The boys retired to their room and the girls prepared for bed. Having decided to stay the night, Ellie read Lexie and Jessie a bedtime story.
Thrilled her friend was sticking around, Donna contemplated all she had to share about her trip into town. After she had cleaned up the kitchen, she joined Ellie in the living room. Donna tossed more wood on the fire and lit oil lamps to provide more light, since the overhead fixture had burned out.
“Did the girls ask about their mom when they returned home?”
“Yes, they did. I told them that she was still resting and maybe they could see her soon when she feels better. They appeared to be satisfied with that answer.”
“Good, it will buy me some more time before I have to tell them the truth.”
Ellie looked around. “You know, it’s so dim in here. The wood is dark. I wonder if you could paint it or something to lighten it.”
“I’ve thought the same thing. I will check into it tomorrow. Sarah is leaving the cabin to Christopher and Daniel. The boys will most likely live here someday, when they are more grown, or maybe they’ll sell it. At any rate, I have no idea how much longer Sara will live, or how long we’ll stay. It might be best to let the girls finish the school year. Updating the cabin would benefit us all, and certainly make me more comfortable.”
“It wouldn’t take too much work to get this place looking nice.”
“Exactly. So...I have some good news to share. I had a breakdown today and had to pull over in a parking lot.”
“You had a breakdown? Oh, Donna. Well, you have been through a lot. I can see how you might come undone with everything that’s before you.”
“You don’t understand. It was wonderful. There I was, crying my eyes out, and I looked up and saw a church that was located in an empty store. The pastor was there. I spilled my guts out. He prayed with me. I rededicated my life to God and experienced peace for the first time in a long time. When I left, I called Mark and told him how I felt and what is going on here. He actually wants to come here to help and meet the kids.”
“Does he know that Sara wants you to raise her two youngest?”
“Yes, and he wants the girls. He’s already talking about a bigger house. I feel truly blessed with him as my husband. I know that everything is meant to be.”
“That’s wonderful, Donna. I am delighted for you. You really deserve to be happy and more importantly, you rededicated your life to back to the Lord.”
They talked a little while longer before they retired to bed. Ellie slept on the couch while Donna again took her place in the girl’s room.
They all awoke to the rooster’s steady, but annoying alarm. Donna started breakfast while Ellie proceeded to dress and then helped the girls prepare for school. As they finished their breakfast—a veritable feast of pancakes, eggs, and bacon—the church bus arrived.
“I don’t have to go today,” Ellie told her. “I can stay here and help you with whatever you need.”
“You go. I will be fine. I plan to accomplish some things around here anyway.”
“You promise to call me if anything changes.”
“I promise. Now go and tell everyone I said hi.”
Ellie grabbed her coat and rushed off.
Donna delivered the boys to work and the girls to school. When she returned to the cabin, she studied the walls. She remembered watching a show one time about how a couple redid their cabin and lightened the wood.
She looked for the telephone book and called around to several construction businesses. After several tries, she came across a general contractor who had lightened a cabin before. He explained the process of corn blasting, which stripped the log wood of its color. The next step was to apply a sealant, and it was finished by applying a new stain color on the wood. They had two days to clean out the cabin. With everything placed in the front yard, the contractor came and in no time, the cabin looked fresher and brighter. On a roll, Donna then decided to call a plumber and have the bathroom totally redone. New bathtub, new sink and vanity, and most importantly, a new hot water heater. With that work completed, she looked around the cabin at the furniture.
“I'll need reinforcements for this.”
When Ellie arrived the next morning, they both worked on the furniture arrangement and then hit the flea markets and thrift stores for lamps and accessories. They stopped by a local store and brought a couch cover in a light tan to hide the old, torn green fabric.
Together, Ellie and Donna worked late into the evening. After it was completed, the boys remarked on how their mother would love to see the new look. The girls were dancing around, each bubbling on about what they liked best.
Donna looked at Ellie. “I can’t thank you enough for all that you’ve helped me with. I sure am going to miss you when you leave tomorrow.”
“Are you sure about staying here?” Ellie asked when they had a private moment. “I mean, you can put the kids in foster care.”
“I couldn’t even think of doing something like that. Anyway, we’ll be fine.”
“I didn’t think you could. I just wish I could stay longer, but Thanksgiving is tomorrow.”
“You really don’t have to explain. I understand completely.” Donna walked Ellie out to the car she had borrowed from her host family. They hugged and said goodbye. Admittedly, Donna felt a little alone, given all the church missionaries were leaving in the morning and she would be staying.
Donna informed the gang that early the following day they would drive to the hospital to visit Sara, so everyone needed a good night’s sleep. As Daniel headed to bed, he turned to Donna.
“Is there any way we could take pictures of the cabin for Mom to see?”
“That’s a brilliant idea. I’m sure it would cheer her up. We’ll go buy a camera in the morning and come back and take the pictures. She’ll love it.”
* * *
A cold brisk wind swept through the Kentucky air the following Thanksgiving morning. The prospect of having to abandon the warm blankets incited numerous excuses to keep from the facing the day to pop into Donna’s mind. Only the rustling of two little girls charging forth from their beds and into the living room seemed to jumpstart her. In no time, everyone was fed and dressed, the dishes washed, and beds made. They headed to the car with Daniel reminding her of the camera. Twenty minutes later, they returned to the cabin prepared to take pictures.
As they headed down the long driveway, Donna noticed a familiar vehicle. She parked the car and vaulted from her seat.
Daniel and Christopher hopped out as well.
“Who could it be?” Christopher questioned.
A smile big enough to warm the coldest of winters came over Donna’s face. She knew exactly who was here and was thrilled. She ran toward the front door, meeting Mark midway, and flung herself into his arms. They gently kissed, as if it were their first.
“What are you doing here?”
“It’s Thanksgiving, isn’t it? I couldn’t wait any longer. I called Ellie on her cell phone and wrangled the address out of her, so I could surprise you.”
“Kids, this is my husband, Mark Dubois. This is Christopher and Daniel, Jessie, and finally Lexie.”
“Nice to meet you all.”
Christopher replied, “Well, if you will excuse me, I’m going in to take pictures of the house for Momma.”
“I—I mean, we—had some work done on the cabin. Just a little.” She held up her hand, using her fingers to display only a small amount to Mark.
Mark drastically extended the distance. “More like this amount, I believe, by looking at our bank account yesterday.”
“Are you mad?”
“No, how could I be mad? You were working to better someone else’s life. We’ve been blessed. We should help this family.”
“Have I mentioned that I love you?” Donna tightly hugged Mark again.
Lexie and Jessie bolted from the house. “Miss Donna, Christopher finished taking the pictures. Can we go see Momma now?”
“Sure. We’ll stop and have the pictures developed and then leave for the hospital.”
The girls jumped and clapped with excitement.
Donna turned to face Mark. “We are headed to the hospital to visit Sara. I’d love for you to come, and I’m certain Sara would like to meet you.”
“I’d appreciate meeting Sara, if the kids don’t think I would be intruding.”
Jessie walked over to Mark and claimed his hand. “You can sit by me on the way.”
“I would love to,” Mark replied, and they all headed for the car.
CHAPTER EIGHT
As they pulled into a parking space at the hospital garage, the kids seemed quiet and deeply focused, most likely on what they wanted to say to their mother. The whole gang eagerly made their way out of the car and through the lobby of the hospital.
With the help of a nurse, Sara sat in her bed as everyone piled into her room, all attempting to be the first one to let her know about the cabin. Out of the corner of her gaze, Sara eyed the new face who entered her room. Donna clasped his hand and led him over to Sara’s bed.
“Sara, this is my husband, Mark.”
“It’s nice to finally meet you, Mrs. Cagle.”
“Sara, please,” she gasped in a breathless voice that emphasized her exhaustion. With a sympathetic smile, Mark glanced at Sara and then at the machines and tubes.
“We’ll let you have some time alone with your children.” Escorting Donna, Mark led her to the hallway.
Wiping away a tear, Donna turned to Mark. “She seems worse. Weaker even.”
“What did the doctor tell you?”
“Just what I explained before. It’s not good. She seems to get frailer each day.”
Taking Donna’s hand, Mark guided her to the waiting area. “I wish there was something we could do.”
“Actually, I’ve wondered about bringing her home. I know if it were me, I would want to spend my last days surrounded by my family, especially my children.”
“Do you think the doctor would allow that? I mean, she is hooked up to a bunch of equipment.”
“I’m certain we’d have to have nurses, but I feel like it’s the right thing to do. If it’s what Sara wants.”
Mark stood. “I’ll go to the information desk and ask when they expect the doctor.”
Thoughtful, Donna sat back in the chair, noticing all the families waiting to see their loved ones. For the first time, she thought about how much emotional turmoil doctors and nurses face each day. The grief was not something she would be able to manage. They were indeed God’s servants.
Mark returned and took the seat on her right. “Well, they think the doctor will be around in the next hour or so. Do you want to grab some lunch? Maybe see if the kids want something?”
“That’s fine.” Rising swiftly, Donna followed Mark to Sara’s room. Gently Mark tapped on the door, which Christopher opened. Hand in hand, Mark and Donna walked into the room to find Sara had fallen back asleep. Death seemed to hang in the air, hovering over her bed.
Was Sara truly so close to death, or was this just the first time Donna had slowed down enough to notice? At any rate, they definitely needed to get her home. Mark walked slowly toward her bed as if any noise might disturb her.
“We’re going to the cafeteria to eat. Would you kids like to come with us?”
Daniel glanced toward Christopher, waiting for his response. Christopher nodded, so the bunch followed Mark and Donna to the elevator and then to the third floor cafeteria. As they went through the line, Donna couldn’t help but notice how the boys already seemed to interact easily with Mark. Perhaps... Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the boys could live with them instead of their uncle? They could do so much for them and she’d hate to see them working in the coal mine the rest of their lives.
“I won’t stand for that. I just won’t!” Donna mumbled as she slammed down her plate, only to be stunned when she realized she had made the remark out loud instead of silently in her head.
Luckily, Mark and the kids were already heading for a table. She followed them, thinking of the right time to bring the topic up to Mark and also to their mother. She definitely needed to talk with Sara very soon, today if possible.
Donna sat down at the table and they all joined hands, thanking the Lord for their food. The children gobbled down their hamburgers, while she and Mark had settled for salads. When they all finished, Christopher offered to dispose of the leftovers.
“I’ll help you,” Daniel said as he and Christopher gathered everything together to throw away.
“They’re good boys,” Mark remarked as they headed to the garbage can.
Donna smiled. Maybe Mark would be more open to raising them than she first thought. But she knew she would need Sara’s approval first.
The kids left to return to their mother’s room. As Donna sat there with Mark, she engaged him in a conversation about the two teenagers.
“Mark, I’m just going to say it. The boys need to be with us, not living away from their sisters. I’m sure their uncle means well, but coal mines are no place for boys their age. They belong in school.”
Mark folded his arms and grinned. “I suspected they were going to live with us.”
“Have I ever told you that I love you?” Donna kissed Mark on the cheek.
“Let’s go right now and talk with Sara.” Mark stood, extending his hand for Donna as she rose. Walking arm in arm, they arrived shortly in Donna’s room.
Lifting Sara’s fingers, Donna gently massaged her forearm. “Sara, I’d like to talk with you for a moment.” Sara focused her eyes toward Donna.
“Come on, kids,” Mark interjected. “Why don’t we step out of the room and let Donna speak with your mother?”
“Sara, I know that you said that Christopher and Daniel could live with their uncle, but Mark and I would like them to come and live with us.” Sara nodded her head yes, unable to speak.
“Good then. Sara, I promise you that Mark and I will make the best life we possibly can for all of the children.” A tear rolled down Sara’s face.
A short while later, the change had been made official on paper. When her time came, it was Sara’s wish that Mark and Donna would care for all four of her children.
CHAPTER NINE
Monday morning arrived. Not entirely used to being parents, Donna and Mark were in a rush to get the little girls off to school. Daniel and Christopher followed Jessie and Lexie into the car, with Mark and Donna closely behind. It had become a daily routine now, dropping the girls at school and then driving the older boys to the hospital to spend time with their mother. Donna couldn’t help but notice how happy Mark seemed. He was definitely born to be a father. Not just any old father, but a father that could guide boys into manhood and teach girls how their husbands should treat them.
Only after promising to take the girls to see their mother soon did they start on their way to the hospital. As they pulled into the parking lot, Donna witnessed the apprehension on the boys’ face. As they had shared the night before, they both harbored a fear of showing up at the hospital only to discover their mother passed away.
Christopher and Daniel entered the hospital, followed by Mark and Donna, who decided to hold off going into Sara’s room to allow the boys to enjoy some time with their mother alone. Holding hands, Mark and Donna sat in the lobby of the hospital.
“Do the kids know she wants us to raise them?”
“No, not yet. I think it’s better to wait and see how Sara does. I don’t want them to give up hope. God still heals.”
Leaving his mother’s room, Christopher walked out into the lobby. “Miss Donna, Momma wants to see you.”
The couple followed Christopher into the hospital room. Frail and exhausted, Sara raised her hand, as if to trying to motion them to her bedside. With pleading eyes, she looked at Donna and mouthed in an almost silent whisper, “I want to go home.”
Unable to discern, Donna leaned in closer, almost laying her head
on Sara’s bed. “I’m sorry. I did not hear you.”
“Home. I want to go home,” Sara whispered again.
Donna turned to Mark. “She wants to go home.”
Mark replied, “Are you sure that’s what you want, Sara?”
“Mark, could you take the boys and wait in the lobby for me?”
Mark motioned for the boys to follow him. Christopher and Daniel were not happy about leaving, but did as they were told.
Donna pulled a chair close to Sara’s bed and leaned in closely. “Sara, I know we have talked in the past about you coming home. But, to be honest Sara, you need medical care that you can only receive here at the hospital. They can keep you more comfortable.”
Sara said only one word. “Home.”
“Okay, I’ll talk to the doctor.” Leaving the room, Donna went directly to the nurse’s station. “Would you page Dr. Anderson for me? I need to speak with him concerning Sara Cagle.”
Dr. Anderson replied in a few minutes, but it seemed like an eternity to Donna, who honestly did not know how Dr. Anderson would respond to Sara’s request.
“Did someone page me?”
“I had you paged, Dr. Anderson. I don’t know whether you remember me. I’m Donna Dubois.”
“Mrs. Dubois, yes, I remember you. You’re Mrs. Cagle’s friend.”
“That’s right. I wanted to talk with you about Sara’s condition.”
“It’s not very good, I’m afraid.”
“I know, Dr. Anderson. Sara has asked to go home.”
“Oh, that would be out of the question. She needs constant medical attention just to deal with her pain.”
“What if we hire a nurse to stay full time at the house? Dr. Anderson, I know it’s not the norm for a patient in Sara’s condition, but she wants to spend her last days at home with her kids. Of course, she would sign papers to release you of any negligence.”
Dr. Anderson looked sympathetically at Donna. “Okay. As long as you realize this choice will not keep her alive longer, I can appreciate these are her last wishes.”
Donna almost hugged Dr. Anderson before she caught herself. “Thank you so much, Dr. Anderson. I know this will help Sara more than anything.”
The Christmas Answer (Christmas Holiday Extravaganza) Page 5