming December 20. See?” She handed Phil her calendar with December 20 circled.
“But, sweetheart, today in January 9,” Phil said.
“No, it can’t be. See, I mark the days off to remind me what day it is. And the last day I crossed off was December 19. So today has to be December 20.” Elpie stepped in to settle the matter.
“I’m sorry, Dillie, but you must have forgotten to mark off the rest of December, because today is January 9,” Elpie said. Dillie became insistent.
“Not if these days aren’t marked off,” Dillie said.
“I’ll fix that for you, “Elpie said. She grabbed the calendar from Dillie and took a marking pen from the nursing station. Then she crossed out the rest of the month as she read the numbers out loud.
“December 20, 21, 22, 23 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31. See! December is all done. We’re in January now.” She handed the calendar back to Dillie, who registered confusion for a moment.
“It’s amazing how time flies,” Dillie said.
“Yes, it does,” Elpie said. “Maybe he meant next December 20.”
“Yes, maybe,” Dillie said mournfully as she returned to her room. Jessica rounded the corner and spotted Phil and Elpie at the nursing station.
“Where’s Charlie?” Phil asked Jessica.
“Oh, I left him with Stan Malinski just down the hall. I guess they needed to sign off one last time before he left.”
“I don’t think we’ve met yet,” Elpie said to Jessica. Phil stepped up.
“My fault – this is Jessica Strait, a new CNA,” Phil said.
“I just started yesterday over at the nursing wing. They asked me to help Charlie get packed.”
“Welcome aboard. I’m Elpie Shakley, the assisted living director.” Gayle Stoddard, one of the assisted living residents, walked out of her apartment in search of her reading glasses.
“Good morning, Mrs. Stoddard,” Elpie said.
“Please, I prefer ‘Gayle’. I’ve decided that ‘Mrs. Stoddard’ makes me sound extra old.”
“All right, Mrs. Stoddard. Then Gayle it is,” Elpie said.
“I’m embarrassed to say it, but I can’t seem to find my glasses. Did I happen to leave them out here?” Gayle said. Phil, Elpie, and Jessica all quickly scanned the nursing station.
“No, they’re not here,” Phil said.
“I don’t see them either,” Elpie added.
“Oh, it’s probably just as well I can’t see clearly. It’s such a shock whenever I look in the mirror now days. Honestly, sometimes I wonder who that wrinkled old lady is staring back at me.”
“Now, don’t say that, Mrs. Stoddard, I mean Gayle. You’re a beautiful woman,” Phil said. “Besides, who cares what the cover looks like when the book is so interesting?”
“That’s very kind of you, Mr. Branson,” Gayle said. Phil nodded toward Jessica.
“Jessica will help you look for your glasses,” Phil said.
“They’re probably back in your apartment,” Jessica said. “C’mon, let’s go look.”
“That would be wonderful,” Gayle said.
“My name is Jessica. I’m a new nursing aide over at the nursing wing.”
“Jessica – what a lovely name,” Gayle said. Jessica suddenly got a thought.
“Why don’t you go on ahead,” Jessica told Gayle. “Just give me a minute.” Gayle nodded and turned back to her apartment. After Gayle got out of earshot, Jessica asked for the low-down on Gayle.
“Why is Gayle here? She looks pretty with it,” Jessica said.
“She is, comparatively speaking,” Phil said. “She’s in her early seventies. But she has a very weak heart and can’t live alone at home because of fainting spells. She’s already been in and out of the hospital a couple of times since she’s been here.”
“That’s terrible,” Jessica said.
“Yeah. She gave us a real scare a couple of weeks ago - passed out right in the dining room,” Elpie said. “It was the worst attack so far, and we nearly lost her. That’s why we’ve got her room next to our station. It’s a ‘heart smart’ room with built-in monitors and a bed that can be wheeled out like a gurney if we have to get her to the ambulance.”
“Does she have any family?” Jessica said.
“Her husband passed several years ago and her sister hardly ever visits her ‘cause she lives in Bozeman,” Elpie said. She handed Jessica a prescription dose packet for Gayle.
“Go ahead and take Gayle’s medicine to her now, then help her find her glasses,” Elpie said.
“Sure,” Jessica said. She turned and slipped into Gayle’s apartment. Just then, Charlie, in his wheelchair, rounded the corner, with his son Steve pushing from behind. Charlie held his box of pictures in his lap.
“Well, Charlie Davis, what are you doing over here in the assisted living wing?” Phil said.
“Hello again, Mr. Branson. Hi, Elpie. I want you to meet my son, Steve. He’s come to take me home today,” Charlie said. Steve was about 48 years of age, dressed in khakis and a polo shirt for a golf game he hoped to get to later that morning.
“That’s right. Six weeks in a nursing home is long enough. Don’t you think?” Steve said.
“I don’t know. We like to think that our rehab wing gets them in and out pretty quick,” Elpie said.
“That’s right,” Phil said. “And we always send them home in better shape than when they came in.”
“I got no complaints,” Charlie said. “My leg is still tender, but your rehab folks did a fine job, and I can walk on it now. My son just wants to wheel me out to make a quick getaway,” Charlie said. “But I can walk. Here, let me show you,” he said as he stood up from the wheelchair and took two wobbly steps, then sat back down.
“Okay, Dad. That’s good enough,” Steve said. “We just had a serious talk about staying off the ladder and out of his roof gutters from now on unless he has a spotter.”
“You’re welcome to fill the role any time, son. If you promise to catch me, I could perform any number of aerial acrobatics,” Charlie said.
“See what I have to deal with?” Steve said to Phil and Elpie.
“And you know what I have to deal with?” Charlie said, pointing to his son. “He wants me to hire somebody to clean my gutters for me. Son, I’d be happy to delegate that job to you. Just come on by.” Steve did not appreciate being put on the spot.
“Dad—not now. All I’m saying is you should slow down a little.”
“Hey, when you’re seventy-five and the Grim Reaper’s nippin’ at your heels, you gotta’ do something to outpace him,” Charlie said.
“Pops, your feet are staying put on solid ground, if you don’t mind,” Steve said.
; “Now Charlie, you stick with your strengthening exercises and you’ll be good as new in no time,” Elpie said.
“Well, thanks for everything, and we’ll be on our way. If we hurry, I can make the links by 10:00,” Steve said.
“Be sure to say good-bye at the front office,” Phil said.
“Sure. Will do,” Steve said.
Chapter 20
Before they got more than a few feet, Dillie entered the hallway from her room.
“I thought I heard someone talking,” she said. She laid eyes on Steve and called out.
“Bobbie, you finally made it! I told them you were coming,” Dillie said. Steve stopped short, not sure who exactly she was referring to. Without another word, Dillie tearfully wrapped her arms around Steve and hugged him. Steve laughed nervously.
“Friendly here, aren’t they,” Steve said.
“Now, tell them all who you really are. Tell them you’re my son,” Dillie said for everyone to hear.
“I’m sorry. You must have me confused with someone else,” Steve said.
“I may be forgetful, but I’m not confused,” Dillie said.
“I’m sorry, but I’m not your son, ma’am. My name is Steve Davis.
“Why are you saying that? Don’t be silly,” Dillie said. “You’re my son, Ronny Mertz.”
“Dillie, this is Steve Davis and his father Charlie,” Phil said to clear up the confusion. Dillie studied Charlie for a moment.
“You’re his father? No, I don’t think so. My son’s father is fighting for our freedom in Vietnam.”
“Vietnam? That was 50 years ago,” Steve said.
“That’s – that’s not possible,” Dillie said with some uncertainty. Phil put his arm around Dillie to ease her away from Steve.
“Steve and his father are leaving now to go home,” Phil said. Dillie’s countenance suddenly warmed.
“You’re such a good boy,” Dillie said.
“Dillie, they have to leave now, so say goodbye,” Phil said.
“Goodbye, my sweet boy. Thank you for coming! Please come back when you can stay longer. I miss you so much.”
“C’mon, Dillie. Let’s get you back to your room,” Phil said. He turned to Elpie.
The Sanctuary II: Lost and Found Page 13