Chapter 6
"Ok, honey, try again."
Oscar stood in the ranch living room, watching as his niece put her walker aside, then attempted to step down from the dining room threshold unaided. Stiffly she took one step, then another, then put all her weight down and slowly put one foot, then the other down onto the carpeted floor. Beads of perspiration on her lip, she looked up to see her uncle with his arms outstretched, then moved the remaining few feet into his embrace.
"I did it!", she wept, as he held her tightly in his arms. "Yes, baby, you did, I'm so proud of you!" After a month of recovery, Laurie was finally able to walk unaided. During the first week of hospitalization, she had gotten very frustrated by not even being able to go to the bathroom by herself, but finally she had gotten strong enough to come home.
Nights had been hard at first, as Laurie had suffered thru a couple of nightmares, eased only by her husband's holding her and talking her through the worst of the memories. Once she knew she was safe, their sleep was once again uninterrupted and she was on the road to recovery.
Oscar and Rick had both pleaded and cajoled her into not overworking her legs in order to make her goal of walking by the Hospital dedication. The result was her stamina was the best it had been in years and she was stronger. Her emotions were still very close to the surface, though, as Laurie raised her head and saw that Oscar was teary also. "Oh, Oscar, don't, I'm ok, you helped me to get better. I love you!" Wiping his eyes, she put her cheek to his, as he choked, "no, my girl, you worked so hard to walk again, I just made sure you didn't hurt yourself!"
Just then they heard the honk of Rick's truck, then a grin lit Laurie's face. "Let me do it again, I want to surprise him!", she told her uncle.
"All right, honey, just one more time, then you need to rest. Remember what Rudy said!", he smiled, taking her arm and helping her back up and over to the kitchen door.
Hitting the remote to the gate, Oscar waited by the front door, then nonchalantly opened it when Rick hit the porch. "Hey, pal, glad to see you're home."
"Hey Oscar, how's the hospital coming? Going to be ready for Saturday?" he teased, knowing how driven the big man had been to get every part of the construction completed for the dedication of the Silver Rock-Scott Hospital and Cultural Center.
"Yes, Rick, and I thought you should see another unveiling, this one couldn't wait!", he added, then turned and winked. "Okay, Laurie."
Surprised, her husband glanced toward the kitchen, then smiled as he saw his wife. "Sweetheart, there you are!"
Gazing at him, she took her hand off the doorframe, then slowly came toward him, stopping at the step, then putting first one then the other foot down and walking to him. Mesmerized, Rick put his hands out, "Oh, my, come here my angel!" She came to him and took his hands, and then he pulled her into his arms, "Laurie, dearest, you did it!"
"We did it, darling, Oscar and Rudy and you and I, all of us.", she sniffed.
"Yes, you did, Laurie, what a wonderful surprise!", Rick gulped, fighting his emotions, only to see his uncle wiping his eyes. Clearing his throat, he swept her up into his arms as Oscar added; "Now you need to rest, honey, we want you well for Saturday!"
'I'm all right, just a little tired.", she admitted, as he put her down on the sofa. "Honey, let me get you some ice tea, then I'm going to meet Rudy, we're bringing dinner tonight, remember?", the big man chuckled as his niece looked blank, then giggled. "That's right, Robin's making a new recipe for us. Rick, don't forget to start the coals, I think she's going to roast the potatoes first."
"Yes, darlin' ", he grinned, kissing her. As he walked her uncle out to the truck, Rick told him, "you don't know how I relieved I was to see her walking, Oscar. I don't think she'd have been able to do it ahead of schedule if it hadn't been for you and Rudy being here!"
"She scares me sometimes, son, she's so intent on being able to take care of herself. She told me today she never wants to be a burden on us; I straightened her out on that right away. I think now that she knows she'll be able to get around by herself soon, she'll quit worrying!", he replied.
"I'm glad you told me, this way I can reassure her that I'm still in charge where taking care of her is concerned!", he asserted, then laughed as Oscar snorted. "You, be in charge, in case you didn't notice, she still has dinner taken care of!"
"Yeah, you're right, looks like I have go remind her!", Rick looked rather pleased at the prospect, as his uncle shook his head, smiling.
Waving at him as he drove off, Rick bounded back into the house and caught Laurie starting to get up from the sofa. "And where, milady, do you think you're going?", he smirked, lifting her up and depositing her on his lap.
"I was going to make a salad, oh,", she stopped, as he kissed her neck, then worked his way up to her lips. "Never mind that,", Rick said, between tasting her lips then the back of her neck.
"Oh, darling,", Laurie murmured, "Anything you want!". Cupping her face, her husband repeated "Anything?" She pulled him to her, then kissed him all over his face. "Anything!", she answered, burying her face in his shoulder.
"My sweetheart", he whispered, stroking her face. "I'm so proud of you, now I want you to take it easy. Robin and Robbie will be busting their buttons over you and I don't want you to overdo, promise?"
"I promise", she replied, kissing his hand, then letting him slide her down onto the sofa and putting a throw over her. Just then excited barking let them know that their golden retriever had returned from outside and had discovered Rick was home. Skidding into the living room, he leaped into Rick's lap and greeted him then gently crawled on top of Laurie and licked her.
"There's Mikey, glad to see dad's home, huh?", she sputtered, giggling.
Rick had an idea, "Mikey, there's a good dog, you stay with Mom and make sure she doesn't get up, okay?" To her surprise, the dog barked, then turned around and made himself comfortable on her feet.
"Oh you didn't, Rick, did you train Mikey to do that?", she gasped, astonished at the rambunctious pup's obedience.
'Sort of of, now you just relax, darlin', I'll take care of everything!", he grinned then kissed Laurie one more time for the road.
Waiting until he went outside to start the charcoal, Laurie started to get up so she could fix the salad, only to have Mike start barking and pawing at her.
"All right, all right, Mikey, I'll wait, yeesh, you silly dog, don't tell your Dad!" she laughed
Outside the kitchen door, Rick grinned as he fired up the barbeque.
"Best obedience class I ever took!", he thought to himself.
"As we dedicate this hospital and this place of learning, we vow always to remember the past, so we don't repeat the mistakes we made in the "Good Old Days!" Chief Joseph said, ending his speech. Turning, he blessed the gleaming two-story hospital and cultural center, now housing two hundred years of Navajo history.
As the large crowd rose to their feet to applaud the Council elder, the Chief gestured to Laurie and Rick, and beckoned them to step forward. Suddenly nervous, she stood slowly, then allowed Rick to take her arm. Coming forward to the podium, she surprised many in the crowd who knew she had been injured and was unable to walk.
Respectful applause greeted her, then built as her family stood cheering her. Surprised by the warmth of the greeting, she clung to her husband's hand. As the acclaim died down, she wiped her eyes and thanked the community. "Especially to those who came before us, to those of the past, present and to come. I also want to acknowledge the enormous role the support of my family and friends have made in the creation of this lifesaving center. Finally,", she turned to Rick, and tugged him forward. "My husband deserves the biggest thanks of all, he supported me every step of the way in the building of this magnificent building. He reminds me everyday of the importance of giving back and on caring for the family, both for the people and the community at large."
Startled, he saw the love in his wife's eyes and realized it was important to her that he was honored in some way. Taking in his arms, he told her "I love you, my Light!"
"I love you too!" she whispered, then Rick led her back to their loved ones. As the ceremony ended and the community streamed into the lobby, her family hugged and kissed each other, then suddenly Laurie saw a familiar face, standing in the background.
"Grandmother.", she breathed, then holding fast to her husband's hand, walked toward her. Knowing instinctively to stop a few feet away, Laurie saw her warm smile, then felt Rick's comforting squeeze.
"I'm very proud of you, my child, this is right, this will last.", she told them. Looking at Rick, Casey Adams expression softened even more. "You didn't give up, no matter what, Richard. Don't worry, you are safe. They won't hurt you again."
Rick felt emboldened to ask, "Grandmother, will she be all right now, will our children?"
Nodding, the spirit sighed, then smiled again, "Your bird will choose wisely, just let her find her wings. I will be there, I promise." "Thank you Grandmother, thank you for being there when we need you.", Laurie said gratefully.
At once she was gone, and Laurie heard Robert go "Whoa. I don't believe I just saw her." Rick put his arm around her as she felt her legs start to tremble. "Darlin', it's all right, come sit down."
"Yes, Rick." she sighed, then walked with him to the lobby of the center, as Robbie ran to get their car. As he pulled up a few minutes later, he found his sister waiting for him.
"Pop'll bring mom out in a moment, I think she's just tired. It's still a surprise to see you know, a ghost in the middle of the day!", she said, amazed.
"You got that right! At least we got to hear her, she does sound slightly southern, the way Mom first described Grandmother when she heard her a couple of years ago." Robert answered. He grinned at Robin as she motioned to her father that they were ready to leave.
"Bird, huh? I forgot that was her daughter's nickname too.", Robbie teased, then ducked as Robin threatened to whack him. "Don't you dare tell Ian, whatever you do!", she warned her brother. As Rick saw the two siblings goofing around, he heard his wife giggling and put his arm around her as he helped her stand up.
"They're just as silly as you are, sweetheart!", he laughed, leading her toward the exit.
"And just as loving as you, my darling!", she beamed, putting her head against his shoulder. "Even grandmother knows that now, she said how you never gave up on me."
"Like you always say, my angel, never", he kissed her, "ever will I let you go!"
Watching them get in their car to leave, Chief Joseph emerged from the entrance of the hospital, then turned to where the spirit had appeared. "Thank you, Grandmother Adams.", he said quietly. "You kept your promises, we will protect your family and your land."
For a moment her image appeared again, a silent acknowledgement on her lips, then was gone. The Chief smiled. His work in caring for her legacy was only beginning.
"Ok, honey, try again."
Oscar stood in the ranch living room, watching as his niece put her walker aside, then attempted to step down from the dining room threshold unaided. Stiffly she took one step, then another, then put all her weight down and slowly put one foot, then the other down onto the carpeted floor. Beads of perspiration on her lip, she looked up to see her uncle with his arms outstretched, then moved the remaining few feet into his embrace.
"I did it!", she wept, as he held her tightly in his arms. "Yes, baby, you did, I'm so proud of you!" After a month of recovery, Laurie was finally able to walk unaided. During the first week of hospitalization, she had gotten very frustrated by not even being able to go to the bathroom by herself, but finally she had gotten strong enough to come home.
Nights had been hard at first, as Laurie had suffered thru a couple of nightmares, eased only by her husband's holding her and talking her through the worst of the memories. Once she knew she was safe, their sleep was once again uninterrupted and she was on the road to recovery.
Oscar and Rick had both pleaded and cajoled her into not overworking her legs in order to make her goal of walking by the Hospital dedication. The result was her stamina was the best it had been in years and she was stronger. Her emotions were still very close to the surface, though, as Laurie raised her head and saw that Oscar was teary also. "Oh, Oscar, don't, I'm ok, you helped me to get better. I love you!" Wiping his eyes, she put her cheek to his, as he choked, "no, my girl, you worked so hard to walk again, I just made sure you didn't hurt yourself!"
Just then they heard the honk of Rick's truck, then a grin lit Laurie's face. "Let me do it again, I want to surprise him!", she told her uncle.
"All right, honey, just one more time, then you need to rest. Remember what Rudy said!", he smiled, taking her arm and helping her back up and over to the kitchen door.
Hitting the remote to the gate, Oscar waited by the front door, then nonchalantly opened it when Rick hit the porch. "Hey, pal, glad to see you're home."
"Hey Oscar, how's the hospital coming? Going to be ready for Saturday?" he teased, knowing how driven the big man had been to get every part of the construction completed for the dedication of the Silver Rock-Scott Hospital and Cultural Center.
"Yes, Rick, and I thought you should see another unveiling, this one couldn't wait!", he added, then turned and winked. "Okay, Laurie."
Surprised, her husband glanced toward the kitchen, then smiled as he saw his wife. "Sweetheart, there you are!"
Gazing at him, she took her hand off the doorframe, then slowly came toward him, stopping at the step, then putting first one then the other foot down and walking to him. Mesmerized, Rick put his hands out, "Oh, my, come here my angel!" She came to him and took his hands, and then he pulled her into his arms, "Laurie, dearest, you did it!"
"We did it, darling, Oscar and Rudy and you and I, all of us.", she sniffed.
"Yes, you did, Laurie, what a wonderful surprise!", Rick gulped, fighting his emotions, only to see his uncle wiping his eyes. Clearing his throat, he swept her up into his arms as Oscar added; "Now you need to rest, honey, we want you well for Saturday!"
'I'm all right, just a little tired.", she admitted, as he put her down on the sofa. "Honey, let me get you some ice tea, then I'm going to meet Rudy, we're bringing dinner tonight, remember?", the big man chuckled as his niece looked blank, then giggled. "That's right, Robin's making a new recipe for us. Rick, don't forget to start the coals, I think she's going to roast the potatoes first."
"Yes, darlin' ", he grinned, kissing her. As he walked her uncle out to the truck, Rick told him, "you don't know how I relieved I was to see her walking, Oscar. I don't think she'd have been able to do it ahead of schedule if it hadn't been for you and Rudy being here!"
"She scares me sometimes, son, she's so intent on being able to take care of herself. She told me today she never wants to be a burden on us; I straightened her out on that right away. I think now that she knows she'll be able to get around by herself soon, she'll quit worrying!", he replied.
"I'm glad you told me, this way I can reassure her that I'm still in charge where taking care of her is concerned!", he asserted, then laughed as Oscar snorted. "You, be in charge, in case you didn't notice, she still has dinner taken care of!"
"Yeah, you're right, looks like I have go remind her!", Rick looked rather pleased at the prospect, as his uncle shook his head, smiling.
Waving at him as he drove off, Rick bounded back into the house and caught Laurie starting to get up from the sofa. "And where, milady, do you think you're going?", he smirked, lifting her up and depositing her on his lap.
"I was going to make a salad, oh,", she stopped, as he kissed her neck, then worked his way up to her lips. "Never mind that,", Rick said, between tasting her lips then the back of her neck.
"Oh, darling,", Laurie murmured, "Anything you want!". Cupping her face, her husband repeated "Anything?" She pulled him to her, then kissed him all over his face. "Anything!", she answered, burying her face in his shoulder.
"My sweetheart", he whispered, stroking her face. "I'm so proud of you, now I want you to take it easy. Robin and Robbie will be busting their buttons over you and I don't want you to overdo, promise?"
"I promise", she replied, kissing his hand, then letting him slide her down onto the sofa and putting a throw over her. Just then excited barking let them know that their golden retriever had returned from outside and had discovered Rick was home. Skidding into the living room, he leaped into Rick's lap and greeted him then gently crawled on top of Laurie and licked her.
"There's Mikey, glad to see dad's home, huh?", she sputtered, giggling.
Rick had an idea, "Mikey, there's a good dog, you stay with Mom and make sure she doesn't get up, okay?" To her surprise, the dog barked, then turned around and made himself comfortable on her feet.
"Oh you didn't, Rick, did you train Mikey to do that?", she gasped, astonished at the rambunctious pup's obedience.
'Sort of of, now you just relax, darlin', I'll take care of everything!", he grinned then kissed Laurie one more time for the road.
Waiting until he went outside to start the charcoal, Laurie started to get up so she could fix the salad, only to have Mike start barking and pawing at her.
"All right, all right, Mikey, I'll wait, yeesh, you silly dog, don't tell your Dad!" she laughed
Outside the kitchen door, Rick grinned as he fired up the barbeque.
"Best obedience class I ever took!", he thought to himself.
"As we dedicate this hospital and this place of learning, we vow always to remember the past, so we don't repeat the mistakes we made in the "Good Old Days!" Chief Joseph said, ending his speech. Turning, he blessed the gleaming two-story hospital and cultural center, now housing two hundred years of Navajo history.
As the large crowd rose to their feet to applaud the Council elder, the Chief gestured to Laurie and Rick, and beckoned them to step forward. Suddenly nervous, she stood slowly, then allowed Rick to take her arm. Coming forward to the podium, she surprised many in the crowd who knew she had been injured and was unable to walk.
Respectful applause greeted her, then built as her family stood cheering her. Surprised by the warmth of the greeting, she clung to her husband's hand. As the acclaim died down, she wiped her eyes and thanked the community. "Especially to those who came before us, to those of the past, present and to come. I also want to acknowledge the enormous role the support of my family and friends have made in the creation of this lifesaving center. Finally,", she turned to Rick, and tugged him forward. "My husband deserves the biggest thanks of all, he supported me every step of the way in the building of this magnificent building. He reminds me everyday of the importance of giving back and on caring for the family, both for the people and the community at large."
Startled, he saw the love in his wife's eyes and realized it was important to her that he was honored in some way. Taking in his arms, he told her "I love you, my Light!"
"I love you too!" she whispered, then Rick led her back to their loved ones. As the ceremony ended and the community streamed into the lobby, her family hugged and kissed each other, then suddenly Laurie saw a familiar face, standing in the background.
"Grandmother.", she breathed, then holding fast to her husband's hand, walked toward her. Knowing instinctively to stop a few feet away, Laurie saw her warm smile, then felt Rick's comforting squeeze.
"I'm very proud of you, my child, this is right, this will last.", she told them. Looking at Rick, Casey Adams expression softened even more. "You didn't give up, no matter what, Richard. Don't worry, you are safe. They won't hurt you again."
Rick felt emboldened to ask, "Grandmother, will she be all right now, will our children?"
Nodding, the spirit sighed, then smiled again, "Your bird will choose wisely, just let her find her wings. I will be there, I promise." "Thank you Grandmother, thank you for being there when we need you.", Laurie said gratefully.
At once she was gone, and Laurie heard Robert go "Whoa. I don't believe I just saw her." Rick put his arm around her as she felt her legs start to tremble. "Darlin', it's all right, come sit down."
"Yes, Rick." she sighed, then walked with him to the lobby of the center, as Robbie ran to get their car. As he pulled up a few minutes later, he found his sister waiting for him.
"Pop'll bring mom out in a moment, I think she's just tired. It's still a surprise to see you know, a ghost in the middle of the day!", she said, amazed.
"You got that right! At least we got to hear her, she does sound slightly southern, the way Mom first described Grandmother when she heard her a couple of years ago." Robert answered. He grinned at Robin as she motioned to her father that they were ready to leave.
"Bird, huh? I forgot that was her daughter's nickname too.", Robbie teased, then ducked as Robin threatened to whack him. "Don't you dare tell Ian, whatever you do!", she warned her brother. As Rick saw the two siblings goofing around, he heard his wife giggling and put his arm around her as he helped her stand up.
"They're just as silly as you are, sweetheart!", he laughed, leading her toward the exit.
"And just as loving as you, my darling!", she beamed, putting her head against his shoulder. "Even grandmother knows that now, she said how you never gave up on me."
"Like you always say, my angel, never", he kissed her, "ever will I let you go!"
Watching them get in their car to leave, Chief Joseph emerged from the entrance of the hospital, then turned to where the spirit had appeared. "Thank you, Grandmother Adams.", he said quietly. "You kept your promises, we will protect your family and your land."
For a moment her image appeared again, a silent acknowledgement on her lips, then was gone. The Chief smiled. His work in caring for her legacy was only beginning.