Chapter 15
Eddy heard the doorbell buzz. It was Porter’s parents. Carol struggled for the right words, but Eddy knew the message that she was struggling to convey. Eddy put her arm around Carol and pulled her close.
“When,” Eddy asked. “When did she pass?”
“Right after you left yesterday,” Carol answered. “It was almost as if she waited till Porter left, before she . . .” Carol rubbed her swollen, tear stained eyes. “We couldn’t tell Porter.”
Porter’s father put his arm around Carol. “We knew we had to tell him eventually, but he has been through so much. We hoped you wouldn’t mind that we left him with you a little longer before we told him about his sister. We just wanted him to get away from all of the pain, even if it was only for a little while.”
“He’s been fine.” Eddy wiped her hands on her apron. “It’s not fair to have to lose someone so young.” Eddy motioned for them to come into the living room and sit down; then she called for Porter. Porter was clearly glad to see his parents and rushed to be by their side. Eddy and Joe waited silently while Porter heard about his sister.
Porter’s father placed his hands on his son’s shoulder, “Porter, the doctors and nurses have tried for a very long time to help Karen, and we have all tried everything we could to help her get better.” He cleared his throat and continued. “Son, even though we tried our best, her body had grown so weak that she couldn’t fight the disease anymore.” He wiped his eyes. “Jesus saw that she was very tired and very sick, so he called her home to be with him.”
Porter covered his face with his hands. Several moments passed before he looked up. “But – but,” he said. “I pinkie prom – promised – her,” he stood up and began to pace the floor. “I promised her that I would push her,” he pleaded with his father. “All – all -- over town in her wheelchair.”
Porter’s father got up and kneeled in front of him. “Son, she doesn’t need a wheelchair anymore.” He looked directly in his eyes. “People in heaven don’t need wheelchairs.”
“But you – you -- can’t break a pinkie prom – promise.”
Carol wrapped her arms around her son’s shoulders. “She understands that you would do that for her if you could.”
A look of relief crossed Porter’s face. “Really, she won’t be mad?”
“You have been the best brother in the world,” his father said. “And she’s not mad at you.”
Eddy waited until the living room grew quiet, and then she invited Porter’s parents into the kitchen to join them for breakfast. Porter pushed his pancake around on his plate, but not even Eddy insisted that he eat. He sighed and his shoulders slumped, and Carol dabbed at her eyes. He tapped his fork impatiently on the table. Everyone gave him understanding looks. Porter pushed up his sleeves and swiped at his bangs, “I real – really – wanted,” he hesitated.
“I know, son,” his father answered.
“What I mean,” he began again. “I wanted to – to -- go to the zoo.”
There was a moment of silence, and then Porter Sr. snickered. Soon everyone began to titter nervously.
“I know how to get there,” Joe said. “If you think that would be,” he cleared his throat, “Acceptable with you.”
Eddy glanced over at Porter’s parents and raised her eyebrows inquisitively. “If you think it’s alright?”
“Porter,” his father said. “I think Karen would want you to have a lot of fun.” He then reached in his pocket. “Here, take this,” he said, as he handed a one-hundred-dollar bill to Porter.
“Whoa,” Porter said. “I never saw one of these before.” He held the bill up and examined it in the sunlight.
“Son, I hope that today is a new start for all of us.” Porter Sr. reached over for Carol’s hand. “I was wrong to move away from my family. I can’t make any excuses, but sometimes life doesn’t have any easy answers. I hope that you will forgive me?”
Porter met his father’s eyes and nodded his head.
“Your mom and I have been talking,” his father continued. “We think Karen would want all of us to spend a lot more time together. Would you like that?’
Porter smiled exuberantly.
Chapter 16
The sun was shining, and a mild breeze scattered the first of fall’s leaves. Pastor Tom addressed those in attendance; “Today we celebrate Karen’s life. As Christians we grieve, but not without hope . . .”
Eddy gazed over at the nurses and volunteers from the hospital who were in attendance, along with a few family members. Karen had touched many people in her short life, Eddy thought. The Pastor continued, “Today we see the beginning of a new season, autumn. Thus, we can see our world changing before our eyes. Although we may long for the joy of the summer months, we must embrace the richness of this season, because this change is part of God’s plan for the earth. This is Karen’s season for change, which may seem untimely to us, but we do not see the full picture. Only God can know all things . . .”
Why did they have to get a long-winded preacher? Eddy thought. I haven’t had a cigarette for over two hours, and all this standing around is making my ankles swell. She cleared her throat and fidgeted with her hankie.
Porter reached over and held Eddy’s hand. The familiarity of his hand in hers was something unexpected and aroused something deep and powerful within her soul. It was something that she did not have a name for, but it was as if the puzzle of her life had finally found the missing piece. How could it be that although they had known each other only a short time, they had formed such a strong bond? It was like - - family. My, how things have changed, Eddy thought. Karen had reached out for help, but it was Karen who had helped Eddy.
The Pastor continued. “Karen rescued this injured dove, and Mrs. McGrath has generously assisted in the bird’s recovery.” The Pastor nodded his head at Eddy and gave her a friendly smile. “Doves throughout history have been a symbol of love and peace, and we have seen them released at weddings. But Eddy reminded me of another tradition. Doves have also been released at funerals as a symbol of our spiritual journey.” Eddy swiped her eyes with her handkerchief. “Today we give this dove its freedom, and as he soars to the heavens, we are reminded of Karen’s short but difficult journey home.”
The assembly watched anxiously as Joe opened the cage, but the bird did not move. Joe tapped on the side of the cage several times with his cane, but the bird would not budge. After several uneasy moments passed, the dove emerged and ambled around the ground, listing toward his injured side. Eddy held her breath. Slowly the bird began to flap his wings, shaking off bits of dust and fluff, and then it was off. The onlookers watched mesmerized, as it circled above their heads, and then it rose and disappeared in the clouds.
“Do you think,” Porter said slowly, enunciating each word, “the dove will find its way home?”
“Porter,” Eddy said. “I’ve come to believe that doves always find their way home.”
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Thank you for reading A Dove for Eddy. I hope this inspirational novel has touched your heart.
"For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13
copyright Sherry Elliott
https://1artist4god.com
A Dove for Eddy Page 15