In Full Bloom: Sequel to 'The Crying Rose': The Trilogy of the Rose (Volume 2) (4 page)

Mark racked his brain trying to mentally search his appointment calendar for the day’s sessions. They both spoke the name at the same time, “Mr. Gonzales!”

Jan sat back in her chair, not uttering the words that she had intended as an explanation.

Checking his watch, Mark asked, “Where is he now?” His tone mirrored his rising concern.

“He’s in the green room…” checking the clock, she added, “and has been for the past fifteen minutes.”

“Is anyone with him?” Mark asked, already knowing the answer.

“No. He refused to see Dr. Myers, but insisted on keeping the appointment. Should I have paged you?” Jan anxiously asked.

“No, it is all right.” Mark tried to sound positive. He conjured up the image of Eric Gonzales. Eric, like the patient here, had a similar symptom, ‘routine.’ If the pattern was broken, without assistance, there could be dire consequences. Over the past several months, Mark could literally set his watch by Eric’s sessions. He could visualize Eric sitting straight as a board in the green room. His eyes would be darting around the room nervously, searching for something on which to focus his pent-up emotions. He hoped Eric would not digress with his absence at this session, but would utilize and practice the role-playing techniques which he had introduced a couple of sessions ago. A ‘light bulb’ went on in his head.
Of course
, he thought,
maybe he needed this technique for Sami
.

“Mrs. Mills,” Mark wanted to relieve Jan’s anxiety. “Don’t fret about Mr. Gonzales. I know it is a little unusual, but he will be fine. I really don’t foresee any problem with him being alone. Keep an eye on him, if you wish, but know that when the hour has passed, he will leave the room. Schedule him for tomorrow morning.”

“Okay, Dr. Stevens, anything else?”

“Only one. I want to thank you for tending to Ollie last night. Any problems with him?” he asked, as he turned his thought to his dog.

“No sir, he was a very good dog.”

“Great. I will see you in the morning then.” They both said goodbye, and Mark pressed the button to disconnect the line.

***

Carrying the handset of the phone with him, Mark walked into the kitchen-family room area. He observed Grandma Jo washing the dishes and approached her. “We need to formulate some plans,” he addressed her back. Grandma Jo dried her hands, and turned in his direction. Mark pulled the folded paper from his pocket and explained, “Jan just gave me Dr. Peterson’s number in Europe.” She mouthed an ‘Oh’, but didn’t speak. Mark walked to the back door, and moved the curtains aside to check on Sami. She was still sitting in the glider with Molly lying directly at her feet. Dropping the curtains, Mark motioned for Grandma Jo to sit at the table.

Settling into his chairs, he reached out and grabbed Grandma Jo’s hand. “Our first objective is housing. We need housing that can handle us all, including Molly.”

Grandma Jo nodded her agreement as she sat down.

“This house is out of the question. For one thing, it doesn’t have enough available sleeping arrangements, and most importantly, we have to recognize the hold it has on her.”

Giving a small, knowing laugh, Grandma Jo placed her free hand over Mark’s. Noting his obvious discomfort, she stated the only conclusion possible, “How about my house? It has the room, and to tell you the truth, I would be much more comfortable in my own kitchen.”

“What a wonderful idea,” Mark blurted out. “The idea never entered my head,” he said laughingly, as he winked at her.

“Yeah, sure,” she responded in kind.

“It is close to this house, and close to the clinic. I believe it is the perfect solution.” Mark stated these facts like it had not occurred to him before that moment. He leaned over and kissed her cheek, as he whispered, “I owe you one.”

“I’ll just add it to all the others,” she reminded him.

Sitting back in his chair, a frown formed as his thoughts turned to Sami. “Our next objective is to convince Sami to come with us.” Grandma Jo remained quiet for she did not have a clue as to how he was going to achieve this miracle. “We can’t physically take her without her cooperation. It has got to be her idea. Her willingness is vital.” Mark released his hands from Grandma Jo’s. Placing his elbows on the table, he sat forward and cradled his head in his hands. His tired mind could not come up with a solution or even a remote possibility.

Seeing the folded paper and phone on the table, Grandma Jo cleared her throat to gain his attention. “Mark, I have an idea,” she ventured. His look pleaded with her to continue. “How about asking Dr. Peterson?” she pointed to the items next to his elbow.

Happy to have this direction, Mark seized the items and reached into his pocket for his wallet. Removing his calling card, he punched in the required numbers Jan had given him. Within seconds, he had Jon on the line.

It took Mark some time to update Jon on Sami’s awakening and events that had transpired since their conversation the prior day. Jon listened closely and limited his comments until Mark had finished.

“So, Molly was the answer to bring her back,” Jon commented first. “I told you she was attached to that animal.”

“Real attached,” Mark responded.

“Good job, Mark,” he praised.

“Don’t pat me on the back quite yet,” Mark lamented.

“Why?”

“Well, I did get her to face the contents of the package, but she has transgressed this morning back into her own private world.”

“Stubborn little thing, isn’t she?” Jon stated.

“Yes, a little,” Mark retorted. “Jon, I believe that this house is holding her back and I need to remove her from it.”

“That’s logical,” Jon observed. “Got any ideas since our usual placements and the hospital are not feasible?”

“Yes, Grandma Jo has volunteered her house for service.”

“Mark, do you really think it is wise to bring her into this situation. I know that she has volunteered for years at the clinic, but….”

“Jon,” Mark interrupted, “she has been here with me since yesterday.”

“What?” Jon stormed. “Are you nuts?”

“Jon, be realistic, I needed help, and besides, I trust her,” Mark said reassuringly to Jon.

“Well, it is your case, son. Hopefully, you know what you are doing.”

“Jon, I need your counsel.”

“Regarding?”

“Convincing Sami to go with us.”

Jon pondered the idea for a minute or two. “The dog!” Jon proposed strongly.

“What?”

“Present your case to her, stressing that it would benefit the dog. That it is the dog’s welfare that concerns you. Keep your focus off her,” Jon suggested.

“It might work,” Mark said, tossing the idea around in his mind. Foreseeing only one obstacle, he had to solicit Jon’s help. “My relationship with her is still pretty shaky. So, it might be helpful if you could do me a small service.”

“What do you have in mind?”

“Would you consider speaking to her? You have a stronger history with her than I do. She might take the suggestion better from you,” Mark pleaded his argument.

“It’s worth a shot. I’m not going to say she will listen to me, but I wanted to speak with her anyway,” Jon concluded.

“Great!” Mark responded excitedly, as he got to his feet and made his way to the back door. “Right now, she is sitting outside near Molly. I am taking the phone to her.”

“Mark, before you give her the phone, I want to let you know that I have arranged to come home on Friday. In the meantime, keep this number handy, in case you need me before then.”

“Okay, will do. Do you have pen and paper?”

“Yes.”

“Let me give you Grandma Jo’s number.” Mark supplied the number as he walked out the back door.

***

Closing the door, Mark observed that both Sami and Molly turned their heads in his direction. As Mark walked toward them, he noted Sami’s blank expression, making him groan inwardly. Yet, at the same time, he watched as Molly gained her feet, and trotted over to him happily.
At least you are happy to see me
, he thought, as he used his free hand to pet the top of the dog’s head.

Returning his gaze to Sami, he held out the phone to her. “The phone is for you, Sami. It is Dr. Peterson,” he spoke formally. He watched transfixed as her eyes darted from him to Molly and then to the phone.

The blank expression melted from her face as she reached for the phone with much eagerness. He thought she appeared like a drug junkie needing a fix. Ripping the phone from his hand, she squealed with delight. “Jon?” She started babbling excitedly, a mile a minute.

Mark shook his head and walked toward the edge of the patio, knowing that if he couldn’t understand her, then Jon was having just as much problem. He knew, from the look in Sami’s eyes when she grabbed the phone, she had dismissed him, and he didn’t have a chance in hell of intervening into the conversation. Sitting down on the edge of the patio, he prayed that Jon would understand and control her from his end.

Molly had followed him to the edge of the patio and proceeded to sit down next to him. Mark reached out and scratched her while he listened to the unrecognizable babble coming out of Sami.

“Molly, answer a question for me,” Mark spoke softly to the dog. “Does your mistress have any other temperaments beside ice cold and red hot?” Mark’s shoulders shook as he laughed silently. “Oh boy, talking to a dog. I’ve got to get some sleep.” Mark continued to scratch Molly, who was eating up his attention.

Suddenly, Mark became aware that Sami had stopped her rush of words, and he gazed back at her over his shoulder. She was slowly rocking herself in the glider with her eyes closed, apparently listening closely to what Jon was saying. As if she sensed his scrutiny, she opened her eyes and focused not on him, but on Molly.

“Yes, I see,” she spoke emotionlessly.

“Cold as a cucumber,” Mark muttered.

“No, no, I understand completely,” she stated. Several moments passed, and her concentration never left Molly.

“If you believe it is best, Dr. Peterson.”

Mark heard her words, and knew what Jon was doing. He was trying to get her to say it.
Good for you Jon
, he applauded the approach.

“I believe it would be best to get her into a different environment for awhile. Give her some new stimulation. Yes, I see your point, but Dr. Peterson, where should I take her?”

Atta boy, Jon
, Mark cheered from the sidelines. Mark crossed his fingers, for the next few moments were crucial. Sami switched her gaze from Molly to him.

“Dr. Stevens?” she questioned. Mark nodded. “Yes, he is here,” she continued. “Okay, I believe you.” She listened for a moment. “Yes, I promise. It was nice talking to you, also. Goodbye, Dr. Peterson,” she said, disconnecting the line.

***

Sami’s eyes returned longingly to Molly. Rising from the glider, not speaking, she turned and entered the house. Mark was confused, wondering what was the meaning behind her look a moment earlier. Getting to his feet quickly, he bolted to the back door, needing to know what she was doing.