In Full Bloom: Sequel to 'The Crying Rose': The Trilogy of the Rose (Volume 2) (18 page)

They both rose from the table, Grandma Jo going to the kitchen, Mark to the back door.

***

 Exiting the house, Mark spotted Sami sitting on the glider grooming Molly. She glanced at him as she continued to brush the dog. Walking to the end of the patio, he broke eye contact.
This is not the time to beat around the bush
, he thought, and proceeded to jump in with both feet.

“David has agreed to accompany us to the cabin if he can get the time off. With him going, we will be able to take both dogs. However…” he turned to her, “we have a problem with transportation.” He paused, hoping she would volunteer her car. He drove his point further. “The vehicles that are available to us have limited seating space.”

Mark saw that this comment resulted in Sami’s head tilting slightly and a thoughtful expression crossed her face, as she stopped grooming. “How about my car?” she asked. “I haven’t driven it in several years, but it did run well before.”

Pleased with his success, he mentally patted himself on his back. “I think that’s a great idea,” Mark said excitedly. “Maybe I can get David to run over and check out your car.”

“Do you think he might do that for me.” 

“I believe he might,” he said reassuringly. “Where are the keys?”

“In my purse,” she said as she resumed grooming Molly.

“Do I have your permission to retrieve them?” he asked after a few minutes of her silence.

“Yes,” she responded, dismissing him.

Mark ventured back into the house wondering why Sami had switched off all of a sudden.

Passing Grandma Jo in the kitchen, Mark gave her the thumbs-up signal as he headed back to Sami’s bedroom. “This case is getting stranger by the minute,” he spoke out loud to the empty bedroom in which he was now standing. Spotting her purse, he opened it and easily located the keys for there were only two items in the purse: her wallet and the keys. Again, he was amazed at the lack of anything personal. Removing the keys, he spotted the wallet, and then glanced over his shoulder to verify that he was alone. Finding that he was indeed alone, he dropped the keys on the bed and removed her wallet. He did have her permission to open her purse; therefore, searching her wallet was also granted, he reasoned. His curiosity was urging him to commit, which, in any other circumstances, would be considered a ‘no-no’.

Searching her wallet revealed very little about her. There were four one-dollar bills, some loose change, and a book of checks. There were no charge cards, no driver’s license, and not even a check register for him to peruse. Closing the wallet and replacing it in her purse, he reasoned that these missing items had to be somewhere. Picking up the keys, he placed the purse back next to the bed, and left the room.

Walking back to the kitchen, he inspected the keys in his hand. There were five keys on the ring: two he knew to be for the car due to the emblem of the maker on them, two appeared to be house keys, but the last one had him puzzled. It looked extremely old, and in rather sad condition. It almost appeared to be chiseled rather than machine cut. He’d have to remember to ask Sami about it later. Entering the kitchen, Mark found David and Grandma Jo sitting at the table again.

David heard him enter and turned to Mark. “It’s a good thing we decided to take separate vehicles. I can’t possibly get time off until Monday. I’m needed at the store this weekend,” he informed Mark.

“David…” Mark started to remind him about Jon when David cut in.

“I know. You don’t have to remind me. I know Dr. Peterson, remember? He will cover for you.”

“I wish I was as sure as you, David,” Mark stated, tossing the keys at him. David grabbed the keys before they hit the table and got up.

“Have faith, Dr. Stevens,” he proclaimed as he left the room.

Mark pondered David’s words for a few minutes and turned to Grandma Jo, who was in the process of writing out the ‘want list’ for the trip. Remembering that Jon was expected later this morning, Mark decided that he, too, had better get prepared. “I’ll be back in a jiffy. If David is correct, I’ve got things that I need to attend to before Jon’s arrival. I should be back within the hour. If you need me….”

“I know, I know, page you if there is a problem.” Grandma Jo finished the sentence for him, not removing her eyes from her list.

“You got it,” he said turning in the direction of his bedroom to retrieve his own keys.

***

Mark was later than he originally thought in returning to Grandma Jo’s house. The hour had grown into three by the time he finished. Stopping at the clinic first, he verified his upcoming appointments and jotted notes on files, which had taken more time than he had planned.

As he was leaving the clinic, he was detained and distracted by the arrival of Jan in the parking lot. Mark remembered that she had requested, and been given, permission by him on Thursday to work over the weekend on…let’s see, what had she called it…the two-headed monster that had wrecked havoc on her organized basement. Mark only agreed to her request by insisting that she take Monday and Tuesday off in trade. As he recalled this deal, he realized that, if all goes as planned, they would be off on the same days. Oh well, he thought, Jon is so capable, surely he can handle it with the rest of the staff.

 However, stepping back into the clinic with Jan, he had spent another hour on paperwork that needed his attention. Finally free of the clinic, he drove to his place making a mental list of things he’d need for a week’s trip. He had difficulty locating the box of warm clothes he had packed when he left California. He also had to contact the neighbor that had been attending to his mail and newspaper, and assure himself that he would continue to do so.

Now, driving back to Grandma Jo’s house, he felt exhausted especially since he had had so little sleep. At the stoplight, he reached for the soda in his cup holder, and chugged the contents hoping that the caffeine would recharge his draining energy.

***

THIRTEEN

B
rushing Molly had caused Sami’s damaged body to ache. Not willing to admit to this weakness as self-torture, she put the brush down and sat back. Closing her eyes, she wished for her own glider, wanting the rocking motion to soothe her. “What am I doing here?” she cried out. “What have I done to deserve this pain?” She sat there, not knowing or caring about the passage of time, when she heard the back door open and close. Without opening her eyes, she choked. “Now what, Dr. Stevens?”

“Sami?” Grandma Jo’s concerned voice came to her instead of the male one she heard day and night in her head.

Sami’s eyes flew open, and she became aware of the moisture streaking down her face. She had not known that she had been crying until that moment. She quickly located Grandma Jo’s concerned face, and saw, through the blur of tears, a tray held out to her. Sami sat forward and used the back of her right hand to rid her face of the tears.

Grandma Jo stepped toward her and placed the tray on Sami’s lap. “I figured you needed your pain pill.”

Sami stared down at the tray. On it was not only the pill and a glass of water, but a mini-breakfast as well. “Thank you,” she said, picking up the pill and placing it in her mouth.

“You’re welcome,” Grandma Jo responded, feeling better that Sami was taking the medication. “I thought you might like to take a shower or bath after breakfast,” Grandma Jo continued, wanting Sami to know that she was there for her.

Sami glanced up at her as she chewed on a piece of toast, then down to her cast on her arm.

“Don’t worry, we will think of something,” Grandma Jo rushed on, recalling briefly seeing Sami in the hot tub the night before. “We could wrap it in a towel for protection. I will help you wash your hair, if you wish.”

“That would be lovely,” Sami sighed.

“Call out when you’re finished, and I will return to help you,” Grandma Jo said, turning to enter the house.

“I’m ready now, if you don’t mind,” Sami responded, appreciating Grandma Jo’s kind offer.

Grandma Jo did an about-face. “You have barely touched your breakfast, child,” she observed. Grandma Jo saw Sami’s lower lip began to tremble. “Okay,” Grandma Jo let down her defenses, “if you finish your milk at least, I will remove the tray.”

Nodding, Sami picked up the glass of milk, and Grandma Jo stepped over to her and took the tray. Sami stood up, and moving to the door, she continued to take sips of the ‘deal maker’. Grandma Jo didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at the determined look in Sami’s eyes as she went past. Turning to the two dogs in the yard, Grandma Jo shook her head at them in frustration, and followed Sami into the house.

After the bath, Sami felt much better. The combination of the scented hot water and the pain pill eased the aches she had experienced earlier. Grandma Jo had helped Sami dry her body. She also had re-bandaged her arm, and was now combing her hair.
Grandma Jo
, she thought suddenly,
was a great lady
. She never once left her side. Sami closed her eyes, relishing the attention focused on her. It has been such a long time since anyone had done this simple task for her. The ringing of the doorbell didn’t faze her. She was too lost in the effects of the drugs to notice when Grandma Jo left to answer the door.

***

Mark saw Jon’s car parked outside Grandma Jo’s house when he rounded the corner.
At least,
Mark thought,
Jon has been able to interact with Sami without his presence. Maybe his being late was a good thing. Hopefully, Jon will help him map out a feasible outline for treatment
. Switching off the engine, Mark jumped out of the truck. Now fully charged again, he almost raced toward the front door.

With a worried expression of her face, Grandma Jo stepped out of the door before he had a chance to cover half the distance, causing him to slow his pace.

“What is it?” His voice was forced, fearing the answer.

“Nothing,” she replied. “I just wanted to catch you before you entered.”

Mark stopped and crammed his hands deep into his jacket’s pockets, not liking the vibrations he was receiving from her.

“Dr. P. is here,” she began. “They are sitting at the kitchen table. The conversation has been constant for the last ninety minutes. Mark, I really should not be listening to them, but the volume level at times…I just can’t help it.” She began to cry. Mark opened his arms and she walked into his embrace. He stroked her back gently.

“She is switching between her two personalities rapidly. I still can’t get used to her actions. It is a bit scary to hear her.” Grandma Jo’s voice shook with each sob. “Where do you think this will lead? Do you think she will ever recover completely? It seems so unreal.”

“Don’t fret. Have faith in her and my ability.” Mark tried to console her.

“You know I am a worry-wart. Let me worry. Then, I know that all will be fine,” Grandma Jo reminded him. 

“Okay, have it your way,” he chuckled as he released her. “Stay here for a minute. I am going in the house.” Stepping past her, he opened the door and entered.

Grandma Jo was right, Mark thought as he took his first steps in the house. Sami’s volume level was a lot higher than it needed to be. He noticed that even the dogs were visibly upset by her tone. He reached out to comfort the pets. Shaking his head, he wondered whether her voice would give out soon, for if she kept this up much longer she wouldn’t be able to talk for days.