Chapter 21

Hope for Tomorrow

Page 61

When Nathan returned to the hospital he joined his parents for lunch. Archie wasn't suppose to eat much before surgery, so he was only served a simple bowl of vegetable soup. Nathan and Emily were also given a beef sandwich with a cup of fruit.

"This certainly isn't your cooking, ma!" Nathan complained.

Archie agreed, "You've got that right. Why don't you go down to the hospital kitchen Em and give them a few cooking tips!"

You're both spoiled!" Emily laughed.

After they finished, Nurse Darlene came over cheerfully and reassured Archie that Dr. Fisher would be coming over to check on him and his other patients when he closed his office. "I have to take your blood pressure and temperature now."

Archie got very serious after Darlene left and looked straight into Nathan's eyes. "Son, I want to tell you what I feel now. I look at you and I see a honest, good man with integrity. A man who has respect of his town, and in return a man who respects his fellow townsfolk and would lay his life down to protect any of them."

"Dad, thank you, but you don't have to say anything right now. Just focus on your health," Nathan tried to stop Archie from going on.

Archie shook his head, "Nathan just listen to your old man. I don't deserve your attention, but you do deserve my apology. I can't make up any time that you grew up without your father. I have no excuse, not one thing I can say would make it up to you, this I know. Yet, I have to tell you that if I could take it all back, I would in a heartbeat."

"Dad, it's water under the bridge, you don't have to..."

Emily teary-eyed held Archie's hand while listening intently to every word. She admired Archie for speaking up.

"You have been through hell stepping up and being the man of the family when I couldn't. You were wise beyond your years," Archie continued. "I can never make it up to you, but I will try to be the father you deserve from now on. I hope that makes you happy, even just a little."

Nathan slid over closer to his dad, grabbed him and hugged him. Trying not to shed a tear, he told his dad, "I love you dad."

Archie was so relieved to hear those words that he couldn't hold back his tears any longer. He raised his hand to Nathan's head and stroked the side of his face, "My son, my Nathan, You make me so proud. I have always loved you, but never as much as I do now."

Emily had to look away as the moment was so personal and one that she never thought she'd see in her lifetime! She closed her eyes and cemented what she just witnessed in her memory.

A few minutes passed in quiet as the three of them were absorbing the moment. The apology to Nathan was what Archie needed to do, and Nathan needed to hear. A lifetime of regret was washed away and replaced with forgiveness and love. It was almost overwhelming, so reality was allowed to take over.

Taking in a deep breath, Nathan felt it was a good time to head home. Everything seemed to be under control and his ma was going to stay with his dad. "Ma, I'm going to head back home. I asked the receptionist to find someone to walk with you tonight to your room. It's only two doors down. If you need me for anything, please don't hesitate to call me."

"Dad, you're in good hands with Ma here. I'm going to go back home to Dee and Allie tonight, but I will be back in the morning to see you before your surgery. All right?"

"You go home and don't worry about me. Take care of your lovely wife who's carrying your little one, and Allie. That's where you belong. I love you son,"

Archie and Nathan hugged eachother.

Nathan walked over to his ma and gave her a hug and kiss on her forehead, "Get some rest tonight ma, I'll be back in the morning."

As Nathan drove home he realized he really did need to hear his dad apologize and the words expressed between them were locked in his heart and mind. When he got home, he told Dee what had transpired and was elated. He swept Dee up and swirled her around laughing.

When Allie came home from school, she saw her parents laughing while setting the table and knew something wonderful was going on. "Is grandpa all right?"

"He's doing fine, just fine. Oma is with him and tomorrow I'll go back for his surgery. Let's say grace thanking God for our day and for a successful surgery for your grandfather," Nathan said as he bowed his head.

Hope for Tomorrow

Page 62

Tuesday. Archie was awakened by Nurse Darlene. "Good morning Archie, we need to take you to the restroom, one last time before I put your IV in."

"Oh," Archie blinked and rubbed his eyes. Looking around he asked, "Where's Em?"

"She's on her way, Archie. I thought I'd get you taken care of so when she arrives, you will be done with me so you too will have time together," she smiled.

Archie smiled in return and nodded.

"Let me help you, and we'll get this taken care of, and by then Emily should be here."

Meanwhile, Nathan dropped Allie and Dee off at school and checked in with Gunther. Gunther was just arriving as he was. "Good morning Gunther," Nathan greeted him then said, "I'll be going to Clearwater for my dad's surgery today. The doctor let me know that he doesn't expect the surgery to take long as he's only operating on one eye this time."

"Is your ma there?" Gunther inquired.

"Yes, we could tell that her staying close by would give dad a sense of security. I left it up to her and there was no hesitation. I'm going there to support both of them today, thanks to your help. Like yesterday, let Bill know if you need anything."

Nathan popped his head in Bill's office. "Hope you found that license."

"Yes, thank you. I even started my vows, I'll have you know," Bill quipped.

Nathan shook his head, "Man you only have a few days left."

"I know, I know. Are you going back to Clearwater now?"

"Yes, just letting you know in case Gunther has a situation."

"Any word from Gabe yet about those two people you saw outside of Brookfield?"

"No. Are you still going out there?" Nathan asked.

"Yea, I'm planning on going in a bit. What about Gunther, are you secure in leaving him alone?"

"Sure. He's got to continue without me once in awhile. It's good for him. Builds confidence," Nathan said.

"I'll let him know when I leave for Brookfield. I hope your dad's surgery turns out well. I even said a prayer for him!" Bill smiled.

"Thanks, I'll be back as soon as I can. You and Gabe be careful." Nathan said as he left Bill's office.

When Nathan arrived at the hospital he found his ma and dad right where he left them last night. "Hello, how are you doing?" he asked as he kissed his ma and hugged his dad.

They greeted him with big smiles. "We were just talking about you!" Emily grinned.

"Yes. I was just telling your ma how thrilled I was to get to know you now after all these years. Son, you make me so proud. Your mother too!" Archie beamed.

"Dad, I am happy to see you change your life around and see the dad I knew as a little boy again. I know Allie sees the good in everyone, and recognizes it in you. That makes it all worth it."

Archie patted Nathan's hand, "Nathan, I'm not even half the man you are."

Emily was sitting back listening to her two favorite men in her life talk so lovingly to each other and couldn't stop smiling. She noticed that Nurse Darlene was heading towards them.

"Dad, today is your day. I'll be with ma while you get that eye fixed up."

"Well, Archie, it's time to head to the operating room. Your family will be in in the waiting room for you," Darlene informed.

Emily bent over and hugged Archie telling him, "I'll be praying for you. God be with you."

Nathan gave Archie a hug, "You're going to come out and see better than you have in a long time. Don't you worry, I'll take care of ma."

As Darlene wheeled Archie away, Nathan took Emily down to get a cup of coffee and a sweet roll in the little coffee shop they had for visitors. "Nathan, I never dreamed that the two of you would be close again. I'm happy as a lark!"

"Ma, this is what I like to see, my mother happy." Nathan smiled as he put his arm around her, "It's going to be all right, dad will see clearer and it'll get better all around especially now that he remembers."

"Let's go up to the waiting room, ya?" Emily suggested.

While in the waiting room, the hospital chaplain came in and asked who they were waiting for. Nathan explained about Archie, his senility and surgery. The chaplain sat across from them and led them in prayer. It was very comforting for them both to totally relax for a few moments and surrender their worry. Then the three of them chatted a little longer until the chaplain had to leave to see another family.

Grabbing another cup of coffee downstairs for his ma and him, Nathan came back up to find Dr. Fisher talking to Emily. "Everything went as well as could be expected. Archie will be wearing a patch over his eye and we will monitor his progression for the next few days. Once I know he is well on his way to healing, we can release him for home. I expect that to be by the end of the week, most likely Thursday or Friday, barring no infection."

"Wunderbar!" Emily exclaimed. "Can we go see him now?"

"He's in recovery, but in about 30 minutes," Dr. Fisher smiled.

"Praise God!" Emily grinned.

Hope for Tomorrow

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Bill hopped in his Roadster and drove up to Brookfield. It was still a lovely drive with the leaves beginning to peak. When he arrived, he parked right in front of the RCMP office and found Gabe sitting outside.

"What brings you here?" Gabe got up and greeted Bill as they shook hands.

Squinting his eyes from the bright sun Bill stopped to look around the town. "Seems every place I go nowadays, there's more people!" Bill declared.

"Yes sir, that's called growth and progress, they tell me," Gabe laughed. "Would you like a cup of coffee?"

"Sure thing," Bill answered as he followed Gabe inside the office. Gabe was very neat with a place for everything and everything in it's place Bill observed. "I don't know how you do it Gabe. You have a knack for keeping everything so tidy!"

"Got to or I couldn't function," Gabe confessed. "Have a seat."

Bill grabbed his mug and sipped the hot coffee. "This hits the spot! Anyways, Nathan told me he saw two people north of here and let you know about it on his way back home from Brook Springs. Seems he thought you might be interested in checking them out being that there are robbers loose in the area. So, I'm here at your service."

Gabe leaned back in his chair and chuckled. "He sent you did he? That's Nathan, always concerned about others. Well, rest assured I already went out there. When I got there I didn't find anyone, although I did find their trash, whoever it was, are big slobs."

"You still got the trash?" Bill asked as he scratched his head.

Shocked, Gabe looked at Bill, "Yes, why, do you want it? It's in the box over on the floor in the corner," he nodded in the direction.

Bill got up walked over, and opened the box. He rummaged through it looking for some hint to give him a clue as to who was there in the woods. "Don't forget I was a forensic inspector."

"Oops, sorry. I hope you can find something in there to help."

"Look here! A half ripped ticket of some kind. You got magnifying glasses Gabe?"

Gabe knew exactly where they were, of course, and in a few seconds Bill was trying to read the faded print. "Looks like a train ticket stub. I think it says Calgary, but that's pretty far away. Can I take this box and look into this further?"

"Don't you have a wedding and honeymoon to attend?" Gabe grinned.

"Yea, yea. I better not get involved, your right. Gabe, do me a favor and hang on to this box. Tell Nathan about this ticket stub if he should ask. He's quite busy this week though. His dad is having cataract surgery today at Clearwater Hospital. He's with his Ma waiting for his dad's surgery to be completed. I'm sure he'll be going there every day to keep his Ma company as she's staying with Archie in a room close to the hospital."

"Wow! That's a big change for them. From what Nathan told me, his dad left the family when he was a little boy. His Ma had it rough taking care of the farm while raising Nathan and his sister by herself. She was angry and hurt, and Nathan didn't blame her. Now, you're telling me they're all together at the hospital?" Gabe was surprised.

Bill motioned in agreement, "His Ma is an angel, I tell you. When Archie went with them to Brook Springs, his memory came flooding back to him and he went through a whirlwind of emotions. Apparently, he felt the hurt he caused and apologized profusely to Emily. Being the good upstanding woman she is, she knew God was directing her to forgive Archie and she did!"

"Just like that?"

"Well, with lots of tear, but yes, just like that. She's quite a remarkable woman!" Bill said confidently. "That explains Nathan's attitude. He's always looking out for the other person, giving the benefit of the doubt, but no dummy. He senses trouble and is always right on it. He's a damn good man!"

"Ha-ha," Gabe started whooping. "It was just so dang good watching Hargraves eating crow when he gave Nathan the bravery award!"

Bill laughed in agreement. "Well, I best be getting back to town. Gunther is by himself, and we're all still on the lookout. See you Saturday right?"

"Of course, I wouldn't miss it, watching you get married to a lovely lady." Gabe smiled. "I'm bringing Lillian."

"Charming woman, you should get busy and take the next step. Don't wait to be my age. Get married and have a family!" Bill advised as he left.

When Nathan and Emily entered the recovery ward to visit Archie, he was just coming to. They sat next to his bed on the same side and waited patiently as his fingers started to move, and his face twitched. He had a patch over one eye and was wiggling his nose trying to wake himself up. Slowly, he opened his one eye and looked around. Not recognizing the ceiling or walls he started to panic. Emily stood up as he was beginning to fling his arms trying to get out of bed. "Call the nurse Nathan!"

Nathan was already talking to her. She rushed over with Nathan and reached for Archie's arms bringing them back down to his sides. "Who are you?" Archie asked her.

"I'm your nurse Mr Grant. You just had surgery and are in the hospital."

"I can't see. You covered my eye! Why?" he demanded.

Emily spoke then, "Archie look over here, it's me Em and your son, Nathan," she said as she rubbed his hand.

"Did you put me here?" he stared at Emily. Emily didn't know what to say.

"Dad, we brought you here to have your eye fixed. You just had the surgery that you agreed to," Nathan quickly added.

"I don't want to be here, I want to go home!" he said through clenched teeth.

The nurse called another nurse to get Dr. Fisher. During all the commotion, Nathan had to hold his dad down so he wouldn't pull off his patch or get out of bed. He hated doing that, and felt like he betrayed his father.

Dr. Fisher came to Archie's bedside. He didn't want to restrain him so he told the nurse to give him a shot of tranquilizing medicine. Once it took effect he immediately calmed down and started to drift in and out of sleep.

Emily and Nathan were upset, but Dr. Fisher reassured them both that sometimes when people are coming out of anesthesia they exhibit aggressive behavior. "It's to be expected, so try not to worry. Especially with his senility it'll probably be exaggerated in the first day, but little by little once the anesthesia leaves his system he'll be back to his old self."

Nathan looked at his Ma, "That's what I'm afraid of. Will he lose his memories again?"