Tenderly Beats the Lonely Heart

by K. J. Janssen

  “Speaking of books, how are you coming with the documenting of our Freenold Convention? I was thinking the other day that there could be a problem since the first part Thomas’s rehabilitation was done under the Turnwell Convention?”

  “That’s not the case at all. While it is true that the sessions leading up to the Thoriatic Balance exercises will be virtually the same as those for the Turnwell, Thorndike and Faraday Conventions, it is at that critical point that the Freenold Convention begins to involve the patient in the determination of how and when to complete the steps of a prescribed session. Since the exercises up to that point are basically the same for all current conventions, they’ve become a matter of public domain. As a whole, the Freenold Convention is fundamentally so different than any of the current Conventions that it justifies its own classification. There is no question in my mind that the review boards will give their complete support to naming it a new convention. Frederick, we have something here that is monumental. This will revolutionize TBI rehabilitation and we, my good Doctor, are in on the ground floor. I firmly believe that by this time next year, at least half the country will be choosing the Freenold Convention for the treatment of severely head-injured patients. The reduction in total recovery time, alone, will assure its selection.”

  “I wish I had your conviction.”

  “O ye of little faith. When you’ve worked with the hierarchy of the Institute of Neurological Disorders and Neuroscience Centers as long and as often as I have, you get to know how the major medical institutions function. Trust me when I say that they will welcome the new convention. It’s been six years since Turnwell was introduced. A new convention is overdue for a science that is so often referred to as the last scientific frontier. The powers to be cannot ignore the significant reduction in healing time and the improvement in the patient’s mental outlook that we are offering with our new convention.”

  “I’ll take your word for it.”

  “By the way, what’s happening with

  Thomas’s mother? Is that all set up?”

  “They will be meeting at one today. I sure hope that it goes well. We’ve been operating too long with a ‘sword of Damocles’ over our heads waiting for this to happen. I’ll let you know how it works out as soon as I hear anything. I’ve got a good vibe about it though. I think that it’s just what

  Thomas needs at this point in his recovery.”

  “I agree with you on that. Thanks, Frederick.

  I wait to hear from you.

  * * *

  Wendy Marshall sat down with Thomas to go over the morning’s session. “As usual you aced those exercises. How does it feel to walk without support from the bars or the walker?”

  “I don’t think I’m ready for any treadmill yet, but it sure did feel good being able to walk from one wall to the other without any support.” “There were three muscle groups we needed to work on today, the gluteus, quadriceps and Sartorius. All three, for some reason are impacted by TBI more than the others and when you add months of inactivity they required our special attention. That’s why I had you doing those squats and lunges earlier. How do your legs feel right now?”

  “They feel a little tight, but I’m certain I could walk more if I had to.”

  “Excellent. That’s the exact response I was hoping to hear.”

  “Happy to oblige.”

  “I wouldn’t plan on doing any marathons any time soon. Even though you have a purposeful gait right now, there is still a lot more to be done on the remaining muscles. Unfortunately, they work contrary to each other, so the exercises must be done over a period of time and with countless repetitions. When you leave here, you’ll have a list of exercises to do for at least the next six months. Many of those will have to do with maintaining strength in your leg muscles.”

  “I will do them gladly. You’ll remember that it wasn’t too long ago that I had fears of never being able to walk again.”

  “I remember that, and I remember that Marian told you that you would be up on your feet if she had to drag you across the floor, herself.” Thomas smiled. “Yeah, I remember that. I think she was serious too.”

  “You’re damned right she was. She’s some tough cookie when it comes to motivating patients. She told me some stories of a few young football players who feared the loss of their potential professional career. They got so depressed that a few of them tried to take their own lives. It took successes in their rehab sessions to turn them around and she got them by riding herd until they could think of nothing but to complete the exercises to get her off their backs.”

  Thomas laughed. “That sounds like her. She got tough with me a few times. I’m sure glad she did. She’s quite some lady.”

  “She sure is. We were lucky that she came along when she did. I don’t think we would be so far along without her input.” Wendy thought a minute and added, “I’m not trying to take anything away from your efforts. Hell, I’ve been in this business for five years and I’ve never seen a TBI with such a good attitude. You were not without your down times, of course, but in general you are enthusiastic and up-beat. It’s funny when you think about it, but this is one occupation where someone in my position is happy when they are not needed anymore.”

  “That’s true. I said something like that to Dr.

  Freenold one day and he cracked up.”

  “That’s another thing that you can be thankful for. You had one of the best neurosurgeons in the country, perhaps even the world. For him to be assigned to your case was a gift from God.”

  “Don’t I know it. Even being treated here at the George Bennett Baxter Trauma Center was a stroke of luck. My dad told me it’s one of the highest rated trauma centers in the world. I have a lot to be thankful for. Things couldn’t get any better for me.”

  Don’t be too sure of that, Thomas.

  CHAPTER 67

  AT LAST

  Miriam knocked on the door before she entered Room 333. Thomas was sitting in a chair next to the bed wearing a navy-blue bathrobe.

  “Come in Miriam. I saw your name on the visitor’s list. It’s good to see you again. I miss you at our sessions.”

  “Not as much as I miss being there.” She leaned down and kissed Thomas on the cheek before sitting down on the chair next to his.

  “How are you doing today?”

  “Really great. I walked several hundred feet on my own this morning. Wendy says I’m ahead of schedule, but I still have a bunch of leg muscles to tone up. I can’t tell you how great it felt to push that wheelchair aside and say goodbye to those parallel bars.”

  “I’ll bet. I’m so happy for you.” She reached over and patted his arm. “I have a special reason to visit with you today. I’m a little nervous about it, so if I’m acting a little strange, I hope you will understand.”

  Thomas looked concerned. He had never seen Miriam so serious. “What’s wrong? What’s troubling you?”

  “I don’t know any other way to do this, so I’ll just come right out with it. Thomas, I’m your mother.” She said no more; simply looked at him and waited to see how he would react.

  “What did you say?”

  “I’m said that you are the son I had to give up when you were first born. I came here to find you, and this is where I landed up.”

  His mind raced as he attempted to make sense out of what he had just heard. He closed his eyes and choked back words that he wanted to say. His balance gave in to the shock and he had to reach down to the chair seat to keep from toppling over. Finally, he looked up at her and reached out to hug her; holding her as close as their positions would allow. He continued to hold her as he said, “I always wondered what you would be like.”

  Tears were pouring down her cheeks. She pulled back and looked him in the eyes. “Thomas, I never set out to give you up, but it was the best thing I could do for you; providing you with a chance to grow up with a nice family. I’m not excusing myself, but when your father died ove
rseas, before we could get married, and then you came along, I had to make decisions about what would be best for you. Things were different twenty-three years ago for unwed mothers. Keeping you would have meant not being able to give you a decent life with two parents and all the things that a growing boy needs. So, I gave you up without ever getting to hold you in my arms or feel your face against mine. I only saw you for a minute or two. You were so beautiful.” Her lips fell silent as she searched his eyes for some sign as to how he was receiving this life-changing disclosure.

  “Somehow, I knew that someday we would meet. I wondered if you find me or if I would have to do my own search. I’m totally at a loss for words…Mom. This is so overwhelming. Why didn’t you say something before now?”

  “I wanted to, but I was concerned that if I did, it might set you back. I couldn’t risk that happening. Everyone thought that it would be better if you had a chance to get to know me first. I just lucked out that I had the Sports Medicine skills to be a part of your rehab. I had to promise them that I would wait until the doctors felt that you were of the right frame of mind to be receptive to the news.

  “So, everyone knew but me. Wow. I thought my folks and Louise acted strangely at times, but I never would have guessed that this was the reason. This sure isn’t what I expected today’s visit to be like.” He hesitated a moment and said, “To think that you came along at the time in my life when I needed you the most. That’s so serendipitous.

  Looking into her eyes, he said, “I love you, Mom. I have from the first time that Emily and Walter told me about how I came to live with them. There’s been a special part in my heart since then reserved for you, which will be there until the day I die.” “I’m so relieved that you can forgive me.”

  “Forgive you? What are you talking about? I have nothing to forgive you for. I know that you would never intentionally hurt me. I can’t imagine what it’s been like for you.”

  “My son, I love you. I want to be a part of your life from now on if you’ll allow it.”

  “Of course I want you in my life. Now that

  I’ve found you, I don’t ever want to lose you again”

  Holding each other, the mother and son reunion continued for the balance of the visiting time.

  Finally, Thomas said, “I hate for you to leave, but the strictest rule they have around here is that visiting hours are non-negotiable.”

  “I’ll be back as soon as I can, Thomas. Wild horses couldn’t keep me away from you now that we’re reunited.” They kissed and hugged again as the nurse came in to escort Miriam from the room.

  “Goodnight, Thomas.”

  “Goodnight, Mom.”

  Now wasn’t that worth waiting for?

  Let’s see how the rest of the story goes.

  CHAPTER 68

  Miriam sat in her car for an hour, going over in her mind what had just transpired. Her journey had finally come to an end. Her son had told her “Of course I want you in my life. Now that I’ve found you, I don’t ever want to lose you again.”

  When she began her journey to reunite with the child she gave up for adoption some twenty-four years ago, she was well aware of the emotional rollercoaster she had gotten onto.

  Months earlier while sitting at home thinking about meeting Thomas for the first time, she fantasized dozens of scenarios, with only a handful of them having a happy ending. Not only were the odds of finding him stacked against her, but the odds of him accepting her into his life were even more unfavorable.

  Mike made her aware of all this when she first met with him, but to her way of thinking, if she didn’t try to find him, she would continue to have that nagging feeling that was causing her much discomfiture. Mike’s record at locating lost persons, which in essence was what her son Thomas was, was outstanding, and as it turned out he lived up to his reputation by not only locating Thomas, but also guiding her as she finally made contact with Thomas.

  Marian knew that she was probably luckier than most mothers searching for a lost child. She was fortunate to have a support system that came out of nowhere; aside from Mike, she had Thomas’s foster parents, Emily and Walter and his fiancé, Louise solidly on her side.

  She mused about what the journey had cost her. Of course, there was her marriage to Nathan. While she had harbored fears about how he would react when he found out about Thomas, she never anticipated that it would cost her her marriage of eleven years. The biggest surprise came from Nathan’s stubborn refusal to understand her feelings about Thomas. I still feel justified in not to tell him before we got married. I couldn’t have known at the time that my buried need for closure would turn out as it did. I guess in a way I am fortunate that I got an opportunity to experience the cruelty that Nathan was capable of. Who knows when that could have cropped up and it might even have turned into violence.

  As it turned out, I was lucky enough to find a good man who loves me for who I am; a man who would travel to the end of the world to be with me. Thank you, God, for this blessing and for all your help in reuniting me with Thomas.

  It’s so great that Mike will be working here in Owensburg. We’ll get ourselves a nice house and settle down with our new family and friends.

  CHAPTER 69

  ALL’S WELL THAT…

  The dinner table had an extra setting this evening; it was Thomas’s first night home. They were all gathered around the table as Walter raised his glass to make a toast. He wanted to say something that would celebrate Thomas’s victory over infirmity, Miriam’s triumphant quest to be reunited with her child, Thomas’s and Louise’s forthcoming nuptials, and Mike’s and Miriam’s recent marriage. He chose, “Here’s to Thomas; here’s to never giving up; here’s to clinging to hopes and dreams until they become manifest and lastly, here’s to never ending love.”

  They raised their glasses, each reflecting on the part of his toast that impacted their lives.

  For Miriam it was double barreled. Not only did she gain a part in her son’s life, but she also found and married a wonderful man. They planned to settle down in Owensburg where she would be close to Thomas and her new friends. Life was certainly good for her. I’m the luckiest woman alive.

  For Louise the toast signified her fiancé’s successful recovery from a potential fatal TBI and their plans to be married within a month. I’m so happy everything worked out.

  For Mike it meant the beginning of as new life in Owensburg with a law firm partnership and his recent marriage to Miriam the love of his life.

  I’ve got a great fresh start.

  For Emily there was nothing but jubilation over how well everything turned out. Thomas not only recovered fully from a potentially lifethreatening brain injury, but was planning to marry a lovely girl. Most of all he was reunited with his birth mother and enthusiastically welcomed her into his life. Her newly formed BFF turned out to be Thomas’s birth mother. Walter was now the Mayor and was being hailed by the press as being the town’s savior. I have so much to be thankful for.

  Thomas thought about everything that had happened to him since that fateful day almost a year ago. He realized that he never would have made it if it wasn’t for all of the people who were standing in front of him raising their glasses in a toast. He was getting a second chance at life that would include his birth mother. I’ve been truly blessed.

  After Walter made his toast he reflected on the meaning of his words. How great it is that all these people found the inner strength to rise above the impact of multiple tragedies. God bless them all and God bless the town of Owensburg and all its residents. Give me the strength to serve them to the best of my ability.

  They sipped from their glasses and sat down to dinner.

  “That was a lovely toast, dear,” Emily said.

  The others nodded.

  “It said what was in my heart. We’ve just lived through a memorable time of our lives. None of us could have imagined the events of the past months, but together we got through eve
rything and came out stronger for it.”

  Thomas looked around the table. “I could never have made it without each and every one of you. Thank you all again for being there for me when I needed you most. Oh, by the way, I’m really looking forward to Louise and my wedding reception. I’ll finally get a chance to show you all my moves.”

  Miriam, Emily and Louise fought back tears. Even the slightest recollection of what Thomas had gone through did that. The guys just chuckled.

  Emily picked up a plate with thin sliced roast beef and started passing it. “Let’s get to this meal before it gets cold.”

  The meal proceeded with light conversation more in keeping with a family get-together. After dessert and coffee, Mike, Thomas and Walter went out on the porch to enjoy a cool afternoon breeze.

  Walter commented, “It’s so delightful out here most summer days. When the sun moves around to the front of the house in the afternoon it drops about ten degrees back here. That’s something both of you should remember when you choose where you’re going to live. It doesn’t have to be a deal breaker, but if you have a choice between two houses that you like equally, if one has a backyard and bedrooms that face east, pick that one. When Emily and I moved into our first house, we had the sun in the back yard and coming into our bedroom during the late afternoon and evening. It was a constant battle to keep the bedroom cool for sleeping. Most people don’t think about those things until it’s too late.”

  “Miriam and I found a house we liked the other day. I never gave the direction of the sun a thought. I’ll have to check it out.”

  Thomas added, “I will put that on my list. I now have about twenty things we need to check on. We plan to live in our new place for a lot of years, even raise children there if we are blessed. We don’t want to have any regrets about not planning ahead.”