Untitled

Chapter Fifty One

Six weeks after the tragic accident that claimed the life of Sandra and severely injured Lisa, she was released from Hoag Hospital. Her recovery was remarkable. Tim, who had been in contact with her by phone on a daily basis, flew in from Georgia for the occasion.

As Bernice's large sedan passed through the estate gates and up the drive, Lisa surveyed the surroundings from the back seat window. Her mind wandered back to that fateful day six weeks earlier. She visualized Sandra running across the back lawn with her in pursuit. She let herself relive those last terrifying moments. Then she remembered her visit with Mama and Daddy on the other side. 'Sandra and the baby are fine, they're just fine,' they had said. 'And I'm fine too,' she said to herself. 'But it still hurts though. And it will for a while and it's OK for me to feel the sorrow.' "And it's OK to cry," came the small voice from within.
"Hey you! Snap out it," said Tim, gently finger tickling her still tender ribs.
"Ouch," she retorted. He looked into her watery eyes. He didn't know that her tears were for Sandra and not the slight physical pain he inflicted.
"I'm sorry." he said regretfully.
"That's OK, it's not just that." She grasped his hand and gave him a flash of the same innocent smile that had captured his heart the first day they met in Arnold's restaurant.
"Oh, Wow! Look!" Tim exclaimed, looking forward and pretending to be surprised.
Lisa looked past Christine and Bernice in the front seat to see a large banner strung above the entryway. It read, "Welcome Home Lisa."
"I suppose this was yous guys doing," she said shyly, tugging at Christine's collar.
"No, as a matter of fact it was the girls' idea. And they made the banner too," replied Bernice proudly. "After all, you did have to spend Christmas in the hospital."
That they would do something special like this ignited a spark of joy. "Those rascals," Lisa said happily.
With help from Tim, she got out of the car and started up the walkway. She walked slowly, her arms poked through two aluminum crutches, toward a crowd of cheering girls.
"Oh Bernie, it's so good to be home." She had to turn her head slowly in order to avoid the pain. Bernice was walking behind her in a position to catch her if she fell backwards and Tim supported her on the right.
A gala welcome home party followed. There were balloons, cake, and all the trimmings.
"This is one of the happiest days of my life," said Lisa, still noticeably choked up from all the attention. "See what I got for falling off a cliff," she joked, holding up her left hand to again display her diamond engagement ring. The old mansion erupted in a chorus of laughter.

The weeks passed. Tim stayed in Pattersville managing the clinic and Lisa remained at Chandler House to recuperate, make wedding plans, and await the arrival of Christine's baby. It was an unusually warm day for February and Lisa and Bernice were sitting on a blanket out on the front lawn baby-sitting one of the house infants.

John Jr.'s rental car made its way up the winding road leading to the estate. He parked under the trees short of the gates, camouflaged from view, having decided to observe the grounds from the outside before going in. He slipped through a gap in the high hedges that hugged the wrought iron fence surrounding the estate grounds. He had to stoop to make his way through the narrow passage, between the hedges, that led to his childhood hide-away. He stopped at the end which opened into a small, hidden clearing. Childhood memories flooded in. He recalled all the lonely times he had spent hiding there, lonely and yet wanting to be alone.
Through the fence, he could easily see the two women sitting on the lawn. He immediately recognized one of them as his mother. He watched the infant run to her. She scooped the child up into her arms. John Jr. could distinguish the peaceful, loving expression on her face.
He felt a lump form in his throat and his heart pounded in apprehensive confusion. In the distance, he saw his niece, Susan, appear at the front door.
"Lisa! telephone!" she yelled.
"OK, lazy bones, bring it on out here." Susan skipped down the steps and trotted across the lawn. John Jr. watched. Complex, intertwined emotions, rooted in jealously, blocked rational thought. He got up from his crouched position and returned to his car. 'Forget it,' he told himself angrily. 'She's obviously not hurting for company these days no matter how much she says she misses me. If she really wants to see me, let her come to New York.' He drove to John Wayne Airport and caught the next plane back to New York.

"Bet ya can't guess who?" chirped Susan.
"Gimme that phone," said Lisa, playfully grabbing at it.
"Hello, this is Lisa."
"It's me."
"Hi me," she kidded.
"I have some bad news, honey," Tim said sadly.
"What is it?" she asked anxiously.
"It's Doctor Summers; he passed away in his sleep last night."
"Ohoo, no!" cried Lisa. Her heart wrenched in pain. Tears automatically invaded her eyes.
"My God, what is it, dear?" Bernice asked as she handed the child to Susan, suspecting the answer even as she asked.
"Doc Summers is dead."
Bernice threw her arms around her friend while taking the phone. "Tim, this is Bernice. Lisa's pretty shook up, maybe we better call back.
"I'm afraid there was no easy way to break the news. I know how much she loved that man. Everybody did. He was a wonderful man."
"No, wait a minute, let me talk to him," sobbed Lisa.
"Honey," he said solemnly. "This was inevitable sooner or later. I talked to him only the other day. He knew it was coming, and he was ready."
"I know, but why does it have to hurt so damn bad? I thought I was prepared for this but I guess you never are." She paused then released a remorseful sigh. "I'll fly back there tomorrow."
"You sure you'll be all right alone?"
"Yes, I'm sure, but I think Bernie will want to come with me for the funeral." Bernice nodded affirmatively. "We'll call you later with our flight number. I miss you."
"I love you, Lisa."
"Me too."
"Wait there's one more thing. One of the last things he asked me to do was to call Leroy, in the event anything happened to him. I think it has something to do with me staying with the clinic. I also think he chose not to say anything because he didn't want to put any pressure on me. That's something we can talk about later."
"Tim, how are the girls and Anna taking it?"
"Pretty hard, especially Anna. She's been with him a long time." Lisa's sorrow was momentarily replaced by compassion for Anna.
Lisa was silent as she packed for the trip. She called Sissy and Anna before retiring. She shared with them both what Doc Summers had once told her."I am not afraid of death in the least. In fact I look forward to it. It means my work here is done," were his words.
"It's hard to imagine he's gone, but if it was OK with him, I guess it should be alright with us too," related Anna sadly.

It was a clear day, perfect for flying. The plane left the runway and was soon making a one-hundred-eighty degree turn over the Pacific Ocean to head north.
Lisa stared aimlessly out of the window. First at the bumper to bumper traffic crowding the freeways below; and then at the ugly yellowish brown haze that lay ominously over skyscrapers that stood precariously close to the feared Andreas Fault. The deadly smog, fed by carbon monoxide fumes from vehicles, coupled with the probability of a massive earthquake, loomed as a constant threat to the inhabitants of the city and surrounding suburbs.
"Isn't that sickening, Bernie? From here you can see how bad the smog really is. And you can also see where most of it comes from. Why, there must be a million cars down there spewing out the poison that makes it."
Bernice leaned over, looked out the window and grimaced. "Back when I was a young lady, there was a Red Car transit system that could take you about anywhere. But they were eliminated in favor of freeways and cars. My John used to say it was because big money was behind it.
"And now after the air is so bad it's killing people, that same big money is building another transit system. In fact, big corporations, or big money as John called them, are responsible for the rapid destruction of our Mother Earth.
"They are polluting our rivers, streams, lakes, and oceans- killing fish, wildlife and probably us, too. And the air is terribly polluted as you can see.
"We've long had alternatives to oil-based fuel. And the technology already exists for more fuel efficient engines and even cars that don't run on gas. John said big money supported by politicians won't let new technology take hold until the oil runs out. Then they'll look like hero's by coming out with so-call, new inventions that will save the day.
"One of the big threats today is the destruction of the rain forests, which produce the oxygen we breathe.
"I just read an article that claims that the earth is an organism, and that humanity, like a cancer, is destroying it. But the earth is fighting back. Deadly plague-potential viruses are coming out of the rain forests for one thing. Also, the incidents of earthquakes, famine, weather changes and disasters, volcano eruptions and so forth are greater in frequency these days than ever before in the history of the planet.
"I take my hat off to the environmentalists who are trying to do something about it. If I wasn't so busy I might jump on that band wagon. Maybe I will anyway," she reflected.
Lisa had been listening but her mind was preoccupied with another matter.
"Bernie," she said questioningly.
"Yes, dear?"
"I have to talk to you about something."
"What is it Lisa?" Bernice's voice showed concern.
"Me and Tim are supposed to meet with Leroy while we're back there. Tim thinks Doctor Summers has left him the clinic in town."
"What are you going to do?"
"I don't know, we haven't talked about it yet." It was apparent by the expression in Lisa's voice that she was in a quandary.
"Lisa, you have had a very tough life. And now you are about to enter into what I suspect will be a happy marriage and fulfilling future. And you deserve it. So does Tim. Together, you must decide the future. What I'm trying to say is that whatever you and Tim decide, is OK with me."
"But what about our..."
"Our plans," interrupted Bernice. "Without you I would never have been able to get started in the first place. We're well organized now and the program will go on. As you know, Christine has decided to stay. And I have my granddaughter, Susan, plus my daughter, who is going to come and live with me for awhile. After the divorce she will need time to get her life back on track. Either Sarah or I will be there to supervise the girls.
And I figure I will still have enough time to keep fund raising activities going. I have a group of competent and dedicated women behind me now, and we're even thinking about going nationwide."
"You mean you're not gonna miss me?" pouted Lisa. Underneath this little facade, she was relieved.
"Of course I'm going to miss you. You know that, you big lunk," Bernice said in return, displaying her familiar, loving smile and grasping Lisa's hand. "Give yourself some breathing space and just ask, 'Lord, what would you have me do.?"
"I've been doing that since this plane took off."
"Then be patient and wait, you'll get your answer. I shouldn't have to tell you that."
"I know, but thanks. I guess I needed to be reminded," replied Lisa gratefully,.as she peered out the window at the gray clouds floating by below them.
Bernice had released her own conscious desires and expectations in order to allow her friend to freely choose without the presence of guilt. Her train of thought then drifted to her son, John Jr. 'I will visit him soon and I will make things right, one way or another. I must bring my family together again. I can-and I will, do it!' A broad confident smile spread across her face.

Exiting the tunnel leading from the plane, Lisa strained to look around the people in front of her. Then she spotted Tim standing there, alone. With the aid of her cane for support she limped toward him. As they met, he wrapped his arms around her in a welcoming embrace.
Lisa was swept by a wave of emotion. Her mind was devoid of thought, yet she was realizing, at deeper level, how precious life really is and how wonderful it is to love a mate unconditionally.
Bernice watched and allowed herself to experience their joy.
"Everyone is saddened at the loss of Doctor Summers." said Tim, after greetings and hugs had been exchanged all around.
"Yeah, I can imagine," Lisa said softly.
Sissy and family were waiting for them at Mama's old house. Reuniting with Sissy, Jake, and the kids and being back in Mama's house gave Lisa a sense of truly being home. It was as though she had never completely left. And thanks to Doc Summers, she understood why.

The morning of Dr. Summers' funeral, Lisa awoke to the familiar smell of freshly brewed coffee coming from the kitchen. She lay in bed beside Tim, looking out the window. She watched snow flakes slowly drift by. Memories of her, Sissy and Mama sitting on this very bed exchanging pleasantries floated though her mind. They would often do this on cold snowy mornings, chasing Daddy out of bed.
"Better get up, you guys!" called Bernice from outside the bedroom door. "Coffee's on and breakfast is coming up."
"Good morning." Tim yawned, pulling Lisa's body next to his.
"Hi, big guy," she said. And they kissed. Despite the upcoming event of the day they were happy in this moment.