Part 25 If Oak Trees Could Talk!
Welcome back to my video blogs! I can hardly believe how fast the year 2015 has zoomed by! As Christmas is fast approaching, I hope that everyone who has followed my blogs or visited will have a wonderful and blessed holiday!
I want to take this time once again to express my heart felt appreciation for all of my followers and for all of you that have taken the time to “tune in” or read along to my Video Blogs of my Romance/Suspense Novel If Oak Trees Could Talk! I appreciate that even though my reading of my novel is highly unconventional; you continued to “tune in” or read along with me! I also thank you that you have been patient with me as I have fumbled my way through the learning of how to do the videos. Hopefully in the future, as I finish up my novel, I will continue to learn how to do the videos much better!
Today will be a little longer than usual as we will finish reading Chapter 13 The Picnic!
Chapter 13 The Picnic!
She walked up to the house to find her husband and boys sitting on the porch. Robert knew that she was concerned about her parents so he sent the boys around the back of the house to play. There were lots of things that the boys could find interesting back there, Gramps made sure of that!
“Honey, it’s going to be alright!” Robert said as he reached out for Amelia. She sat with him on the swing. He gently pushed the swing with his foot as he held her hand to reassure her.
“I don’t really know what to do? Momma and Daddy have minds of their own. If they do not want to go back to Glenview, I refuse to force them. I probably couldn’t force them anyway, even if I wanted to. When Momma is released legally in a few weeks and Daddy isn’t, he will die. I seriously believe that he will grieve himself so, that he will just give up and die!” Amelia said with desperation in her voice. “I can’t help but wonder if someone told him that Momma was being released? I know Momma asked Glenview’s staff not too, but someone could have told him accidently thinking it was just good news. I don’t know. Why would he just take off all of a sudden? He was doing so much better. Every day I could see such an improvement in him. He actually had that sparkle in his eyes that had not been there since Momma had her stroke. He was coming back to us!”
“He was in such bad shape when he went in. I know he has made a lot of progress! I agree with you that someone must have told him about your Mom accidently. I agree something had to happen.” Robert consoled. “Let’s contact your Daddy’s nurse, maybe she will know what happened.”
“Yes, I know Daddy was coming back to us, but honestly, his improvement wasn’t because of Glenview. I seriously believe it was because Momma was getting well and was able to spend more time with him. I am convinced that is all he needs, is to spend time with Momma without being separated. I know Glenview has rules, but it was so obvious to everyone that Daddy lit up and was more himself every time he was with Momma. I would think that there is an exception to every rule when it comes to married couples in Elderly Homes. They should be allowed to stay together, especially when you can obviously see that they do far better together, than they do apart. Wouldn’t you think so?” Amelia probed for answers.
“I would think so,” Robert agreed!
“If my parents go back to Glenview this will be the only way that they will go and I know that. I will call Nurse Wanda to see if she knows what may have happened with Daddy. Also I will talk to her to see if she knows who I need to speak with to get my parents placed together in one room! I should have insisted on this to begin with and maybe Daddy would have been well by now. I know with Momma, she had to have the therapy, but she could have possibly gotten it at home!” Amelia continued to reason being disgusted with herself that she didn’t do something differently to help her parents earlier.
“Amelia, you can’t sit around and play the “What if” game! What if you’re Daddy hadn’t left Glenview, would you be asking yourself these questions?” Robert asked.
“Honestly Robert, there is not a day goes by that I don’t ask what I could have done differently. I just feel like I failed Daddy by not getting him to where Momma was at the beginning when she was so sick. That’s when he left us all!” Amelia said, this time with tears in her eyes.
“Okay, looking back is not helping anything and will not change a thing Baby. We need to move forward with a solution that will make this family whole again!” Robert said rather firmly as Amelia rested her head on his shoulder. “I am good with whatever you want to do. If you want to bring them home, we will care for them. If you want to continue to let Glenview take care of them, I am with you. We need to consult your Mother and see if she has suggestions. We are going to get through this and your parents will be home and back together again soon! That is the goal, right?”
“That’s the goal Amelia agreed! I love you Robert, with all of my heart. I truly do!” Amelia said as she rested her head on Robert’s shoulder.
“I love you more!” Robert whispered as he pulled Amelia closer.
“I hate to disturb Momma and Daddy, but I really need to talk with her before Eugene comes back in with his lights and siren blaring again! He said he would give me until morning, but I don’t trust him.” Amelia said with dread in her voice.
“Yes, it needs to be done. The boys and I will wait up here. They are really enjoying this time. It’s good being back at their Grandparent’s home!” Robert stated.
Amelia stood to her feet and took a deep breath. She began walking toward the old Oak tree. She could see that her parents were not dancing or swinging any longer. She assumed that they were having their food from Speedy’s Grill and Shake. As Amelia drew closer she saw her parents sitting on the blanket side by side. Her mother must have had some kind of time getting down on the ground. Her Daddy, however, was sitting in a robe with his legs crossed Indian style. He appeared to be perfectly content and at home. She couldn’t help but chuckle at the site. Finally she made her way to them.
“How’s everything going? Is the food good?” Amelia asked to start the conversation.
“Delicious, simply delicious,” Helen answered, but Henry never said anything. He simply smiled.
“Momma, do you think that I can talk with you for a minute?” Amelia asked subtly. She was very concerned as to whether her Daddy knew the seriousness of the situation. She could only pray that because he made his way back home that it meant something good and positive. However, until she knew for sure, Amelia did not want to speak about her concerns in front of Henry because she did not want to upset him.
“Sure Honey, what is it?” Helen asked. “I meant privately Mom,” Helen replied.
“Amelia Dear, Henry can hear everything that you have to say to me,” Helen said directly.
“Well, Momma, I just didn’t want to upset you both, but you know the Sheriff came earlier. He said that Mr. Hodges at Glenview is very upset that both of you left. He also said that Mr. Hodges is considering pressing charges against me for kidnapping if you both do not return to Glenview. I am not concerned about me. I am however, concerned about you and Daddy. How is Daddy? Is he well enough not to need Glenview? What do you think we need to do? Momma, I am prepared to stand behind whatever decision you make. For I know it will be what is best for you and Daddy,” Amelia stated as she looked at her little Daddy sitting there still eating his Hamburger and Onion rings in his bathrobe.
“Amelia, we know that it has been really difficult for you. We are sorry to be big old pains in your…. neck. We’ve already decided to go back Honey. We will go back first thing in the morning. Henry thought if he could just see the Oak tree that he could remember everything. He does remember a lot more, but he is not completely well. Both he and I know this. We will go back until I finish up all my therapy. That should be a few more weeks and then come home. When I come home, he’s coming with me! Agreed?” Helen said rather sternly to stress her point.
“I am totally in agreement with whatever you decide Momma. So you’re saying to me that Daddy is better but not a hundred percent yet? Is he well enough to know that he is going back to Glenview?” Amelia asked.
“Amelia, ask your father, he’s not deaf.” Helen once again said rather sternly.
“Daddy, do you understand what we are talking about?” Amelia asked cautiously. “Will you be okay if both you and Momma go back to Glenview?”
Tears began to fill Henry’s eyes as he looked up at his sweet Amelia who was so concerned about what they needed. He wondered when she became the parent in all of this mess they were in. He became overwhelmed when he considered the burden that he placed upon her shoulders. For the first time, he could really see that it was a lot for her to have to carry.
“My dear Sweet Amelia, come here!” Henry commanded with his arms wide open.
Amelia obeyed and kneeled on the blanket in front of him. He pulled her in close, kissed her on the forehead and gently patted her back. He swallowed hard and began to speak.
“Amelia, honey, I am so sorry. I sure did not mean to cause this much trouble. I see that you’ve really been worried about us. We are fine now. I just had to see if my old friend here could help me. She really did, but I still have a ways to go. When that man that runs Glenview told me that your Momma was on her way out of there without me, I just went into a panic. I cannot live without your Momma close to me! So I came home to see if I could find what I had lost. I found a lot, but I have not found everything I needed to find. I will though, Daughter, I will.” Henry promised convincingly. As Amelia listened to her Dad, she could not believe that he wasn’t totally back with them. He sounded perfectly sound.
“But, Daddy, you act….I mean you sound so much better! Are you and Momma sure that you want to go back to Glenview. Are you sure that you would not want to just try to stay here and see what else you may find? I would be happy to help take care of you both. I am sure we can get Momma the therapy that she needs at home!” Amelia pleaded as she became desperate to convince her parents to stay home. She wanted them home more than anything. She and her boys needed them. Much like her Daddy, she and her family had lost something precious as well, and Amelia felt as though they would never have it back until Henry and Helen returned home for good.
“We are sure dear, all is well. We will be fine at Glenview. We will be home again soon, I promise.” Henry said while pulling Amelia close to him like he used to do when she was a little girl. He kissed her once again on her forehead and smiled. “Tell that husband of yours that we said thanks for the Speedy’s Grill and Shakes. That was some of the best food that I’ve had in I cannot remember when. Wow, getting to have a picnic with your Momma, I would run away every day if I could to do that!” Henry said as he nudged Helen’s shoulder. He then smiled a sheepish grin.
Thank you once again for “tuning in” or reading along with me! It is my hope that you have been enjoying my Romance/Suspense novel, If Oak Trees Could Talk!, for it has been my pleasure to share it with you! As always I would love to hear from you. I want to thank all of you that have begun following my WordPress blogs. Please continue to “tune it” as we are about half way through the book.
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