Chapter 390 – Saturday Afternoon Conversations
Jack and Opal got to the house. While Jack went to give Elizabeth a kiss, Opal ran to Gran to get a hug.
"How are you this morning, Opal?" Elizabeth asked.
"Bueno." Opal said. (Good)
"Your Spanish is getting better." Gran said.
Opal grinned. Elizabeth looked at Gran and smiled.
"Do we have time before we eat?" She asked.
"Yes." Gran said. "Father Mark is about five minutes out."
Elizabeth went to the library and came back with a package for Opal.
"We got you something on our trip." Jack said.
Elizabeth put the package in front of Opal and explained to open the envelope first. Opal loved the temporary tattoo and bookmark. She said she couldn't wait to use it at school. But when she opened the big package, she squealed and hugged the plush wolf. She immediately got up and ran to give Jack a hug.
"Thank you so much, Uncle Jack." Opal said. "I love him. I used to have a stuffed horse and it got lost when I moved in with Mom."
"You are very welcome." Jack said. "I am glad that you like him."
While they waited for Father Mark, Elizabeth showed Opal some of the pictures of the real wolves she had taken. Opal loved them and remarked how much she would have loved to see them. Jack looked at his grandmother while Opal was occupied.
"Where is Frank?" He asked.
"Over at the orchard." Gran said. "He said he would be back later. He wanted to get the fifth wheel setup."
"Oh." Jack said. "I thought he was just going to take it over and come back."
"It is fine." Gran said. "He wanted to get to work. I am fine. At least he told me he wasn't going to be here for lunch. He packed a small cooler. Let him be. I am sure he feels like he should be working, since he is on payroll."
Once Father Mark got back, they all sat down and had lunch. James was at the race track and like it had been said, Frank was over at the orchard so it was just the four adults and Opal. She loved being part of the talk around the table. She was excited to tell them all about the open house for school that she had gone to on Wednesday. She was so excited to start school on Monday. Jack and Elizabeth were excited for her as well. Father Mark was glad that she was excited about school. He had been worried when his grandmother had called and had him get her a spot at St Clement's. Father Mark noticed how much Opal had also grown over the summer. He was glad that there were children around the farm again and couldn't wait until Jack and Elizabeth had little ones running around. He loved watching his family grow and the next generation come along.
… … … …
Nathan got to the hospital and checked in with the nurse to see how Colleen was doing that day.
"The doctor is worried her head injuries are getting worse." The one nurse said.
"She had been talking, but it was nonsense words and not making sense." The other nurse said.
"Thank you." Nathan said. "Let me see if I can help make sense of things."
"We had to give her a mild sedative." The first nurse said. "She was getting too agitated when we didn't understand what she was saying. We didn't want her to cause further injury, so the doctor felt it was best to give her something to calm down."
"I understand." Nathan said. "But I would still like to see her."
"Go ahead." The second nurse said. "Just be aware she might not be as alert as she was before. The medication should wear off soon, but she still might be tired."
Nathan nodded and headed to Colleen's room. He greeted the young officer sitting there. The man nodded back. Nathan quietly slid the door open and stepped inside. He looked at his sister and thought that she looked worse then when he had seen her the day before. He walked over and took a seat. He brushed his finger across Colleen's hand. Slowly she turned and looked at him. Nathan could see that her eyes didn't quite focus on him, but she was trying.
"Ban tu ma." Nathan said. (Talk to me.)
"Nate." Colleen said, weakly. "E su ectba." (I am tired.)
"I know." Nathan said, brushing his hand up and down her arm. "I know. But you need to hold on for Allie."
"I am trying." Colleen said, closing her eyes again.
"You rest." Nathan said. "I am just going to sit here for a bit with you."
Colleen slowly nodded her head and relaxed back into the bed. Nathan sat back in the chair, but kept holding Colleen's hand. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his Rosary. He leaned forward and started praying. Nathan was almost finished praying when a nurse came to change an IV bag. Colleen worked up a little and was mumbling something. When the nurse asked Colleen to repeat what she was saying, Colleen became agitated. Nathan immediately stood up.
"Collie." Nathan said. "I am right here. It is okay Collie."
Colleen looked right at Nathan.
"E su ectba." Colleen said. "E za ma me hoing." (I am tired, I can not keep going."
"Praza, ti monkey." Nathan said. (Please for Allie.)
Colleen nodded her head.
"Okay." Nathan said. "Just rest now, it is okay."
Colleen nodded her head again and closed eyes. The nurse looked at Nathan.
"You understood." The nurse said, surprised.
Nathan nodded.
"Just rest, Collie." Nathan said. "I will be right back."
Colleen gave Nathan's hand a little squeeze. He squeezed back and then let go. He motioned for the nurse to join him in the hallway. Once out there, Nathan turned to her.
"Yes, I understood." Nathan said. "It is twin speak. It is something Colleen and I have done since before we could speak English. She only reverts to it when she is scared or upset. If it happens again, just reassure her that you are there and then when she calms down, I would suggest that you try and call me. If I can, I will come and sit with her. Just know that I will be starting classes next week and I am still caring for her almost four year old daughter."
"Okay." The nurse said. "Now that we know what is going on, we can deal with it better. Thank you for explaining. I had heard about twins having their own language, but I had never seen it before."
"It is more common with identical twins, but not unheard of with fraternal twins." Nathan said. "Thank you for listening and please make a note and let the other nurse who cares for Colleen know what is going on."
"I will." The nurse said.
"Thank you." Nathan said.
"I will let you get back." The nurse said.
Nathan nodded and stepped back into the room. He sat back down, took Colleen's hand once again and finished praying the Rosary. He sat there with his head down for a moment praying. There was a part of Nathan that wanted to call Father Mark, but wasn't sure what he was doing. Nathan was also aware of the time since he had told Allie that he would be back. As much as he wanted to stay with Colleen, he didn't want to leave Allie for too long, especially after he said he would be back. When Nathan finally did leave, Colleen was at least resting comfortably. He spoke to the nurses for a moment and then left. He headed straight back to the apartments.
… … … …
Once they had cleaned up from lunch, Jack offered to take Opal over to Connie, but Opal wanted to stay and Gran was fine with it. So Jack and Elizabeth left to go for a trail ride. They walked down to the stable hand in hand.
"Thank you." Jack said.
"I may not be a great rider." Elizabeth said. "But I will always want to spend time with you and I do like a nice easy trail ride."
"Don't sell yourself short." Jack said. "You are a pretty good rider and will only get better with time."
Elizabeth squeezed Jack's hand. They got to the stable and Jack greeted a couple of the horses, who were always looking for attention. They ended up taking Lemon Drop and Captain Pepper as they were the two trail horses that had been brought over. When they were ready, Jack led them toward the retirement center first. They rode side by side on the internal paved trails.
"Are you ready to go back to the city tomorrow?" Jack asked.
"I think so." Elizabeth said. "I mean I am still nervous, but I know you guys will do everything you can to protect me."
"Okay." Jack said. "I hope that things are good, but there are plans if things go sideways. I hope and pray we never have to use them, but they are there."
"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "That does make me feel a little better. I am still concerned, but trying not to stress about it."
Jack reached over and stopped them. He reached over and turned Elizabeth's face to look at him.
"Is there something else you are worried about?" Jack asked.
"Fitting in and making friends." Elizabeth said. "I have never been great at making friends. I am sure I will be the only married freshman. And like I shared before God only knows what Rosie has been saying about me."
"You will do just fine." Jack said. "If people can't see how amazing you are, then that is their loss. You just need to be yourself."
"Okay." Elizabeth said. "I am excited to meet new people, but nervous at the same time."
"I understand." Jack said. "It is a new environment for all of us. And you are right, there probably won't be other married people our age, but that shouldn't matter. I have decided that if people have a problem with our relationship, then that is their problem, not ours. I know it is easier said than done, but I am not ashamed of loving you and while I like my privacy, I am not going to hide that I am married. We are a team and nothing is going to change that if we don't let it. We are stronger together and we can't let other people come between us. I can't live to please other people, because I did that growing up and was miserable. I will not go back to that."
"Okay." Elizabeth said. "Thank you. I might need to be reminded of that, but I will try to be there for you as much as I can."
"I will remind you as often as I need to." Jack said.
Jack leaned over and gave Elizabeth a quick kiss. They then continued on their ride.
… … … …
When Nathan returned to the apartment, he found Allie on Doug's lap as they watched the races with Lee. Allie looked like she was having fun cheering on the horses. She had two of her little horses that Nathan had carved and was dancing them across her lap with races. Nathan smiled as he took in the scene. He knew that Doug and Lee loved Allie and would protect her and that made him feel good. She needed good people in her life.
"Sit Unca Nate." Allie said, grinning at him.
Nathan walked to his room, tossed his stuff on his bed and went to the bathroom to splash some water on his face. As he leaned on the sink, he took a couple of deep breaths. It was only a moment or two later and Doug knocked on the doorframe. Nathan looked over at his friend and Doug saw the weariness in Nathan's face.
"Hey man." Doug said. "Are you okay?"
"I will be, eventually." Nathan said. "I just need a minute."
"Okay." Doug said. "I am here if you need or want to talk."
"Thanks." Nathan said. "It is just really hitting home that Colleen might not recover at all and even if she does, she will never be the person I knew before."
"I am sorry, brother." Doug said. "Take as much time as you need. Allie is completely fine. She had been having a blast all afternoon. After the movie, we started watching the races and she had been just fine. She hasn't been upset once."
"Thanks again." Nathan said. "I will be out in a minute."
"Okay." Doug said. "Remember we are here for you."
Nathan nodded and Doug went back to the living room. Nathan took a couple of deep breaths and splashed some more water on his face. After a few minutes, he dried his face and put a smile on so he could be there for Allie. The last thing that he wanted was for her to worry about her mother. As soon as Nathan took a seat on the far end of the couch, Allie scrambled over and sat in his lap, grinning up at him. Nathan wrapped his arm around her, gave her a quick squeeze and dropped a kiss on her head. He didn't say anything and Doug just nodded. Lee figured that Nathan would talk to them later as he probably didn't want to talk in front of Allie. They had a nice afternoon watching the races and listening to Allie cheer on different horses.
… … … …
Jack and Elizabeth arrived back at the stable almost two hours after they had left. They had had a wonderful ride, stopping at different points to look at various horses that were out grazing. Jack would talk about the different horses as Elizabeth asked questions. She loved listening to him as he talked about the horses as his face would light up. Elizabeth also liked learning about the various horses that were on the ranch.
After brushing down the horses and turning them out to graze, Jack and Elizabeth walked back to the house hand in hand.
"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "That was fun."
"I am glad." Jack said.
"Sorry about all the questions." Elizabeth said.
"It is completely fine." Jack said. "I told you to ask questions and besides, I love talking about horses."
"I noticed." Elizabeth said, squeezing Jack's hand.
When they got back to the house, they found Frank and Father Mark locked into an intense battle over a chess board. Gran and Opal were making cookies. Jack looked at his grandmother and he thought he couldn't remember a time when he saw her smile as much as when she was when she was with Opal in the kitchen.
As Jack stood there, a thought occurred to him. He realized how fortunate that his kids were going to be to potentially know their great grandparents and actually remember them. At the same time, Jack knew that they had drawn the short straw in actual grandparents, but Jack knew that there were enough other people around that would dote on his kids that he wasn't worried.
Elizabeth looked over at Jack and saw a smile on his face and a far away look in his eyes. She bumped his hip with hers to break into his thoughts.
"What you thinking about?" Elizabeth asked.
"The future." Jack said, giving her a quick kiss.
Both went to wash up and then joined Frank and Father Mark at the table. Jack looked at the chess board and realized that Frank had Father Mark cornered. Two moves later, Father Mark conceded the game.
"About time someone other than me beat him." Jack remarked.
Father Mark just made a face at Jack.
"It was a hard fought game." Frank said. "I just happened to get the upper hand and he was sunk."
"When I come back this fall." Father Mark said. "We will have to play again. I want to show you I can play better and I am sure I can kick your butt."
"Sure, if you think you can." Frank said with a smirk.
Jack and Frank reset the board and started a game. Father Mark went and grabbed the Chinese checkers so he and Elizabeth could play. It was a nice relaxing afternoon before supper for all four and they all needed it more then they realized.
… … … …
