Rocky Point Reunion

by Barbara McMahon

  Giving up on sleeping, he rose and went to the window overlooking the darkened landscape. His bedroom from childhood. He’d come full circle. Looking at the starry sky, he offered up another prayer.

  Father, guide me, please. Let me make amends for the harm I’ve done. Grant me a bright future—with Marcie, if that’s Your will. I still love her. How can I convince her of that? I pray You will show me the way. Thanks for arranging things so I came home. I’m feeling a bit like the prodigal son. Not that everyone is throwing a party for my return, but I know how that guy felt when he returned to all that was familiar and dear. If Marcie’s right and You did inscribe my name on Your palms, let me come back to You, as well. Let me be the man You might always have wanted me to be.

  The peace that descended felt like a hug directly from God. He smiled. When he slipped into bed, he had no trouble falling asleep.

  The next morning when Zack entered the shop, Joe and the rest of the men had already started work. Even Sean beat him in. If he was going to buy in to the business, he had better show a better example of punctuality.

  “Banker’s hours?” Joe said with a grin.

  “Needed to work a bit on the track situation. I’ve got an insurance man looking into coverage. And a possible firm who will line the parking area like I want. Once I get a few more things settled, I’ll head back to negotiate with the owners.”

  “You’re not the only one to have two things going at once. I think I have a tenant for the apartment over Gillian’s studio.”

  “I thought you said no one was interested.”

  “It’s been available for almost a year. Today Doctor Mallory sent a referral over. A new nurse for the clinic. She liked it and said she’d be back in touch in a day or two. Apparently she’s also looking at a place out on Clinton Road.”

  “This place would be better in winter. She could walk to the clinic if the snow’s too deep to drive in.”

  “I’m hoping that’ll sway her. Plus the view.”

  “Things are looking up, then.” Zack glanced over to Sean. “He’s still doing well, right?”

  “A natural. Always asking questions. I think nights he’s studying classic cars on the internet or something. He really knows more than I expected.”

  Just then the teenager gave a yell. All eyes turned to him as he pulled his hand out of an engine, a screwdriver stuck through the palm.

  “Oh, no,” Joe said, rushing over.

  Zack was only one step behind. Swinging by the stack of clean rags on a workbench, he quickly wrapped the hand, trying to staunch the flow of blood, letting the screwdriver stay in place to help stem the blood.

  Sean looked dazed. “I was trying to force that head off but it was stuck. Shouldn’t we pull it out?” He looked at his hand in horror.

  “Not yet. It’ll help staunch the flow of blood,” Zack said. “Come on, I’ll drive you to the clinic.”

  “I’m going, too,” Joe said, slinging an arm around the teenager.

  In less than five minutes they walked into the clinic that served the town and surrounding area. Dr. Mallory was on duty and quickly assessed the situation.

  “I’ll get it out, but in case of nerve damage, I don’t want to do more than stop the bleeding at this point. He needs the hospital in Portland. I’ll call for an ambulance.”

  “I’ll be okay,” Sean said through gritted teeth. Zack knew the hand had to hurt, but the kid showed courage, keeping his cool. “I don’t need an ambulance.”

  “Better if a specialist sees this,” Dr. Mallory said.

  “I’ll take him up. No need for the expense of an ambulance,” Zack said, guessing some of the reasons for Sean’s resistance.

  “I’ll pack the wound, put on some ice. The sooner you get there, the better,” the doctor said.

  “I’ll go as fast as the law allows,” Zack said. Speed was important, but so was safety.

  “Hmm, maybe get Tate to drive. He can run that siren and really make time. Watch him for shock, too.”

  “Okay.”

  Once on the road, Zack in the back with Sean, Tate really opened up the police car. The highway was not crowded and so he made good time, faster than the posted speed, but still within safety limits.

  “Our drag-racing days paid off,” Tate said at one point.

  Zack grinned. “Who’d have thought? Remember this the next time you find some teenagers speeding along.”

  “I want to keep them safe.”

  Sean gave a soft moan.

  “Hurts now, doesn’t it?” Zack said sympathetically. “The initial reaction’s passed and now the pain starts. Those pills the doc gave you will start to work soon. Hang in there, kid.”

  “If I have to stay in the hospital will you call my mom?” Sean asked.

  “We’ll call her now,” Zack said. He dialed the number Sean gave him and in a couple of seconds heard a woman’s voice.

  “Mrs. O’Connell, this is Zack Kincaid.”

  “Didn’t he show up this morning? I told him to get up in time. He was up late last night on the computer, so probably slept through this morning.”

  “Actually, he beat me into work. There’s been an accident.” Zack explained what was happening then handed the phone to Sean so he could reassure his mother. She insisted on getting to Portland as soon as she was able. Zack took the phone back and told her which hospital they were going to, and that he’d take care of Sean until she arrived.

  “I can manage,” Sean said, hearing that comment.

  “A friend hanging around doesn’t hurt,” Zack said when he ended the conversation.

  “Could you also call Miss Winter for me? She’ll be expecting me at two. I hate to let her down,” Sean asked.

  “Marcie’ll understand.” Zack made that call, giving a brief recap and promising to call her once they knew what the doctors at the hospital said.

  Once they reached the hospital, Zack went in with Sean while Tate went to park the car. The emergency room was quiet. They were able to take Sean immediately, and Zack was told to wait until after they went to X-ray, and returned before going in with Sean. He nodded, understanding the drill, and went outside to find Tate. Wandering around the side of the building, he came to the general parking and saw Tate wending his way through the parked cars.

  The doors marked Outpatients whooshed open to his right and out walked Bill Winter, Marcie’s father. Zack did a double take and the older man stopped suddenly, then looked as if the world had fallen in.

  “Don’t you tell Marcie!” Bill said with a stern note.

  “What’s going on?”

  “Nothing you need to be concerned with. What are you doing here anyway? Did you follow me?” he asked suspiciously.

  Zack studied the doorway behind him speculatively, then looked at Bill. “We had an accident at the shop and I had to bring Sean O’Connell in to the E.R. Shouldn’t Marcie know about this?” Zack didn’t have a clue what her father was doing here, but Bill seemed distraught.

  The older man shook his head and stepped over to one of the benches lining the wide walkway. Zack saw Tate pause two rows away and just watch. Zack shook his head at Tate and went to join Bill on the bench.

  “If you need help, what’s better than being on the prayer chain at church,” Zack said, remembering his parents participating on the chain. He’d almost forgotten about that. Help me here, please, Father God. I’m floundering in the dark. If it’s Your will I learn what’s wrong with her dad, guide me. Don’t let me make a mess of this, Zack prayed silently, hoping the Lord would give him the right words to say.

  “Don’t need everybody and his brother knowing my business,” Bill grumbled.

  “Seems like you need all the help you can get.”

  The moments ticked by. The day grew warmer. Tate leaned against a car and watched from the distance. Zack waited.

  The older man sighed. “Maybe you’re right. It’s going to come out eventually,” Bill said resignedly. “I’m having kidney trouble. I have
to come here several times a week for dialysis. I’m on the waiting list for a transplant.”

  Zack was startled with the revelation. He’d never expected something like that. Marcie would be devastated. He wanted to be with her when she found out.

  “Is there anything I can do?” he asked. “Be tested for a match or something?”

  Bill looked at him. “You’d do that?”

  “I’ve got two, from what I hear, a person only needs one.”

  Bill shook his head. “I don’t know what to say. I never would have suspected—” He stopped, looked away.

  “I’m sure I’m not the only one who would be tested,” Zack said, thinking of all the people in Rocky Point who liked and respected Bill Winter. “How would I go about that?”

  “I haven’t a clue. We could ask my doctor.”

  “No time like the present,” Zack said. He stood and motioned to Tate.

  When the sheriff joined them, he nodded to Bill. “He and I are going in to talk to someone. Can you head for the E.R. and be there for Sean?”

  “Sure. Everything okay here?” Tate asked.

  “Will be,” Zack said.

  When they entered the outpatients’ lobby, Bill thanked Zack for not telling Tate the true situation.

  “Hey, it’s your call. But sooner or later Marcie has to know, and I’d think sooner would be better. She’s going to worry herself sick.”

  “That’s why I didn’t want to say anything. I’m managing with the dialysis so far. Once I know about a transplant, I figured I’d tell her. There’s a lot of hope once the transplant takes place. I’m all she has, you know. There’s no other family, so I wanted to spare her as long as I could.” His skin almost seemed to reflect his gray hair. His expression was a combination of determination and regret.

  Zack winced. If he had not left ten years ago, Marcie would have other family—him and any children they might have had. And Joe and Jenny.

  “Let’s see what we need to do. I’ll go with you if you like when you tell Marcie,” Zack said.

  As they waited to see Bill’s doctor, Zack marveled at the working of the Lord. He’d even proposed following Bill, never suspecting he would end up here. Without having to resort to subterfuge, he’d still found out.

  In less than an hour Bill and Zack were heading for the E.R. The testing procedure for donor compatibility hadn’t been necessary once the doctor found out Zack’s blood type. It was not a match with Bill’s. But both men were more informed now.

  Sean’s mother was sitting with her son when they entered the E.R. Tate sat in a chair next to them. He rose when he saw Zack.

  “Everything okay?”

  Zack shrugged. “Long story. I’m going to drive Bill back to Rocky Point. Thanks for waiting.”

  “No problem. Bill, good to see you.”

  Bill nodded. “You might as well know, everyone will soon. I have kidney failure. I’m on a waiting list for a donor.”

  “Oh, man, that’s tough.” He glanced at Zack.

  “I already talked to the doctor.” He held out a folder. “I’ve got a lot of info on the transplant scenario. Unfortunately, I’m not eligible for Bill.”

  “Marcie know?” Tate asked.

  “Not yet, but soon,” Zack said, drawing a deep breath. He ached for the shock and fear she’d experience.

  Sean was watching. Zack turned to him and his mother.

  “Thank you for calling me,” Earline said. “Thank you for taking care of him.”

  He smiled. “Sorry for the injury.”

  She looked at her son. “It’s a guy thing. At least the doctors don’t think the hand will suffer permanent damage.”

  “You okay?” he asked Sean.

  “Yeah. Sixteen stitches, can’t get it wet, have to check in at the clinic in a week.” The hand was splinted and bandaged. While not bulky, it was wrapped in a way to prevent much use.

  “Take the time off,” Zack said.

  “I can still come in, watch, if nothing else,” Sean said.

  His mother looked at Zack as if hoping he could read her mind. Maybe he could.

  “When you feel like it. And I’ll explain things to Marcie. I’m sure she’ll hold the job for you.”

  “Thanks.” The teenager looked as if he wanted to say more. A quick glance at his mother and he looked back to Zack. “No one except my mom’s ever done so much for me. Thanks seem dumb, not enough.”

  Zack gripped his shoulder, the emotions spilling over. “Any time,” he said, glad he’d been able to help in a meaningful way. More reasons coming home had been the right thing to do.

  When Zack and Bill reached the Winters’ home, Zack went in with the older man.

  “I’ll call Marcie,” he said. “You want to lie down or something?”

  “No, I’m okay. Something to eat or drink?”

  “No, thanks,” he said, amazed that Bill Winter was offering him anything—though he supposed his own offer had changed things with the man. Zack placed the call to Marcie.

  “Hi,” she answered. He relished the happiness in her tone and hated to be the one to change it.

  “Can you come over to your dad’s now?” he asked.

  “What’s wrong?” she said in a worried rush.

  “We’ll tell you when you get here. Drive carefully.”

  “That’ll have her flying home,” Bill said from his place on the sofa. “I doubt driving carefully will figure into it at all.”

  “Yeah, I’m not so good at delivering bad news.”

  “You mean in person,” the older man said softly.

  Zack sat in a chair near the sofa. What could he say in response? The man was right.

  In less than five minutes Marcie came flying into the living room, stopping short when she saw both her father and Zack.

  “No fireworks?” she asked. “Is this a peace conference?”

  “Cupcake, come sit beside me,” her dad said.

  Zack saw the expression change in her face. “What’s wrong?”

  Bill explained in a concise manner, ending with, “I didn’t want you to needlessly worry. I’m in the Lord’s hands. Whatever happens, happens.”

  “Dad, we could have been praying for you all these months.” She gripped his hand. “I don’t want to lose you. Can I donate a kidney?”

  Bill smiled and patted her hand. “We can see. Zack already offered, but isn’t a match.”

  Marcie looked at Zack. “You offered a kidney?” She was stunned. There were bad feelings from her dad and Zack still offered. Her heart blossomed at his generosity.

  He nodded. “Wasn’t a match.”

  “Thank you. I’ll be a match, won’t I?” she looked back at her father.

  “There’s no telling. Zack got a bunch of literature from the doctor. Read up and then decide. There’s no immediate rush.”

  “It’s hard to take in. Why didn’t you tell me?” Marcie asked.

  “I didn’t want you to worry.”

  Zack stood. “I’ll take off.”

  Marcie rose, as well. “I’ll walk you out.”

  Once on the front porch, with the door closed behind them, she reached out to Zack. He folded her into his arms, holding her close, just being there for her.

  “Is he going to die?” she asked against his chest.

  “Not if he gets a transplant. In the meantime, he’s on dialysis. That’s where he’s been going. I don’t know who was more surprised at the hospital, him or me. If Sean hadn’t injured his hand, I wouldn’t have been there. God works in mysterious ways.”

  She leaned back a little. “He does. How’s Sean?”

  Zack brought her up-to-date on the teenager. Brushing back her hair from her cheek, he smiled at her. “You’ll be okay. Your faith will sustain you. And if you get that prayer chain going, I bet we’ll see other miracles in play. Call me if you need me.”

  Marcie nodded, then stepped back. “Thank you, Zack. I know you have other things to be concerned with.”

  “No
thing that compares with this. You call me if you want to talk, you hear?”

  She nodded, patted his arm and turned to reenter the house, but not before looking back with a new expression for him in her eyes.

  Marcie paused a moment to catch her breath and offer a prayer to the Lord. Help me know what to do, Father. This is so unexpected. I need my dad.

  She entered the living room.

  “Now, don’t go worrying, cupcake. I’m on dialysis and the waiting list.”

  “But, Dad, you didn’t need to go through this alone.”

  “I didn’t want you to worry, Marcie.”

  “So tell me everything and how I can find out if I can be a donor. If not me, then maybe someone at the church.”

  He sighed. “I didn’t want to burden anyone.”

  “Dad! Honestly, I’m scared to death, but so glad to know. With the Lord’s help, we can manage this.”

  Marcie called the restaurant and told them she wouldn’t be back that day, and asked if Tim could come in and make arrangements to cover for Sean until the teenager was fit again. Then she prepared a nice dinner of salads and sandwiches for her and her father. They ate on the patio behind the kitchen. And talked.

  When she offered to stay the night, her father shook his head.

  “This is one reason I didn’t want people to know. I’m fine. I can live a completely normal life with the dialysis as long as I’m careful. I don’t want people fussing over me. You get on home and tend to your life. I know you’re here for me, and that means the world. Tomorrow you can see about the compatibility tests and we’ll go from there.”

  “Okay. If you’re sure.” She hated to leave. What if something happened?

  “Trust me and in the Lord,” he said, giving her a hug. “Remember, this is my life, the path God has for me. You can join in on the journey, but it’s not your path. God has a plan for each of us. Seek His will in your life, and let me follow the way He’s leading me.”