Written by: Best Selling Author, Christine Gilliam Hornback
If Oak Trees Could Talk what stories could they tell? If she were the old Oak tree in Henry William Tyler’s side yard she would tell humorous and heartwarming romantic stories, but unfortunately all stories told by the old Oak tree cannot always be humorous or romantic. When Helen, the love of Henry’s life winds up in a nursing home, Henry becomes heartbroken and lonely. Unfortunately, in order to deal with his emotions, he develops temporary amnesia and winds up in the same nursing home. The couple, determined to leave Glenview’s Residential Home for the Elderly will do anything to resume their passionate pursuit of love and reclaim their lives. Henry discovers a key to unlocking his memory bank by revisiting the old Oak tree in his mind, as well as a few other unexpected ways. Who better to help him find his way home than the old Oak who knew all there was to know about Henry?
Part 51 If Oak Trees Could Talk! FINALE & A FREE GIFT!
Yay! Everybody, I am so excited and yet a little saddened that this week, we are concluding the Video Blogs of my Romance/Suspense If Oak Trees Could Talk! I want to thank all of you who have “tuned in” each week or read along with me. I never realized how long the process would be but I love you for being faithful and showing up! As I told the story I’ve tried to imagine you sitting across the table from me as if you were an old friend! This video blog is a little longer this week as I felt it necessary to get the rest of the story in, but it is the grand finale of If Oak Trees Could Talk! So being true to my word, I want to give you the surprise gift that I mentioned in the last Video Blog for being here today and in the past weeks!
CLAIM YOUR SURPRISE GIFT NOW: CLICK HERE! I can only offer this free gift for a few days- Starting August 30, 2016-September 2, 2016. So I encourage you to please GET IT WHILE YOU CAN!
SPOILER : IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO KNOW THE END OF THE STORY DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER OR CLICK ON THE VIDEO SIMPLY GET YOUR FREE GIFT!
We are picking up in Chapter 22 The Ghost, and will finish the book in Chapter 23!
They rushed out of the door and down the hallway going as fast as Helen could with her walker. Soon they rounded the corner to the nurse’s station. When Nurse Warren saw them she immediately ran to them as she could see that they were very upset.
“No not at all, it is urgent that we call our Daughter!” Helen said.
“Okay, but is there anything that I can do to help you?” Nurse Warren asked.
“No, please, I just need to talk with my Daughter immediately!” Helen stated.
“Nurse Warren went around the desk and placed the telephone onto the counter. Do you know your Daughter’s telephone number, Mrs. Tyler?”
“Yes I do!” Helen answered as she dialed Amelia’s number as fast as she could while Henry held the phone. “Here Henry, tell her what you told me!” Helen ordered,
The telephone rang once, twice, three times and still no answer, then on the fourth ring Amelia answered the phone.
“Hello, Steele Residents” she said,
“Amelia, it’s your father! Something is terribly wrong. Mr. Hodges and Sheriff Eugene are going to commit murder if they haven’t already. I heard them say it needed to be done immediately to a Mr. Stapleton. We need you to convince someone that I am not making this up! Something has to be done!” Henry said very directly. “Do you understand me, Amelia? I heard them say they that they were going to do it. I also saw what they were going to do it with. The Sheriff is dirty, so I do not know who to call. Please tell Robert. We would like to get out of here as soon as possible!”
“Daddy, Mr. Howard and Mr. Henderson are here. They will know what to do. Go back to your room immediately and we will come after you! Lock the door! We will be there after you. Hurry, go back to your room and wait on us to get there! Do not open the door until you hear mine or Robert’s voice,” Amelia pleaded.
Amelia ran immediately into the front room where her company was. She told them what her Daddy overheard and seen. Mr. Howard used Amelia’s telephone and immediately called the counties District Attorney and the regular police department since Glenview is in the city limits. Mr. Howard and Mr. Henderson left immediately to go to Glenview. Robert called his sister and dropped the boys off, as Nurse Melba Applegate and Amelia drove on to the Glenview.
When Amelia had gotten to Glenview, the police was already there. She pressed through with Nurse Applegate after convincing the police that it was her parents that had called. She ran through the entrance past the nurse’s station to the hallway where her parent’s room was. She knocked urgently and told them to please open up.
Immediately Henry opened the door and Amelia fell in his arms. He was obviously shaken, but strong. Amelia then ran to her Momma, “are you okay?”
“We’re fine Dear, just upset that Mr. Hodges is so evil. I feel sorry for poor Ed and Immagene Perkins. Bless their hearts. How their hearts must break to have a son like Sheriff Eugene.” Helen sighed sadly.
“Daddy the police are going to want to talk with you. Are you ready for this?” Amelia asked.
“Yes, Dear, I am ready! You do believe me don’t you Amelia?” Henry asked rather pathetically.
“Of course I believe you Daddy!” Amelia reassured.
When Amelia and her parents walked around the corner, Mr. Hodges was pressed up against the wall in handcuffs. Henry couldn’t believe what he saw. He feared that they would think he was just a senile old man because it was his word over Mr. Hodges but they took him seriously.
“Mr. Tyler, Sir, may we speak to you, please?
“Absolutely Police officer, Henry said as he followed the police officer and signed papers promising that all the things he had witnessed and heard were true. Mr. Howard was by Henry’s side.
“Oh and Mr. Tyler, Good news, you saved Mr. Stapleton’s life. He is in very serious condition, but he is alive. It seems that what was in the syringe was some kind of allergens that Mr. Hodges knew that he was allergic to. It would have been fatal if you had not called when you did. We will ask more questions later, go home and get some rest.” The Policeman said.
“Let’s go home, Helen! Are you ready?” Henry asked as he pulled her in to him and kissed her hard on the lips!
“I have never been more ready in my life, my Hero!” Helen said with a huge smile!
“Oh it was just a Ghost!” Henry said with that familiar little impish grin.
Nurse Melba smiled as she stood in the distance and watched Amelia’s parents. Robert and Amelia were standing beside her. “Your parents are the real deal aren’t they?” Melba asked.
“Yes, my dear friend, they are the real deal! You must really get to know them!” Amelia answered as she watched her parents with tears of joy and admiration in her eyes.
Chapter 23
Home Sweet Home
Henry and Helen walked out of their bedroom into the kitchen. Helen put them on a pot of coffee. She couldn’t wait for it to finish brewing though for her heart longed to see the sun come up. She walked out of the French doors onto the patio and sat down. It was a brand new life and as the sun came up, Helen was grateful for the second chances. Soon Henry came out with coffee in hand.
“Here, my love! Just the way you like it!”
“You are here and sharing it with me! That’s the way I like it!” Helen commented.
“I want to make a toast! This is to a long, healthy and happy life together!” Henry said as they clicked their cups gently together. They sat peacefully as the sun rose and Henry and Helen’s new life had begun.
Henry and Helen lived their life with even more passion and purpose the second time around. They lived it with more awareness of all the tiny things that were so important. They realized that all of those tiny things in their lives that they used to take for granted, when added up were the sum of all the big things that were the most important. Henry and Helen had a second chance at being parents, grandparents, neighbors and friends and even great grandparents!
They truly pursued love. The love they pursued wasn’t the generic kind of love that was based on condition. No they learned the true unconditional kind of love. They enjoyed the giving of it and the receiving of it. Henry and Helen found out that the difficult things that come are not supposed to tear apart but are meant to bind together.
As soon as Henry was well enough, he went back to work at his hardware store. When he went back the business more than doubled. It wasn’t because people needed more hardware, but because the people crowded in for the entertainment of hearing Henry tell his stories again! He told new stories of a man who went into a nursing home with memory loss but when he wanted to remember things, he sat under an old Oak tree in his mind. He could then remember again. The people thought that he was sure telling some whoppers! Henry thought how life reads like a good fiction. As people pressed him for more and more stories, He decided to pen his own story to see if anyone would take the time to read it. He entitled his story If Oak Trees Could Talk.
Henry and Helen lived and loved until they were Ninety Eight years old. That was almost Twenty-five years after they walked out of Glenview. They were married Eighty years. They both died within two days of each other and were buried in one grave under the old Oak tree. Their monument read “They Passionately Pursued Life and Love!”
Everything they owned of course went to Amelia’s family with only one exception. Henry and Helen wanted all of the proceeds of the sales of Henry’s book If Oak Trees Could Talk to go to some folks who couldn’t afford their bills at the Glenview Residential Home for the Elderly in Mason Creek, Georgia.
Robert, Amelia and their family still had a crowd of regulars at Tyler’s Hardware store. People would still gather around to hear Henry tell his stories for years after he had died. At Amelia’s suggestion he had physically recorded himself reading his story of If Oak Trees Could Talk as well as his other embellished tales. Folks would come in as usual. They would get them an ice cold soda pop along with a brown paper sack of fresh hot boiled peanuts cooked with Henry’s very own recipe. As they pulled themselves up a chair and listened to Henry’s whopper tales, they continued to enjoy Henry’s company!
Thank you once again for “tuning in” or reading along with me! It is my hope that you have enjoyed 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 check in often as I have had some very exciting things happening that I would love to share with you! If you are interested in obtaining your own copy of If Oak Trees Could Talk in paperback format or any of my other books, please visit my Amazon Author Page here! Also If you are new to my Video Blogs and would like to catch up on the story from the beginning please check out the archives in this blog or simply Subscribe to my blogs or to my Youtube Videos as they are numbered and in order! When you Subscribe to my WordPress Blogs, I have a wonderful free gift for you as my thank you! I am also a weekly contributor to The Lakeview Times. All of my videos are published each week at http://www.lakeviewtimes.com
Welcome to my video blogs of If Oak Trees Could Talk! I once again just want to thank all of you for reading along or “tuning in” to each post! We have a few videos left as we are nearing the end of the Romance/Suspense novel.
Today we pick up in a new chapter!
Chapter 22
The Ghost
The time seemed to slow to a snail’s pace for Henry. Once he and Helen had gotten back into their room from the activity center, the therapist came in and took Helen to therapy. Henry wished that he could take a nap but instead he found some of the notebooks that Amelia had brought him. The pages were filled from when he was still trying to find his way out of the darkness. As he read some of what he had written, his eyes filled with tears as he looked to his old friend once again.
“I knew you were helping me all alone!” Henry said to his old friend. “Well you and the Sweet Lord above. I have to give him credit because he has blessed me with the best that I could have ever asked for in this life.” He thought of his time on the outside a couple of days ago and how free he and Helen were. He chuckled when he remembered that he left the center with no clothes on! “Boy I surely was messed up wasn’t I.” Henry said to his old friend. “But as usual you helped me when I climbed up in your loving branches of embrace. What a precious time for my Helen and I. I owe her a lot more precious times and I am going to see that we are free to enjoy them. Thank you for helping me Lord, Henry said as he looked to the sky, then he looked back at his picture of the old Oak tree, Thank you for best friends too. Amen.”
Just as Henry finished his prayer of thankfulness and reflection, a knock came at the door. It was the therapist bringing his love back to him. Henry’s face lit up as Helen seemed to be in better spirits.
“You did wonderful, Ms. Helen!” The therapist bragged. “I think you’re right where we hoped you would be. You’ve recovered wonderfully. Things will only improve from here on out.” The therapist encouraged as they went out of the door, however the door never closed completely as Nurse Applegate come in behind therapist with a smile.
“Terrific, I just heard the good news Mrs. Tyler. That is wonderful progress! I know that you have put in some very painful work- outs in order to get that report huh?”
“Yes sweetie, I sure have.” Helen answered with a wide smile. She knew now that she was ready to leave Glenview. She felt that all Henry ever needed was his home and familiar surroundings to be whole again, especially his old Oak tree friend. They were on their way out and it couldn’t be soon enough for either of them.
“Do you want to go to the cafeteria and eat or do you want it delivered into your room?” Nurse Applegate inquired. “I have the rest of you medications right here. It is up to you if you want to go to the cafeteria.” She continued.
Helen looked at Henry again as she knew that he had to hide his pill, but he had already perfected his acting. He pretended to pop the pill as he downed a glass of water and Voila! He was finished.
“No, we will not go to the cafeteria. My sweet Helen has had a rough day with therapy and the activity center. I think we will just stick around and after dinner go to bed.” Henry answered quite clearly. Helen agreed.
“What time did you say everyone left the cafeteria again? Henry asked.
“Everyone is out usually around by about seven o’clock!” Nurse Applegate answered as she was really surprised that Henry actually responded to her questions, and even asked questions and waited for her response. She was impressed with both Mr. and Mrs. Tyler’s progress.
After Nurse Applegate left their room, Henry and Helen mused at their day. All in all it was a pretty good day considering where they were. The two waited for their food to be delivered so that they could eat and go to bed. Henry didn’t tell Helen about the conversation between Mr. Hodges and Sheriff Eugene. He didn’t want to worry her any more than she was already worried. Instead he seriously was going to lie down with his sweet Helen and when she drifted off to sleep the “Ghost” was going to make his move. He hoped that Helen would sleep and be none the wiser.
Soon someone was at the door. It was their dinner. Henry and Helen sit at their little bistro table. With their glasses filled with nothing more than water, they pretended it was wine and toasted to great healing and progress that they both had made. Suddenly Henry raised his glass and hollered, “To life!” Helen giggled and repeated, “To life!” They eat their dinner and spent time with one another. After their meal they stood and looked out of the window over the gardens as the sun was going down. They smiled as both were thinking the same thing, but then Henry said it! “Yes, soon we will be looking over our own beautiful and peaceful gardens!”
Helen smiled as she moved toward the bed. She truly was exhausted and she climbed in as Henry covered her. “Aren’t you coming?” She asked.
“Soon, Sweetheart, I will come to bed soon!”
Helen drifted off to sleep almost immediately. Henry stood and watched her as peace settled in. He watched the time until it was around Seven-thirty. He then needed to act quickly and precisely. It was now or never, he thought. He immediately went to the door. He opened it quietly and looked both ways to make for sure that all was clear. He stepped out and walked quickly to the end of the hallway. He pushed open the door that read Stairs. He listened to make for sure that no one was in the stairwell. He walked faster to the door that he hid behind when he overheard Mr. Hodges and Sheriff Eugene talking. The door opened right in the front of the cafeteria. He opened it slightly as this hallway was obviously busier than the one he and Helen’s room was on. He heard someone talking and could see two Nurses standing in front of the medicine room. One unlocked the door as the other stood outside. When the first came out, the second went in. Soon they both walked together down the hall and around the corner. When it was clear, he ran and tiptoed to see if he could see through the two windows in each of the cafeteria doors. As he looked inside it was darkened with the exception of the exit signs above the doors. Henry was thrilled as it was just enough light for him to see what he was doing, but not so bright that the “Ghost” could hide in the darkness quite easily. Soon he pushed one door open very gently and stepped inside. Once, he was sure that it was clear, he ran immediately to the supply closet. Stepping inside, he immediately grabbed a black uniform which would help him to be even more blended with the darkness of the room. He could also possibly pass as a cafeteria helper if he was questioned from a distance. Henry then searched through a utensil drawer where he found a small tool kit. He grabbed it and placed it in the pocket of his uniform. Henry then rolled the tall ladder that was used to get the supplies down from the top shelf of the pantry under the air conditioning vent that was mounted in the ceiling. He scurried up the ladder like a lineman and immediately opened the toolbox. He took out a screwdriver and unscrewed the vent. He then turned it at a different angle to push it to the right of the opening. He knew he wanted to go left. Henry tried to pull himself up from the ladder, but he was very weak. However, he was determined to fulfill the Ghosts mission. Once he was finally able to lift himself inside the duct, he then crawled as quietly as he could on his knees. The duct work was metal and it made a rattling noise as Henry’s knees pressed into it. He moved quickly until he went through to the middle hallway. Henry knew that the next room he went over in the vent was going to be Mr. Hodges’ office. It was probably getting close to Eight o’clock and time for Sheriff Eugene to show up. Henry moved very deliberately and slowly now to keep down any noise that his knees would possibly make. Henry practically held his breath as he moved up over Mr. Hodges office. The vent was actually next to the inside wall which pleased Henry. He could rest his body flat and lay down. Most of his body and weight would be positioned into the hallway that was in the middle of Mr. Hodges office and the cafeteria. He could see Mr. Hodges’ desk which was off to the right of him. He also could see Mr. Hodges as he stared at this watch. Henry just made himself comfortable and waited quietly.
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 moving right along through the book.
If you are interested in obtaining your own copy of If Oak Trees Could Talk! or any of my other books, please visit my Amazon Author Page here! Also If you are new to my Video Blogs and would like to catch up on the story from the beginning please check out the archives in this blog or simply Subscribe to my blogs or to my Youtube Videos as they are numbered and in order! When you Subscribe to my WordPress Blogs, I have a wonderful free gift for you as my thank you! I am also a weekly contributor to The Lakeview Times. All of my videos are published each week at http://www.lakeviewtimes.com
Welcome! I’m so glad that you have chosen to join me as I continue my Video Blogs of my Romance/Suspense novel If Oak Trees Could Talk!We only have a couple of chapters to finish. I cannot stress enough how grateful I am that many of you have stuck in here with me with each posting!
We continue to today in Chapter 21 The Final Plans
“So I see they brought in all of the things from the other room! It looks nice in here. I love the fact that both of you are together. It makes me feel a little better about things.” Amelia stated alluding to Mr. Hodges threats. “How do you like the room? “How do you like Nurse Applegate?” Amelia asked as she found her to be very sweet and attentive to her parents needs the day before.
“We like it. Of course it sure wasn’t like being home! It is a little confusing for your Daddy as it has the gardens out back. He sometimes thinks he might be home, but then he realizes that he’s not. Oh and Nurse Applegate seems to be really sweet. She’s not Nurse Wanda. Nurse Wanda knew us and we never had to ask for anything, or order anything. Nurse Wanda knew what we liked. We know that this new little nurse has big shoes to fill and she is trying. We feel good about her. She let Henry go with her last night to the cafeteria. He also went to his old room and found his old friend.” Helen answered.
“I like her to. I feel bad for her though. She has sadness in her eyes.” Henry commented.
“Is the enemy here?” Henry asked knowing that Amelia would know exactly who he was speaking of. I have to give you something Daughter.” Henry whispered. He was referring to the new medication that had been assigned to him. He wanted Amelia to take it and find out what it was. Neither Henry nor Helen was willing to take any new medications until they found out what they were for.
“Yes, He was in the lobby with some poor souls who doesn’t know how evil he is. He stared me down after I pushed Sheriff Eugene out of the entrance way to even get into the building. I don’t like that man or trust him. I don’t like this Glenview at all either! I want to know why you insist on staying here. We can go see a lawyer and deal with the legal issues of leaving. You have the right to leave this place. You are not prisoners for God’s sake. Will both of you just consider coming back home. Daddy you are so much better. I know that you will get completely well if you come home!” Amelia convinced. “I don’t like this place anymore. It is not safe.”
“Give me a little time Amelia. The Ghost is going to do his work and then I will be ready to leave.” Henry stated again with his impish grin.
“Daddy, are you okay?” Amelia asked because she honestly thought that Henry was talking out of his head again. She looked at her mother to see if she had anything to add as to why he was saying what he was saying. She then asked about their medications. “Has any new medications been subscribed to either of you?” Amelia whispered.
Helen answered, “Show her Henry. Hurry, before someone comes in!” Helen ordered.
“Henry pulled a little bag out of his pocket. On the inside was a small pill cup that had two white pills. He whispered, “I’ve never taken these before. I don’t know what they are or what they are for! I thought you could take them and get them checked. I pretended to take them. I am not going to take anything else. If I never needed it when I was really bad, surely I do not need them now!” Henry concluded.
“I agree Daddy, hurry give them to me!” Amelia ordered. “So Nurse Applegate has already been in this morning?” Amelia asked casually because she really wanted to speak with her about coming to her house to meet Mr. Henderson.
“Yes she was in this morning. She ordered our breakfast and gave us our medications. She said that normally she would take us outside and let us enjoy the gardens but it was written on our charts that Glenview has recently discovered that Mr. Tyler has horrible allergies and that he is being treated. Now who do you think wrote such lies on our charts? Everybody who knows us knows that we have beautiful gardens at home. If we were allergic to everything, would we have gardens?” Helen asked.
“Momma, it was Mr. Hodges, he said that you would not be able to go outside because he is afraid that you and Daddy would try to escape again. That is why I feel he has someone watching you guys. He may not, but it would surprise me if he didn’t. So Daddy, I ask that you please do not do anything with this ghost thing that you’re talking about. Okay, I don’t want us to spoil our visit by talking about Mr. Hodges all day. Tell me how you felt being at home!” Amelia said.
Helen and Henry told her how liberated they felt. They felt young again and knew that they gained back something that they could not find while being cooped up here at Glenview. Henry said that he knew he could not or would not stay at Glenview when Helen went home. When Mr. Hodges told Henry that he would not be able to go home for a long while, Henry then panicked and went home to visit his old friend.
“I know it sounds crazy Amelia, but when I look over there on the wall at my old friend. I know that I have everything I need to get better! I am coming out of here. In a few days or it might not be that long!” Henry stated plainly because he knew his plans for Mr. Hodges. He needed to tweak his plan just a little and then the Ghost was ready to move!
“Well, again I don’t like it Daddy, but I’ve never tried to force you guys into doing what I thought was best. Just know that I have a plan as well. We are going to get this guy!”
Just as the words came out of her mouth, there was a hard knock at the door. Amelia walked over to see who it could be. When she opened it, she was surprised to see Mr. Hodges.
“Yes, may I help you?” Amelia asked.
“Yes, I wanted to clear up our little misunderstanding from yesterday!” Mr. Hodges replied.
“Which misunderstanding are you referring to, Mr. Hodges? Amelia questioned as she saw evil in the face. She knew that he was up to something. She never trusted him.
“I hope that you realize that it is highly out of the ordinary that we let husband and wife stay in the same room. I was going to put your parents further away only because I did not want the other patients or their relatives to find out about them staying in the same room. If I show favor to one, than you must understand that others will want to stay together as well.” Mr. Hodges tried to convince.
“Very well, I guess I can understand your reasoning.” Amelia said to appease him. “I appreciate that they have this room now.”
“Yes, well, I just thought that we needed to bury the hatchet so to speak so that we can continue to provide your parents with the best care that Glenview has to offer. It was unfortunate that Nurse Smith had to be dismissed, but she was very negligent in her duties. How is Nurse Applegate working out for you?” Mr. Hodges continued to ask as though he really cared. He may have totally deceived Henry and Helen once, but it would never happen again.
“Nurse Applegate is doing a good job, she just doesn’t know my parents yet the way that Nurse Wanda did. But in time, I am sure that she will be wonderful.” Amelia said as to convince Mr. Hodges that she had not gotten to know Nurse Melba or that she was going to meet with her again as soon as possible to try to indict him. Amelia also led Mr. Hodges to believe that her parents were going to stay at Glenview for a while, but they weren’t. She actually decided to leave Glenview early and go see her parent’s lawyer before going back home. She needed to make for sure that she had everything in order just in case that Mr. Hodges or any other Director at Glenview would try to keep her parents legally bound to Glenview.
Mr. Hodges grinned and proceeded to tell the Tyler’s to have a nice day as he left their room. He was feeling pretty confident that Amelia and her parents bought his apology. He, however, was determined that Henry Tyler would pay for the embarrassment that he caused him and Glenview. He was feeling pretty smug.
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 moving right along through the book.
If you are interested in obtaining your own copy of If Oak Trees Could Talk! or any of my other books, please visit my Amazon Author Page here! Also If you are new to my Video Blogs and would like to catch up on the story from the beginning please check out the archives in this blog or simply Subscribe to my blogs or to my Youtube Videos as they are numbered and in order! When you Subscribe to my WordPress Blogs, I have a wonderful free gift for you as my thank you! I am also a weekly contributor to The Lakeview Times. All of my videos are published each week at http://www.lakeviewtimes.com
Part 45 If Oak Trees Could Talk! Have you just had something to come up that prevented you from doing something even though you really wanted to do it! That was the past week when it came to doing…
Have you just had something to come up that prevented you from doing something even though you really wanted to do it! That was the past week when it came to doing my regular Video Blog of If Oak Trees Could Talk!Both my husband and I ended up catching a mean head cold or a series of allergy attacks. Needless to say I sounded like I was talking through my nose and was hoarse because my nose ran and I coughed so much. I was sure that you wouldn’t have wanted to hear me squeak through as I whispered through the Video blog of my book!
So even though I have coughed and sneezed, and blew my nose a hundred or more times, I’m here and am determined that I am going to deliver another Video Blog so that we can ease closer to the final dot and tittle of my Romance Suspense Novel If Oak Trees Could Talk! My sincerest gratitude goes out to all of you as you stick in here with me! Today we began in a new Chapter!
Chapter 21
The Final Plans
The morning came in bright and cheery as Amelia’s feet hit the floor. She paraded off to the shower to get her day started. When she came out of the bathroom, Robert was still lying in bed asleep. Amelia looked at him with such love. He was her rock. He supported her in everything that she had ever wanted to do. As she stood just staring at him, he opened his eyes to her tender smile. He yawned and stretched and smiled back.
“Good morning, was I drooling or something? What’s so funny that you were looking at me with that Henry Tyler grin of yours?” Robert asked as he chuckled a little.
Amelia walked over to the bed and climbed in. She sprawled him as she bent over and kissed him. Robert shivered as her long cold dripping hair touched his chest. She laughed out loud as Robert let out a yell. He then rolled her over onto her back and tickled her unmercifully until she begged him to stop. He tenderly kissed her. He rolled back off of her and lay beside her. They held hands as she told him of her plans for the day. She was going to go immediately to check on her parents. After that she was going to speak to Mr. Henderson about coming to their house. She was going to invite Nurse Melba Applegate to come to their house as well. Amelia wanted Melba to be able to share with Mr. Henderson about all that she knew about Mr. Hodges and the Scioto County Nursing Home in private.
“What time will you come home, then?” Robert asked. “I would like to be here to hear all that is said, so that I can help us figure out our next move!” He continued.
“I will try to be home when you get home from the Hardware store! How’s that! I need to make up a few appetizers for our company! I just do not want to set the meeting in town in case Mr. Hodges has more people like Sheriff Eugene working for him. I want this to be top secret until Mr. Henderson can present the evidence we have to the Attorney. I am just hoping that we will have enough on Mr. Hodges to go forward and that he is immediately arrested. If not, then my parents along with Nurse Melba’s father could be at great risk. Robert, I can’t believe this is going on right here in Mason Creek.” Amelia said with a sad sigh. “If I didn’t know it to be true, no one could have convinced me that this was happening. One thing I can say about Mr. Hodges is that he knows how to direct Glenview very efficiently as to not draw any unwanted attention to himself. He’s never presented Glenview as being anything other than a top of the line care facility which may be, until you cross him. I guess I just wonder why others have never came forward? Surely others suspected wrong doing at times. I mean if suddenly my father who has never slept all the time, started sleeping or was zoned out all the time, I would be finding out what was going on? I realize many of the older folks in there are really sick and weak. Maybe their loved ones can’t tell the difference between their sicknesses or a medicated state. It is a sad day in Mason Creek. The news of Glenview is going to rock our little peaceful community. You know we’ve just always have had such loving and caring folks here! Who would have imagined someone like Mr. Hodges living here under such pretense?
“Well Honey, unfortunately, I guess it is a sign of the times that we now live in. Things have changed so much since we were youngsters.” Robert stated.
“Speak for yourself Old Man Steele, but I am still a youngster!” Amelia teased.
“Your parents are still youngsters for sure! Heck, they’re younger than we are!” Robert said with a chuckle. “I need to learn some of your Daddy’s romantic tricks if you know what I mean!” Robert said as he gently stroked down Amelia’s wet hair and then her bare shoulder. He gently pressed against Amelia and kissed her passionately.
“Oh Baby, believe me, you have all of the tricks that you need! Amelia stated,” but I am so sorry dear, you won’t get a chance to use any of them this morning! I’ve got to get up out of this bed and get dressed. I’ve got to get the kids up for school and drive to Glenview early. Maybe you can think of some romantic tricks to use on me later! I’ll look forward to them! Amelia promised with another kiss as she sprung up out of the bed and ran to the bathroom.
“See, I obviously do not have the kind of Romantic tricks that your Daddy has. He is how old? He always has your Momma smiling!” Robert continued to tease.
Amelia came and stood in front of Robert at the foot of the bed. She then smiled ear to ear! She laughed out loud as she ran to the bathroom to dry her hair.
“I am determined that I will make that smile of yours real!” Robert promised.
Amelia didn’t style her hair. She just blew it dry and let it go natural. She rushed to get dressed so that she could drink at least one cup of coffee before waking the boys.
“Do you want anything for breakfast?” She asked as she was rushing toward the hallway. “I’m putting on coffee before I wake the boys!”
“Nope, thank you, coffee is fine. I have an early meeting at the Hardware Store with Joe Bentley from Bentley Farm Supply this morning around Nine o’clock. Thought I would bring in Elma’s Biscuits. Meet you down stairs in a few!” Robert answered.
Amelia loved being a wife and a mother. She also loved working at the Hardware store while her boys were at school. It gave her great joy to hear so many of their customers who were mostly neighbors and friends speak adoringly about her parents. She appreciated Mr. Thomas helping out while she was taking care of her parents. Closing the store was never an option with Amelia. She grew up in the hardware store. When she was little, her father had built a nice little cubby or nook for her. He built it right under the stairs. It was her little secret thinking place, or at least when she was small she thought of it as a secret. Amelia wanted to pass the Hardware store on to her children and grandchildren, but as Robert said times were changing so with the world, she only hoped that the boys would want the business when they were grown.
Amelia woke the boys up and pulled out some cereal from the cabinet. She placed the milk and some fresh fruit on the table and waited for the men in her life to come into the kitchen. In the meantime, she opened the kitchen window over the sink and listened to the glorious sounds of the birds singing. It was already quite warm outside. It was sure to be another scorcher today in Mason Creek. Amelia however, had no idea just how hot things were going to get until she went to Glenview.
When the boys came in, she kissed them all. She ran to her car, so that she could get ahead of all the elementary buses. When she got to the Glenview’s parking lot, low and behold who was there but Sheriff Eugene. The thoughts of having to deal with him made Amelia sick to her stomach. She however, refused to be intimidated by him. As she walked up the sidewalk to the entrance of Glenview, Eugene acted as if he would block the entrance. She looked him straight in the eye and continued to walk forward. He just barely moved out of the way, but not before blowing cigarette smoke in her face. Amelia’s face burned as she had never wanted to punch someone so hard in her life. She was furious, but held her tongue and pushed by him. She felt sorry for his parents. She wondered to herself if Eugene knew about all that Mr. Hodges has been doing and if he was party to it.
When she walked into the lobby of Glenview, immediately she saw Mr. Hodges as he was undoubtedly lying to some unsuspecting family about a precious loved one. She wanted to run to them and scream for God’s sake take them somewhere else. She totally refused to look into his evil eyes although she could feel his eyes glaring at her. Amelia walked around the corner to the hallway where her parents were. She knocked on the door to hear a sweet voice on the inside say, “come in please!”
“Good morning sweetheart. How are you this morning?” Helen asked as she held out her arms for Amelia to hug her. Both of her parents were sitting at their little quaint bistro table drinking coffee and eating breakfast.
Amelia walked to her parents and hugged them both! I am fine. What are you having for breakfast?” She asked, “Yummy, it smells like grapefruit and what else?”
“Oatmeal and toast for Henry, just the fruit and toast for me.” Helen answered.
“How are you Daddy? Did you sleep well?” Amelia asked as she noticed Henry was smiling at her.
“I’ve got something for you, Amelia!” Henry said, “But I can’t give it to you yet. The nurse is supposed to be back in here in a minute and I don’t want her to see anything.” Henry continued.
“Oh okay Daddy, Amelia said. She had no clue what he was speaking of. As she looked around she noticed Henry’s old friend was hanging on the wall. She also saw a special quilt that once belonged to her grandmother that was lying across the foot of their bed. The bed was all made up and her parents seemed to be alert and fairly well considering all of the changes that they had gone through in the past few days.
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 moving right along through the book.
If you are interested in obtaining your own copy of If Oak Trees Could Talk! or any of my other books, please visit my Amazon Author Page here! Also If you are new to my Video Blogs and would like to catch up on the story from the beginning please check out the archives in this blog or simply Subscribe to my blogs or to my Youtube Videos as they are numbered and in order! When you Subscribe to my WordPress Blogs, I have a wonderful free gift for you as my thank you! I am also a weekly contributor to The Lakeview Times. All of my videos are published each week at http://www.lakeviewtimes.com
Hello Friends what an awesome week it has been so far! Thank you once again for checking in each week and either reading along or “tuning in” to my Video Blogs of If Oak Trees Could Talk! As stated before when I started doing videos on by book I had no idea how long it would take, but again so appreciate all of you for hanging in here with me. We only have three chapters to go after this video so we will come to the end of the story in just a few short weeks.
I also want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for going on to Amazon.com and downloading my free book Tell the Enemy to Scat! During the free promotion, I stayed around #2 in two categories which were awesome and even #13 in another one. However, if you didn’t get the chance to get my book free, you still can as I am giving it away as a free gift to you! So I again I am so grateful for you guys and gals for all of the follows and support.
Now on we go to the end of Chapter 20 Common Friends!
As the two women were laughing, the waiter brought them their pie and coffee.
“Oh, yummy, this looks delicious.” Melba announced. “Thank you. I have had a sweet tooth a lot lately. This pie should hit the spot!” She said with a little giggle.
“Do you want Ice cream on yours?” Amelia asked as she too was eager to dig into hers. I can have them to heat it up and top it with Ice cream and caramel sauce!” She said as she pretended to drool.
“Oh goodness, no I think I will just enjoy it without the frills.” Melba said as she plunged her fork in to get the first bite. “Oh my goodness, that is so delicious?” She continued.
“I’ve never had a better slice of pie anywhere! Now, my Momma is a wonderful cook, but even she can’t make pies like Ms. Maggie makes them!” Amelia said as she licked the back of her spoon to get some of the gooey filling off.
“So you say that you’ve not lived in Mason Creek very long?” Amelia asked, just to get to know Melba a little better.
“No, I’ve been here a little over six months. I moved when my father got transferred to Glenview. Unfortunately I have not made one friend since I’ve gotten here. It’s my own fault though. The people in Mason Creek seem friendly enough, but I work a lot of hours so that I can spend time with my father!” Melba answered.
“Well, I will be your friend!” Amelia suggested as she licked her spoon again. “I need someone that I can go hang out with! I need someone that will eat delicious fattening pie with me!” She continued with an impish smile that looked like her Dads.
“Well, you got it! I love pie! Melba agreed as she accepted Amelia’s invitation.
“So, how is your father doing today?” Amelia asked.
“Well, he is probably like your parents. He has his good days and bad. The important thing for my Dad is that he keeps looking ahead. He battles with depression because of my mother passing. Honestly, If I didn’t keep after him, he would probably rather give up then live. He’s all that I have. I do not have brothers or sisters. I have only one great aunt that lives in Savannah, but we do not have a close relationship. I sometimes feel like I’m being selfish, but I need him!” Melba said as she felt like she could be open with Amelia since they had so much in common.
“No, it is not selfish to want your parents to live and to be well and happy! Outside of my husband and boys, my parents are my life. I don’t have siblings either, so my parents doted over me!” Amelia shared. “That’s why I am so determined, that I will not let anyone hurt them!” Amelia stated as she alluded to the reason for her and Melba’s meeting.
“Well, that is why I work the way that I do. I guess I think if I am with my father that no one can get to him. They cannot get to him without going through me first!” Melba said with a stern look that appeared upon her face.
“I understand. I was blown away when I found out about the threats to my parents. I probably would not have believed any of it if I had not argued with Mr. Hodges myself!” Amelia said as she whispered his name. “I can’t tell you about all that he tried to get by with today. He must have thought I was stupid, but he has made the mistake of letting me see who he really is. He is an evil person and he’s going down! Even when my parents go home, I will not rest while knowing what he is doing to those poor precious people. Most of those people are friends and neighbors that I grew up knowing. They were honest, hardworking, souls who do not deserve to live their last days on earth tormented by some tyrant!” Amelia ranted as she realized the more she talked the louder she became. She then whispered again, “I have a lot of evidence already, but I need to know what you know! Right now, everything would be just my word against his word. He’s got so many people deceived into thinking that Glenview is a nice peaceful place, instead of what it truly is. It makes me sick to think of him living out his little egotistical fancy at the expense of our parents!”
The more that Amelia talked the angrier she became. Mr. Hodges would have to go through her as well if he thought that he would harm her parents in anyway. She was determined with or without Nurse Applegate’s help to see him go to jail and fired from Glenview.
“I totally agree. Count me in. I have a lot that I’ve seen and know is happening. I just prefer to find a safer place to tell about them. I do not want retaliation paid to my father because that tyrant is pissed at me! You understand, right?” Melba whispered, so as not to be heard.
“Okay, I have someone I want you to meet. He had already been investigating but he needs more people to come forward. I will let you know when. We can meet at my house if you want. I will buy one of Maggie’s pies!” Amelia bribed.
“That’s extortion!” Melba chuckled. “I will do what I can to help. I knew that I could not do this alone. I am so glad that we met. I promise I will keep an eye out on your parents. If I see anything suspicious at all I will let you know. I just have to do it in a way that it does not bring attention to me. I have to protect my father and cannot lose my job!” Melba said again at a whisper.
When the two ladies finished off their pie and coffee, it was getting late. Amelia wanted to get to Glenview early the next morning so as to see how her parents were. The fact that her Daddy suggested that he was going to try to be the “inside man” made Amelia feel very nervous. She knew her Daddy. Henry was like an ornery cat in that he was curious and poked his nose into things that he shouldn’t. She knew that he would not rest until Mr. Hodges was arrested. Amelia, however, did not want him to fall prey to Mr. Hodges until that happened.
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 moving right along through the book.
If you are interested in obtaining your own copy of If Oak Trees Could Talk! or any of my other books, please visit my Amazon Author Page here! Also If you are new to my Video Blogs and would like to catch up on the story from the beginning please check out the archives in this blog or simply Subscribe to my blogs or to my Youtube Videos as they are numbered and in order! When you Subscribe to my WordPress Blogs, I have a wonderful free gift for you as my thank you! I am also a weekly contributor to The Lakeview Times. All of my videos are published each week at http://www.lakeviewtimes.com
Part 43 If Oak Trees Could Talk! Hello Everyone, Welcome back to my video blog of If Oak Trees Could Talk! I hope that you’ve been enjoying the last days of spring as we are marching quickly into …
Hello Everyone, Welcome back to my video blog of If Oak Trees Could Talk! I hope that you’ve been enjoying the last days of spring as we are marching quickly into summer. I’ve been working on a New Book which I am very excited about and doing a few other projects that I’ve tried to put the finishing touches on! I apologize that I’ve not done this blog for a couple of weeks, but we are moving on and I appreciate you hanging in here with me!
We will finish up Chapter 19 Henry the Spy and Go right into Chapter 20 Common Friends!
When Nurse Applegate knocked on their door, Helen answered once again. The nurse walked in first and then Henry followed. He had a very productive walk. He was sure that he could formulate a plan to spy out the enemy. When he walked into the room his eyes met Helen’s. She saw the slightest curl of his lip into his impish little grin, but Helen was quite upset and never smiled back.
“Here you are Mrs. Tyler. I am delivering Mr. Tyler back to you. I also have your medications.” Nurse Applegate stated.
Both Helen and Henry looked at each other as Nurse Applegate handed the small little pill cup with a couple of pills each in them. Helen noticed right away that Henry had an extra one. Henry could not have told anyone what kinds of medications that he had taken over the past six months or so. Henry watched Helen’s eyes and knew that something was wrong, so they both did as they had planned to do. They would pretend to take the medication by hiding it under their tongues. Helen only wished that Nurse Applegate would leave immediately.
They did just that, Helen handed Henry his pills with a glass of water and Henry pretended to take them. But suddenly Helen thought to ask Nurse Applegate if it was okay for her to take hers on an empty stomach.
“Oh, I am sure it would be fine if you take it after you eat, Mrs. Tyler. Someone from the cafeteria should be bringing your food right up. Just make for sure that you drink a full glass of water with them okay? Especially Mr. Tyler’s it looks as though his doctor has prescribed him something new for his severe allergies.
“Yes Nurse Applegate I sure will do that.” Helen promised as she flashed Henry a strange look.
“Is there anything else that I can get you before I leave for the night?” Nurse Applegate asked. I have to meet someone around Nine o’clock or so and it is Eight-thirty right now.
“No Sweetie, we will be fine. Will we see you tomorrow?” Helen asked.
Suddenly someone knocked on the door. Both Helen and Henry flashed each other a frightened glance that Nurse Applegate could not help but notice. She knew that they were probably shaken up from the ordeal that they had just gone through. So she reassured them, “I’m sure that is your trays!” Nurse Applegate said with an understanding smile as she opened the door.
Sure enough it was the kitchen leaving Henry and Helen’s Banana sandwiches. Nurse Applegate took the tray and placed it on the little bistro table.
“Bon appétit, your gourmet meals awaits!” she teased with a smile. Now to answer your question Mrs. Tyler, yes, I will be here tomorrow. Looks like you and Mr. Tyler are stuck with me while you remain here. Tonight the Nurse at the front desk, Nurse Warren will check in on you. She will not step inside unless you need her to. It is totally up to you. Goodnight and have a peaceful night. I know that you both must be exhausted.”
“Goodnight, thank you for everything!” Helen said as the nurse walked out their door. Henry immediately spit the pills out into the little cup that Nurse Applegate gave him. They were bitter in his mouth, but had not dissolved. When Helen saw them, she said, “The little white pill is one that you have been taking but that big white one is a new one. Do not take it Henry!” Helen ordered. “You must hide them somewhere until we can give them to Amelia tomorrow. Severe Allergies, what a horrible lie!”
Chapter 20
Common Friends
When Nurse Applegate walked through the sliding doors to exit Glenview’s Residential Home for the Elderly, the air felt fresh and crisp after the earlier thunderstorm. She took in a deep breath as she loved the way the air smelled after a rain. There were still standing puddles of muddy orange water in the parking lot. She walked this way and that to avoid them until she got to her car. Once she was in her car she began to think of what she would tell Amelia. She had to protect her father just as Amelia was trying to protect her parents from Mr. Hodges. Nurse Applegate put her car into gear and drove directly to Maggie’s Pie and Coffee to meet Amelia. She dreaded talking about her experiences with Mr. Hodges, but looked forward to really getting to know Amelia. Nurse Applegate hoped to gain a friend in Amelia as they had much in common and she never knew anyone in Mason Creek other the elderly folks at Glenview.
Amelia arrived at Maggie’s Pie and Coffee before Nurse Applegate had. She took the liberty of ordering Ms. Maggie’s famous apple pie for both she and Nurse Applegate. Amelia had a trying day and it felt good to just sip on a steaming hot cup of coffee. She spanned the room to see if anyone was there that she knew. The boys coach and wife were sitting in a corner booth. Amelia took the time to thank them for keeping the boys for them during her Daddy’s escape. Just as she was headed back to her seat at the counter where she had been sitting Nurse Applegate walked in. Amelia greeted her with a smile. She turned to the counter and asked Maggie if she could bring another cup of coffee and the slices of pie to a back table. Nurse Applegate followed as Amelia lead.
“Hello Nurse Applegate, how are you?” Amelia asked to begin conversation.
“Please call me Melba, I’ve been a nurse all day, and now I just want to be Melba!” Nurse Applegate said with a chuckle.
“Sure, I like that much better anyway.” Amelia replied.
“Call me Amelia please. Mrs. Steele sounds like I am iron lady!” Amelia said as they both giggled.
“How did my parents do after I left?” Amelia asked. “I hope they are adjusting well, you know everything was new to them, no offense, but even you are new. I just worried about them as I didn’t want Daddy to become confused.”
“Well, honestly they seem to adjust to the room pretty well, but Mr. Tyler was a little disoriented this evening. I surmised it was because he had not had any of his meds today. They also had not had anything to eat since you were with them, so I made for sure they ordered them something before the cafeteria closed. Mr. Tyler walked with me to the cafeteria and everything.” Melba reported to Amelia.
“Really, that sounds a little weird!” Amelia said with a confused look on her face. “Did he leave Momma alone?”
“Yes, he left Mrs. Tyler alone for the length of time it took us to make our trip. I said trip because the reason he wanted to go was because he told me he wanted to see an old friend! I, of course, thought that he might have been talking about another patient, but instead he wanted to go back to his old room. Maybe it was because it was familiar to him, but then once he went inside he took a picture from the wall. When I walked in, he was talking to the picture and told his “old friend” that he missed it. I have seen this behavior Amelia in a lot of amnesia patients. They get better, but out of the blue, they can revert back. I assumed again it was because he had not had his meds.” Melba tried to comfort.
“Well, he is not as crazy as you may think, Melba!”
“Oh, please I did not mean to imply that he was crazy!” Melba said apologetically.
“Oh, excuse me, wrong choice of words on my part. Let me explain. My Daddy grew up in a house that was built by my Great Great Grandfather. In the side yard of this house is a huge old Oak tree that my Daddy calls his old friend. The picture on the wall in his room is a picture I brought him because somehow the tree seems to comfort him and help him. I know that sounds crazy, but I was desperate to do anything that I could to help him come back to us.” Amelia explained.
“Ah, that is the sweetest thing. Well, it seems to have worked. I saw him hugging that picture just as though he was hugging a person. The look on his face was priceless!” Melba shared.
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 moving right along through the book.
If you are interested in obtaining your own copy of If Oak Trees Could Talk! or any of my other books, please visit my Amazon Author Page here! Also If you are new to my Video Blogs and would like to catch up on the story from the beginning please check out the archives in this blog or simply Subscribe to my blogs or to my Youtube Videos as they are numbered and in order! When you Subscribe to my WordPress Blogs, I have a wonderful free gift for you as my thank you! I am also a weekly contributor to The Lakeview Times. All of my videos are published each week at http://www.lakeviewtimes.com
Part 42 If Oak Trees Could Talk! Welcome back to my Video Blogs of If Oak Trees Could Talk! I hope that you are having a wonderful and productive week! My week has been awesomely blessed to be ab…
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