by Joy Redmond
“My what?” Tommy said, and he seemed to choke on his own spittle.
Wes patted his back. “You heard her right. You saved Morgan’s life. I think it’s fitting that you should be her godfather. But you know what that means–”
“I know what it means. I’m her daddy if something should happen to you – God forbid,” Tommy said, and he glowed as if he had been plugged into a socket.
Tori looked at Wes. “I don’t understand why Jill isn’t bursting through the door. Is she all right? Tell me the truth. Is Jill–”
Wes placed his index finger on Tori’s lips. “Jill is fine. I heard that she slipped off to come see you once, but she won’t do it again because her parents are watching her like a hawk. And we need to go on and let you get some rest.” He bent and lightly kissed Tori’s lips. “I love you.”
I love you, too,” Tori said as her eyes filled with tears of joy and sorrow.
As Tommy turned and headed for the door, Tori yelled, “Hey, you better give me a kiss, too, my handsome hero!”
Tommy eased his way to Tori, bent, and tenderly kissed her cheek. Tommy beamed as Tori thought, ferret-face-nerdy-turdy-Tommy Hill finally got a kiss from snotty-hoity-toity-Tori Hicks!
Tommy turned to Wes. “You take care of them both, old buddy – and maybe let me baby-sit sometime.”
“That, my friend, is a deal,” Wes replied. “You’re the reason I still have them both.”
“Anyone would have done the same thing,” Tommy said.
“Well, I’m not thanking just anyone. I’m thanking you.” Wes looked Tommy in the eyes. “To us, you’ll always be a hero – to me and to little Morgan.”
Tommy’s face reddened again. “Thanks, you guys.”
A moment later, Wes and Tommy were gone and the room was quiet. It was the second time Tori had been alone since all the excitement started hours ago, and it was an eerie feeling – and not one she particularly liked. There seemed to be a cloud of emotion hovering above her – a gathering storm that she knew might overwhelm her in her weakened mental and physical condition.
Just as the terror of that storm began to rise, Tori heard a voice from the doorway, softly whispering, “Tori, are you awake?”
Tori looked over and saw Jill, sitting in her wheelchair, smiling that beautiful smile she’d seen thousands of times over the years – but it never looked more beautiful than at that moment.
Tori held out her arms as Jill wheeled over to the bedside. They hugged each other as best they could – but in spite of everything it was one of the most special hugs Tori had ever experienced.
“Well, it looks like we can all get on with life now,” Jill said with a sigh.
“Yeah, and life is going to be beautiful from now on,” Tori said, and she meant every word.
Chapter Twenty-One
Tom
It had been six weeks and Tori finally had the strength, both mentally and physically, to return to the Morgan farm. Grammy was the most important person in her life and she couldn’t imagine life without Grammy – but she was gone.
The harsh winter was over, spring was in the air, and Tori noticed the jonquils were in full bloom as she turned into the long driveway. She saw the two-story white southern-style house with large white columns on the front porch. Tears stung her eyes, but a warm feeling spread through her body as she sadly looked at the home that held so many precious memories.
Tori parked the car, stepped outside, admired the beauty of the old farm, and she could feel Grammy’s presence. She looked to her left and saw Poppy entering the barn, his head hung low, his steps slow. Her heart ached for him. He was a broken lost man without his precious Anna. She didn’t call out to him, but decided she’d wait for him to come into the house when he’d finished his chores.
Actually, Tori was glad that she’d have some time alone before he came back to the house. She took a deep breath and headed for the front steps. On the porch, she stood for a few minutes looking at the swing where Grammy and she had spent many hours. Some of Tori’s most precious memories were of sitting beside Grammy on silky summer nights, listening as she explained whatever life situation had Tori confused at the moment.
Tori stepped through the front door, stood in the living room, closed her eyes, and she could have sworn the smell of Grammy’s baked goods still wafted in the air. She had a sudden urge to run into the kitchen and stick her finger into a fresh-baked pie, lick it, then feel a gentle slap on her hand and hear Grammy tell her to stop acting like a heathen.
Instead, she walked to the staircase, climbed the steps, and entered Grammy and Poppy’s bedroom, where she gazed at the bed that her grandparents had shared for almost sixty years. Grammy always kept little mesh bags of lavender in her dresser drawers, and with tears running down her cheeks, Tori let the comforting aroma of lavender fill her nostrils.
She sat on the edge of the bed, ran her hand over the homemade quilt, and gently patted Grammy’s pillow. Then she walked over to the window, pushed back the curtains, and admired the beautiful Sweet William blooms that covered the pasture. She could even see the Thompkins’ cows grazing.
Tori found herself wishing that she could see the Paradise that Grammy was living in now. Tori knew that it wasn’t possible to comprehend that kind of Paradise until she had reached Grammy’s side. Tori truly believed that someday she would be by Grammy’s side, and they’d sit under a palm tree together and shake a few coconuts down.
Tori noticed the bedside table drawer was partly open. She pulled it out and saw what looked like loose pages from a ledger. Then she recognized Grammy’s handwriting. Tori picked up the pages and thumbed through them. They were notes about her.
Tori took a deep breath as she realized she had found a precious treasure. She arranged the notes according to the dates, and then she stacked two pillows against the headboard, leaned against them, resting on Grammy’s side of the bed and began to read.
Tori’s tears poured like rain as she read. She had put her precious Grammy through so much heart pain. Tori read the last one, and then neatly restacked them. In the ensuing quiet, she could almost hear Grammy’s voice say, “It’s about time. What took you so long?”
Poppy call from the bottom of the stairs, “Tori, are you up there?”
“I’m up here, Poppy,” Tori replied, “trying to pull myself together.
Poppy walked into the bedroom. “I thought I might find you in here. It’s easy to feel close to Grammy in this room, but to tell you the truth it’s too much for me at times. In fact, I haven’t slept in the bed since–” He dropped his head.
“I understand, Poppy.” Tori stood and put her arms around him. Then she pointed to the pieces of paper. “I found all these notes in the top drawer of the nightstand. I’ve been reading them. I hope that’s okay.”
Poppy smiled. “Of course it’s okay. After all, they’re about you. I think Grammy put them where she knew you’d find them – and there’s a special one you haven’t read.”
“I’ve read them all,” Tori said.
“Not yet.” Poppy walked over to the chest. He opened the top drawer and pulled out a piece of paper. “I wrote the last one.”
“You did?” Tori said, as he handed it to her.
Before Tori could begin reading, Poppy turned. “I’m going back downstairs. Read it, and then come down and we’ll have a cup of coffee, okay?”
“Okay, Poppy. I’ll be down in a few minutes,” Tori said as Poppy left the room.
The last paper was indeed in Poppy’s handwriting. His penmanship wasn’t as neat as Grammy’s, but Tori began to read.
February 12th, 1979
Tonight, Anna and I were sitting on the sofa, gazing into the fireplace that she loved so much. She sighed, and said, “I can remember the day when I became Mrs. Tom Morgan – young, beautiful, and full of life and hope.” She paused, and then continued, “And I remember my reflection in the mirror this morning. I was astounded at how my beauty has been washed away by the aci
d winds of time.”
“You’ll always be beautiful to me,” I told her.
She smiled and patted my cheek as she turned her head toward the large picture window and said, “Look, Tom. A white dove is perched on the sill. Isn’t it beautiful? Look at the way it’s bobbing its head. It’s like it’s trying to tell us something.”
“The moon is so bright it probably thinks it’s still daylight and its wondering why this day has been so long,” I said with a chuckle.
Anna put her head on my shoulder and said softly, “Ah, Tom. Tori’s baby has entered the world!”
Then she sighed deeply, and when I looked at her sweet face, she was wearing one of the most angelic smiles I’d ever seen. Only then did I realize that she was no longer breathing. Anna West-Morgan had gone home to Glory.
The white dove flapped its wings and flew away.
Thomas Eugene Morgan
“Are you ready for a cup of coffee?” Poppy called out.
“I’m coming, Poppy,” Tori said. She dried her eyes, checked herself in the mirror, picked up Grammy’s pillow that still held her sweet smell, and then went downstairs to join Poppy in the kitchen.
Poppy was sitting in his usual chair at the kitchen table.
Tori pulled out Grammy’s chair, placed Grammy’s pillow in her lap, and sat beside Poppy.
They sat in silence for a few seconds, drinking coffee, and then Tori reached out and patted Poppy’s hand. “I read your note. It was beautiful. It means a lot to me – it’ll mean the world to Momma, too.”
“I felt it was only right that I put her last words down on paper.” Poppy took another long, thoughtful drink, and then added, “Tori, I know you’ve been through so much in the past six weeks, and I know you have to be concerned about life and what might be coming next.” His eyes became misty but he continued. “I’m going to tell you something that I think Grammy would say if she were here. Don’t worry about what the future might bring. We only get one day at a time, so take that day and do your best to make it the best day you can. If you do that, tomorrow will take care of itself.” He paused again, and then smiled as if he’d just been given the right words to finish his thought. “Because you never know when there won’t be a tomorrow.”
Tori squeezed Poppy’s strong callused hand and nodded. “That’s exactly what Grammy would have said, and you’re right. I won’t waste my days worrying about what tomorrow will bring. I’ve got a lot on my plate now that I’m a mother, and it’s easy to dwell on how I’ll manage to handle all that is lying in wait for me. Being a mother is a harder job than I realized. And it sure makes me appreciate my momma more than ever.”
Poppy smiled, nodded, and took another drink, and then his expression turned serious. “Tori, I’ve been giving this a lot of thought, too, and I have something I want to run past you and Wes.” He took a deep breath and sighed. “This is a big house – too big for just me, so I was wondering if you and Wes would like to move in with me. You need a home of your own and this house is plenty big for all of us.”
Tori’s eyes brightened and her heartbeat quickened, but before she could say anything, Poppy added, “You and Wes could have mine and Grammy’s bedroom and the small room across the hall would make a great nursery. The small bedroom at the end of the hall that was my room when I was a boy would make a great playroom. The bathroom up there is plenty big enough, too.”
Tori could have sworn she heard Grammy whisper, “Say yes, now!”
Poppy continued, “I can use your bedroom downstairs.” He swallowed hard. “That’s where I’ve been sleeping nowadays.”
Oh, Poppy!” Tori threw her arms around Poppy’s neck. “You know I’d love to live here, and there’s no place on earth where I’d rather raise my daughter – and I know Wes will feel the same way. So, yes! We’ll move in with you.”
“Well, good. We’ll get the whole thing started.” Poppy patted Tori’s back.
Tori hugged him as if she never wanted to let go, which was exactly the way she felt at that moment. When she finally did let go, Poppy looked at her again, his expression kind, yet serious. “Tori, there’s one more thing.”
“What’s that, Poppy?”
“If you think it’s a good idea I want to buy a colt from Benny Thompkins. Henry is too old and tired for little children to ride anymore. I’d like it for little Anna, she’s little Anna to me, you know. Anyway, I want her to have a horse to ride when she’s older. What do you think?”
Tori felt lightheaded. “Whew! You’re hitting me with too much good news. I think I might swoon.” She laughed. “Buy that colt as soon as you can!”
“Then I better go make old Benny an offer.” Poppy laughed. “Of course he won’t take my first offer. He’ll have to dicker a bit just for the heck of it – but I’ll get it for a good price. Oh, by the way, it’s a female. I thought a mare would be fitting for a special little girl.”
“Then I guess I better get on home and let Wes in on the good news. I have no doubt that he’ll be as happy as I am. And Jill! She’ll probably want to move in with us,” Tori said as she resisted the urge to do her pee dance.
“Jill is welcome,” Poppy said. “But she’s got a life with Billy. It wouldn’t surprise me if we don’t have a wedding to attend before long.”
“Yes, I think you’re right. She would have come with me today, but Billy won’t let her out of his sight since–” Tori tucked her head, and then said, “He clings tightly.” Tori kissed Poppy’s cheek. “Okay, I’ll get going and I’ll call you later tonight.”
Poppy kissed Tori. “Oh, I forgot. I’m planning to put all the notes into a scrapbook, and I was wondering if you’d like to write the last one.”
“Oh, Poppy, I’d be honored,” Tori said, tears suddenly filling her eyes.
“Good,” Poppy said. He picked up a piece of paper and a pen from the counter. “You’ll probably want to think about it for a second, so while you’re doing that, I’ll go feed Henry.”
Tori watched Poppy leave, and then began to think about how to summarize all the thoughts running through her mind. As she sat thinking about her days with Grammy, she began sobbing harder than she’d ever cried in her life. “If only Grammy could have had just a little more time. I only had twenty-two years with her,” Tori whispered.
She dried her tears and took comfort in knowing that Grammy had passed on with no regrets or fear of the unknown. It seemed as though Grammy had always known what was waiting on the Other Side. It was just one of her many gifts. Tori lifted Grammy’s pillow, inhaled deeply, and savored the familiar smell of her hair.
Finally, she set the pen to the paper and began to write.
February 12th, 1979
On this day, a beautiful soul entered the world, and an equally beautiful old soul left it. Just as the new soul was seeing the light of her first day, the old soul was winging its way to a place of peace and glory. A place of everlasting understanding.
As the new soul began to discover the world around her, the old soul was finally being given the answer to a question that had eluded her for a lifetime: the mystery of the man in black, the pool of blood, the gun, the knife, and the coffin.
The coffin was for Anna West-Morgan.
Tori Hicks-Asner
****
Tom Morgan had laid his beloved Anna to rest in the Morgan graveyard, right next to their son.
He took flowers to her grave every day and as he ran his calloused hand over her tombstone, he said, “Rest in peace, my sweet Anna.”
One day, he wiped away his tears, rested his hand on the marker, and spoke different words. “This stone isn’t a symbol of death. It’s a symbol of life, love, victory, truth, and understanding. Thank you, Anna, for the best fifty-seven years a man could ever hope for. I love you, your family loves you, and we’ll never forget you. I promise.”
Six months later, Thomas Eugene Morgan joined Anna in a place that knows no parting – and as his family stood around his bedside just before the end, he o
pened his eyes, looked straight ahead, and said with a smile, “Anna, I’ll be along directly.”
The End
About the author
After retiring from her career as a phlebotomist, Joy decided to pursue her passion for writing. She lives in Kentucky. She’s the mother of three and the grandmother of six.
The Dreamer, her first novel, was published in 2011. Anna’s Visions is her second novel.
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