The Road Not Taken: Another Path

Chapter 10

August 10, 1972

Sam was up early, tending to the cows and the other animals. He figured that giving his Dad a break before he headed back to school would be a nice gesture, even though his Dad said he was up to the task. Sam was enjoying these last weeks of summer. Things definitely were looking up. Donna was the best thing that could have happened to him. She was so wonderful to talk with. He had called her yesterday and thanked her for the pictures. He told her that he felt if he couldn't be with her, at least seeing her face would allow him to feel closer to her.

His Dad had complained at breakfast about feeling a little short of breath and having a bad case of indigestion. Had Sam known what these symptoms portended, he would have been watching his father closer. As it was, accepting John's explanation that he had eaten his breakfast too fast, Sam'd gone on to doing chores without thinking about anything except his upcoming school plans.

His Dad had headed out to the fields as usual, concerned about the current low rainfall and its effect on the corn. If Sam hadn't just happened to glance out to the fields he wouldn't have even seen his father fall between the rows of corn. It was only his quick action, running to his dad and performing CPR that led to John Beckett getting the help he needed to save his life. As soon as Sam was sure there was a heartbeat, he picked up his father to get him back to the house. John Beckett was not a small man to carry but with the athletic conditioning from basketball combined with the adrenaline rush, Sam somehow managed. Later he would not be able to recall how.

"Mom!" Sam had cried as he had rushed from the cornfield, "Call the ambulance."

Thelma had immediately gone to the phone and called 911, not exactly sure what the emergency was but sure Sam would only ask for an ambulance if it were truly necessary. A few minutes later, Thelma Beckett had come to the door and saw Sam carrying the love of her life up to the house.

"Oh Lord, John!" Thelma cried, rushing towards him. "What happened, Sam?"

"I saw Dad fall in the corn. It's his heart. I gave him CPR but I think we need the paramedics here."

"I've called them, Sam. They're on the way."

Sam made his way into the living room, placing his father on the sofa. John Beckett moaned as Sam let him go. Thelma came to his side holding his hand. "Oh, John. Hang on, the paramedics will be here soon." Her countenance provided no doubt about her level of concern. She was worried, big time.

The ambulance arrived only 10 minutes after Thelma had made the call, but somehow it seemed like an eternity to Thelma and Sam. The paramedics went right to work, checking John's vital signs and placing him onto the gurney to take him to the ambulance. They said it was against the rules for family to travel with the injured party so Sam and Thelma drove to the hospital.

When they arrived, they found that John had suffered an additional cardiac arrest while in the ambulance. The Emergency Room doctor had immediately called in the cardiologist who decided that John would require emergency surgery. He was in the operating theatre for three hours, during which time Sam did his best to stay strong for his mother.

They had called over to Sarah's house from the hospital to let Katie know where they were. Mrs. Thomas had agreed to drive Katie to the hospital so she could be with her family.

When the doctor came out of surgery, his face was grim. He pulled the family into an alcove where a TV was blasting away. He turned down the dial so that it would no longer make noise. As he was preparing to say something to the Beckett family, another group started towards the alcove, apparently to watch the TV. If looks could kill, the one the doctor gave them would have filled the morgue. The other group left, planning on finding something else to do while visiting the hospital. Once the doctor had everyone seated he began.

"Mrs. Beckett"

"Call me Thelma. These are John's and my children - Sam and Katie."

"I wish we could have met on better circumstances, but…"

"Yes."

"Well, let me get right to it. Your husband has suffered a massive heart attack. It is amazing that he lived. I understand you gave him CPR, Sam."

"Yeah. Everyone on the team has to know the procedure."

"That's most likely what saved his life."

"Thank God."

"Yes. Thank God indeed. Mr. Beckett was on death's door when he came in but we were able to do a triple bypass. He is currently in critical but stable condition."

"When can I see him?" asked Thelma, eyes bright with tears.

"Soon. But first, I want to give you the prognosis. Your husband is likely to be a semi-invalid. He'll have to take it much easier."

Sam looked at the doctor in shock. "What do you mean semi-invalid?"

The doctor looked at Sam. "I mean he can not do the type of farm-work he has been used to. He will need to reduce his workload considerably. For the first month, he can lift no more than 8 pounds. Afterwards, he'll have to follow a more aerobic exercise program but nothing too strenuous. Walking would be best. His diet will have to change as well."

The doctor looked towards Thelma. "Does your husband smoke?"

"Yes."

"He'll have to stop that as well."

"John won't like hearing any of this."

The doctor looked at the Beckett family. "It doesn't matter if he likes hearing it or not. If Mr. Beckett does not change his habits, the next time his heart will give out. He's lucky to be alive. With as much damage as his heart has, any time he has left is dependent on the changes he can make."

XoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXo

The doctor had left the family in the alcove. Sam had stated that he should leave college, but Thelma had insisted that there would be another way. She had not told John, but had taken out a policy to help out under this situation. They would have some money to hire a helper for John, someone who could do the heavy work. After about an hour, the nurse had found them to tell them that John was awake. The family walked back to the ICU.

The doctor was in the room and was obviously catching hell from John Beckett.

"What do you mean I have to take it easy? I run a dairy farm, for God's sake. Easy doesn't come with the territory."

"Sir, you required a triple bypass and much of your heart is greatly damaged and weakened. If you go back to business as usual, you'll have another heart attack, one which I doubt you'd be able to survive."

"Dad," said Sam softly. "We can hire someone to do the heavy work. You'd still be able to run the farm. Just with some help."

"We can't afford that, Sam."

"Yes, we can. Mom was worried something like this might happen. You know that Grandpa died young. She's made sure there is money to hire someone."

"Yes, Sam. I know when my father died. After he passed on, my brothers and I took care of that farm. I was 13 when that occurred. James and Benjamin both decided not to pursue farming as a career, but farming is my life. This little heart thing isn't going to slow me down."

"Dad, you have to take care of yourself. What will Mom and Katie do if you're gone?"

"You can come home, Sam."

Thelma spoke up. "No, John. Sam needs to finish school."

John looked at Thelma. He knew how much stock she placed in school, in education. He knew this was unlikely to be a battle he would win. "I don't think this is a good idea, Thelma." He looked to Sam. "Son, go ahead and see if you can find someone who can work with me on the farm. I won't take someone on who's not willing to put in a full days work though."

"Yessir. Dad. You'll see. It will work out ok."

"I hope so, Sam. I hope so."

XoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXo

Ezra Michaels was a good solid, Indiana farm laborer. He was married and had a daughter aged 2 ½ years old. He was willing to take a portion of his wages in rent for the small house on the farm, the one that the Katie had often used for her playhouse. Sam felt sure that Ezra would meet his father's expectations.

Ezra had worked on a dairy farm all of his life. His own family's farm had failed about 10 years before and he had hired himself out since then. All of the references that Sam had received were positive. His last position was on a farm that had been foreclosed on a month before and Ezra was concerned about his limited savings keeping his family afloat. The Beckett's offer was fair and reasonable and the house would be a great bonus.

When John Beckett had been released from the hospital a week after surgery, Ezra had met with him. John had talked with him at length about how he liked to run his farm. He had reminded Ezra of his own father, a definite passion for his life's blood. After Ezra's family's farm had failed, his father had gone downhill rather quickly, dying way too young. He understood how deep farming ran in John Beckett's blood.

Ezra wasn't sure why John's son, Sam, would not be coming back to the farm right away, but then again, if he did; the job and the house wouldn't be there for Ezra. He decided that if the Beckett's would have him, he'd do the best job he could. At least Jane and Clara would have a roof over their heads.

By mid-August, things were set and the Michaels had moved in. The Beckett farm would continue.