Part 33 If Oak Trees Could Talk! Welcome to my video blogs of my Romance/Suspense novel If Oak Trees Could Talk! This story was given to me as I sat on my front porch early one morning just being…
Source: Part 33 If Oak Trees Could Talk!
Tag Archives: relationships
Part 29 If Oak Trees Could Talk!
3 Feb
Part 29 If Oak Trees Could Talk!
Wow, can you believe that we are in February already? What does your mind automatically go to when someone says “It’s February.” When I think of February I automatically think of spring being on its way and Love being in the air! I hope that if you are reading along or “tuning in” each week to my video blogs, that you’ve realized that If Oak Trees Could Talk is truly a love story. Maybe it is sometimes the story may seem a little too mushy and sentimental, but I honestly know real people who love each other like my characters Henry and Helen love!
True Romance and unconditional love does exist! It hasn’t died. Because love is alive, I choose to pursue it with a passion! After all, what were we put on this earth for? My answer is….So that we can love and be loved.
Today we will finish Chapter 14 The Family Gathering and continue to cruise right into Chapter 15 The Cruise!
Chapter 14 The Family Gathering!
“Lovely, it will be just lovely.” Helen agreed.
Henry was right! As he visited the Oak tree it was as though a flood of pleasant memories came rushing back to him. He found himself pushing the swing gently as he remembered his little Amelia shouting “Higher, Daddy, higher!” He smiled with the remembrance of how brave she was. Then he whispered, “She’s still a brave little thing!” He also remembered the day that Amelia walked him to the tree and told him about Robert. She sat in the swing once again and her Daddy pushed her gently. She was so confident and sure that Robert was the one for her. When Henry stopped pushing her in the swing and walked around in front of her, he looked straight into those pool blue eyes. He saw the same sparkling light that was in his Helen’s eyes. He could never put that light out, so as heartbreaking as it was to admit that his little Amelia had grown up, he realized at that moment that she had grown up right before his eyes and was in love! Henry’s only wish was that she would find the kind of love that he and his Helen had found. He knew it was a rare kind of love, but when he looked into Amelia’s innocent face that day, he was assured that she had found it! He went on to remember her beautiful wedding in the gardens and how it was so hard for him to turn her over to Robert that day. He was so afraid that Robert would whisk Amelia away to some other state and that they wouldn’t get to see much of her. But that wasn’t the case, instead Robert and Amelia went in partners with him at the Hardware store and Amelia helped him run it every day. As the swing made a gentle creaking sound it reminded him of the day that he placed Dylan in the swing for the first time, then Robbie. So many of the life events that were precious to Henry happened right here, right under the old Oak tree. While Henry’s memories came flooding back he became so overwhelmed with gratitude. He stopped to honestly thank the one who he felt was responsible for his breakthrough!
“Now God, it’s me Henry William Tyler. Now I know that you haven’t heard from me as often as you should have, but Lord I am grateful to you. I am grateful for my Dear sweet Helen’s recovery and my loving Daughter’s family. Dear Lord, I am also grateful for my old friend here! I’m sure glad that you helped me make my get away to come to see her. I ask that you help me to come back home soon. I thank you for the memories that my old friend helps me to remember! You have always been here for me and my family and again Sir I am grateful. I thank you that my old friend here is like one of your angels, if I may say such things. She has been stationed on this property for over a century guarding this place. Thank you for keeping her strong for my family to enjoy. Only you know what will happen when I return back to Glenview so I won’t worry about the future. I just want to thank you for now, so Lord, thank you in Jesus name!”
Chapter 15
The Cruise!
Amelia went to the garage to pull the car out when Henry and the boys came around to the front of the house. When Henry saw the car he was elated. He was totally under the assumption that Amelia intended for him to drive them to Glenview. When Amelia had gotten out of the car to tell all of her goodbyes to the boys and Robert, she then helped her mother to get down the steps. She walked her mother down the walkway and helped get her into the passenger side of the car. In the meanwhile, Henry moved quickly as well.
He hugged the boys, shook Robert’s hand and yelled to them, “Will see you soon!” He stood on the driver’s side of the car as he had reached the car before Amelia and Helen did
“Love you boys! Your old Gramps and Gramma will be back really soon. So I’m not going to say good-bye but instead I’ll see you soon!” Henry said as he climbed into the driver’s seat of the car. He might have forgotten a lot of things but he was sure that he could remember how to drive. The thoughts of driving his car into Mason Creek thrilled him. He thought of all the places that he would like to drive to. The first stop would be to his Hardware store. It just dawned on him that his Amelia had probably been running the place since he had left. It would be good to drop in the store to see some old friends he had not seen in the past months. He smiled as he remembered how the crowd used to gather around the counter to hear his wild and embellished stories.
When Amelia saw her Daddy get into the car, she glanced quickly at Robert. He just smiled and shrugged his shoulders. Robert knew that this was between Amelia and her Daddy.
“Now Daddy, I am not for sure that you should be trying to drive. I really think that I need to drive. I will take you anywhere you would like to go okay?” Amelia said desperately knowing that she was probably wasting her breath.
“Amelia, I’ve been driving ever since I was nine. Do you remember when I told you about me driving my father to that house that time when I was little and he hit that deer? Now I think if I drove at nine years old that I can drive now, don’t you?”
“Yes, but Daddy…..that was….” Amelia stopped. She couldn’t bring herself to say it. She wanted to say “but Daddy that was when you were well,” but she knew that he wasn’t as ill as he had been. Maybe he was well for all she knew.
“Momma, what do you think?” Amelia asked. She thought if Helen objected than Henry would surely listen to her. However, Helen did not back her up at all. Instead she scooted right up against Henry like they were teenagers on a date and waited for him to cruise them down the road!
“I think it will be fine, Sweetie. Just sit back and enjoy the beautiful ride!” Helen commanded.
Amelia just stood beside the car totally speechless. She couldn’t believe what was happening but knew that she had lost. She looked over at Robert and mouthed to him “Pray for us!”
“Come on Daughter! Don’t worry, get in the car! I could drive this car with my eyes closed. Have you forgotten that I am the one who taught you to drive? I think a cruise through town will not be too awfully dangerous for any of us, now will it?” Henry argued so convincingly.
“No I guess not…” Amelia mumbled as she slowly entered the backseat of the car.
“Okay, everyone in?” Henry asked as he simply was beaming like a teenager taking his first drive. He put the car in gear and off they went. He backed the car up just fine and proceeded forward.
“See nothing to it!” He assured Amelia.
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 Youtube Videos as they are numbered and in order! I am also a weekly contributor to The Lakeview Times. All of my videos are published each week at http://www.lakeviewtimes.com
Part 28 If Oak Trees Could Talk!
28 JanPart 28 If Oak Trees Could Talk
Hello Again! Well we are moving right along as we read If Oak Trees Could Talk! I hope that if you have been following along that you are enjoying the journey! If you’ve just found us, then it is my hope that you will take the time to either listen or read the archived blogs to where you do not feel like you’ve missed out on any of the mushy stuff! Today we are nearing the end of Chapter 14 The Family Gathering! However, we still have a little ways to go. You might as well pour yourself a nice cup of coffee or tea and get all comfy as we continue reading.
Chaper 14
The Family Gathering!
“It’s wonderful, Daddy. I always love it when you tease me. I love your stories. The boys love them as well. Daddy, they have missed you so much. They were excited and thrilled to be at Gramps and Gramma’s last night because we were together again! They told me that you always did special things with them, such as your yard trips. They miss all of those times with you. They had not been in this house for months, but last night when they were here, they really enjoyed it. It was only because you and Momma were home and down at the Oak tree. Both of you are the life of this house and this place. It’s you and Momma that makes this place a home.” Amelia said as she began to tear up.
Robert and the boys pulled up in the driveway just as Amelia was speaking of them. The boys flung open the car doors and ran into the house. They ran to Gramps and hugged him and then on to Gramma. Amelia stepped out to see if Robert needed a hand with the food. He was so prepared he had paper plates and plastic forks, the works just so that they could spend time together instead of cleaning up the kitchen after the meal. He also had a thermos of piping hot coffee just in case there was none.
“Baby, you thought of everything! I love you so much, let me take that thermos.” Amelia said as she leaned in and gave Robert a quick kiss. “Momma and Daddy are going to love this!”
When Robert stepped inside the house, Helen grabbed him and squeezed him tightly. He still had his hands full of food when Henry moved forward and extended his hand for a warm hand shake, but then he just grabbed Robert and gave him a big bear hug. Robert unloaded all of the bags onto the counter and then shook Henry’s hand. Everyone was so thrilled to be back together.
“Oh man, I smell Elma’s don’t I?” Henry asked.
“Yep,” Dylan said as he began pulling food from the bags. “Sausage gravy, biscuits, eggs, grits, and bacon, yummy, breakfast is served! Just like you always served it for us Gramps!”
“Man I think I will run away more often,” Henry said with a smile.
“I wish you could Gramps!” Robbie said. “We have missed you and Gramma so much.”
“Don’t encourage him, Robbie,” Helen stated. “He would be over here every day when the nurses at Glenview turn their backs!”
All of the family chuckled, but deep down Helen knew Henry would escape again if he felt he had reason to. It was good for all of them to be together. They each took their regular places at the dining room table as they’ve done numerous times before. Even though this was Elma’s food, you would have thought it to be a home cooked Thanksgiving meal, which indeed it was! The table seated Gramps and Gramma side by side of course at one end, Amelia and Robert side by side at the opposite end and Dylan and Robbie in the middle of each side. As they ate, they laughed, and appreciated every second of the last minutes together before Henry and Helen went back to Glenview. Each of them pretended that the dread of the Patriarch and Matriarch of the family leaving wasn’t weighing heavy upon them. The time came, however, sooner than any of them wanted it to, for Gramps and Gramma to return to Glenview.
“Amelia do you want me to drive you and your parents back to Glenview?” Robert whispered while Amelia was cleaning up the dining room table.
“I really thought about it Honey. I think I will drive Daddy’s car. It probably needs to have someone drive it anyway. What do you think?” Amelia asked.
“Sounds good, but are you going to be okay?” Robert comforted.
“I will just have to be okay, now won’t I?” Amelia stated with a sigh.
“Well, if you get there and need me, I am going to stick around the house today with the boys. I think it will be good for the boys just to have a day with their old Dad.”
“That sounds great. You can make the day a fun day for them. I wish I could spend the day with you guys,” Amelia replied. “But soon, we will all be together again.”
Helen walked into the kitchen. She did not appear to be half as upset about going back to Glenview as Amelia was. She and Henry had resolved to go back and do what they needed to do.
“Well, Daughter, let’s get this show on the road! Your Daddy and I have decided to take Glenview by storm Sweetie! They won’t know what hit them! We will be home in a few weeks and all will be well! Are you ready?” Helen asked impatiently.
“Yes, Momma, I guess I am ready if you and Daddy are. Where’s Daddy?” Amelia asked.
“Oh, he and the boys have gone out in the yard for a bit,” Helen said with a tender smile at having mentioned the boys. “He probably just wants to reassure them that we will be a family again. We do love those two more than life!” Helen said softly. “He also wanted to go see his friend one more time before we left today. He thought maybe that the Oak tree could help him remember a little more before he left!”
“Well, okay, I will go get the car out of the garage. I thought we would drive Daddy’s car if that is okay. It really needs to be driven and this beautiful Sunny morning would be a perfect opportunity. What do you think?”
“Lovely, it will be just lovely.” Helen agreed.
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 Youtube Videos as they are numbered and in order! I am also a weekly contributor to The Lakeview Times. All of my videos are published each week at http://www.lakeviewtimes.com
Part 27 If Oak Trees Could Talk!
20 JanPart 27 If Oak Trees Could Talk
Hello everybody! Welcome back to my video blogs of If Oak Trees Could Talk! I hope that you’ve had a great holiday season and that your New Year is off to a great start. If you’ve been following along, I appreciate your patience as I’ve taken a few weeks off. But as we jump right back into my video blogs, we will pick back up in Chapter 14 The Gathering!
The Gathering!
She asked Sheriff Eugene, “So, what are you going to do Eugene? I would do what I done last night again and again. I would go with my mother from Glenview to search for my father a million times if I had to. I am not apologizing for my behavior to Mr. Hodges or to anyone else. He can kiss my….well never mind! My parents are my main concern and their wellbeing. My mother was going to leave Glenview with or without me, so I went with her!”
“What do you mean Ms. Amelia? Was Ms. Tyler driving and you rode along as a passenger in her car?” Eugene questioned. “It was my understanding that you were driving and carried your Momma away from Glenview.” He continued to interrogate.
Amelia thought about the question and immediately without pondering answered, “No, I did not drive. So what you’re telling me is that Mr. Hodges had no clue how my parent’s left Glenview! I think it would be very interesting to see what Mr. Henderson down at the Mason Creek Times Newspaper would do with a story like this one, wouldn’t you?” Amelia asked as the idea just came to her that Mr. Hodges would not want the reputation of Glenview’s Residential Home for the Elderly to be tarnished. She also was telling the truth, she wasn’t the one who drove the getaway car, her husband Robert drove.
“As a matter of fact, Eugene, if you would let Mr. Hodges know…..No, that’s okay, I will tell him myself that I intend on reporting to Mr. Henderson that my parents simply walked out of his precious Glenview without the slightest resistance from Glenview’s staff! I think he would be more than glad to drop all of the charges. Wouldn’t you agree with me, Eugene?” Amelia said slyly as she knew that Eugene would drive like a maniac to Glenview’s Residential Home for the Elderly to tell Mr. Hodges what she was threatening.
“Now, Ms. Amelia, think about what you’re saying. You don’t really want to hurt anyone now do you?” Eugene stated rather pathetically, for it had been rumored that he had been used to do Mr. Hodges’ dirty work for several years.
“Well, I will have to think about it long and hard before I contact Mr. Henderson, but I am considering paying him a little visit.” Amelia continued to threaten as if she pretended not to know that the Sheriff was somehow in cahoots with Mr. Hodges and every other type of dirty dealings that went down in Mason Creek. She knew that the only reason that he was being nice to her was that his parents had been friends with Amelia’s parents for years. Also he always had a flame burning for Amelia when they were growing up, but never asked her out. Eugene’s mother would not stand for him being anything but nice to the Tyler family.
“Okay then, Ms. Amelia, we will expect you to carry your parents back to Glenview in a little while.” Eugene stated. “I will assure Mr. Hodges that your parents will be back as soon as they eat a decent breakfast.”
When Amelia had gotten off the telephone with Eugene, she immediately called Robert. She told Robert about speaking to Eugene and about threatening to go to Mr. Henderson with a story if Mr. Hodges insisted on pressing charges against her.
“I just feel like there is something that is very wrong going on at Glenview. Mr. Hodges is so worried about his reputation. Oh well, forget about all that stuff, now on to more important things! Will you please bring my parents a good breakfast from Elma’s Biscuit Barn?” Amelia asked with a chuckle.
Elma’s Biscuit Barn was just a little Country restaurant but Elma Simpson was a third generation owner and one of the best Southern cooks in Mason Creek. No one made homemade biscuits and sausage gravy like Elma or real Southern grits oozing with butter and bacon. Going to Elma’s Biscuit Barn was Henry’s thing to do when he was well. He would go and buy breakfast almost every Saturday morning for the whole family. It was a normal Saturday routine, so Robert knew exactly what to order and pick up for each of them.
“Crazy question, but do you want the usual?” Robert asked also with a little chuckle.
“Yes, Sir, I can’t wait until Daddy and Momma gets a good whiff of what you’ve brought them this time to eat! I am sure that the smile on Daddy’s face will be even bigger than it was last night when he was eating his favorite hamburger and onion rings.” Amelia whispered with a chuckle so as not to spoil the surprise for her parents. “Also we can all gather around the dining room table and eat the way that we used to. It will be wonderful! Thank you Babe!” She continued.
“Good morning my sweet Daughter,” Helen said as she was practically beaming. She walked from the gardens, straight through the house, to the kitchen and was barely using her walker at all. Dear I believe we have some ground coffee in the big freezer, if you would like to go get. I will get the coffee pot ready for us.
“Good morning Momma! How did you and Daddy sleep?” Amelia asked as she noticed again that her mother was so chipper.
“Oh, like little babies! It was simply heaven on earth! I am sorry to be so joyous when obviously you’ve not had too much sleep. Stop worrying Amelia, everything is going to be alright!” Helen ordered.
“Will it be alright Momma?” Amelia asked to be reassured.
“Things are good Amelia. Your sweet Daddy and I will return home in a few weeks. We will have our lives back and our family will be complete again. What is there to worry about?” Helen explained just as Henry came walking through the kitchen.
“Well, look at these beautiful girls in the lunchroom. Boy I am sure glad that I came today!” Henry said with an ornery little grin,
“Stop it Henry, Amelia is really worried about us!” Helen ordered.
“Yes Dear, I was just teasing sweet Amelia!” Henry said with a wink.
“Daddy, so you meant to call us girls. Did you mean to call the kitchen the lunchroom too?” Amelia asked in total surprise that he was sound enough in his mind to tease her like this. For this is the way he had talked for months now.
“Yes my sweet Daughter. It’s the Tyler sense of humor. I am sorry, I will be more serious.” Henry said apologetically.
Henry reached out to Amelia with open arms and she ran to get into them. She loved the comfort of her Daddy’s arms. They always made her feel loved and safe. As she embraced him tightly she finally believed that he was indeed almost back to his old “normal self.”
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.
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 Youtube Videos as they are numbered and in order! I am also a weekly contributor to The Lakeview Times. All of my videos are published each week at http://www.lakeviewtimes.com
Part 26 If Oak Trees Could Talk
20 JanPart 26 If Oak Trees Could Talk!
Welcome and thank you for visiting my blog. This will be my last video blog of If Oak Trees Could Talk for the year as Christmas is next week and then Wow, the ringing in of a brand new year!
I wish every one of you the Happiest and Healthiest New Year Ever! Thank you so much for being such a wonderful part of this year for me! I’m excited about the year to come as I’ve been working on several new book projects and can hardly wait to go forward with them. I hope that you will continue to join me and come along for the ride.
Today we begin reading in a new Chapter 14 The Family Gathering!
Chapter 14
The Family Gathering
Amelia sighed with dread of the very thought of her parents going back into Glenview’s Home for the Elderly. Even though she knew that they had really thought everything out and made the decision for themselves, it would not be easy, but she would drive them both back in the morning. She had no idea what Mr. Hodges had planned for her parents upon their return. Henry had explained to her that it was Mr. Hodges who had told him about her mother’s early release in the first place. Surely, as the head of Glenview, Mr. Hodges should have known the reason that her father had come to be at Glenview’s Home for the Elderly to begin with. The thoughts of Mr. Hodges telling her Daddy about her Momma just did not sit well with Amelia, but again she would honor her parent’s wishes.
She helped her parents rise up from the picnic blanket to their feet. Between her and Robert they helped walk both Henry and Helen up the long front lawn to the house. She sent the boys down to get all of the picnic supplies. Amelia waited until they came into the house before making the announcement that she was driving her parents back to Glenview the following morning. Although both of the boys were very crushed and upset, they pretended all was well. Through everything the boys had become brave and strong young men. Their grandparent’s house felt like home again just because Henry and Helen were there. It didn’t matter that they were down at the Oak tree having their own private picnic the whole time, the boys still found comfort in knowing that they were on the property.
Amelia kissed Robert and the boys good night as she stayed with her parents through the night. She checked on them several times by peeking through their bedroom door which she was very cautious to do considering the most recent romantic encounters that her parents had while at Glenview. When Amanda peeked in, she saw two peaceful parents cuddled together sleeping safe and sound in their bed. It was a precious sight to behold. This was an image that Amelia would carry with her to help her focus on getting them back home permanently, once they were back at Glenview.
The morning came way too soon. Amelia had not slept but a little while before the sun came up. The first thing she felt she needed to do was to talk with the Sheriff. However, it was as though the morning was ordered with all of the most wonderful things that a summer day would hold. She postponed her plans just briefly to take in the wonderful day. Amelia found herself opening up the French doors leading to the Gardens and several more windows throughout the beautiful house she felt she was home. The birds sang their beautiful songs of praise to the one that made them. A soft breeze blew gently through the gardens and aromatic scents of Lilac and Lavender filled the air and blew through the opened windows. The house was beginning to once again smell like her parent’s home.
Amelia thought that she was the first to arise, but she then heard voices in the gardens. When she walked outside onto the patio, her parents were down in the gardens and her mother was carrying a beautiful bouquet of fresh cut flowers in her hand. Amelia also watched as her Daddy who was fully dressed, placed a beautiful flower in her Momma’s free flowing hair. As they meandered through the gardens holding hands, laughing, and talking, Amelia knew without doubt that this was what they needed. Her parents needed one another. Henry and Helen also needed their family, their home and even their beautiful gardens, to get well.
While watching her parent’s behavior since being home, Amelia resolved at that moment to bring them home regardless of the consequence. She turned from such a beautiful picture of her parents in the garden to go back into the house. Her parents had decided to go back to Glenview and Amelia would honor their wishes and take them. However, before she took them back, she was determined to make it clear to Mr. Hodges that it was a temporary arrangement this time. She immediately telephoned Sheriff Eugene that her parents had chosen to return to Glenview temporarily. Amelia also informed him that she would be driving them back after they had eaten a good breakfast. She let him know that she was bringing both her parents back to their home as soon as she could, regardless if Mr. Hodges from Glenview agreed with her decision or not. Sheriff Eugene agreed to her plans and simply cautioned her that Mr. Hodges was still insisting that she be arrested for kidnapping.
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.
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 Youtube Videos as they are numbered and in order! I am also a weekly contributor to The Lakeview Times. All of my videos are published each week at http://www.lakeviewtimes.com
Part 25 If Oak Trees Could Talk!
10 DecPart 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.
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 Youtube Videos as they are numbered and in order! I am also a weekly contributor to The Lakeview Times. All of my videos are published each week at http://www.lakeviewtimes.com
Part 24 If Oak Trees Could Talk!
3 DecPart 24 If Oak Trees Could Talk
Welcome back! I hope that you’ve had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! Mine was special as my two oldest sisters from Ohio and Kentucky came to visit with some of their families! As we gathered around our Thanksgiving feast of abundance, I was grateful and blessed to have this time with them.
If you’ve been following along with my Video blogs, then you already know how important family is to me by listening to If Oak Trees Could Talk! Today we are continuing in Chapter 13 The Picnic!
Chapter 13
The Picnic!
She spread out the blanket on the ground and placed the hamburgers and onion rings inside the picnic basket along with a couple of wine glasses. She also placed the bottle of wine in an ice bucket. She propped the radio beside the basket along with the bathrobe that she found for her Daddy. As she had gotten her Mom’s attention, she pointed to the house and whispered to her that that was where she was going to be if her mother needed anything. Just as she was ready to walk away, a Sheriff’s car came barreling into the driveway with flashing lights and a siren screaming.
Robert walked quickly toward the driveway to meet the Sheriff’s car and Amelia and the boys followed as well to prevent them from interrupting her parents. When they had arrived at the driveway, Eugene Perkins stepped out of the police car.
“Robert, Ms. Amelia, I am sure you know why I’m here, right?” Eugene asked.
“Hello Eugene, how are you? How are your parents?” Amelia asked hoping to change the subject. Helen taught Amelia to be polite and sociable. There wasn’t any reason to be rude; after all, Amelia had gone almost thirteen years of school with Eugene if you count kindergarten. She knew every member of his family and his parents were close friends to hers.
“My folks are fine, Ms. Amelia. Speaking of folks, Ms. Amelia, How are yours doing?” Eugene probed as he looked toward the old Oak tree.
“Well, Eugene, I am sure that they’ve been better, but they’re not doing badly!” Amelia stated.
“Now Ms. Amelia, we’re going to have to quit beating around the bush here, now you know why I am here, right?” Eugene once again asked as he looked Amelia right in the eyes.
“Well, I honestly don’t know why you’re here Eugene.” Amelia answered. “I don’t understand exactly. Are we in some kind of trouble?”
“Well, I guess you can say that Ms. Amelia, I’ve got to take your parents back to Glenview. I had gotten a call from Mr. Hodges, accusing you of taking your parents out of the home illegally. Is this true?” Eugene once again probed as he kept looking down toward the Oak tree. By this time a sound of music was coming from the tree and Eugene became more and more curious as to what was going on down there.
“I didn’t know that I had done anything illegal, Eugene. It wasn’t like they are imprisoned at Glenview. I am the one, with their permission of course, that had signed them into Glenview. I didn’t think it would be illegal to take them out.”
“Well, Ms. Amelia, Mr. Hodges disagrees. He says that your parents are liable for a lot of expenses and that you were not advised by the staff as to whether or not they were able to leave Glenview. I think it would be best if I just took your parents back, and then maybe you do things differently if you choose to take them out again. Mr. Hodges is pressing charges of kidnapping against you.”
“Now, Eugene, you know that is not the truth. You have parents that are getting older, if your father decided to leave a facility on his own accord, mine you, like Glenview, wouldn’t you want to help your mother find him? By the way, do you still live at home with your parents? Amelia stalled.
“Yes, Ms. Amelia I still live with my parents. Do you know how often I am asked that question?” Eugene asked as he obviously was embarrassed.
“I’m asking you as a friend, Eugene, please just give us some more time. Momma thinks that she might be able to reach Daddy so that he will come back to us. Eugene I’m telling you and Mr. Hodges right now, if they refuse to go back into Glenview, then there is nothing that I can do about it but stand by what they want!”
“Okay, Ms. Amelia, I’m going to turn my back on what I’ve seen here today. I will give your mother until morning to see what happens with Mr. Henry. I believe that I can hold Mr. Hodges off until then, but after that, I cannot promise you that I can help you.” Eugene said while cocking his head at a certain angle to look in Amelia’s eyes because the sun was starting to set and was shining right in Eugene’s face.
“Fair enough Eugene! Thank you. We will see what we can do! Tell your parents hello for us.” Amelia said with a sigh of relief.
Eugene got in his police car, and Amelia could hear him talking on his radio. “That’s a negative on Mr. Henry Tyler’s twenty. We’ll just have to check back later!”
He then started his car and sped off.
The sun had gone down rather quickly and it seemed as though the moon was in a hurry to shine forth. When Amelia looked toward the Oak tree she could see the silhouette of two people. She watched in awe as her parents swayed softly in an embrace to faint sounds of music. Amelia sighed once again because she knew that only her Momma could have gotten her Daddy down from the tree without breaking any bones. The radio continued to play softly and she could hear soft laughter coming from her parent’s direction. From a distance everything appeared as it should be. Both of her parents seemed as though nothing had robbed them of their past year’s happiness, but Amelia wondered how it would be if she drew closer?
Amelia loved what she was witnessing. However, she knew that it was going to come to an abrupt end. Although Eugene Perkins gave them a break this time, Amelia knew his reputation of being ruthless at times. He was a Sheriff who thought more of himself than anyone else did and quite frankly he let the job go to his head. He liked to throw his weight around and lord over people when he had an opportunity. Amelia considered the situation with her parents to be an awesome opportunity for him.
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.
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 Youtube Videos as they are numbered and in order! I am also a weekly contributor to The Lakeview Times. All of my videos are published each week at http://www.lakeviewtimes.com
Part 20 If Oak Trees Could Talk
7 OctPart 20 If Oak Trees Could Talk
Hello from Georgia! Just as I welcome the Sunshine on this beautiful sunny fall day, let me extend a hearty welcome to ya’ll as well! Don’t you just love the change of the seasons? There is something about the changing of the seasons that excites me to know that changes are occurring in our lives as well! Frankly that is why I began doing the Video Blogs of my latest Romance/Suspense novel If Oak Trees Could Talk because I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and experience something new! I am so grateful I’ve ventured out to do these Videos as I have loved the interaction and response I’ve gotten!
Please pull you up a comfy chair, pour you a sip of tea or coffee and join me today as we continue reading in Chapter 10 The Escapees and on into Chapter 11 The Return!
Chapter 10
The Escapees!
Nurse Wanda watched Mr. Hodges’ eyes narrow and his angered expressions come upon his face as he told her the story of Mr. Tyler. Because she knew Mr. Tyler so well, the story of why he escaped became clear. Mrs. Tyler knew if anyone told Mr. Tyler that she was getting out of Glenview before he was allowed to go home that he would not stand for it.
“Mrs. Tyler told us that this would happen!” Nurse Wanda stated
“What would happen, that two old mental cases would run off into the night and put all of our jobs at risk!” Mr. Hodges barked.
“Well Sir, I know you won’t understand this and probably won’t even try to understand it, but Mr. and Mrs. Tyler are unlike any couple that I’ve ever met. I seriously think that if you cut one of them that the other would bleed. They are that close and that much in love. This is where you went wrong Sir, because Mrs. Tyler asked all the nurses not to say anything to Mr. Tyler about her early release, because she knew that he would not be left behind at Glenview without his Helen. That’s the reason he came to Glenview to begin with because Mrs. Tyler left him when she had her stroke!”
“Well that is ridiculous and crazy! Is it any wonder that Mr. Tyler is mental? Yes this just leads me to think that Mr. Tyler is crazier than I thought. So medications will be justified! Thank you Nurse Wanda, you have enlightened me more than you can imagine!” Mr. Hodges said with those same narrow eyes and that evil smirk!
“Oh Lord, what have I done?” Nurse Wanda whispered as she realized that she just made things worse instead of better. She went quickly behind the nurse’s station and began looking for Ms. Amelia’s phone number. She knew that she probably would not be at her home but she felt so desperate to let Amelia know that Mr. Hodges was not going to help her parents. Instead he was going to keep Mr. Tyler medicated to where what memory he had gained would be lost forever! As she dialed the number, the telephone rang and rang, but no answer….
Chapter 11
The Return
“Hello my Little Darlings how are you?” Helen said rather calmly when she got into the car. She was always thrilled to see her grandchildren.
“We’re fine Gramma. Did Gramps escape from the Home?” Dylan asked, as he was the one most like Henry. He found humor in so much of life as Henry had.
“Yes Dear, I’m afraid he has, but no worries, I am sure he has made it home by now!” Gramma answered.
“Way to go Gramps!” Dylan cheered and so did his brother Robbie.
“Well at least he knows his way home, right?” Robbie asked rather concerned.
“Of course he does, children, don’t fret, I am sure he is just fine!” Gramma reassured. She seriously was at total peace as she somehow knew that this was the way things were going to work themselves out. Amelia on the other hand was typical Amelia, who was trying to keep herself from having a panic attack.
“Can’t you go any faster, Honey?” Amelia pleaded.
“It’s okay Amelia, your Father’s okay. I know him. He is just going back to find what he has lost.” Helen stated rather calmly.
“Mom, you sound so sure that he’s okay, what if….”
“Now, now Amelia, we do not want to alarm the boys now do we?” Helen interrupted as Amelia’s voice was becoming more excited.
“Okay, we should be home any second. I just pray that you’re right!” Amelia stated still not convinced of her Daddy’s safety.
As Robert turned onto Eastman Street, the boys shouted, “Do you see him? Do you see him?” They hollered again.
Robert pulled the car up into Henry’s and Helen’s driveway. The boys bolted out of the car first, they proceeded to run toward the house, but Amelia helped her mother out of the car who proceeded toward the Oak tree! When they drew close, the swing that hung from the Oak tree for years was gently swinging. It could not have been the wind because in the South, in the middle of July, a stiff wind is hard to come by. A gentle breeze was blowing, however, Amelia and Helen was sure that it would take more than a gentle breeze to move the swing this hard.
“Henry, Are you here?” Helen called. “Henry, do you hear me?” Helen called again.
Just as she was going to get upset, suddenly she and Amelia heard a loud thrashing sound up above them.
“Oh my Lord,” Amelia shouted!
“Hush Daughter, he has climbed that fool tree a million times! Just don’t panic. Just act as though you’re not the least bit afraid!” Helen stated rather calmly.
Henry chuckled like he was nine years old again as he was seated on a huge limb that he sat on when he was younger. Maybe he had not climbed up that tree and sat on that limb a million times, but it was truly so many times that he knew every little crevice and every protrusion to grab onto so as to get up there fast and be seated safely. He was a site to behold as he dangled his long naked legs over the side of that limb. He had his back toward Helen and Amelia and all they saw was Henry’s backside shining brighter than most moonlights! Obviously he was in quite a hurry to leave Glenview because he didn’t take time to find clothes or maybe he didn’t remember that he even had clothes. Did he care that he was streaking like a teenager at a football game, heck no! Henry honestly could have cared less even when he was completely sane, but now all shame was completely gone. Helen wasn’t at all surprised with what she saw. It reminded her of the old Henry.
Thank ya’ll once again for letting me share my Romance/Suspense with you! It is my hope that ya’ll come back each week if you are enjoying If Oak Trees Could Talk!
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 Youtube Videos as they are numbered and in order! I am also a weekly contributor to The Lakeview Times. All of my videos are published each week at http://www.lakeviewtimes.com
Click Below to Receive Your FREE Resources When You Connect with Christine!
Christine Gilliam Hornback
Authorartistmomof2 
You must be logged in to post a comment.