Through the Tears (Sandy Cove Series Book 2)

by Rosemary Hines

  “I couldn’t resist. He was so lonely for you guys,” she explained almost apologetically.

  “You’re too much, Monica. What do I owe you for these items?” he asked, shaking his head and smiling.

  “Nothing. They’re my little gifts to Maxwell,” she said, leaning over and stroking the cat. Max returned her gaze and continued to purr loudly.

  Steve laughed. “You had quite a vacation, didn’t you bud?” The cat just looked at him innocently, then stretched and scampered away. Time to inspect his castle and make sure everything was still in place.

  “Want to sit down?” he gestured to the couch.

  “Okay, but I can only stay for a minute. So tell me more about Michelle’s dad,” she asked.

  “Well, he is coming out of the coma and seems to be recognizing people. He’s responding a little, but it’s still pretty early to tell how much recovery we can expect.” He paused and then added, “Michelle seems really encouraged. That’s what matters to me right now.”

  Monica nodded. “I can’t imagine what she must be going through. How did her dad get so messed up to do something like this?”

  “He’s involved in a legal problem. It’s too complicated to explain right now, but I guess he couldn’t see any other way out.”

  “Wow.”

  “Yeah. Wow.” Steve stared off into space, picturing John with all those monitors and IVs hooked up to him. He shook his head as if to shake the image out of his mind.

  Monica stood. “I’d better get going.”

  Following her to the door, he said, “Thanks again for taking care of Max.”

  “Anytime. I’ll miss the little fellow,” she replied, smiling. “Tell Michelle she’s in my thoughts. We all miss her at class.”

  He nodded as he reached for the doorknob and ushered her out. The cold night air woke him up a little and stirred his appetite. Coming back inside, he headed for the kitchen, remembering the can of chili he had opened. Max followed him and perched on a stool in the corner. He licked his paw and rubbed it over his face as Steve poured the chili into a bowl and placed it in the microwave.

  His cell phone rang as the chili was beginning to bubble. Michelle’s face appeared on the screen and he quickly flipped it open. “Hi, babe.”

  “Hi,” came Michelle’s sweet voice.

  He smiled and leaned back against the counter, closing his eyes to picture her face in his mind. “How’s everything?”

  “Okay, I guess. But I miss you already.”

  “Me too.” Max rubbed up against Steve’s leg as if to comfort him. He reached down and picked him up. Just as he was about to say something to Michelle, a loud bang sounded from the microwave, startling Max, who leapt from Steve’s arms, scratching him in the process.

  “Oh great,” Steve muttered, rubbing his arm.

  “What’s up?” Michelle asked.

  “My chili just exploded, and the stupid cat scratched me.”

  “Max is home?” she sounded surprised.

  “Yeah. Monica dropped him off a few minutes ago.”

  “How does he seem?”

  “He’s fine. Spoiled actually. Monica bought him a bed and some toys.”

  “Sounds like something she would do,” she said, her voice lifting somewhat.

  Steve pulled open the microwave oven and groaned. “What a mess,” he muttered under his breath.

  “What’s a mess?”

  “The microwave. There’s chili everywhere.”

  “Oh, no. Did you forget to cover it?”

  “Cover what?”

  “The chili.”

  “Oh. Yeah, I guess I did.”

  “Do you want me to call back later?” she asked.

  “I don’t know what I want, Michelle. I just want you here with me.” He heard his voice crack. Brother, this is all she needs now. A whining husband.

  Michelle was silent. “Listen, honey. I’m really sorry. I know you can’t help it.”

  “No need to apologize. I miss you too,” her voice was lower and trembling a little. “Do you think I should come home?”

  “I think you’ll know when it’s okay to do that. God will show you.”

  “I’m not very good at all this, Steve. You know I’m just starting to figure out the whole God thing.”

  “I know. Just be patient. He’ll show you.”

  “You sound like Kristin.” Her voice brightened a little, and Steve knew she was thinking about her lifelong friend.

  “I’ll consider that a compliment,” he replied.

  “Good. You should. Well, I guess you’d better go clean up that mess in the microwave.”

  “What. You don’t want me to leave it for you?”

  “Funny, Steve.”

  “Okay. Just thought I’d ask.”

  “Yeah, right. Well, I’d better get off the phone. Mom will be back soon, and I told her I’d go over to the café with her for dinner.”

  They wrapped up their conversation and Steve set his phone down on the counter, heading over to survey the damages in the microwave. Most of the chili was still in the bowl, but it was hard to tell by looking at the walls and ceiling of the oven. Picking up a washcloth from the sink, he mopped it out and sat down to eat. Max was never allowed at the table, but Steve didn’t say a word when he jumped up and sat in Michelle’s chair.

  A few minutes later, Steve rinsed out his bowl, and slinging Max over his shoulder, he headed up to bed. Completely exhausted, he could barely force himself to undress and brush his teeth before collapsing. Max curled up at his feet and slept undisturbed throughout the night, Steve never once moving from his original place and position.

  CHAPTER THREE

  A week had passed since John opened his eyes. Though progress was labored and the doctors were guarded in their prognosis, he continued to show gradual improvement. Now he could nod his head for “yes” and move it slowly from side to side for “no”. His face still remained mostly expressionless, despite the myriad of emotions engulfing him.

  A constant vigil was held at his bedside with Sheila, Michelle, Tim, Phil, and Joan taking rotating shifts. Their only diversion was the detours the women sometimes took to swing by the nursery and view the newborn babies. Michelle seemed particularly interested in stopping by on a regular basis to gaze into the window, watching the nurses care for their tiny charges. She also found herself frequenting the gift shop, admiring the adorable baby gifts and the gift cards that showed newborn infants cradled in flowers, loving hands, or pumpkins.

  Up in Sandy Cove, Steve worked tirelessly to catch up on the caseload that was overwhelming Roger. In addition to the work he found at the office, he promised Michelle he would look for a way to resolve her father’s embezzlement charges. As soon as he got settled back at home, Steve contacted a network of corporate lawyers, all friends of his uncle, faxing them copies of John’s case and getting their input. While most agreed the circumstantial evidence weighed heavily against John, several had viable suggestions that could uncover the truth.

  One attorney in particular, Clark Christianson, was confident the case could be won. He had a prior client with similar charges, and he had effectively routed out the actual perpetrator, winning a resounding victory. Although he was a high profile attorney in great demand, he agreed to give the matter some time and attention over the coming weeks.

  These types of cases fascinated Clark, and after hearing this, Steve thanked him profusely, breathing a silent prayer of gratitude to God for opening that door. He was eager to call Michelle that evening and tell her about their conversation.

  Tim was getting restless. All the waiting made him edgy, and he needed a break.

  He was sitting with Sheila and Michelle one afternoon, eating a late lunch. “Mom,” he began tentatively, “I’m thinking about going home for a few days. I could check on everything at your house and bring the mail back up here.”

  Sheila smiled at him. “Okay, honey. I know it’s hard for you to sit around like this.”

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nbsp; “I’ll stay here, Tim,” Michelle added reassuringly. “We’ll call you every night and let you know the latest news about Dad.”

  Relief washed over him. He could almost smell the ocean air as he thought about home. Looking in on his parents’ place and collecting the mail gave a sense of purpose to his temporary escape.

  They were just finishing up when Phil and Joan arrived.

  “Are you guys just now getting lunch?” Joan asked, looking concerned.

  “It’s easy to lose track of time in there,” Sheila replied. “The nurse finally shooed us out and told us to go get something to eat.”

  “Well, I would have shooed you out long before this,” Joan remarked.

  Sheila smiled. She looked over at her father and saw him shrug his shoulders as if to say, “Once a mom, always a mom.”

  Tim explained to them his plan to return home for several days, thankful his grandparents seemed to understand. He decided to stop by the ICU for a few minutes before heading home. Sheila gave him a list of items to bring back from Seal Beach when he returned. They were short on basics, including changes of clothes, because of their emergency trek up to Bridgeport.

  Sheila and Michelle were both fighting exhaustion, so they decided to return to the motel and rest for a few hours. As they entered the hospital elevator, they found themselves joining a young couple with a new infant in the mother’s arms. Dad was loaded down with flowers and luggage and grinned sheepishly as he tried to squeeze against the elevator wall to make more room.

  “Congratulations,” Sheila said with a warm smile.

  The baby’s mother looked up. Her expression was aglow with love and joy. “Thanks,” she replied.

  “Does he have a name?” Michelle asked, noting the “It’s a Boy” balloon the father was trying to hold in tow.

  “Jacob,” he replied as he looked down at his new son. “We’ll be calling him Jake.”

  “What a cute name.”

  Sheila wrapped her arms around her daughter in a side hug. “Some day you’ll be giving me an adorable grandbaby, right, Mimi?”

  “Yeah, Mom,” she replied, giving a patient smile.

  Just then little Jake scrunched up his face. “They make the funniest expressions, don’t they?” Sheila observed with a smile.

  The nurse, who was holding the handles of the wheelchair for mother and baby, nodded as Jake’s mother caressed his cheek gently with her fingertips.

  “I can remember the little furrowed brows on your face when you would first wake up,” she said to Michelle. “It was almost as if you were trying to figure out who I was and where you were.”

  Michelle turned and gave her an “enough, Mom” expression. After they got out of the elevator and watched the new family exit, she sighed. “Sure wish we were here for that reason.”

  Sheila nodded in agreement. “There’s nothing more exciting than the day a baby is born, honey. You and Steve will remember those times forever. The moment the doctor places that tiny new member of your family in your arms is the moment your life changes in ways you could never imagine.”

  “Were you scared, Mom? I mean the first time you held me?”

  “I think every new mom is a little scared. Suddenly you realize a tiny baby depends completely on you.” She paused, reflecting on her first steps into motherhood. “You’ll be a great, mom, Mimi. And I will love every second of being a grandma.”

  Michelle looked into her mother’s tired eyes and could see the tears swell. But this time they were tears of anticipated joy. “I can hardly wait, Mom. The way things are going with my school options, who knows? I might end up waiting to start my career until after we have our family instead of the other way around.”

  “So you weren’t able to get into the university for the fall?”

  “Everything is so messed up with the economy and the cutbacks. Plus I was late getting my application in. I really didn’t think there would be any problem since I’m a transfer student and my grades are pretty good. But they were absolutely adamant about no late applications, so I’m definitely excluded from the fall term. I’m too late to sign up for the regular fall session at the community college, but I was able to get an anthropology class that runs from October through January. That way I can get one of my general education classes completed while I wait for the spring term to start. It only meets twice a week, so that’ll give me more flexibility. I can always drop it if you need me to help with Dad.”

  Sheila could see the frustration on her daughter’s face. “Things will work out. At least you’re getting started back with your classes.”

  “Yeah.”

  Though she knew it was hard on Michelle to be away from Steve, she was so thankful for the comfort of her daughter’s presence. “I’m glad you’re able to be here with me right now,” she said as they exited the hospital and walked toward the motel.

  “Me too, Mom,” Michelle replied softly.

  Everyday Phil prayed aloud over his son-in-law and read him short passages from the Bible. It seemed to relax John, and it gave an added sense of purpose to the time spent sitting by his bed.

  Joan would sometimes close her eyes to listen to her husband’s voice. His steadfast diligence, yet gentle approach blessed her, and John’s improved state encouraged them both. Today Phil had selected Psalm 103 to read. He and Joan settled into their chairs beside the bed, and Phil began to pray.

  “Dear Lord, We are so thankful for all you have done here. Thank you for bringing John back to us. He is so loved and needed. Help him to understand that, Lord. Give him the willpower to fight until he is fully restored to complete health and wholeness. We ask, also, that you would use this time of waiting, resting, and healing to draw John close to you. Help him know you and understand your love for him. Help Sheila, Michelle, and Tim. Give them strength, hope, and faith. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

  At the mention of Sheila and the kids, John had begun to moan softly. Phil and Joan simultaneously placed their hands on him in response.

  “It’s okay, John. Your family is strong. You will get better. God will get us all through,” Joan said reassuringly.

  The nurse interrupted them momentarily to begin John’s feeding. The soft whir and click of the machine gave the room a heartbeat of its own as the creamy liquid was dispensed into the tube that led directly into John’s stomach.

  Once she had left the room and they were seated again, Phil began to read,

  “Praise the Lord, O my soul; and all my innermost being, praise his holy name.

  Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits –

  Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,

  Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,

  Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

  Phil paused for a moment as Joan nudged him. Looking over, he saw John’s closed eyes, but his head was nodding slowly as if in agreement with the words. Smiling back at Joan, he continued,

  “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.

  He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;

  He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;

  As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

  As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

  For he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

  As for a man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field;

  The wind blows over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.

  But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him.”

  As he spoke the last words, John drifted off into a peaceful sleep. />
  Hot water pounded on Michelle’s neck and back, as she stood half- asleep in the shower. She felt so tired. She could barely manage the effort of shampooing her hair. As the water gradually changed from hot to cool, she forced herself to get out and dry off. Slipping into her favorite robe, she was grateful for the parcel Steve had sent. Familiar items were such a comfort. It was hard to explain, really, but the coziness of her own robe lifted her spirits and gave her a brighter outlook.

  Walking quietly back into the room, she saw her mother sleeping on the far side of the big bed. Sheila had not bothered to pull the covers back before collapsing, and Michelle could tell by her posture that she was probably a little cold. Carefully, so as not to disturb her, she covered her mom with an extra blanket. Sheila stirred slightly and murmured something indiscernible, then drifted back to sleep.

  Michelle stretched out on the other side of the bed, pulling a portion of the blanket over her bare feet. As exhausted as she was, she couldn’t fall asleep right away. Her mind was filled with thoughts about the conversation with her mother after they rode the elevator with tiny baby Jake and his parents.

  What would it be like to have a newborn?

  Michelle tried to imagine being at a hospital for such a joyous event. She could picture the excitement on Steve’s face and how much fun it would be to plan for their child’s arrival. The nursery, the tiny, adorable baby outfits, and the joy her mother and grandmother would feel. Should she shelve her schooling for now and turn her focus on starting a family? With the university delaying her application, it seemed like a step backwards to take classes at a community college. But at least she could get the anthropology class taken care of for now.

  Visions of Trevor crept into her thoughts. Memories of him teaching the class on personal evolution and their discussion about New Age philosophies also drifted into her mind. These competed with scenes of her grandfather sharing his perspective on truth. She had so much to sort out.

  Michelle couldn’t deny her attraction to Trevor. Though she loved Steve and had no regrets about marrying him, Trevor had a certain magnetism that made her heart race and her face blush whenever he entered a room. She thought about the weekend seminar they had attended together and how close she had come to succumbing to his charms.