Chapter 240 – Dee Shares His Pain
Once Wynn and Elizabeth had turned toward the house, Frank turned to Doug.
"We need to get him sitting before he passes out." Frank said.
Doug nodded and moved to the side of Dee. Frank did the same. They each took one of his arms and wrapped them around their neck. They then basically carried him over to the bench and got him to sit down. They each took a seat beside him. Doug then nodded to Frank and Frank took over. He took Dee's hand in his and started to rub it. He also started to speak in a low, calm voice.
"Whatever it is." Frank said. "You are safe. We are here. You are safe."
He kept repeating it over and over until it appeared that Dee was coming out of what every episode he was having. As Frank spoke, Dee's breathing started to even out and he slowly opened his eyes. He still couldn't focus, but at least he was responding to them.
"If you can." Frank said, calmly. "Can you tell me what happened?"
Dee just shook his head. Doug just sat by his new friend, holding his hand and rubbing his back. He wasn't sure it was helping, but he at least was able to let Dee know that he was there. Even though Doug knew what was happening, he felt very useless in the situation.
"It is okay." Frank said. "There is nothing you can tell me that would shock me or scare me. I have seen more than you think. Doug is a Mountie, so he can handle it as well. We can handle it, I promise. You need to share whatever it is or it is never going to get better."
"He is right." Doug said, softly. "I told you about what happened to me, so please let me help you. I promise whatever you tell us, we won't share with anyone else."
Again Dee shook his head.
"Okay." Frank said. "If you can't tell us what happened. Can you tell us what set you off? That might help. Honestly, I need you to verbalize something so I know that you are alright."
Dee let out a harsh breath and nodded his head.
"Dad telling Charlotte what happened in detail what happened to Andy." Dee said, slowly and softly.
"Andy Russell?" Doug asked.
Dee nodded. The wheels in Frank's head started to turn. He took a calming breath and said another quick prayer before he spoke. He tried to keep his voice low and calm.
"Tell me if I am close." Frank said. "Hearing about Andy triggered memories of you getting attacked last year."
Dee nodded.
"Can you tell me what happened to you?" Frank said. "I mean I heard a bit at Christmas, but maybe talking about it will help."
"When I was …." Dee started before starting to shake.
Both Frank and Doug held Dee until he could speak again.
"It was like I could see it happening to me and I was powerless to stop it." Dee said. "I started to feel like I couldn't breathe because of the blows to my ribs and then searing pain of the knife into my leg."
"I completely understand." Doug said. "I used to have episodes where it was like I saw my uncle whipping me and I could feel the pain all over again. It was terrifying and I was afraid to say anything, lest people think I lost my mind."
Dee nodded.
"I was attacked twice in Cape Fullerton last year." Dee said, his voice still soft and almost childlike. "I had been working undercover. The first time, we thought it was because the gang was upset that I didn't do something exactly like they said and it was some sort of warning to follow directions. I was taken to a backwoods doctor who wouldn't say a thing about the gang. He patched me up and the guys left me at the hotel I was staying at. Dad had the Mountie doctor come check me out under the guise that someone in the hotel called the doctor, since there was another gang member in the hotel watching. He followed the doctor upstairs and questioned him. I heard the doctor tell him after he had examined me that if I left that room before I had a full two weeks of rest, that he would personally call the Mounties and don't try him as he was excellent with faces and wouldn't forget.
The doctor came every other day to check on me, slipping me information in the process. It was hard because there was always another member around. I didn't even get to see Dad, though a couple of others stopped by since the manager of the hotel was worried. They talked to me, but because the other member was there, I said I didn't know what had happened, I just woke up and had been beaten. They bought it."
Dee was shaking.
"Slow down." Doug said. "If it is too much you can stop."
"No, I am okay." Dee said. "I had just gotten back to working with the gang when one day I was walking down by the shipyard. I was yanked into an alley and beaten. There were about six or seven men. I didn't get a good look at them, as I was trying to protect myself. They were kicking me and then one pulled a knife and plunged it into my left leg, just about in the middle of my thigh. I screamed out in pain and then things went black. When I woke up in the hospital, I didn't know who I was or what had happened. There had been a little boy that I had befriended, who saw everything from his hiding spot. He went to the Mounties as soon as the men had left me for dead. I had several broken ribs, a head injury that required them to drill a hole in my skull. I had broken fingers and more bruises than I cared to count. The doctors told me I was lucky to be alive.
As soon as I was cleared to travel, Dad took me back to Hamilton to recover. It took a long time, but I finally started to get my memory back. That was when he took me to Regina so that I could work on physically recovering. It was hard on Mom to have me in the house and to see me like that. Dad was also worried about someone coming after me again. Regina at the Depot was probably the best place for me."
"Wow." Doug said. "I know you said you had been through stuff as well, but that is horrible. I mean what I went through was bad, but that. No. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy."
"But you came out the other side." Frank said.
"It took a lot of time and help." Doug said.
"Was there something that helped you?" Frank asked.
"After a while." Doug said. "I finally spoke to the priest my mother brought to the house. She had left so we could talk without interruption. I didn't want to talk to him at first, but then he started telling me about being a seventeen year old boy living in Virginia in the United States. He fought in the American Civil War before fleeing the States to attend seminary in Europe. See he was half black and half white, and was darker skinned. Even after the war, he was welcome. So he left. After being ordained, he came to Canada to serve a priest because they were more open to having someone who looked like him.
Anyway, he told me that he used to have episodes where he thought he was back in the middle of the war. He thought they would prevent him from becoming a priest. At first he thought he just needed to pray harder or believe more. But then he met someone who explained that even if people really never talked about it, soldiers had been experiencing things like that for generations. The man told him to ground himself when he felt an episode coming in. He went on to explain he meant to actively seek out things that were real using his senses. So things he could see and touch, even hear. He said he would do it by touching the grass or trees, listening for birds or horses, or actively counting items in front of him. He said it took practice but it helped break him out of the episodes and they gradually became less.
I started doing what he suggested and found it helpful. There are times I still have to do it and I was hurt over six years ago. I don't know if it ever really goes away, but I can tell you that they get easier to deal with. It also helped for me to talk to Father Philips. Just sharing what was going on helped me to feel better."
"Thank you." Dee said. "I will try. I never really talked to anyone. I mean Dad knows what I said in my statement, but even that was censored. I only told the Mounties what they needed to know, I didn't describe things in detail I didn't have to."
"You can always talk to me." Frank said. "For as long as you are here."
"Me too." Doug said.
They sat there in silence for a moment before Dee's stomach rumbled.
"You sound hungry." Doug joked. "You mom and Patty were making pork chops and mashed potatoes when I came out here. Let's go see when supper will be ready."
"I will be around if you want to talk." Frank said. "I need to check on Mary Graves and then I will be at the cafe."
Frank then pulled an envelope from his jacket pocket.
"Can you give this to Jack?" Frank asked. "Ned saw me heading this way and asked me to drop it off."
Doug took the envelope and nodded.
"I should go check on Mary." Frank said. "I am sure DeWitt is wondering where I am."
"Go." Dee said. "Thanks for the help."
"Anytime." Frank said. "I will check on you both later."
Frank patted Dee on the back, stood up and continued down to the Graves home. Dee and Doug sat there for a moment. As hungry as they both were, they both needed a moment to process what had happened and all that had been shared. Dee was glad that Doug didn't push him for more.
"What are you going to tell my dad?" Dee asked.
"What do you want me to tell him?" Doug asked.
Dee thought for a moment.
"Maybe, that, with everything going on." Dee said. "I was just overwhelmed with emotions and needed a moment."
"If that is what you want." Doug said.
Dee nodded. They then got up and walked to the house, up the stairs and through the door. The moment Dee stepped into the house, his mother was right there.
"Are you alright?" Elizabeth Rose asked, looking her son up and down.
"I am fine." Dee said. "I was overwhelmed and needed some air."
His mother looked at him, then studied his face before finally nodding.
"Good." Dee said. "Now, I am hungry. Doug tells me there are pork chops and mashed potatoes."
Elizabeth Rose laughed. Leave it to her son to think about his stomach before everything else.
Doug had walked over to Jack once Elizabeth Rose was satisfied her son was fine. He handed the letter to Jack.
"Ned asked Frank to bring this to you." Doug said. "He gave it to me instead of being delayed more."
Jack took the letter, looked at it and immediately sank back to his seat. Elizabeth looked at him.
"What is it?" Elizabeth asked.
"Umm …." Jack said.
Jack swallowed hard, closed his eyes and let out a harsh breath.
"Jack." Wynn said.
Jack was still staring at the return address, so Wynn walked over and knelt down in front of Jack.
"Son." Wynn said. "What is it?"
Jack just handed the official looking envelope to Wynn. Wynn took and stood up. He saw the seal of Norway embossed on the envelope.
"Do you want me to open this?" Wynn asked.
Jack nodded. Wynn went to the desk, got the letter opener and carefully opened the envelope. He then returned to Jack and pulled out a sheet of thick paper and unfolded it.
"To Jackson Alexander Thornton of Hope Valley, Alberta, Canada." Wynn read. "This letter is to inform you that King Haakon VII has bestowed upon you the King's Medal of Merit. An official delegation will be in Canada in October to present you with the medal in a ceremony in Hamilton. An official invitation for you and your family will follow when dates of the visit are announced publicly."
Wynn looked at Jack.
"It then lists the Canadian contact for the delegation's visit." Wynn said. "This is amazing."
"I don't know what to say." Jack said. "I don't deserve this. Can I accept this as a Mountie?"
"Yes and yes." Wynn said. "You will wear your full dress uniform for this. I am going to insist on it. Obviously Andrew Russell is behind this and he would have talked to the Commissioner before submitting your name for this."
"Congratulations." Elizabeth said.
She leaned over and gave Jack a kiss. Jack blushed and ducked his head.
"Looks like we are going to Hamilton for a few days in October." Jack said.
"Perfect." Aunt Elizabeth said. "Beth will be able to travel by then. I fully expect you and the children to stay with us."
"We will work the details out later." Wynn said. "But the offer is there."
"I can't process this right now." Jack said. "Can we not say anything about this for the time being. I hate awards and ceremonies for me?"
"This will stay with those in this house for now." Wynn said. "But it will be public and there will be photos in the newspapers about this."
Jack groaned and buried his face in his hands.
"You have plenty of time to get used to it." Aunt Elizabeth said. "But for now, supper is ready."
As people started moving toward the table, Wynn folded the letter and put it back in the envelope, leaving it on Elizabeth's desk.
They had a wonderful meal, even if it was a little crowded around the table. There was plenty of food and a lively conversation about the science fair and the construction happening in the area.
After supper, Jacobs and Faith arrived to check on Jack. They did his breathing treatment and changed the dressing on his hip. Before she left, Faith let Jack know she was pleased with the progress he had made and if he was comfortable, Doug could do the dressing changes as needed.
Jack readily agreed to this and so Faith sat with Doug and went through what needed to be done and what to look for. Doug let her know that he understood and would let her know if he had any concerns.
Jacobs was also pleased with the breathing treatments but wanted to continue them at least through the weekend and see how increased activity affected things.
Overall, it was a good evening and the reports about Jack were highly encouraging. Patty, Wynn and Elizabeth Rose walked back into town with Jacobs and Faith, leaving Jack and Elizabeth with Doug and Dee for the evening.
Doug and Jack set about playing backgammon while Dee went over some paperwork and Elizabeth worked at her writing desk. The nice quiet evening was what they all needed. Aunt Elizabeth had left the roast in the oven to cook after she finished supper, so it would be ready for sandwiches the next day. Dee had pulled it from the oven and was letting it cool before putting it in the icebox. And despite the wonderful supper, he had to sneak a few bites. Elizabeth saw him and shook her head.