In Full Bloom: Sequel to 'The Crying Rose': The Trilogy of the Rose (Volume 2) (17 page)

Grandma Jo nodded, indicating to him that she knew this to be true. Mark smiled, now extremely happy that he had the will power which had stopped him from acting on any impulse he had carried over from the dream world. He knew that any action of his part would have seriously jeopardized his case, since both women in this house would have held it against him.

Mark visibly relaxed as these thoughts entered his mind. “Grandma Jo,” he continued, “your support is indispensable in this case. I would not purposely do anything that would result in your ill will toward me. What transpired last night was an incident that was not planned, but very informative. It seems to me that she only truly opens up in the middle of the night. Maybe I have known this all along. It would definitely explain why I have insisted that we all stay together. I also believe that we might be getting guidance and support in our dealings from a higher force. To let you in on a little secret, I wondered last night when she stepped into the tub just how she was able to remove the bandages on her right arm. I believed that it would have been a difficult feat for her to remove them with her arm in a cast. Then, I forgot about them until we returned to her room, and I found them next to her bed.”

 It was Grandma Jo’s turn to look surprised.

Mark laughed at her expression. “I know how you’re feeling. I thought last night that instead of me helping her, she should have contacted a psychic to aid her in contacting the spirit world.” He fell silent, staring deeply into his coffee mug as both of them reflected on the new information.

Grandma Jo broke the silence. “Who and how?”

Not taking his eyes off the mug, he qualified his remark. “It could be any of the three loved ones she lost the night of the accident, or anyone else for that matter. I just believe that they don’t want Sami to suffer anymore. As for the how, I learned a long time ago to stop asking that question. In my profession, you see a lot of amazing things that can’t be explained by scientific means. You just know them to be true.” She nodded her agreement as Mark glanced up from the coffee mug. “I don’t recall if I told you or not, everything I discovered while reading her file regarding the accident.”

She sat forward in her chair. “You told me what happened,” she refreshed his memory.

“Did I tell you the date of the accident?”

“No, I don’t believe you did.” A frown formed on her face as she thought back to their previous discussion.

“It happened on January 17, 1994, six years to the day of the package arrival. The day I entered her life,” he enlightened her.

“Mark,” Grandma Jo’s voice was shaky. “This is too strange.”

“I think strange is too strong a word,” Mark countered. “How about fate instead?”

“What do you mean?”

“Remember that I have a guardian angel myself in Pat,” he said, beaming at her.

 She sat back, returning his smile. “You know what? I believe you have something there.”

With that, Mark got to his feet and returned with the coffeepot to refill their mugs.

Returning the pot back to the burner, he heard her question. “So, what’s on the agenda for today?”

Reseating himself, he answered her questions with one of his own. “How about a road trip?” Her puzzled expression gave him a release from the serious conversation they had just exchanged and he laughed.

They spent the next half-hour discussing the idea and formalizing the plan. It all boiled down to two serious factors that would veto their plans:

One: Jon’s availability and agreement to cover Mark’s practice.

Two: David’s willingness to watch the dogs.

At the mention of his name, David walked into the kitchen, followed within seconds by Sami and the dogs.

***

The kitchen became a beehive of activity as Grandma Jo greeted the four new arrivals. The dogs were ushered outside, and two more mugs of coffee were placed before the new arrivals at the table.

Mark sat back, refraining from getting involved now and watched Sami closely. She appeared bright-eyed and bushy-tailed this morning, but he noticed her reluctance to make eye contact. He wondered how much she remembered about the hot tub scene from last night. She turned in his direction as if reading his thought, and a blush reddened her cheeks.
So, you do remember
, he thought giving her an understanding smile to reassure her. He noticed the blush drain from her face as she smiled back at him.

Mark leaned forward as everyone got settled at the table. “Good morning,” he said in general to greet the two that had just seated themselves. Mark heard a grunt in return from David’s direction for he was in the middle of a large gulp of coffee. Sami remained silent as she watched him over the rim of the mug she held to her lips. Deciding that he was lucky to get that much response from the two, he plunged on keeping his eyes on Sami. “Grandma Jo and I have decided this morning to take Sami up on her offer to head north to her cabin for a few days.”

Mark saw Sami’s eyes widen and her coffee mug start to wiggle for her hands were shaking at this information. He saw her eyes moisten, and wondered if she was excited or frightened by the prospect, as she held back her thought while taking another sip of her coffee.
All right, don’t talk to me
, Mark thought, turning his attention to David.

“This trip hinges on two things.” He restated what he discussed with Grandma Jo. “Dr. Peterson’s willingness to help, and you, David…” Mark waited until David looked at him, “your agreement to stay in this house with the dogs.”

Before David had a chance to answer, Sami’s voice caught everyone’s attention. “I’m not going anywhere without Molly.” Her volume and angry tone left none of the three people at the table guessing how she felt.

Man
, Mark thought, 'Mrs
. Carter' could show up faster than any cartoon character he ever knew
. Mark quickly eyed the other two at the table. Grandma Jo had her coffee mug frozen to her lips as she stared blankly ahead, and David’s head was rapidly swaying back and forth, between Sami and himself, as if watching a quick volley match on a tennis court.

Returning his focus to Mrs. Carter’s intense face and glaring eyes, Mark spoke normally. “Mrs. Carter, if it is your wish to take Molly, I don’t see any reason why she can’t come with us.” Not taking his eyes off Sami, Mark saw Grandma Jo move slightly. Knowing she was about to argue with him, he rushed on before she had a chance to speak. “Mrs. Carter, I can tell by your face that this idea pleases you. Am I correct?”

 Mark waited for her answer, well aware of the confusion on Grandma Jo’s face as she placed her mug back on the table. He reached over and touched her hand lightly, hoping to calm her without directly speaking or looking at her.

After several long minutes had passed, Sami softened as she provided Mark with an answer to his question. “Yes, I am pleased. When do we leave?”

“Whoa, Mrs. Carter, I told you that I still need to talk to Jon.” Mark saw her lips harden while he spoke.

“Oh, I see,” she sneered at him. With that said, she got to her feet and stormed out the back door.

Watching her leave, Mark felt like an Indian giver.
Great
, he thought.
Give her something to provide her joy, then pull the rug out from under her
. His determination doubled to do whatever he had to do to see that this trip happened, the quicker, the better, as far as he saw it. Returning his focus to David, Mark asked again. “Would you stay here and take care of Ollie?”

“You bet, Doc,” David said eagerly. “But, I would like to help more. I can ask for time off and go with you if you need me.”

“David, I don’t want you to risk your job,” Mark countered.

“Dr. Stevens, I wish to help. I can ask for the time off. I have a good relationship with my manager. Besides, I haven’t taken any vacation since I started working there. I am overdue for one,” David reasoned.

Mark smiled, pleased that David felt this way. He had been hoping for this kind of commitment from him. Knowing that if David could get the time off to go with them, his treatment plan would be aided greatly. “Okay, David, if Jon’s response is positive, then you ask for vacation time.” Mark then turned to Grandma Jo. “Now, for the concern I saw written on your face. We do have a problem. I know that taking Molly with us has changed the plans we discussed this morning. With the addition of David possibly going along also, the plans will have to be redone. We will need to take two vehicles any way you look at it. I don’t like the idea of being separated for such a long drive, but all our vehicles are too small to take four adults and two large dogs. I’ll take the dogs up in my truck, due to the extended cab, and the rest can ride up in your car.”

Grandma Jo shook her head as she thought over his plan. “Mark, I am not in favor of that plan,” she stated. “What if Sami decides to pitch a fit on the way? I would be more comfortable with you on hand.” Grandma Jo looked at David. “No offense to you, dear.”

“None taken, Grandma Jo,” he responded. “I agree with you.”

Mark laughed. “You both are capable of handling her, but I do see your point. To tell you the truth, I had an ulterior motive. I was trying the best I could to avoid riding such a long distance in your little car, Grandma Jo.” 

“Thanks,” David joined into the laughter. “I am larger than you and you were going to make me suffer?”

“Hey, you’re a lot younger, and besides you volunteered for the assignment. I figured it was your penance,” Mark replied merrily.

“Yeah, well in that case, I ‘unvolunteer’,” David threatened still laughing.

“Boys!” Grandma Jo cried. “Stop this now. There has to be another solution.”

Mark and David both swallowed their laughter as they turned their attention to Grandma Jo. All was quiet as they thought of alternatives. David broke the silence first with his suggestion. “How about renting a larger vehicle?”

“Good idea,” Mark answered, “ but that won’t be necessary.”

He waited until both were looking at him. “The solution is right under our noses,” he paused, drawing out the suspense of his brilliant idea. “We will take Sami’s car. It is an ‘Olds’ 98, and it would be a lot more comfortable. David, you will have to drive my truck with the dogs, but this I believe to be the most viable plan.”

“Does her car work?” Grandma Jo voiced her concern.

“I don’t know,” Mark said truthfully. “She did tell me that she hasn’t driven it in awhile. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea after all.”

“No,” David interjected, “it is a good idea. If you can get me the keys, I will have it purring like a kitten in no time.” Both Grandma Jo and Mark appeared doubtful. “It’s a hobby of mine,” David explained. “Dr. Peterson suggested it to me when I was under therapy. He called it my ‘mind focus-er’. Don’t worry, I do know what I am doing.”

“As the old saying goes, ‘whatever pops your clutch’,” Mark said, causing them all to laugh at the pun. Several moments later, he continued. “Okay, it does sound like a good plan to me. What time do you have to report to work today?”

“Not until two, but let me give my manager a heads-up about getting the days off in case Dr. Peterson agrees to the plan,” David responded, getting to his feet and heading to the phone.

Mark nodded. “I’ll go update the lady in the back yard and hopefully, get her keys without too much delay.” Turning to Grandma Jo, he asked. “Could you please take the opportunity to compile a list of things we might need to buy? Or better yet, get the supplies at Sami’s house.”

“How many days will we be gone?” she inquired.

“If Jon agrees, let’s plan for the whole week,” he answered.