Count your blessings
- Thread starter PacNorWest
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Beautifully done, Pac! Thanks so much!!
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#33
Ev and Will paid the Chaplin, he demurred saying he didn't charge for his services but he would gladly accept a donation for the Orphan's Fund.
"Are there many?" Cheryl wanted to know.
"Many what?" Chaplin Thornton had his mind on the Grandmother. She appeared like the composite of any Grandmother anywhere in the world. He had met a few Godly people in his life time, and she obviously was another.
"Children needing homes," Cheryl patiently explained, as she directed Christy away from the foot of Evie's bed. Evie invited Christy and Willie to come up to the head of the bed and talked real low to them both. Wagging her finger at Sandy to come over closer, she sent the trio down to the cafeteria for cookies. Slipping Sandy a twenty, she requested a cookie and a iced tea for later.
Sandy winked and the three culprits held hands and skipped out of the room.
"Well Ma'am," Tom started to give his memorized spiel, "Nowa days we have an amazing surplus of children abandoned by their parents. There are many reasons, but more parents are dying from the lack of health care than any thing else. The depression has created a sad, sad situation where Doctors and hospitals are demanding payments up front for care."
Cheryl nodded, remembering well the pain and trauma she went through waiting for Ev to work long enough to save money for her operation. Unconsciously rubbing her stomach as she did.
"Chaplin, we have another member of our family that needs strong prayer," Evie hated to break in, but she desired a prayer chain be set up for Inga. "Clora dear, would you please take the Chaplin to Inga's room? She is not out of the woods as of yet."
What Evie really desired was a chance to speak frankly with the Wilson's and the Pendeltons.
"How do you do that so easily?" Cheryl was at ease joking with Evie about getting people to do her bidding so effortlessly. "I have never been able to give orders as smoothly as you do."
"Old age and treachery," Evie shot back in an instant, sanding off the edge with a grin at the amused woman.
Cassy was not as familiar with the Hansons, her dealings with them colored by her Mother's old comments about that hillbilly group on the outside of town. She sat beside Will in near misery. The baby was very active and the heat of the day was making her feel sick. Closing her eyes, Cassy blocked out all the problems and sorrow she felt about loosing her home and business.
Will seemed to think that he and Willie were enough for any woman to keep busy caring for them, but Cassy had that particular theory grate on her nerves. This new job that the guy's were busy cooking up, was so similar to the Sheriff's job that the thought of it was enough to cause her a high level of anxiety.
Evie asked for Ev and Will to answer a couple of questions for her, honestly and with no thought to the money she had gifted them. Both men opened their mouth's instantly to protest that they took no charity, but Evie forestalled that move by raising her hand to shush them.
"I want to know if each one of your families are interested in a place Clora found, It is a fairly good sized farm up towards Battleground and it comes with five houses, among other amenities."
Ev and Will paid the Chaplin, he demurred saying he didn't charge for his services but he would gladly accept a donation for the Orphan's Fund.
"Are there many?" Cheryl wanted to know.
"Many what?" Chaplin Thornton had his mind on the Grandmother. She appeared like the composite of any Grandmother anywhere in the world. He had met a few Godly people in his life time, and she obviously was another.
"Children needing homes," Cheryl patiently explained, as she directed Christy away from the foot of Evie's bed. Evie invited Christy and Willie to come up to the head of the bed and talked real low to them both. Wagging her finger at Sandy to come over closer, she sent the trio down to the cafeteria for cookies. Slipping Sandy a twenty, she requested a cookie and a iced tea for later.
Sandy winked and the three culprits held hands and skipped out of the room.
"Well Ma'am," Tom started to give his memorized spiel, "Nowa days we have an amazing surplus of children abandoned by their parents. There are many reasons, but more parents are dying from the lack of health care than any thing else. The depression has created a sad, sad situation where Doctors and hospitals are demanding payments up front for care."
Cheryl nodded, remembering well the pain and trauma she went through waiting for Ev to work long enough to save money for her operation. Unconsciously rubbing her stomach as she did.
"Chaplin, we have another member of our family that needs strong prayer," Evie hated to break in, but she desired a prayer chain be set up for Inga. "Clora dear, would you please take the Chaplin to Inga's room? She is not out of the woods as of yet."
What Evie really desired was a chance to speak frankly with the Wilson's and the Pendeltons.
"How do you do that so easily?" Cheryl was at ease joking with Evie about getting people to do her bidding so effortlessly. "I have never been able to give orders as smoothly as you do."
"Old age and treachery," Evie shot back in an instant, sanding off the edge with a grin at the amused woman.
Cassy was not as familiar with the Hansons, her dealings with them colored by her Mother's old comments about that hillbilly group on the outside of town. She sat beside Will in near misery. The baby was very active and the heat of the day was making her feel sick. Closing her eyes, Cassy blocked out all the problems and sorrow she felt about loosing her home and business.
Will seemed to think that he and Willie were enough for any woman to keep busy caring for them, but Cassy had that particular theory grate on her nerves. This new job that the guy's were busy cooking up, was so similar to the Sheriff's job that the thought of it was enough to cause her a high level of anxiety.
Evie asked for Ev and Will to answer a couple of questions for her, honestly and with no thought to the money she had gifted them. Both men opened their mouth's instantly to protest that they took no charity, but Evie forestalled that move by raising her hand to shush them.
"I want to know if each one of your families are interested in a place Clora found, It is a fairly good sized farm up towards Battleground and it comes with five houses, among other amenities."
223shootersc
Veteran Member
another good one, need more
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Yeah since that hillbilly group saved their daughters and grand child's lives. Thank you Pac.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#34
Ev got excited, asking all sorts of questions about the land, the soil, if it currently was farmed, did it have timber, and last of all, because he was running out of breath, was it affordable?"
Cheryl sat up a little straighter and listened with interest. She had bright hope shining in her eyes and stared incredulously at Evie. "Is it something we could swing together?" she pressed on with excitement.
Evie nodded, but added with caution. "There are some reservations outstanding, but a lot of the farm is better than what we had."
All the while Cheryl and Ev were asking questions, Will and Cassy were quiet. Cassy had such a death grip on Will's hand that he was astounded at her strength.
As much as Will would have preferred to join in with the Hanson Clan; he knew Cassy detested the idea. She had spoken in glowing terms of buying into her brother's berry operation south of Portland. That was an idea that Will detested. Cassy was a bit spoiled when it came to her family, and she had lobbied incessantly for Will to accept her brother's proposal. Living in his in-law's pockets seemed to Will to be the recipe for wholesale disaster in the long run. If he liked them, it would have made a considerable difference, but he thought them vain and foolish. Every chance Cassy's parents had, they talked to Willie how bad and evil guns were, and the people who used them were very bad, bad monsters. Will thought about choking them, but unfortunately there were laws against that sort of action.
Evie could feel Will's reluctance as much as she could feel Ev's unbridled enthusiasm. What else could she do but wink at Will and nod her head to signify that she understood.
Will cleared his throat. "We are interested, but have some problems to overcome." Cassy's grip strength ed to bone crushing fury, as she felt the opportunity to settle near her parents slipping away. There was no way she was going to willingly join in with this cult and spend money so they could all live together. Her children deserved better than these hillbillies had to offer.
Will could tell that Cassy was royally pissed, but wanted to see what the offer from Evie entailed before he shut the door.
"The farm is currently a cattle operation; they have diversified into some pork and a small band of sheep. There is a large timber lot, and the option of taking the Forest Service grazing permit. I need some idea of the areas you might be interested in, and a critique of how you would improve a section to support your family unit. This is going to take us all working very hard." Evie finished with a not unkind observation. She thought it unlikely that Cassy was a worker, more like a demonstrator.
Ev and Cheryl were conferring in low tones, but the hand waving and antimated smiles conveyed their interest. Ev was counting the members. "We could count on ourselves, Evie, Wayne and then the fella that Clora is interested in might join. Ben and Lainey would probably be half time farmers while he gets his business off the ground, there's Sandy and who knows about Brett. He sure blew us off when we asked him to the wedding. So I guess we need to find out about Will and Cassy."
Will was rubbing his whiskery chin. He didn't like cattle, beef or hogs, and he didn't have a farming background. Maybe he would be a better berry farmer after all. "I don't have strength's in any of those areas," he said honestly. "I have to say that Cassy's brother Charles has offered me a job in the family berry farm. I would like to talk to him and find out what he expects of a partner, before I shut any door."
Cassy was thinking, 'you bet your rooty-tooty patootie your gonna find out. And it's gonna be sooner than later buster.'
Evie was reading the not so subtle thoughts displayed on Cassy's face and knew Will wouldn't be joining them.
Brett was going through a difficult time, and he was pretty much out of the equitation. Clora would want to stay, but her young man might have other ideas. Sandy was too young to commit to a hard work life and Wayne was a responsible person only half the time. If Ben and Lainey were set on their detective agency, there might not be enough people to staff the work areas that needed to have hand on people experience.
Evie came to her decision while watching the four adults struggle with the enormity of the situation. She was going to go have a look at the place. She wanted to let the land speak to her.
Ev got excited, asking all sorts of questions about the land, the soil, if it currently was farmed, did it have timber, and last of all, because he was running out of breath, was it affordable?"
Cheryl sat up a little straighter and listened with interest. She had bright hope shining in her eyes and stared incredulously at Evie. "Is it something we could swing together?" she pressed on with excitement.
Evie nodded, but added with caution. "There are some reservations outstanding, but a lot of the farm is better than what we had."
All the while Cheryl and Ev were asking questions, Will and Cassy were quiet. Cassy had such a death grip on Will's hand that he was astounded at her strength.
As much as Will would have preferred to join in with the Hanson Clan; he knew Cassy detested the idea. She had spoken in glowing terms of buying into her brother's berry operation south of Portland. That was an idea that Will detested. Cassy was a bit spoiled when it came to her family, and she had lobbied incessantly for Will to accept her brother's proposal. Living in his in-law's pockets seemed to Will to be the recipe for wholesale disaster in the long run. If he liked them, it would have made a considerable difference, but he thought them vain and foolish. Every chance Cassy's parents had, they talked to Willie how bad and evil guns were, and the people who used them were very bad, bad monsters. Will thought about choking them, but unfortunately there were laws against that sort of action.
Evie could feel Will's reluctance as much as she could feel Ev's unbridled enthusiasm. What else could she do but wink at Will and nod her head to signify that she understood.
Will cleared his throat. "We are interested, but have some problems to overcome." Cassy's grip strength ed to bone crushing fury, as she felt the opportunity to settle near her parents slipping away. There was no way she was going to willingly join in with this cult and spend money so they could all live together. Her children deserved better than these hillbillies had to offer.
Will could tell that Cassy was royally pissed, but wanted to see what the offer from Evie entailed before he shut the door.
"The farm is currently a cattle operation; they have diversified into some pork and a small band of sheep. There is a large timber lot, and the option of taking the Forest Service grazing permit. I need some idea of the areas you might be interested in, and a critique of how you would improve a section to support your family unit. This is going to take us all working very hard." Evie finished with a not unkind observation. She thought it unlikely that Cassy was a worker, more like a demonstrator.
Ev and Cheryl were conferring in low tones, but the hand waving and antimated smiles conveyed their interest. Ev was counting the members. "We could count on ourselves, Evie, Wayne and then the fella that Clora is interested in might join. Ben and Lainey would probably be half time farmers while he gets his business off the ground, there's Sandy and who knows about Brett. He sure blew us off when we asked him to the wedding. So I guess we need to find out about Will and Cassy."
Will was rubbing his whiskery chin. He didn't like cattle, beef or hogs, and he didn't have a farming background. Maybe he would be a better berry farmer after all. "I don't have strength's in any of those areas," he said honestly. "I have to say that Cassy's brother Charles has offered me a job in the family berry farm. I would like to talk to him and find out what he expects of a partner, before I shut any door."
Cassy was thinking, 'you bet your rooty-tooty patootie your gonna find out. And it's gonna be sooner than later buster.'
Evie was reading the not so subtle thoughts displayed on Cassy's face and knew Will wouldn't be joining them.
Brett was going through a difficult time, and he was pretty much out of the equitation. Clora would want to stay, but her young man might have other ideas. Sandy was too young to commit to a hard work life and Wayne was a responsible person only half the time. If Ben and Lainey were set on their detective agency, there might not be enough people to staff the work areas that needed to have hand on people experience.
Evie came to her decision while watching the four adults struggle with the enormity of the situation. She was going to go have a look at the place. She wanted to let the land speak to her.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I never understood women like Cassy and I have seen many of them, what they want is all that's important sad to say. Selfish being the name of the game; had to many as in laws. Thank you Pac.
Hickory7
Senior Member
I'm with you Sara. Why would you marry a law man and then complain about guns? Or women who marry doctors and then whine about the long hours they work?! I don't get it, either.
Thank You, Pac. I hope it all works out and Evie can have a good place to settle. Maybe with Davis...LOL
Thank You, Pac. I hope it all works out and Evie can have a good place to settle. Maybe with Davis...LOL
2ndEviltwin
Inactive
hmm the plot thickens.... what I think about cassy shal remain unsaid.
I can see Evie being able to settle here with Davis and making a new life with him and some of the others. Wonder if Will is going to let Cassy push him into living with her family or will he stand his ground and stay with the group.
Thanks Pac for another good chapter that makes us think about how this group will handle things.
Thanks Pac for another good chapter that makes us think about how this group will handle things.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#35
"Think on this," Evie told the Wilson's and the Pendelton's. "I want to get a more firm commitment as to what Ben and Lainey want to do. Wayne, Sandy and Clora have a lot of options, so I don't expect them to really know. The only pressure is that the property is near foreclosure, so if and when it goes back to the bank, the requirements and the amount of paperwork is going to increase."
Ev, Cheryl picked up Christy as Sandy came in the door with both youngsters in tow. Willie wasn't to pleased to leave his fun babysitter and go with his folks and there was a bit of a fuss. "Willie, I'm gonna smack you," Cassy warned, her tolerance level for all things Hanson related beyond her patience. "Let's go,..NOW!"
Willie drug his feet and did a very passable imitation of a wounded, severely put upon 3 years old. "Son," Will's deep voice had Willie snapping too, "Your mother gave you an order, it's your responsibility to mind."
Willie's lower lip jutted out and he reluctantly reached up for his Father's hand. "Bye," he said to Sandy. "See you later."
"Maybe tomorrow," Sandy waved at the child.
Clora came rushing in the room, just missing the two couples. "Grandma, Auntie Inga has passed away. The Chaplin and I were praying with her and she died."
Evie nodded sorrowfully, closing her eyes against the grief welling in her heart. With great effort and clumsiness, she got out of bed and sank to her knees. Leaning against the bed for support, the tears came as she prayed aloud. This time Evie cried for all the sorrow that had overtaken her.
Hap's death, the two youngest babies, Pete, and now Inga, was a hurt that only God could assuage. Clora and Sandy thought the sound of their Grandmother crying was the most pitiful sound they had ever heard. She had been so steady and such a rock for them all to lean on, and now she sounded like her heart was broken.
Kneeling on either side of Evie, her Granddaughters snugged in tight and prayed with her. Wayne came in from one of his wanderings, and found the trio on the floor, on their knees.
"Auntie Inga has died," Clora whispered, feeling the fresh tear of her emotions. "Come pray with us a bit, we are asking God to welcome her to heaven."
Wayne got a real wild and haunted look on his face, but did as Clora bid. The Chaplin observed a moment before he joined in, and Inga's Doctor, who come to give Evie the official news slipped to her knees.
"Think on this," Evie told the Wilson's and the Pendelton's. "I want to get a more firm commitment as to what Ben and Lainey want to do. Wayne, Sandy and Clora have a lot of options, so I don't expect them to really know. The only pressure is that the property is near foreclosure, so if and when it goes back to the bank, the requirements and the amount of paperwork is going to increase."
Ev, Cheryl picked up Christy as Sandy came in the door with both youngsters in tow. Willie wasn't to pleased to leave his fun babysitter and go with his folks and there was a bit of a fuss. "Willie, I'm gonna smack you," Cassy warned, her tolerance level for all things Hanson related beyond her patience. "Let's go,..NOW!"
Willie drug his feet and did a very passable imitation of a wounded, severely put upon 3 years old. "Son," Will's deep voice had Willie snapping too, "Your mother gave you an order, it's your responsibility to mind."
Willie's lower lip jutted out and he reluctantly reached up for his Father's hand. "Bye," he said to Sandy. "See you later."
"Maybe tomorrow," Sandy waved at the child.
Clora came rushing in the room, just missing the two couples. "Grandma, Auntie Inga has passed away. The Chaplin and I were praying with her and she died."
Evie nodded sorrowfully, closing her eyes against the grief welling in her heart. With great effort and clumsiness, she got out of bed and sank to her knees. Leaning against the bed for support, the tears came as she prayed aloud. This time Evie cried for all the sorrow that had overtaken her.
Hap's death, the two youngest babies, Pete, and now Inga, was a hurt that only God could assuage. Clora and Sandy thought the sound of their Grandmother crying was the most pitiful sound they had ever heard. She had been so steady and such a rock for them all to lean on, and now she sounded like her heart was broken.
Kneeling on either side of Evie, her Granddaughters snugged in tight and prayed with her. Wayne came in from one of his wanderings, and found the trio on the floor, on their knees.
"Auntie Inga has died," Clora whispered, feeling the fresh tear of her emotions. "Come pray with us a bit, we are asking God to welcome her to heaven."
Wayne got a real wild and haunted look on his face, but did as Clora bid. The Chaplin observed a moment before he joined in, and Inga's Doctor, who come to give Evie the official news slipped to her knees.
I wasn't expecting that. 
Sad news!
Thanks for a new chapter before I have to go to bed!
Sad news!Thanks for a new chapter before I have to go to bed!
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
You brought tears to my eyes, thank you for the chapter Pac.
juco
Veteran Member
Me too.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#36a
"Grandma, are you OK?" Evie had been so still that Clora was worried. The elder woman was still on her knees beside the hospital bed.
"Clora, I can't git up. The foot I normally use to push myself up with, is the one my toe is gone from. I'm stuck."
"Oh Grams, for heaven's sake, why didn't you say something. Sandy, give me a hand." Clora gathered up Evie, feeling the lightness of the thin older woman. "OK Grams, it's time to talk turkey here. You have got to start eating, I don't care if you like the food or not if you don't keep your health we are all going to be in trouble; and especially you!" Clora finished up with a grim warning.
"I agree," Sandy chimed in. "Your skinnier than a 12 year old milk cow with her last calf, you'd better start eating. Is there something we can bring you to tempt your appetite?"
"Grandma, are you OK?" Evie had been so still that Clora was worried. The elder woman was still on her knees beside the hospital bed.
"Clora, I can't git up. The foot I normally use to push myself up with, is the one my toe is gone from. I'm stuck."
"Oh Grams, for heaven's sake, why didn't you say something. Sandy, give me a hand." Clora gathered up Evie, feeling the lightness of the thin older woman. "OK Grams, it's time to talk turkey here. You have got to start eating, I don't care if you like the food or not if you don't keep your health we are all going to be in trouble; and especially you!" Clora finished up with a grim warning.
"I agree," Sandy chimed in. "Your skinnier than a 12 year old milk cow with her last calf, you'd better start eating. Is there something we can bring you to tempt your appetite?"
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you 
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#36b
"A twelve year old milk cow," Evie was as indignant as she could muster, "Why what a terrible thing to say, those critters have bones sticking out all over."
"So do you Grandma, that's why we are so concerned. How much longer do you need to be in here?" Clora questioned. "I missed the visit with your Doctor today, what did she have to say?"
"She said," the RN came through the door with an Ensure in one hand and a sheaf of papers to sign in the other; "You need to have one of these every day and if you can get one down today, you can be released about 5pm." The very large man grinned, showing rows of perfectly white, perfectly even teeth in a fiendish smile.
Clora thought Grams said something that sounded suspiciously like, "that stuff tastes like crap," but the small rush of breath was over in an instant, and Evie sure looked innocent.
Instead, she hobbled to the bed and sat down. "Let me get to signing," she ordered, ignoring the initial condition. The nurse popped the pull tab on the Ensure and set it down with a thump on the overbed table. "First things, first," he smiled again, deliberately holding the papers behind him.
Standing close to Evie, Clora could hear that once again little rush of breath that said "you're a horse's pattotie," but Evie kept her face straight as she chugged the small can's worth of vanilla liquid. Finished, she set it on the tray with a small, but smartly tuned thump.
Chewing on his lower lip, the RN set the papers and a pen on the tray, slowly scooting the empty can across the top and out of the way. Evie grabbed the pen and went to rapidly scribbling her name on the dotted line.
"I'll be ready," she promised with a mean streak showing in her eyes.
"Oh, I forgot," the man reached outside the room door and produced a cane. "Doctor's orders. If you fall, you have a greater chance of breaking your hip. Got the statistics right here to prove it," he rapped the papers against the silver shaft. "It's lightweight, adjustable and with you any time you move." he thumped the cane on the floor for emphasis.
"I'd like to thump you," the slight breath whispered as Evie ducked her head and pretended to recheck the paperwork.
Mark the nurse had excellent hearing, and he really did like the feisty old lady, but he had to abide by Doctor's orders whether she liked it or not. It was to bad if she didn't, if she wanted discharged, she would toe the mark.
Evie measured the look in his eyes and sighed. She wanted out and would have danced with the devil, and actually felt like that nurse was the devil. Meekly Evie obliged, picking up the cane and and testing it on the floor. "It'll do," was all she said.
"Ladies," Mark intoned looking at Clora and Sandy, and with a nod of his head including Wayne but bypassing Evie, "Mrs Hanson needs to walk a minimum amount. Can you wait on her? PT will be twice a week here at the hospital, and the bandages need to be changed every day. Any problems?"
Nobody said a word about living in a tent in a parking lot, Grandma would have beaten them with that blasted cane if they had. Shaking their heads no, the Grandkids couldn't look at each other, they would have burst out laughing.
Mark narrowed his eyes and studied the kids. They were amused at something, but he let it pass. He was used to all types of characters, and this group was a doozy. "There is an appointment with the Doctor in 5 days, the time and address is here," and he held aloft the fourth or fifth sheet of paper. Once again all the people in the room nodded like a bobblehead chorus line.
Clora broke into say, "Let me get in touch with Brett, we can use his pickup or call a cab. I have to go right now, it's my time to visit with Mark," and she was sprinting out the door.
"Another Mark?" the nurse questioned, and looked to Evie for an answer.
"PTSD" Sandy returned quietly, "but my sister will make sure he gets better," her conviction was total. There was no doubt in Sandy's mind that Clora would win that battle. She was an alpha woman to an alpha man. They would make it through.
Mark the nurse nodded his agreement. He was a good judge of character and he could see that Clora was all business when it came to that certain project. The guy in the room looked like a throwback to a Sasquatch, only skinny as an IV pole. Must be a relative, as they seemed to value his opinion. The skinny younger girl was acting a touch hard but she was passable to deal with.
The papers spread all over the bed looked like maps and real estate handouts. "You all looking for a place?" Mark inquired to be friendly. "Yes," Evie relented her bristly position. "we are looking for a small farm. We've been burned out by a forest fire and need to relocate." she heaved a huge sigh. It was a daunting thought.
"My Uncle has a friend with a place and he has to go to a nursing home," Mark replied, deep in thought. "Let me find out the particulars."
"Please do," Evie said softly, "we need to get an inside track and help from somewhere."
"I'll call on my lunch break and get back to you before 5," Mark the nurse promised. "Slow and steady, no sudden or tight turns and use the cane for balance," he warned the old lady and watched as her mouth tightened in annoyance. She was going to be fine, he would bet on it.
Clora was stopped as she entered the swinging doors of the 5th floor. She gave her name and who she was intending to visit.
"I'm sorry, there are no visitors allowed for that patient today. Come back tomorrow." Clora was dismissed with no further explanation. "Please leave this floor, now." The unsmiling guard at the inner doors motioned her to turn around.
"Is he OK?" Clora begged for information. "Please tell me he's alright."
"A twelve year old milk cow," Evie was as indignant as she could muster, "Why what a terrible thing to say, those critters have bones sticking out all over."
"So do you Grandma, that's why we are so concerned. How much longer do you need to be in here?" Clora questioned. "I missed the visit with your Doctor today, what did she have to say?"
"She said," the RN came through the door with an Ensure in one hand and a sheaf of papers to sign in the other; "You need to have one of these every day and if you can get one down today, you can be released about 5pm." The very large man grinned, showing rows of perfectly white, perfectly even teeth in a fiendish smile.
Clora thought Grams said something that sounded suspiciously like, "that stuff tastes like crap," but the small rush of breath was over in an instant, and Evie sure looked innocent.
Instead, she hobbled to the bed and sat down. "Let me get to signing," she ordered, ignoring the initial condition. The nurse popped the pull tab on the Ensure and set it down with a thump on the overbed table. "First things, first," he smiled again, deliberately holding the papers behind him.
Standing close to Evie, Clora could hear that once again little rush of breath that said "you're a horse's pattotie," but Evie kept her face straight as she chugged the small can's worth of vanilla liquid. Finished, she set it on the tray with a small, but smartly tuned thump.
Chewing on his lower lip, the RN set the papers and a pen on the tray, slowly scooting the empty can across the top and out of the way. Evie grabbed the pen and went to rapidly scribbling her name on the dotted line.
"I'll be ready," she promised with a mean streak showing in her eyes.
"Oh, I forgot," the man reached outside the room door and produced a cane. "Doctor's orders. If you fall, you have a greater chance of breaking your hip. Got the statistics right here to prove it," he rapped the papers against the silver shaft. "It's lightweight, adjustable and with you any time you move." he thumped the cane on the floor for emphasis.
"I'd like to thump you," the slight breath whispered as Evie ducked her head and pretended to recheck the paperwork.
Mark the nurse had excellent hearing, and he really did like the feisty old lady, but he had to abide by Doctor's orders whether she liked it or not. It was to bad if she didn't, if she wanted discharged, she would toe the mark.
Evie measured the look in his eyes and sighed. She wanted out and would have danced with the devil, and actually felt like that nurse was the devil. Meekly Evie obliged, picking up the cane and and testing it on the floor. "It'll do," was all she said.
"Ladies," Mark intoned looking at Clora and Sandy, and with a nod of his head including Wayne but bypassing Evie, "Mrs Hanson needs to walk a minimum amount. Can you wait on her? PT will be twice a week here at the hospital, and the bandages need to be changed every day. Any problems?"
Nobody said a word about living in a tent in a parking lot, Grandma would have beaten them with that blasted cane if they had. Shaking their heads no, the Grandkids couldn't look at each other, they would have burst out laughing.
Mark narrowed his eyes and studied the kids. They were amused at something, but he let it pass. He was used to all types of characters, and this group was a doozy. "There is an appointment with the Doctor in 5 days, the time and address is here," and he held aloft the fourth or fifth sheet of paper. Once again all the people in the room nodded like a bobblehead chorus line.
Clora broke into say, "Let me get in touch with Brett, we can use his pickup or call a cab. I have to go right now, it's my time to visit with Mark," and she was sprinting out the door.
"Another Mark?" the nurse questioned, and looked to Evie for an answer.
"PTSD" Sandy returned quietly, "but my sister will make sure he gets better," her conviction was total. There was no doubt in Sandy's mind that Clora would win that battle. She was an alpha woman to an alpha man. They would make it through.
Mark the nurse nodded his agreement. He was a good judge of character and he could see that Clora was all business when it came to that certain project. The guy in the room looked like a throwback to a Sasquatch, only skinny as an IV pole. Must be a relative, as they seemed to value his opinion. The skinny younger girl was acting a touch hard but she was passable to deal with.
The papers spread all over the bed looked like maps and real estate handouts. "You all looking for a place?" Mark inquired to be friendly. "Yes," Evie relented her bristly position. "we are looking for a small farm. We've been burned out by a forest fire and need to relocate." she heaved a huge sigh. It was a daunting thought.
"My Uncle has a friend with a place and he has to go to a nursing home," Mark replied, deep in thought. "Let me find out the particulars."
"Please do," Evie said softly, "we need to get an inside track and help from somewhere."
"I'll call on my lunch break and get back to you before 5," Mark the nurse promised. "Slow and steady, no sudden or tight turns and use the cane for balance," he warned the old lady and watched as her mouth tightened in annoyance. She was going to be fine, he would bet on it.
Clora was stopped as she entered the swinging doors of the 5th floor. She gave her name and who she was intending to visit.
"I'm sorry, there are no visitors allowed for that patient today. Come back tomorrow." Clora was dismissed with no further explanation. "Please leave this floor, now." The unsmiling guard at the inner doors motioned her to turn around.
"Is he OK?" Clora begged for information. "Please tell me he's alright."
(if she wanted discharged, she would toe the mark.)
I bet Evie really did want to toe the Mark with her good foot. What a feisty lady she is.
What is going on with Clora's Mark? She needs to get ahold of Davis and have him find out whats going on.
Hope the place the nurse is talking about is one they can get.
Thank you very much Pac.
I bet Evie really did want to toe the Mark with her good foot. What a feisty lady she is.
What is going on with Clora's Mark? She needs to get ahold of Davis and have him find out whats going on.
Hope the place the nurse is talking about is one they can get.
Thank you very much Pac.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Oh gads now what for poor Mark the Marine. Thank you Pac.
I wonder if He has a "rice grain" under his skin? That would account for a lot of his behavior.
WAB
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#37
The LPN noticed the new nurse checking the injured woman's vitals. He looked up at her passing form and nodded at her through the window. The woman needed to hurry as the call light had been on for several minutes in the room two doors down, so she paid scant attention to the man. He was turned so she couldn't read his name tag, but she remembered the credentials looking authentic. He must be the new nurse rotating onto their floor, she'd stop in and welcome him to the ICU after she answered the call.
The syringe filled with blue liquid was deftly inserted into the lock, taped to the blonde woman's hand. 8 cc's later he stood up, shoved the apparatus in the long thin pocket in his scrubs and grabbed the clip board and exited the room. Head down in apparent study of the information he was scribbling onto the paperwork, the man casually walked to the stairs and ducked in the door.
Soft soled shoes silently but rapidly ran down the next two flights of stairs. Transferring over to the empty elevator, he shucked the scrub top and and straightened the collar of his tan work shirt. Exiting one floor below, he walked calmly down the hall to the men's restroom. In a little used and older part of the vast sprawling complex, the bathroom was half storage and the pants to the tan work outfit were right where he had left them.
Seconds later the nurse transformed into a electrician, complete with tool bag and electrical cord coiled neatly over his shoulder. Taking the stairs once again, he adjusted the ball cap to shade the upper half of his face. He was aware of the camera that recorded the comings and goings of all the workers using the handyman's entrance.
Luck was with him, he exited the building with a group of smokers that walked across the parking lot, chatting and nervously rushing to the designated area to begin smoking. He refused the offer of a smoke, but winked at a pretty redhead as she watched him. Laughing, the woman turned to her friend to have her flirt with the electrician, but when she turned back, he was gone.
Clora and the Chaplin stopped to look at Inga through the window before entering her room. Chatting in hushed tones, they decided to pray for the woman. Halfway through the Chaplin's entreaty on Inga"s behalf, the monitor started a shrill beeping and a small siren sounded. Inga had died right as they were praying for her.
Thrust rudely from the room under the watchful gaze of the security guard, Clora and Tom stood looking wordlessly at each other as the crash team under a code blue worked feverishly to resuscitate Inga. It was of no use. There was no reviving the slight woman.
The ensuing turmoil had them being questioned, but they had followed the unit protocols and had signed in properly. Clora felt devastated but poor Auntie Inga was now at peace. It happened that she cried a little, but went with a heavy heart to tell Grandma.
That particular happening was the reason Clora had been refused entrance into the psych ward. In the investigation, it was determined that residue from a suspicious substance had been injected into the main lock port in the deceased's hand. The matter was turned over to the police and Clora was kept under surveillance as she moved about the hospital.
Unaware that she was being watched, Clora acted no differently than she did previously. The officials however, were under no circumstances going to let her visit a young man with mental problems. Shut out with no explanation, she called Mark's father and asked for an update, fearing something awful must have happened to the handsome young man.
Borg was mystified, had no good reason why she was turned away, until he got to the hospital.
The LPN noticed the new nurse checking the injured woman's vitals. He looked up at her passing form and nodded at her through the window. The woman needed to hurry as the call light had been on for several minutes in the room two doors down, so she paid scant attention to the man. He was turned so she couldn't read his name tag, but she remembered the credentials looking authentic. He must be the new nurse rotating onto their floor, she'd stop in and welcome him to the ICU after she answered the call.
The syringe filled with blue liquid was deftly inserted into the lock, taped to the blonde woman's hand. 8 cc's later he stood up, shoved the apparatus in the long thin pocket in his scrubs and grabbed the clip board and exited the room. Head down in apparent study of the information he was scribbling onto the paperwork, the man casually walked to the stairs and ducked in the door.
Soft soled shoes silently but rapidly ran down the next two flights of stairs. Transferring over to the empty elevator, he shucked the scrub top and and straightened the collar of his tan work shirt. Exiting one floor below, he walked calmly down the hall to the men's restroom. In a little used and older part of the vast sprawling complex, the bathroom was half storage and the pants to the tan work outfit were right where he had left them.
Seconds later the nurse transformed into a electrician, complete with tool bag and electrical cord coiled neatly over his shoulder. Taking the stairs once again, he adjusted the ball cap to shade the upper half of his face. He was aware of the camera that recorded the comings and goings of all the workers using the handyman's entrance.
Luck was with him, he exited the building with a group of smokers that walked across the parking lot, chatting and nervously rushing to the designated area to begin smoking. He refused the offer of a smoke, but winked at a pretty redhead as she watched him. Laughing, the woman turned to her friend to have her flirt with the electrician, but when she turned back, he was gone.
Clora and the Chaplin stopped to look at Inga through the window before entering her room. Chatting in hushed tones, they decided to pray for the woman. Halfway through the Chaplin's entreaty on Inga"s behalf, the monitor started a shrill beeping and a small siren sounded. Inga had died right as they were praying for her.
Thrust rudely from the room under the watchful gaze of the security guard, Clora and Tom stood looking wordlessly at each other as the crash team under a code blue worked feverishly to resuscitate Inga. It was of no use. There was no reviving the slight woman.
The ensuing turmoil had them being questioned, but they had followed the unit protocols and had signed in properly. Clora felt devastated but poor Auntie Inga was now at peace. It happened that she cried a little, but went with a heavy heart to tell Grandma.
That particular happening was the reason Clora had been refused entrance into the psych ward. In the investigation, it was determined that residue from a suspicious substance had been injected into the main lock port in the deceased's hand. The matter was turned over to the police and Clora was kept under surveillance as she moved about the hospital.
Unaware that she was being watched, Clora acted no differently than she did previously. The officials however, were under no circumstances going to let her visit a young man with mental problems. Shut out with no explanation, she called Mark's father and asked for an update, fearing something awful must have happened to the handsome young man.
Borg was mystified, had no good reason why she was turned away, until he got to the hospital.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
There are idiots abroad again I see.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#37b
Evie, Clora and Sandy were busy reading the newspaper for farms, acreages for sale and for rent. Several promising interests were circled and Clora went to the pay phone with a handful of quarters.
When Borg stepped off the elevator, he noticed the strikingly tall, fit woman standing at the phone kiosk talking and writing furiously. She spoke low enough he couldn't hear what she was saying, but she evidently agreed with what the other speaker was saying as she bobbed her head enthusiastically.
He noticed the newspaper and intercepted her next call by walking to her left side before she could start dropping quarters.
"Clora," he greeted her in what he hoped was a friendly manner.
Clora swung her head at the interruption and smiled broadly when she recognized who it was. "Mr. Linderman, how nice to see you. Have you had the opportunity to see Mark, is he alright? It was very curious today at the ward. The guard was very unfriendly and gruff."
"Clora, come sit down and tell me every thing you remember about yesterday when your Aunt passed." Borg patted the double chair settee and she sat down.
Carefully and slowly Clora recounted everything she could remember. "Chaplin Tom and I were well into the 23 Psalm when all the noise started."
"Who did you notice on the floor and were there people walking around?" Borg led the questioning.
"We got off the elevator and were signing in when a male nurse walked by. He was consulting his clipboard and didn't even look at us. We walked down the hall towards Inga's room, there was a nurse quite a ways a head of us and she went into a room with the call light blinking. After that I didn't pay any attention to outside the room. Why? Is there a problem?"
"Possibly," was all Borg would say. "Who are you calling?" he inquired.
"Grandma is having me call about a couple of possibilities we have read about. We are looking for a place. You did hear that we got burned out of Evergreen?"
"Yes, there was quite a article about the fire in the paper. Do you know they think the fire was set?"
"Oh my heavens," as strong a language as Clora normally used, came out loud and clear. "That is going to make Grams as mad as she could possibly get. Why in the world would someone want to do that with all the problems in the world?"
"I don't know my dear, I don't know," Borg temporized, coming to the conclusion that the lovely young lady was not involved in any shady dealings. Satisfied that his precious son was still in good hands, he relaxed and laid his hand on Clora's shoulder.
"So, tell me; how is your Grandmother today?"
"We are going home today..well back to the campground anyway. You should have seen the face she made drinking her Ensure, the deal is, she has to drink one of them every day. The Doctor sure has her number, she hates processed drinks like that and would never taste one unless forced." Clora laughed softly. The warmth in her voice telling Borg why his son was interested. She was an interesting, captivating woman. It's too bad she wasn't 40 years older, he thought. My son has good taste.
"How are you getting to the campground?" he quizzed, interested in finding out more about this weird, fascinating family.
"Not sure yet, brother Wayne went to borrow Brett's pickup. We have to be careful with Grams, no excess walking etc. She's pretty spunky now, but a session on her foot would bring her down fairly quickly."
"I would like to offer the use of my car, can you call your brother and have him cancel the pickup?"
"Thank you, that is very generous of you to offer, but I need to let Grandmother make that decision. She is a wee bit proud, and suspicious of free offers," Clora smiled and laughed again, with twinkling eyes. "Please let Mark know I will miss visiting with him. I sincerely hope he is recovering well and can visit us soon." there was a wistful longing in her voice.
"Perhaps we can check the ward again, let's go see," Borg stood up and gathered his briefcase. "I wouldn't mind seeing Mark again myself." Clora was up and had the elevator button pushed before Borg finished his sentence.
Nodding to the guard, Borg and Clora went to the door of Mark's room. "Go visit, I'll be back later." he said and watched as Clora patted her hair and smoothed her skirt before entering the room.
Borg smiled all the way back down to the Grandmother's room, and then found out Clora had been right, Evie was a hard sell for a free ride. She tipped her head and drilled him with bright, knowing eyes, daring him to hang himself with his own intentions.
Holding up his hands in a gesture of surrender, Borg had to laugh. "No ulterior motives," he chuckled. "I'm thankful that Clora has such an interest in Mark, it has really made a tremendous difference."
"Interest," Sandy snorted loudly. "She's gone daffy and dumb for the guy." underscoring the feeling that Borg had observed.
"Sandra," Evie reproved, "Your mouth is running away with your good sense," and Sandy grinned unrepentingly. "The truth hurts, Grandma. She was so highly critical of Lainey and the way she acted, and there's not a dime's worth of difference between the two of them."
Evie and Borg crossed glances, smiling at the brashness of youth.
Shortly before 5, Clora came floating in.
"See," Sandy challenged the adults. "She might as well be tiptoeing through daisies and strewing rose petals. Clora are you anywhere near earth?"
"Humm?" Clora was staring out the window, lost in her personal aura of love. "Do you need something?" her voice trailed off in a rush of breath, "I wasn't paying attention."
"Yuck," Sandy snorted again. "Can we get out of here?"
"At your service," Mark the nurse wheeled a wheelchair in the room. "Your chariot awaits," he told Evie as she held on dearly to her old suitcase, sitting primly on the edge of the bed.
"I'm not getting in that thing," Evie gave her no nonsense reply, "that's for sick people."
"Well then, get back in bed." Mark said reasonably. "Hospital rules say you go out the door in a wheelchair. I can wait until you make up your mind." he leaned back against the wall and studied his fingernails.
He was pretty confident the old gal would ride out willingly, and he was correct.
Borg wheeled his car into the diner parking lot, just in time to see Ben and Brett duking it out behind the tents. The dogs were barking hysterically and the women were shouting. Ev and Will stood off to the side with their hands in their pockets.
Evie, Clora and Sandy were busy reading the newspaper for farms, acreages for sale and for rent. Several promising interests were circled and Clora went to the pay phone with a handful of quarters.
When Borg stepped off the elevator, he noticed the strikingly tall, fit woman standing at the phone kiosk talking and writing furiously. She spoke low enough he couldn't hear what she was saying, but she evidently agreed with what the other speaker was saying as she bobbed her head enthusiastically.
He noticed the newspaper and intercepted her next call by walking to her left side before she could start dropping quarters.
"Clora," he greeted her in what he hoped was a friendly manner.
Clora swung her head at the interruption and smiled broadly when she recognized who it was. "Mr. Linderman, how nice to see you. Have you had the opportunity to see Mark, is he alright? It was very curious today at the ward. The guard was very unfriendly and gruff."
"Clora, come sit down and tell me every thing you remember about yesterday when your Aunt passed." Borg patted the double chair settee and she sat down.
Carefully and slowly Clora recounted everything she could remember. "Chaplin Tom and I were well into the 23 Psalm when all the noise started."
"Who did you notice on the floor and were there people walking around?" Borg led the questioning.
"We got off the elevator and were signing in when a male nurse walked by. He was consulting his clipboard and didn't even look at us. We walked down the hall towards Inga's room, there was a nurse quite a ways a head of us and she went into a room with the call light blinking. After that I didn't pay any attention to outside the room. Why? Is there a problem?"
"Possibly," was all Borg would say. "Who are you calling?" he inquired.
"Grandma is having me call about a couple of possibilities we have read about. We are looking for a place. You did hear that we got burned out of Evergreen?"
"Yes, there was quite a article about the fire in the paper. Do you know they think the fire was set?"
"Oh my heavens," as strong a language as Clora normally used, came out loud and clear. "That is going to make Grams as mad as she could possibly get. Why in the world would someone want to do that with all the problems in the world?"
"I don't know my dear, I don't know," Borg temporized, coming to the conclusion that the lovely young lady was not involved in any shady dealings. Satisfied that his precious son was still in good hands, he relaxed and laid his hand on Clora's shoulder.
"So, tell me; how is your Grandmother today?"
"We are going home today..well back to the campground anyway. You should have seen the face she made drinking her Ensure, the deal is, she has to drink one of them every day. The Doctor sure has her number, she hates processed drinks like that and would never taste one unless forced." Clora laughed softly. The warmth in her voice telling Borg why his son was interested. She was an interesting, captivating woman. It's too bad she wasn't 40 years older, he thought. My son has good taste.
"How are you getting to the campground?" he quizzed, interested in finding out more about this weird, fascinating family.
"Not sure yet, brother Wayne went to borrow Brett's pickup. We have to be careful with Grams, no excess walking etc. She's pretty spunky now, but a session on her foot would bring her down fairly quickly."
"I would like to offer the use of my car, can you call your brother and have him cancel the pickup?"
"Thank you, that is very generous of you to offer, but I need to let Grandmother make that decision. She is a wee bit proud, and suspicious of free offers," Clora smiled and laughed again, with twinkling eyes. "Please let Mark know I will miss visiting with him. I sincerely hope he is recovering well and can visit us soon." there was a wistful longing in her voice.
"Perhaps we can check the ward again, let's go see," Borg stood up and gathered his briefcase. "I wouldn't mind seeing Mark again myself." Clora was up and had the elevator button pushed before Borg finished his sentence.
Nodding to the guard, Borg and Clora went to the door of Mark's room. "Go visit, I'll be back later." he said and watched as Clora patted her hair and smoothed her skirt before entering the room.
Borg smiled all the way back down to the Grandmother's room, and then found out Clora had been right, Evie was a hard sell for a free ride. She tipped her head and drilled him with bright, knowing eyes, daring him to hang himself with his own intentions.
Holding up his hands in a gesture of surrender, Borg had to laugh. "No ulterior motives," he chuckled. "I'm thankful that Clora has such an interest in Mark, it has really made a tremendous difference."
"Interest," Sandy snorted loudly. "She's gone daffy and dumb for the guy." underscoring the feeling that Borg had observed.
"Sandra," Evie reproved, "Your mouth is running away with your good sense," and Sandy grinned unrepentingly. "The truth hurts, Grandma. She was so highly critical of Lainey and the way she acted, and there's not a dime's worth of difference between the two of them."
Evie and Borg crossed glances, smiling at the brashness of youth.
Shortly before 5, Clora came floating in.
"See," Sandy challenged the adults. "She might as well be tiptoeing through daisies and strewing rose petals. Clora are you anywhere near earth?"
"Humm?" Clora was staring out the window, lost in her personal aura of love. "Do you need something?" her voice trailed off in a rush of breath, "I wasn't paying attention."
"Yuck," Sandy snorted again. "Can we get out of here?"
"At your service," Mark the nurse wheeled a wheelchair in the room. "Your chariot awaits," he told Evie as she held on dearly to her old suitcase, sitting primly on the edge of the bed.
"I'm not getting in that thing," Evie gave her no nonsense reply, "that's for sick people."
"Well then, get back in bed." Mark said reasonably. "Hospital rules say you go out the door in a wheelchair. I can wait until you make up your mind." he leaned back against the wall and studied his fingernails.
He was pretty confident the old gal would ride out willingly, and he was correct.
Borg wheeled his car into the diner parking lot, just in time to see Ben and Brett duking it out behind the tents. The dogs were barking hysterically and the women were shouting. Ev and Will stood off to the side with their hands in their pockets.
Borg is getting ready to see Evie in action, "Ben and Brett duking it out behind the tent." It must be part of the job interview (lol) or the you can't kidnap Trey discussion. Need more Pac, and thank you for the new chapter. This story is like the old Lays Potato chip commercial "nobody can eat just one".
Wow! The twists and turns in this story are amazing!
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
LOl Rabbit your so rightttttttt. Brothers sheesh, I know I have 5 sons. Get whatever it is out of their systems and get on with life. Brett's had a bug up his butt for a while.