In Full Bloom: Sequel to 'The Crying Rose': The Trilogy of the Rose (Volume 2)

by Beers, B. A.

  Grandma Jo was too stunned to move as she absorbed the scene before her. Her eyes played Ping-Pong as they quickly jumped from Mark’s extremely tense back to the robotic motion of Sami brushing her dog’s back.

  “I have to get her out of here,” Mark quietly spoke.

  “What’s happening to her?”

  Mark’s shoulders suddenly sagged dramatically, and placing his forehead on the glass, he whispered one word. “Routine.”

  Turning her full attention to Mark, Grandma Jo placed the dishes that were still in her hands on the table and settled back deeper into the chair. Within a matter of seconds, the words began to flow from him.

  “Molly’s barking awakened…” Mark started, and then stopped. He turned and reached into his pocket, withdrawing his recorder. Glancing at Grandma Jo, as he moved, he commented. “Might as well kill two birds with one stone.” She nodded in agreement.

  Placing the recorder on the counter, he hit the record button. Walking back to the glass door, he started again. “Molly’s barking awakened the part of her that has kept her locked in this house for four years. The success that we achieved this morning has been pushed from her conscience. If we continue here in this house, everything that we start will only be temporary. This house holds all the answers, but it also keeps her a prisoner. Her mind has convinced her that she must serve out a life sentence within these sterile rooms.” Mark fell silent as his gaze followed Sami’s every move.

  Grandma Jo knew she needed to remain quiet. While waiting patiently for Mark to begin again, she decided to take the opportunity to clear the dishes from the table, and reflect on what she had been a witness to this morning after she awakened – the discovery of what had been hidden inside the package. A tear rolled down her cheek at the recall of the raw emotions that the enclosed letters had awakened in them all. Why had they been written, and where did they come from? Her curiosity was getting the better of her as she admonished herself for falling asleep, and missing the vital part of the night’s activities. With the dishes cleared, she refilled their coffee mugs. Sitting on the edge of the chair and hearing the whir of the recorder, she asked hesitantly, “Where did those letters come from? How did you get her to open up to you? Exactly what happened last night?”

  As she spoke, Mark turned his head in her direction. Hearing the anxiety in her voice, he understood that she needed to know. With one quick glance out the pane of glass toward Sami, he headed back to the chair he had vacated earlier. Passing his recorder, he reached for it and carried it with him. Sitting down, he placed the recorder on the table in front of him beside the filled coffee mug. With the mug, he looked at Grandma Jo and smiled his thanks as he took a sip of the hot coffee. As he drank, Mark wondered where to begin and how much to tell her about the sequence of events that lead up to the opening of the package. Placing the mug back on the table, he toyed with the recorder. Finally deciding that he needed to bring both Grandma Jo and the recorder up-to-date, he began, “I will proceed in order, from the point of my last recorded entry.” Mark glanced at his watch before continuing. “For the record: Today’s date in January 18, 2000. The time is 8:05 AM.”

  Mark looked at Grandma Jo, and he saw her smile. Good, he thought, I don’t need to explain myself. She knew that he was allowing her to eavesdrop while he updated his file.

  “After feeding her dog, I returned to the bedroom to find her bed empty.” Grandma Jo noted that he no longer looked at her or even the recorder, but rather through the glass again, watching Sami’s movements. Mark continued, “I discovered her in her office, sitting in front of the open cedar chest surrounded by a stack of journals. Her initial reaction to my presence was annoyance and anger which I sidestepped by refusing to acknowledge them, knowing they were only her protective defense mechanism. Searching for a way that would allow me to defuse her anger, I mentioned my conversation with Dr. Peterson, her former therapist. That turned the key, and I was granted permission to enter her world. She shared with me, through her journal entries, a portion of her life prior to the auto accident that took the life of her husband, her mother and her unborn child.”

  Mark stopped for a moment and stared directly into Grandma Jo’s eyes. “She then recounted the accident in detail. She and her dog were the only survivors. This is the source of her current condition since she believes that she should have died that night, also. The only reason she is not where she is ‘supposed to be’ is because of Molly. She feels deeply that Molly deserves a life and she was left on this earth to do just that. I am sure that is exactly what she has done, and would continue to do, until the end of Molly’s life.” Dropping his eyes to focus on the recorder, he voiced, “It would not be hard for me to believe that after Molly’s death, she would have taken her own life.”

  Mark was silent for a few minutes and then continued. “With the arrival of the package, I know it threw a monkey wrench into her plans; however, it has literally saved her life. It brought us into her world, providing me with the chance to treat her, and to bring her unstable condition to the forefront. Speaking of the package,” Mark’s eyes returned to Grandma Jo, “you asked what it was and where it came from.” Grandma Jo leaned forward and nodded. “The package was sent from a couple that Sami and her new husband met while on their honeymoon. This couple explained a honeymoon tradition that involved two steps. The first step was that the honeymoon couple would write letters to each other. The second part was that the new acquaintances would take candid photos of the honeymoon couple. The catch was these treasures--photos and the two letters--were to be held by the host couple to be sent to the honeymoon couple on their tenth anniversary. The newlyweds willingly became involved in a sort of tradition. Sami had no way to contact the couple to notify them of her husband’s death. Instead of the package being an exciting rediscovery of their love, it became a dreaded reminder of unfulfilled hopes and dreams.”

  Mark quickly glanced away from Grandma Jo, clicked off the recorded and closed his eyes. Tears formed behind his eyelids. He personally could relate to Sami on this account. If their roles were reversed, he believed that he would not have the strength to face the items reminding him of Pat. He would have taken the box somewhere, probably to Pat’s grave, and buried it unopened. A tear escaped from between his tightly closed eyelids and streaked down his cheek. It was followed by a few more before he reached up with his right hand and wiped them away. He rubbed his eyes a couple of times to hide the embarrassing show of emotions.

  Grandma Jo sat forward in her chair and reached out for Mark’s left hand still positioned on the table. She cradled his hand with hers. “Mark,” she said softly, “this has not only been an emotional roller coaster for Sami, but for you as well.”

  Mark removed his right hand from his very red-rimmed eyes and placing it over their entwined hands, he gazed at Grandma Jo.

  “You are descending rapidly from an extreme emotional high,” she observed. “You need to rest and detach yourself from her for awhile.”

  Mark didn’t speak, but Grandma Jo could read his face that showed he accepted her words. Her hands gingerly broke free of his grip, and she rose from the chair. “While I finish up here, why don’t you go to the bathroom and freshen up?”

  ***

  After Mark had left the kitchen, Grandma Jo reflected on what she had just been told. She made her way to the arcadia door, and silently watched Sami and Molly beyond the pane of glass. Hearing Mark return, she spoke quietly, “Mark, it appears that Sami is not in any danger at the present time.” She turned to him. “You, my boy, on the other hand, still look like something the cat drug in.”

  A small chuckle escaped him as she spoke. “I know, I know,” he replied to her smiling.

  Grandma Jo turned to watch Sami again. “I can tell by the blank expression on her face that you have not completed your work with her.”

  “Correct.”

  She nodded. “Will you be needing my help?”

  “Correct, again.” Mark sat down at th
e table, leaning on his elbows. “Grandma Jo, let me warn you. This is not an easy, cut and dried, case. It may take some time and effort to treat her,” he paused, wondering if this was the time to start his pitch to her because he was definitely going to need her help if he was going to succeed in Sami’s care. “There will be some really tough times, but I believe each positive step will be huge.”

  Grandma Jo faced him. Seeing the intense expression on his face, her heart softened for this ‘adopted’ son of hers. Her thoughts were reflected on her face, and Mark decided to throw in one last bone to entice her further.

  “I do have one secret strategy on my side,” he whispered, just loud enough for her to hear. Grandma Jo leaned forward, holding her breath so she could hear better what he was about to say. This position gave him the impression that she truly was a trusted conspirator into his diabolical plot. “I have the key! I have you on my side,” Mark roared, winking at her.

  Grandma Jo jerked back to a standing position, covering her mouth with her right hand to muffle the startled cry the roar had generated in her. “Mark, stop that!” she thundered back at him, shaking her head and frowning. “I told you once before not to treat an old woman that way. You’ll give me an attack.”

  The humorous expression quickly departed Mark’s face as he offered her his sincere apology. “Grandma Jo, I am truly sorry. Please forgive me. It appears that my extreme fatigue has gotten to me. I need your help in this case,” he humbly beseeched her, looking very vulnerable.

  One sight of him, and hearing the fatigue echoing in his request, made her irritation dissolve rapidly. “Mark,” she began, as she moved back to the chair, “as I told you last night, I am here for you both. Do you have an idea as to the length of time involved?”

  Mark shook his head. “No. Each case is different, and it really is up to Sami. Watching her now, I would bet serious money that it will take some time to achieve full recovery.”

  Grandma Jo gazed out the pane of glass and spotted Sami. Nodding her head in agreement, she knew that what Mark had stated was true. “Dear, poor, sweet, Sami…” she muttered under her breath. Turning back toward Mark, she gave him a look that told him she understood. “Mark, I have to phone Grace, the volunteer coordinator, to reassign my duties,” she said purposely, glancing at her watch.

  “I have calls to make, also. You go first and I’ll make mine after you are through,” Mark directed.

  “That sounds like a plan to me,” she replied, heading in the direction of the living room to the phone.

  Mark stretched, got to his feet, and walked to the arcadia door.

  Sami was sitting in the glider with Molly right beside her. Mark watched as her hand slowly, lovingly patted Molly’s side as she talked to the dog. Mark smiled to himself at the sight before him. He could tell that the bond between these two was strong. So strong, in fact, that it appeared that Molly knew what Sami was saying. He turned and walked toward the living room, thinking that the bond between them matched the bond he had with his beloved Springer Spaniel, Ollie.

  Grandma Jo was coming toward him with the cordless phone in her hand. Seeing him, she smiled. “Your turn,” she announced, handing him the phone. She then headed down the hall, entered the bathroom, and closed the door. Mark glanced at the closed door, wondering just what he had done in his life to deserve this wonderful woman. She was God sent and he was thankful for her friendship. Lifting the phone in his hand, he punched in the numbers of the clinic.

  ***

  THREE

  As the phone rang at Five Point Clinic, Jan quickly noted the caller ID. The display showed the call was from Sami Carter’s house. Swiftly grabbing the phone, she asked hesitantly, “Dr. Stevens?”

  “Yes, Mrs. Mills, it’s me.”

  “How is everything?” Jan asked nervously.

  “It’s a long story, but Sami has awakened from her trance.”

  “Thank heavens, I just knew you could bring her back,” Jan said happily.

  “She is not out of the woods yet,” he stated flatly.

  Jan read the meaning of his message and changed the direction of the call. “Dr. Stevens, Dr. Peterson called here moments ago. He wanted to know if you had checked in.” She rushed on, not giving Mark a chance to say anything. “He provided me with his number, directing me to give it to you. He wants you to contact him when you get a chance, since he did not know the status of your situation.”

  That’s Jon for you, Mark thought, as he searched for paper and pen. If their roles were reversed, he would have done the same. Although Jon trusted Mark’s ability, Jon was still curious to know what was happening. “What’s his number?” Mark asked, after securing the needed supplies.

  Jan provided the number, and repeated it to make sure that Mark had it correctly.

  “Okay, I got it. A couple of more things…” Mark began as he folded the paper with Jon’s number and put it in his pocket.

  “Yes?” Jan grabbed a piece of paper and pencil.

  “Call Glendale Wellness Center and inform them that I will be on site tonight around seven instead of this afternoon. Have them reschedule my sessions,” he directed.

  “Will do,” Jan commented as she wrote down his instructions.

  “Also, I will be in tomorrow morning. Reschedule anyone I missed yesterday and this morning, if possible.”

  “Okay,” she replied, wondering, but not asking, about Sami.

  Mark heard her hesitate, and knew what she was thinking, but refrained from entering that subject. His mind had already started forming his plans regarding Sami, and they involved Grandma Jo, not Jan.

  “Any problems there that I should know about?” Mark redirected both of their thoughts away from Sami.

  “Yes, and no,” Jan responded after a moment of silence.

  “Continue,” Mark urged.

  “I was able to redirect all your appointments to either later this week or to Dr. Myers, except for one,” she paused, wondering how she should tell him without causing him undue stress.

  Mark racked his brain trying to mentally search his appointment calendar for the day’s sessions. They both spoke the name at the same time, “Mr. Gonzales!”

  Jan sat back in her chair, not uttering the words that she had intended as an explanation.

  Checking his watch, Mark asked, “Where is he now?” His tone mirrored his rising concern.

  “He’s in the green room…” checking the clock, she added, “and has been for the past fifteen minutes.”

  “Is anyone with him?” Mark asked, already knowing the answer.

  “No. He refused to see Dr. Myers, but insisted on keeping the appointment. Should I have paged you?” Jan anxiously asked.

  “No, it is all right.” Mark tried to sound positive. He conjured up the image of Eric Gonzales. Eric, like the patient here, had a similar symptom, ‘routine.’ If the pattern was broken, without assistance, there could be dire consequences. Over the past several months, Mark could literally set his watch by Eric’s sessions. He could visualize Eric sitting straight as a board in the green room. His eyes would be darting around the room nervously, searching for something on which to focus his pent-up emotions. He hoped Eric would not digress with his absence at this session, but would utilize and practice the role-playing techniques which he had introduced a couple of sessions ago. A ‘light bulb’ went on in his head. Of course, he thought, maybe he needed this technique for Sami.

  “Mrs. Mills,” Mark wanted to relieve Jan’s anxiety. “Don’t fret about Mr. Gonzales. I know it is a little unusual, but he will be fine. I really don’t foresee any problem with him being alone. Keep an eye on him, if you wish, but know that when the hour has passed, he will leave the room. Schedule him for tomorrow morning.”

  “Okay, Dr. Stevens, anything else?”

  “Only one. I want to thank you for tending to Ollie last night. Any problems with him?” he asked, as he turned his thought to his dog.

  “No sir, he was a very good dog.”
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br />   “Great. I will see you in the morning then.” They both said goodbye, and Mark pressed the button to disconnect the line.

  ***

  Carrying the handset of the phone with him, Mark walked into the kitchen-family room area. He observed Grandma Jo washing the dishes and approached her. “We need to formulate some plans,” he addressed her back. Grandma Jo dried her hands, and turned in his direction. Mark pulled the folded paper from his pocket and explained, “Jan just gave me Dr. Peterson’s number in Europe.” She mouthed an ‘Oh’, but didn’t speak. Mark walked to the back door, and moved the curtains aside to check on Sami. She was still sitting in the glider with Molly lying directly at her feet. Dropping the curtains, Mark motioned for Grandma Jo to sit at the table.

  Settling into his chairs, he reached out and grabbed Grandma Jo’s hand. “Our first objective is housing. We need housing that can handle us all, including Molly.”