The Letter - Chapter 56

I turned the last page of Gilead, and a few minutes later, I finished the book.  I drank the last of my second cup of tea and stared out the kitchen window, deep in thought.  I felt sympathy for the Reverend in the story.  He had been the good son, as contrasted with his namesake – the wayward son of his best friend.  I have always been the good daughter, the good sister, the good mother.  And where has it gotten me?  Here I am alone, thousands of miles from my family, living in the house my dead husband and I thought would be our special sanctuary for many years to come.  If it wasn’t for Beverly, I don’t know what I’d do.  I was feeling particularly lonely and isolated.  The weather had gotten chilly and damp.  I’d barely been outside this house during the past few days.  I didn’t feel like going anywhere today.  I got up and walked to my bookcase.  I slipped Gilead between two other books and scanned the shelves for something else I could read – something light and funny.

My cell phone rang.  Could it be Beverly?  Or perhaps it is George, calling to brighten my day – to share some bit of news that will put a smile on my face.  I picked up the phone and looked at the screen.  It was my son.  I answered the call.

“Hello, Mom?”

“Yes.  Hi, Jimmy.  How are you?”

“I’m fine, Mom.  I’m calling about Katie.”

“Katie?  Is everything all right?”

“We’re hoping and praying that it is.  She’s had some bleeding.”

“Oh my goodness.”  I put my hand to my cheek.

“Yes.  No need to panic – yet.  The baby seems fine, but we’re in sort of a danger period right now.  Her OB-GYN has prescribed bed rest.”

“For how long? She’s only in her first trimester.”

“The doctor thinks the next two weeks are critical.  She says she’ll reevaluate Katie’s condition then, and God willing, everything will be fine for the rest of the pregnancy.”

“Knowing Katie, this is liable to drive her nuts.”  I’ve never known my daughter-in-law to stay in one place for a minute, let alone two weeks.

“Well, she knows how important this is, but it will still be difficult.  I’ve looked into finding someone to come in and help out.  Someone to keep the house in order, do some cooking, some light housework, and attend to Katie’s needs.  I’ve identified a service that looks pretty good, and I’ve set up some interviews for later today and tomorrow morning.”

“Jimmy, you will do nothing of the kind.  I will be on the first plane that I can catch to Cleveland either later today or tomorrow.”

“But Mom, you were just out here.  I’d hate to have you fly out here again so soon after your last trip.”

“Don’t you even think about that.  Get the guest room ready.  I’ll send you a text with my flight as soon as I’ve scheduled it.”

“This is going to cost you an arm and a leg, Mom, flying on such short notice.  Let me pay for your flight.”

“It’s my arm and leg and I’ll do with them whatever I like.”

“Mom.  You’ll be saving us the cost of a home help person, so at least let me give you that much to cover your expenses.”

“Well, maybe.  We can discuss it when I’m in Cleveland.  Now, I’ve got to go so I can book my flights and let Beverly know I’m going.”

“Maybe you should also give that guy, George a call.  Cleveland is only a couple hours’ drive from Pittsburgh.  He can come visit and even stay over.  We’ve got the room.”

“Jimmy, please.  He and I are just pen pals, or phone pals, or Facebook friends – whatever.  I don’t think he’d drive to Cleveland to see me.”

“Just throwing it out there, Mom.  I’d actually like to meet him.  See if I approve of the guy.”

“Let’s just worry about Katie and the baby for now.  George Leskovic is neither of our concerns at this point.”

“All right, Mom.  Thank you ever so much for doing this.  Katie and I really appreciate it.”

“I’m looking forward to it.  God bless the two of you and my future grandchild.”

“Thank you.  We look forward to seeing you.  Bye for now.”

“Bye, Jimmy.  I’ll text you my flight information as soon as I book it.” 

How quickly a life can change, I pondered.  Or several lives.  I walked over to my computer and searched for flights to Cleveland.  I was pleasantly surprised to find I could get a round trip ticket for under $800 that gets me to Cleveland by tomorrow evening.  I figured on staying a few days beyond the two weeks.  If all was okay and they were tired of me being there, I could drive to Pittsburgh to spend a few days with Marnie and her family.  And maybe, just maybe, I could figure out a way to finally meetup with George.  I smiled at Jimmy’s suggestion that I should invite George to Cleveland.  How many bedrooms do Jimmy and Katie have? Ellie Barnhart, just push those thoughts right out of your head!