#24
When Evie woke she was disoriented, fuzzy headed and dry mouthed. Shutting her eyes against the sharp ray of sunshine fighting to get in the narrow hospital window, Evie blinked hard to clear her vision. Clora was on one side of the bed, Sandy on the other and Lainey was propped against the wall. All were sound asleep.
Taking inventory, Evie started with her head and went down her body. Everything was checking out okey dokey until she got to her foot. That was when things went from curious to bad to worse. Her foot was in some kind of boot that was holding it immobile.
Dreading what was going to have to be done next, Evie wiggled the big toe and then the rest of her toes on her right foot. Pausing for strength and a quick prayer, she wiggled the big toe on her left foot and nothing happened. The smaller toes responded a little, but beyond that, nothing moved.
Stunned with the discovery, she contemplated the various outcomes that no movement might mean. Taking a deep breath of courage she lifted the sheet and looked at her foot. That didn't help, as there was a huge bandage covering it.
"It's gone," Clora whispered quietly. "The Doctor had to take the big toe off to save your foot." She tried to smile, but the tears misted her eyes. "I'm so sorry Grandma, there was nothing they could do."
Evie nodded, blinking her eyes hard against the sting of her own tears. Then she relaxed, understanding how fortunate and blessed she was to have not lost her foot. When it happened Evie could feel that Junior's sharp puppy tooth went deep in her toe, so it was indeed a blessing and a miracle to be able to walk at all.
Evie reached over to pat Clora's hand where it rested on the sheet. "I am very fortunate to have lived this long with out major sickness or accidents; so I am way over due." she smiled at Clora.
"You are so much like my mother and myself, it's like looking in the mirror. I have, had," she corrected herself, "a picture of Grandma, me and mom taken when I was about seven. There is such a strong resemblance between us three, and then along you came to make 4. Now Sandy on the other hand, favors her mother's looks, but could pass for my sister when she was that age.
I've probably never told you about Vera, she died when I was sixteen or so. She had TB, and didn't live more than a year after she was stricken."
Clora listened with her heart, smiling at the love she heard in her Grandmother's voice. "Now Brett and Benny favor my father and Hap's mother's Dad. I only met them once, but Grandfather Ivarson had this enormous handle bar mustache that he would twirl the ends around as he was thinking. One time, Hap grew a handlebar; but he broke one side of it on an especially cold morning before we left Maine. It was -30 that morning. He was so upset." Evie giggled a little.
Clora reached over and enclosed Evie's hand with hers. Soon Sandy's rough fingers covered the other hand.
"Now Wayne, he is the spitting image of Hap and Pete when they were young. Only he's taller," Evie yawned and her voice faded off as she fell asleep.
The room door opened and Ben stuck his head in. Clora put her finger to her lips, and gently placed Grandmother's hand on the bed spread. Sandy did the same and they gently shook Lainey's shoulder to wake her. The three ladies tiptoed out as quietly as possible and met their brothers outside the door.
"Let's go down to the waiting lounge," Clora suggested, as she led the way. The family was talking , when Borg and Davis stepped out of the elevator.
"Hey, how is Evie? Davis could hardly take the time to say hello, before he asked.
"She just woke up." Clora repeated the latest news. "She also knows that her big toe is gone. Do you know what she said?" and her voice wobbled a little. "She said praise the Lord that her foot was spared. I don't know if I'm that strong," she finished with a watery sigh.
"Sounds like Grandma," Wayne said what they all were thinking.
Davis, Ben and Brett were talking, and Ben rubbed the back of his neck. Clora looked at him sharply, and he said in a flat monotone, "Davis would like to look in on Grandma, would you want to take him to her room?" he asked Clora.
"I need to walk," Sandy interrupted, "I'll show him the way."
Borg studied the family as all of the interaction was taking place. Such a diverse bunch from so many different mothers. Kids that really didn't have much in life going for them, but yet were united stronger than most pure blooded families due to the old lady. He looked up to catch Clora studying him with that calm, self assured attitude she projected.
"Mr Lindstrom?" she greeted him in a friendly way. "It's good to see you. Please tell me, how is your son Mark?"
"Recovering, with some days better than others." Borg watched as the tightness left her face to be replaced by a brilliant smile.
"That's very good news to hear, please, give him my regards," Clora said pleasantly, a wealth of meaning in the brief words she spoke.
"Would you care to visit with him? He's here in this hospital," Borg took a chance that the feelings Mark talked about were mutual.
"I certainly would," Clora responded immediately with an antimmated expression, her eagerness in opposition to the calmness she was trying to project. "What floor and room and I'll stop by today."
"It's not quite that easy," Borg admitted slowly. "I have to have a visit from you approved, and you will need to be escorted. Let me find out the particulars, and I'll get right back to you."
"I'll be here or the cafeteria, and I'm really looking forward to seeing Mark," she said with a little rush, her eyes sparkling.
"I think this is where they brought your Aunt, but she is in ICU, so no visitors," Borg passed on his information from Jennings. "Perhaps we can ask for short visits from the next of kin," he offered kindly.
"That would be wonderful, the news will cheer Grandma greatly." Clora smiled in gratitude.
"Let me talk to Mark's Doctor, and I'll be right back," Lindstrom stepped into the elevator and the door closed