Ch 18
Michaela's gaze never wavered from the approaching SVU. In contrast Sully was watching Michaela. Her stomach was churning and she wondered what on earth made her decide to do this, in this way and what would be the outcome. Maybe shifting house beforehand wasn't one her of brightest moments.
The car pulled up in front of them and the driver got out. He looked at Sully who whispered, "Robert E" as his eyes never wavered from his mate. A woman alighted from the passenger's side, she was dark and beautiful.
Then from the other side of the vehicle an Indian woman emerged and was watching Sully intently. Finally the nearest passenger's back door opened and out came a tall Indian gentleman. Sully's face turned white and he looked as if he had seen a ghost. Everyone held their breath, waiting.
Sully abruptly stood and looked directly at Michaela who remained seated. His eyes shot daggers at her and then he began yelling.
"How long have ya known? Why have ya kept this from me? Ya know how much I was cut up about what happened that day, now ya just want me to understand...how long I asked ya?"
From out of nowhere the quietest commanding voice said, "Sully."
Sully stopped his rant and with his knees shaking he staggered down the steps and took his friends face in his hands. "I thought ya were dead." Then he collapsed into his friend's embrace, Robert E joined them and they hugged each other, taking the comfort they all needed.
The women had joined Michaela, watching as their men were reunited after such a trauma. They then hugged her as she looked on relieved. She had wondered how Sully would react and now she knew.
Snowbird, Cloud Dancing's wife, suggested they go indoors and have a drink. Michaela agreed as she watched the men walking towards the barn.
...
Michaela had, after Sully had told her about how he felt after the fire fight and discharge, wanted to find out more about the incident that had tipped him over the edge. She was more than a bit surprised when she discovered that Robert E lived in Manitou with his wife Grace, a cafe owner. Then almost at the same time her computer alerted her that CD had survived and was ill for some time overseas and was eventually repatriated back home. He now lived up North, and he and his wife worked as councillors on a reservation.
...
The women were telling their stories as the men told theirs. Robert E had come home a shattered man. Grace said he threw himself into work. He hardly slept and was afraid of the nightmares. He was so absorbed that it strained their marriage and she took up drinking. She felt like their lives had been ruined.
Finally they went and sought help, and she had bought the cafe. It was the best thing they had done. And she had finally had the child they both so desperately wanted. His name was Anthony. Smiling, she took Michaela's hands and said that it was as if Robert E needed this reunion even more than Sully.
...
Cloud Dancing had indeed been very close to death, but he had actually learnt as a young man to slow everything down and when he was shot he had induced that state. It was only after Sully had seen them shake their heads and gone off that the medics did realize he was indeed alive.
He thought of Snowbird, the thing he held most dear and her reaction if she was told of his death. He could see his life slowly slipping from his fingers, when he decided he would not die and began fighting. This was for his wife and son.
He had been sent to Germany and then home; it had been a long and slow journey, but his Indian beliefs helped him through.
He questioned why he fought in the war when he thought of the history of the whites and Indians. His beliefs were in contradiction to the peaceful man he was. He explained that throughout this his wife stood by him like a rock, with each small step they healed the past and looked forward to a brighter future, helping others less fortunate, the many suffering from depression due to living conditions: Droughts failing crops and the veterans returning as broken men from the war. Many turning to alcohol to drown the memories.
...
Sully sat and listened to their memories of that fateful day. He had not stopped crying and touching the men he thought he had lost. He did not need words to convey the deep grief he had been experiencing since he had returned it was etched on his face. They knew that he had all but given up from the brief talks they had had with his doctor when she had rung. Both were feeling guilty at not contacting him but she had reassured them it was not their fault, although now was the time for them to help Sully, and both had agreed.
It was obvious she cared for him deeply as she never gave up with the idea of this reunion, they informed Sully.
Cloud Dancing suggested they participate in a healing ceremony. When asked about it he told them about the Sweat Lodge and they agreed to have it in the barn. The covers could be the old horse blankets. They quickly found items to use in the recess corners of the barn.
All of the men thought of those who suffered from depression and the others who had not had an opportunity to heal, many taking their own lives.
Snowbird had seated herself to watch the barn door and seeing the activity she explained what was going to happen. The women placed water for the stones and drinking at the door, also firewood.
"Spirits will help our men this day." she added smiling and taking both women's hands as they walked back into the house.
The chanting went on for hours and it began to concern Michaela, though she was reassured by her new friend it would all be okay.
Grace had brought a hamper for lunch and the women continued to speak about what they had seen and done to help their partners, and Michaela was offering advice for particularly difficult situations.
Snowbird explained that the healing was also a cleansing and that their partners would be exhausted, or completely the opposite and overly excited. She suggested that they go home and meet the next day when the men emerged.
The women agreed and waited, securing a friendship they knew would be for a life time. They were to meet the next day at Grace's Cafe.
Michaela hoped that Sully would no longer be angry at her; she knew that she could not have just told him what she'd discovered. He would have wanted proof and this was her only way. Also hoping upon hope that this would be his last hurdle, she knew there would be many ups and downs over a long time. That was her job, she now knew she could hand his file to others and she had done all she could for this man that had stolen her heart. I will love him with all my heart she whispered in the recess of her mind.
Snowbird knew what she was thinking and she knew what Sully had done for her husband.
"I believe your Sully's life has been very difficult and full of tragedy, it would have broken a weaker man." Michaela nodded before Snowbird continued, "I do believe he will do anything in the future to make you and your family happy, even walk on fire if necessary." Looking at Grace who nodded, both silently acknowledged they would not have their husbands if Sully had not been there that day.
"He has been very caring towards the children and me," she admitted smiling, "being a doctor he is not the type of man I thought I would fall in love with."
The other two women smiled and nodded.
...
After the others left Sully, looked exhausted and he picked up Michaela carrying her up to their bedroom.
Slowly he lowered her to the bed and gently lay beside her; he never took his eyes from her face.
Quietly he whispered, "I have always been looking for my family somewhere I belonged. I never dreamed it would happen... today I was angry but realized straight away ya had to do it this way. I know I will have humps to overcome and will get over them with ya help, right?"
"Michaela, stop worryin'! I love you for carin' so much, but I'm fine, honest. Thanks to you, to the way ya got me through all the pain from my past, it don't hurt no more," he assured her.
A tear was trickling down her cheek. "Yes."
"I will love ya with all my heart all of my days... will ya marry me."
"Sully I love you with all my heart, too... Yes."
Leaning down he kissed her and she reciprocated, both happy and looking forward to what the future may bring. Tonight was just a new beginning.
The end.
Don't forget to ask friends and family RUOK?
People who suffer depression please speak up and get help.
In OZ
*Beyondblue organisation.
*Black dog Institute
*Kids help line ... and others
Thanks for reading.
Footnote:- There is an epilogue, I know some will want closure to this story