Always Tried and Proven (43 page)

       Sam shrugged.  “Tomorrow, perhaps.  We’ll have to wait and see.”

       “Bologna.  What’re they keeping her for?”

       “To be sure she doesn’t have any seizures, or anything like that.”

       Clyde paled.  “Oh.”  He said, worriedly.

    “I’m about done in.”  Sam sighed.  “Thank God, there was no meeting scheduled tonight.”

      “That certainly was providential.”  Clyde agreed.  “Hey, Sam, we got a call from some churches down in the Mobile area.  They got hit by twisters this morning, and wondered if we could help with some chore service; for first aid and clean up.  I sent six down today, and thought maybe more could go tomorrow.”

      “By all means.”  Sam agreed.  “I’ve got a funeral in a couple days and Callie to take care of, too.  Let the local churches know, and see what they want to do about volunteering to keep the tent going.  They may want to shut down and go help in Mobile.  Whatever they want to do, is all right with me.”

      “All right.  Thanks, Sam.  G’night.”

      Sam took a hot shower and hit his bunk, almost asleep.

     Things looked much better the following morning.  Sam didn’t even think about getting up until ten, and no one bothered him.  He took his time showering.  As he was thinking about something to eat, Sadie appeared at the door.

     “Hey.”

     “Hey.”  He answered tiredly.

     “Getting ready to go to town?”

     “Yep.  You want to come with?”

     “If you’ll let me.”  She agreed sheepishly.

     “Don’t be ridiculous.”  he grumbled.

     “Well, I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t want me.”  She explained meekly.  “I did get pretty bossy last night.”

     “Cut it out.”  He ordered, laughing at her.

     They found Callie propped up in bed, looking pretty as a picture.  She broke into a dazzling smile, her face glowing, when she looked up and saw them.  “Oh, at last!” she exclaimed joyfully.

     Sam was holding a vase full of fragrant, pink roses. 

     Tears sprang to Callie’s eyes.  “Oh, Sam.”  She objected.

     “Ah, you don’t like them.  I thought as much!  Don’t worry, I’ll give them to the lady down the hall, it’s all right.”  He teased.

   Callie made a noise of disgusted protest, and tipped her head at him in warning.  “I don’t think so!”  she advised sharply.  “Bring them here, Sam.”

    He put them on the table beside her bed, and she stuck her nose in them immediately.  “Ah.”  She sighed.  “Wonderful.  How did you know?”

     “Know what?”  He asked with a grin.

     “How much I love roses.”

      He shrugged.  “They reminded me of you.  They just called out to me.”

    Callie looked at him with adoration.  Sam was discomfited to discover that Sadie had made herself scarce, and he was alone with Callie.

      She looked at him with bedroom eyes.  “Come here, Sam.”  She urged softly.

     He shook his head.  “This is a conspiracy.  Where did Sadie go?” he asked, feigning irritation.

     “I don’t know and I don’t care.”  Callie answered sweetly.  “Come here.”

     Sam sighed and scratched his head, as though considering.  Callie got out of bed and towered above him, where he sat in the chair.

    “You are the most stubborn, difficult, headstrong and merciless man.”  She accused.  She leaned over and lifted his chin with her finger.  She looked into his eyes with a look that chastised.  Sam looked up at her, and smiled despite himself.

     “So, what are you going to do about it?” he taunted slowly.

    “I’m going to go right past that hard head of yours, and see if I can’t find your heart.”  She threatened softly.

      He chuckled.  “What if it’s made of stone, too?”  he challenged.

     “Not.”  She denied.  “It’s soft as butter.  And big as the ocean, and sweet as new wine.”

     He watched her pensively as she lowered her face, and pressed her lips to his.  Sam felt his defenses melting as she assaulted his heart.  She went straight in.  Sam could have sworn that she searched until she found his heart; and wrapped her hands around it, squeezed it until she was sure it was in her grasp, and then she just stroked it, lovingly.  He groaned inside as she simply took possession.  There was no doubt.  She’d won.  Again.

     After she’d finished kissing him, she stood up straight, and just wrapped her arms around his neck and held him to her.  With her knees between his, there was nowhere for Sam to go.  He had to just allow her to draw his head against her tummy, and hold him.

     Something deep inside Sam was touched.  Callie became aware of it.  The Lord began to show her that there had been very little love in Sam’s life.  Surely no woman had held his head against her tummy and just hugged his neck, since long before his mother died.  The natural, human kind of love had been sorely absent for many long years.  She began to wonder if anyone had ever just told Sam that he was loved.  This man who had given out so much to any and every human being in his path, had received so little of the kind of affection that most people took for granted.  For him, just the simple gesture of drawing his head against the softness of her belly, was unheard of.

    First, there was no one whom he would ever have allowed that kind of intimacy with, to protect his ministry; and second, there was no one he’d ever trusted, or wanted it with.

     But in that moment, a yearning began to grow in his heart.  A deep ache made itself felt.  Sam felt alone.  He saw his lack, as he never had before.  The softness of her tummy against his cheek, the gentle fingers stroking his hair and neck, were extremely comforting.  There was nothing sexual about it.  It was just pure, human intimacy.  He closed his eyes and drew a deep breath.  He couldn’t have pulled away if he’d wanted to.

     At last, she leaned down and kissed his forehead.  He sat her on his lap, and wrapped his arms around her.  They sat that way for a long time.  There was a healing taking place without a word being spoken, in both of their hearts.

     Each of them made a decision, to trust the other completely.  A new strength was forged.  Sam felt his heart truly break open in intimacy to another person, for the first time since his mother had died.

    Compassion, he’d had.  Mercy, grace and love, he had ministered without measure.  But he’d never allowed himself to be vulnerable to another human being, in his heart.  But it had suddenly, just happened.  He knew a moment’s terror as he realized the power he’d given Callie over him.

      He forced himself into a state of contentment.  He’d done it, and there was no going back.  He knew that Callie was taking the same risk.  It was just known without being spoken.  She was as open and vulnerable as he was.  And she’d certainly been hurt, too.

      She looked down at him, and smiled.  “Sam, look at us.  What will Sadie think when she comes through that door?”  She teased.  

        He shook his head.  “Whatever she wants.”  He said with a chuckle.

      Callie looked at him with naughty eyes.  “Aren’t you afraid she’ll talk about finding you in a single woman’s hospital room, with the lady in your lap, and her lipstick on your face?"

      Sam laughed.  “Yeah.  Whatever.  You’ve always been worth it, lady.  Don’t you kid yourself.”

    But, Sadie found Callie in bed, and Sam sitting in the chair beside her, chatting quietly. 

      “Cal, honey.  I brought you some clothes, and brushes and things.  I’ll put the bag in your closet.”

      “Thanks, Sadie.”  Callie said gratefully.  “Is there anything to read?”

      “Yep.”

     “You’re a lifesaver.  I hope I can leave tomorrow.”  Callie sighed.  Suddenly, she didn’t look right.  Sam and Sadie noticed it together.

     “Callie?”  Sam asked worriedly.  She didn’t respond, although she opened quivering lips, and seemed to be trying.  Then, her eyes rolled back in her head and her whole body stiffened – and began to shake violently.

       “Oh, Jesus.”  Sam said worriedly.  “Sadie, get a nurse in here!”

     He held her hand, and watched her carefully.  She didn’t seem to be in any imminent danger, but he wasn’t happy about what was happening to her, either.

      A nurse came in, and sighed as she witnessed the seizure.  “Oh, boy.  I’ll call Dr. Adams.”  She said worriedly.  “I don’t think the results of the EEG are back yet, but I’ll check.”

      She picked up Callie’s phone and called the doctor from there.  Within a few more seconds, it was over.

     “How long did it last?”  the nurse asked.

     “Maybe a minute.”  Sam replied.

    “Okay.  Well, I’m going to arrange for a monitor for her, so we can get some more information.  She may be scared.  Just comfort her, and reassure her that she’s all right.”

    Sam nodded.  He watched Callie come out of it, and saw that she was, indeed, very frightened.  He sat on the bed, and stroked her hair.  “It’s okay, honey.  It’s over.”  He soothed her.

     Callie closed her eyes, and began to cry.  Sam couldn’t help it.  He simply picked her up, and carried her to the chair.  He sat there with her, and held her.  Sadie watched with great concern.

     It turned out to be another very long day.  Callie had to go through testing, and Sam didn’t want to leave her.  Dr. Adams got a rush on the results of her EEG, and came to her room to share it, around three o’clock.

    “Well, Callie.  Your EEG shows some pretty abnormal activity.  It may improve over time, or it may not.  For now, it’s important that we begin you on some medication.  It will hopefully diminish, or entirely eliminate the seizures.  It’s pretty widely used and it’s a miracle drug in many cases.”

     Callie looked at Sam fearfully.  Then she looked at the doctor again.  “Well; are these seizures dangerous?”  she asked uneasily.

     “They can be.  I don’t want you driving, or anything like that.”  He chuckled.  “Let’s see how it goes, before we get too concerned.  You may never have another one.  But I want to monitor you for a bit, starting with a sleep EEG tonight, to get some more definitive data.”

      Callie nodded, and tried to look brave.

      “Is it possible for me to stay with her?”  Sam asked worriedly.

     “We’ve got a wing for family.  You’re all she’s got, so I guess you qualify.  You won’t be able to visit with her through the night, but you could certainly check on her through the window.  I’m sure she’ll feel better just knowing that you’re nearby.”

     “Thank you.  I appreciate it.”  Sam said quietly.

     The doctor nodded, smiled at Callie, and left.

     The three of them just sat numbly, and stared at one another in shock. 

     “This is like a bad dream.  Tell me it’s not happening.”  Callie whispered.

     Sam sighed, and shook his head.  “I wish that were true.”

    Sadie pressed her lips together.  “Sam, should I go back and get you some clothes and stuff?”

      He nodded.  “That would be great, Sadie.  Thanks.”

     “All right.  Well, I’ll come back as soon as I can.  I’ll make sure the boys have the service covered, Sam.  Don’t worry about a thing.”

     He nodded, but he seemed minimally concerned about the service.  He never took his eyes off Callie.  When Sadie was gone, she looked up at him.

     “Sam, I can’t help it.  I’m so scared.”

    “I know.  It’s all right to be scared.”  He assured her.  “But you’re going to be okay.  I promise you, honey.  I’m going to take good care of you.  You don’t need to worry about this.  And God will take care of you.  He's with you, always.”

     “Man.” She sighed.

   Sam took her hand and smiled at her.  “I’ll be here with you, Cal.”  He promised.

     The evening passed slowly, and the night was interminable.  Sam went to the control booth, to look in on Callie frequently.  He felt for her, lying there with her eyes open wide, clearly frightened and uncomfortable.  She was slow to relax with all of the EEG electrodes hooked to her body.  She felt a bit like a Frankenstein.  But, she finally managed.

     “Why don’t you go on in and talk to her for a few minutes, since she’s wide awake?” the technician suggested.

      “Really?  It’s not against the rules?” Sam teased.

     “Well, it’s not often done, but I have the freedom to go, in if need be.  But she’s not relaxing very well, so a visit from you would probably do some good.  Hey, can you sing a lullaby?”

      Sam chuckled.  “Not really my specialty.”  He denied.  “But I’ll do what I can to calm her down. Thanks.  I appreciate it.”

     Callie was very shocked when Sam walked into the room.  “Sam!  How did you get in here?”

     He laughed.  “I punched the technician out, and broke down the door.”  He teased.

    “Uh, huh.”  She agreed facetiously.  “Any other tall tales you’d care to tell while you’re at it?”

     “No, that one will do.”  He admitted.  “Actually, the technician thought perhaps you’d relax a little, if I came in and sang you a lullaby.  I assured him that it would only raise your blood pressure.”