Tenderly Beats the Lonely Heart

by K. J. Janssen

  Peter banged his gavel to close the formal part of the proceedings and open the meeting for questions from the audience.

  A tall, burly man was the first to approach the microphone that was attached to a lectern located directly in front of the Council table. He taped the microphone and appeared satisfied with the thump emanating from the four speakers mounted on the walls. “Good evening, my name is Ralph Nyquist and I live on Miller Lane. I want to know whether the town is going to suffer financially from lawsuits filed against them by victims of the stage collapse or their families.”

  Payne Easton fielded the question. “I understand how you might be concerned about lawsuits being targeted at the town. As you no doubt know, the State has fixed responsibility for the stage collapse solely with Mystic Times, the owner of the stage show called “The Beast”. Early on Owensburg was named in a number of suits filed immediately after the accident. All of these have since been withdrawn. In addition, we have engaged the services of a law firm that specializes in suits of this nature and Owensburg will be filing a number of civil actions against the owner as well.”

  “Thank you, that’s all I wanted to know.”

  Next came a woman who lowered the microphone before she spoke. “I just want to compliment the town for the way they handled the children returning to classes after the accident. My Gwen got to talk with a counselor that helped her get past the loss of two of her best friends. I can’t thank you enough for the caring.”

  John Clark addressed her comment. “Comforting our returning students was as monumental undertaking that required that teachers, parents and trained specialist deal with a number of emotions and concerns. Credit for accomplishing the task goes to them and to the employees of the Schnieder Corporation who donated their time to help out.

  A couple stepped up to the microphone next.

  “We’re Mike and Betty Carson. We live on Oakdale, a block away from Tiecher Park. Needless to say, our street has been a mess during this situation. They finally took away the last of the debris last week, but they left behind a torn-up road, damaged trees and lots of sand and mud. We want to know what is being done to restore the park and our neighborhood.”

  Peter stood up to answer, “I can understand your concern about your neighborhood and I can assure you that restoration of the park and vicinity is a high priority. Engineers have already chosen a site for the new bandstand. Construction should be completed within three weeks and a full cleanup and restoration of the environment in the park and surrounding residential areas will be mounted at that time. We appreciate your patience while we get this job done.”

  The Carsons were followed by an elderly man. “My name is Ed Dashel. I’ve lived out on Dixon Road for over forty years. I just wanted to congratulate the Council for choosing Sheriff Peyton as the town’s Mayor. Walter Peyton is a dedicated public servant who was the best Sheriff we ever had.”

  Peter responded immediately, “I couldn’t agree with you more. We were fortunate that he agreed to take over the leadership of Owensburg during this critical period of our history and I thank you for your vote of confidence.”

  Ten more townsfolk made their way to lectern expressing their concerns or offering appreciation for the way the Council was handling the crises. Each appeared to be satisfied with the response from the Council members and on the dot of 10pm, Peter gaveled the meeting to an end.

  On the way out of the hall, Peter turned to Payne, “This sure is far from the position we expected Owensburg to be in when we started planning for our 200th anniversary celebration. It’s amazing how just a few minutes can change the course of history.”

  CHAPTER 64

  GETTING TO KNOW YOU

  “May I come in?”

  “Come in, Miriam. When I heard that you were on the visitor list, I was very happy. I thought that since your work with the sessions was over, that I might not see you again.”

  Miriam crossed the room and went to Thomas’s bedside. She leaned over and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek. “Just because I don’t have any assignments any more, doesn’t mean that I won’t be participating in your rehab. Hell, I won’t be at rest until I see you walking out of this building under your own steam.”

  “Please sit down” he said as he gestured to the chair next to his bedside.

  “You know, Marian, I still can’t figure out why you have helped me. I was an absolute stranger to you and still you stayed in town, so you could be a part of my therapy.”

  “You’re forgetting that I was in the park that night too. I saw that stage fall on you. How could I not volunteer to help, especially when I am trained in Sports Medicine? I couldn’t turn my back on you, Thomas Mortinson.”

  “You are an exceptional human being,

  Marian. Anybody else having gone through what you yourself suffered that night would have been happy to put this town behind them as fast as possible, but here you are, just like a Fairy Godmother, worried about my recovery”

  “Well, we Ohioans aren’t made that way.”

  Marian choked back tears as she almost blurted out, “Thomas, I’m not your Fairy Godmother, I’m your mother”. Recovering, she added, “And besides, we have something special in common. I went to Owensburg High, too. Go Panthers!!”

  “What year did you attend?”

  “Shame on you, Thomas. A gentleman

  doesn’t ask a lady a question like that. Suffice it to say, it was quite a few years before you. I was a jock too. I played on the ladies tennis squad and basketball team. I wasn’t a star like you, but our basketball team won the All County trophy for three years straight.

  “How cool. I don’t know what it is about you, Miriam, but I feel, I don’t know…safe when

  I’m around you. Weird, huh?”

  “Not so weird. It’s very common for a bond to develop between a therapist and patient.”

  “No, it’s more than that. I feel especially close to you and I don’t feel that away about any of the others. It’s like there is some kind of an invisible link between us. Don’t you feel it?”

  She wanted to say, “Of course I feel it, I’m your mother”, but instead said, “I do feel a special attachment. It’s nothing I can put my finger on, but I felt it the first time I saw you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Miriam realized that she was going too far. It was time to tone down the rhetoric before she slipped and told him the truth. “I just meant that sometimes in my line of work you come across someone who you sense has special qualities and you just want to do your best to help them get better. That happened when I saw you for the first time. You are a fine young man, Thomas Mortinson, I knew that from the start. I’m proud that I am participating in your rehab.”

  “Let’s move away from this woo woo stuff and get back to learning more about each other”

  “Okay, I notice that you are wearing an engagement ring. My mom told me that you are engaged to an attorney. Where did you meet him?”

  “We both were living in Spartanville, Pennsylvania when we met. He came out here when he heard I was in the hospital with a concussion. He took an instant liking to Owensburg and last week he went into a partnership with another attorney here in town, so it looks like we’ll be house hunting here soon.”

  “Wow, that’s great. This accident has caused me to do some reflecting as well. I’m thinking about moving back here when Louise and I get married; she likes the idea too. It’s only a short commute to where we’re working.”

  “That’s terrific. It doesn’t look as if we will be separated from each other after all.” After the words left her mouth, a feeling of dread came over Miriam, “What if he can’t accept me as his mother?

  That would be very awkward for everyone.”

  Thomas noticed the sudden change in her demeanor. “Why so glum, chum?”

  It only took his smile to bring her back. She reached out and squeezed his hand. “It was really a happy thought…the
two of us coming back to our roots. It’s serendipitous.”

  “Yes, it certainly is.”

  “I graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio with a BS in Kinesiology & Health.

  I got a job in Sports Medicine right away and that’s what I’ve been doing ever since. I’m happy to be working in a field where I can help people recover their lives.

  “There is one other thing. I was recently divorced from Nathan Walton. Irreconcilable differences they called it. Everything worked out well and I’ve put it all behind me.”

  “Did you have any children?”

  Miriam hesitated for a moment, “Nathan and I were childless.” She looked him in the eye and commented, “Now, enough about me. It’s time for you to unveil your past.”

  “Well, you already know a lot about me. I went to Ohio State after I left High School. I graduated from there last year with BS in Finance and took a job with Matson Steel in Akron. It’s a good job and they are great people to work for. They even told me to take all the time I needed to get better. They are holding my job until I’m well enough to go back to work.”

  “That’s wonderful. I wish more companies were like that.”

  “I met Louise at a frat party at school. Her sorority and my fraternity sponsored a charity event for the homeless. We landed up on the same committee and took an instant liking to each other. We’ve been together ever since. She’s got a BS in finance too. She was working for a different company in Akron, but when I got hurt she quit because they wouldn’t give her an extended leave of absence.”

  “That’s quite a story. You two must be very much in love.”

  “We are. We are very compatible. Louise spent a short time in a foster home when her parents were killed in an auto accident. As soon as she could, she went off on her own. She got a full scholarship to Ohio State and earned a BS degree in Finance just as I did. After graduation we moved in together in a small one-bedroom apartment near Akron. She got a job with a Non-Profit Charitable group. She really liked the work, but unfortunately that’s over for her now.”

  “You know of course that I spent my childhood as a foster child. Emily and Walter couldn’t have been better parents. They reared me as if I was their own child. The gods really smiled on me when I was placed in their care.

  “Have you ever thought about searching for your birth parents?”

  “Of course, quite often. It’s been twentythree years now. The only thing that I was ever told was that my father died in the war. His name was Thomas Wendell Mortinson. I know nothing about my birth mother, but I guess she must have had a good reason for giving me up.”

  “Have you thought about trying to locate her?”

  “Not really, but Louise and I were talking about that recently. I’ll probably give it a try sometime. This accident has quickened my thinking about mortality. I can’t see where I’d have anything to lose by finding her. Who knows, she may even be looking for me. Wouldn’t that be a kick?”

  “It certainly would be.” Treading deeper into the dangerous waters, Miriam asked, “How do you feel about her? She must have had a sound reason for giving you up?”

  “Of course, I’m sure that she did. Look, I lucked out by growing up in a happy home with the Peytons. Of course she wouldn’t have had any way of knowing that I would end up in a good home, but nevertheless, I’m willing to keep an open mind about what happened.”

  “You are a very compassionate young man. Louise is very fortunate to have found you.”

  “I’m the lucky one and to think that I might have been handicapped by my accident.”

  “What does that have to do with anything?”

  “You know what I mean. What if I wasn’t able to be a man for her? She deserves more than that.”

  Miriam reflected back to the files she read about the tests given to Thomas to test his responsiveness to various stimuli. When shown pictures of naked women in various positions, he had an instantaneous response in that department. “It’s natural to think about that, but I’m pretty certain that you will not have problems in that area.

  Now, do you have any other concerns?”

  “None that I can think of right now. You know, I really enjoyed this time together, Miriam.”

  “So did I. It’s a shame that it took a tragedy like a stage collapse to bring us together. Well, it’s getting near your dinner time, so I better be getting along. Have a good night, Thomas. I’ll visit again.” “I look forward to it. Goodnight, Miriam.

  * * *

  “He seemed to want to know all about his birth mother.”

  “You didn’t say anything did you?”

  “Of course not, Mike. I agreed to wait until everyone thinks it’s the best time, but after today I don’t think it’s going to be much longer.”

  Mike sat back with Miriam’s head resting on his shoulder. “We’ve come a long way, haven’t we? I couldn’t have imagined just a short time ago, that not only would we be this close to Thomas knowing about you, but that I would be planning on marrying you and settling down here in Owensburg. Life moves in mysterious ways.”

  “Yes, it does and I couldn’t be more elated about our visit.”

  “Finish your wine and let’s move to the bedroom.”

  Hang on, we’re almost there.

  CHAPTER 65

  THREE WEEKS LATER

  “Frederick, Dr. Dalton believes that any time now it would be safe for Mrs. Walton to have her private talk with Thomas.”

  “I’m glad to hear that, Arnold. I was wondering when they were going to get around to that. What’s your feeling about it?”

  “The present would certainly be an ideal time. Will you pass that information along to Emily? This afternoon is open. He has no therapy sessions scheduled.”

  “I will be happy to set that up. Do you think that either of us should be in attendance when she does tell him?”

  “Definitely not. That has to be a very private meeting; the fewer people around, the better.

  Dr. Dalton offered to be on standby in case he is needed, but he said that he was sure that Thomas will be receptive to what she has to tell him. I agree with the doctor that Thomas will be receptive to the news. It shouldn’t have any impact on his progress; in fact, it might even have a positive effect on his post-rehab outlook. You go ahead and set it up, the sooner we get it out of the way, the better.”

  “I’ll be glad to get that out of the way. I’ll get right on it.”

  * * *

  Emily, Miriam and Louise were excited as they waited for Walter to return home.

  “Louise spoke first, “I would be happy to be there with you when you tell him.”

  Emily added, “I would be also.”

  “No, I appreciate the support, but I have to do this alone. Thomas and I have had several lengthy visits together. We’ve gotten to know each other very well. We’ve touched on his heritage a few times and he seems to want to know about his birth mother.”

  Louise reached out and grasped Miriam’s shoulder. “I think so too. With his rehab ready to end in about thirty days, his spirits are very high.

  I’ve never seen him so enthusiastic about anything. If there is ever a time, this has to be it.”

  Walter, arrived home, and went over to kiss Emily on the cheek. “I just about got to the office, when I got your call. So, today’s the day.”

  Emily replied, “Yes, it’s finally here. We were just talking about it. Louise and I offered to be there with Miriam when she tells him, but she’s decided to go it alone”

  “I can understand that. This time should be just between Mother and son. How are you setting up the visit, Miriam?”

  “I haven’t been there for a visit for two days, so it won’t be unusual for me to just show up. I have to admit, that I’m a bit nervous. I’ve played the visit over and over in my mind at least a dozen times and you would think I would have it down pat, but I keep coming back to the uncertaint
y of his response. Will he welcome me as his mother? Will he be disappointed that it’s me?”

  “That’s silly talk, Miriam and you know it,” Emily said. “You’ve told me yourself that when you and Thomas talked about his birth mother that he was curious enough to want to engage in a search when he’s released from the hospital.”

  “Yes, I did say that, and I know he talked to Louise about doing that.” She hesitated for a moment. “But I’m still worried that he might have changed his mind.”

  Emily, hugged Miriam. “You have no reason to expect anything other than Thomas embracing you as his mother. Now stop all the negative talk and let’s work on finding the right dress for you to wear for your visit.”

  Walter, gave Emily a peck on the cheek and said, “It doesn’t look as if I’m needed around here, so I’m going to go back to the office. Don’t worry about a thing, Miriam, Thomas is a practical young man and he’ll realize right away how fortunate he is to have someone as wonderful as you for a mother.

  You’ve got my word on it.”

  “Thanks, Walter. I sure hope you’re right.”

  “I know I am.”

  Getting closer.

  CHAPTER 66

  THREE WEEKS AND COUNTING

  “Arnold, how much longer do you think

  Thomas’s rehabilitation will last?”

  “As best I an tell, if he continues on the path he’s been going, he should be ready for release by the end of the month.”

  “I still can’t get over it. When he came here with a GCS 5, there was no indication that he would be able to leave here in less than a year and a half and now here we are ten months later talking about his release. Arnold, I salute you.”

  “Frederick, I don’t want any salute. You know as well as I do that this was a team effort and that a good measure of the credit goes to Thomas, himself. I have never seen a patient with a more positive attitude, especially a patient that required a Crainiectomy. This is definitely one for the books.”