Catherine and Johns Saga, Ch - 13____Mothering

            Catherine awoke from a sound sleep. It was the phone ringing. She reached for it and said answered. It was John’s brother. He had wanted to know if she was still going to pick up John from the Hospital. She looked at the clock. It was 9, she had over slept. Brother said he would wait for her by the main entrance. He would sit outside on the bench and drink his coffee.

            By the time he had finished his coffee Catherine came. They walked to her car. Meanwhile John’s nurse came into his room to make sure everything was ready to go. He told Kimie that is she ever needed anything to be sure not to hesitate to call him. He gave her his home and work number.

            Catherine pushed his wheel chair to the main entrance. Brother went to the parking lot to get the car. He opened the passenger side door. They got him settled and closed the door. Brother opened the door for Catherine. He closed it as well and got in the back seat.

“It feels good to be out side.” John said.

            It was 70 degrees and a light breeze blowing. He told them not to turn on the air because he wanted to feel the outside breeze. Brother told him that mother would be coming tomorrow and he had to leave today. He had to cut grain before it rained again.

            They arrived at the apartment. With brother on one side and Catherine on the other, they got John settled in his recliner. Brother had out vanilla candles around the living room. They made everything smell wonderful. Brother went out to the car and got John’s things from the back seat that they had brought from the hospital. It was time for John to take his pain pills. Brother asked about lunch. Should he go for take out?

            Catherine said she had made food last night. She had made extra vegetable so she made chicken stir-fry. It’s going to be a home coming party and a going away party. She went and got lunch from her apartment. Brother set the table and put water on the stove for tea, and coffee.

“Catherine will be good for you. I know mom will like her as well.” Brother said to John.

            Catherine heated the food in a kettle on the stove.

“Shall we have some wine? I’ve got a bottle that’s open. I’ll go and get it.” Catherine said.

            They made small talk. Brother said he wanted to get on the road. He gave John a hug and tells him to behave himself and not to give Catherine and trouble. He then asked if he could give her a hug. She nodded in approval and gave him a hug. She then tells him to drive careful, and then exchange goodbyes.           

Catherine and John talked about family. She said she was nervous about meeting his mother. John told her not to worry that his mother was a down to earth person. John goes back to the recliner and elevates his leg. Soon he is snoring.

Catherine goes back to her apartment with the left over food. She is going to have tomato basil soup, and cheese and crackers, with grapes and pears for supper. She didn’t want John to eat heavy meals. He might put on weight which wouldn’t be good. Catherine was day dreaming while preparing supper. She hoped she likes John’s mother because she sure liked John. Brother was nice as well. She rests a while in her over stuffed chair. Slowly her eyes close and she dreams of John and her in a boat. She sits up right and remembers John is alone. He hasn’t called so he must be sleeping. She gets up and washes her face and outs on a little make up. She goes to see John. He is sitting by the table drinking a cup of tea. He offered her a cup, and she accepted saying that would be great.

John and Catherine were having supper. John lights the candles. They smell so refreshing. When fishes are fried and put away they sit in front of the TV and watch Roman Holiday.  After it’s done she helps him get ready for bed. She pats his cheek and says,

“Have a restful sleep and sweet dreams. Don’t let the bed bugs bite.”

            Then Catherine heads home.
  By G&G   2011-12, 

Catherine and Johns Saga, Ch - 12____Johns Home Coming

Kimie came to John’s room. She asked him how he was feeling and he told her fine. She took his vital signs, and everything was normal. John asked her if she had shared the poem with her daughter and she told him that she had, and her mother had a big kick out of it as well. She had told her mother about how she learned it from John, the social worker that’s a patient at the hospital. She told her mother how he had gone to get an operation on his leg, because the first time wasn’t successful, and how he had a good friend that was a physical therapist.

            Brother went to the hospital to see John. He felt well rested. No ghosts this time. He happened to be very comfortable in John’s guest room. He had a cup of coffee and toast and a big cookie. Catherine must have been baking. She mad made the cookies.

“Catherine could you tell me some places that I could go for sight seeing?” Brother asked.

            She told him to go to the capital and the hospital museum. That sounds good brother thought. Then Catherine had to leave to go to work. Brother told John about what he was going to do when he got home.  He told John about what should be ready to harvest. They should get a lumber crop this year. The weather has been hot and dry. John told his brother how he planed to get caught up on his paper work from the office. He would have it delivered to him.

            The doctor came to the room and told John he could go home tomorrow.

“Keep using the crutches, I will see you in one week in my office.” The doctor said.

            Catherine had decided to stay all day with John. Brother would be headed home tomorrow, and mother would be coming the day after tomorrow. She would keep John Company and cook and clean.

            Brother was going sight seeing today. The capital was a beautiful old building. The first people to settle in this town were Native Americans. The building had a golden horse and on it was an Indian tribal leader over the entrance. Many of the rooms had painted murals on the ceiling, and walls. He walked into the Museum, and saw there were many Indian artifacts and pioneer items. There were arrow heads up to 5 inches long. There were also buffalo hides they used to cover their teepees and used for clothing. For the pioneers there were minor developed weapons and different types of wool used from sheep. A covered wagon was in the corner. You’d wonder how they came so many miles in it. Many of the tools they used were home made. How they arrived at their destination in that small wagon with all of their belongings and small children was amazing. They had many hardships along the way.

                        I’ll stop at the Chinese restaurant for some sweet and sour pork. Maybe John would like some. Brother thought to himself. He used his cell phone to call John. John told him he had already have dinner. 

“I’m going to sleep early. Tomorrow will be a tiring day.” John told his brother.

Brother decided to eat at the restaurant. He needed to see other people. It was starting to get busy. A nice looking lady came and sat at the table next to his. She had a book in her hands so she must have been alone. Maybe she would like some company. Brother smiles at her and she smiles back.

“Would you like to join me for dinner?” Brother asks.

“Yes, I am from out of town. I’m just passing through.” She replies.

“I’m also from out of town.” He said.

            They found out they lived 150 miles apart.

            While still in the hospital, the nurse came to John’s room and asked if he wanted a back rub. He smiles and told her yes he’d love one, and even have a nighttime snack. He ate and watched TV. Soon he is asleep.
  By G&G   2011-12, 

Catherine and Johns Saga, Ch - 11____Recovery

              “Good morning John. How are you feeling?” The nurse said.

“I didn’t sleep well.” He responded.

“It’s a dark dreary day, very overcast. No breeze flowing. Very still.” While she was checking IV drops, and temperature, and pulse. Everything checks out okay.

“Let me assist you to the bathroom. You will feel better once you get up.” The nurse tells him.

            She takes him to the bathroom and helps him onto the toilet. She tells him to pull the cord on the wall by the toilet when he is done. While he is in the bathroom he starts thinking about Catherine.  I hope my brother and Catherine get along well, he thought to himself. I thin they went out to a nice restaurant for dinner. He then pulls the cord and waits for the orderly.

            The orderly comes into the bathroom to get John. He has him sit in a wheel chair. John’s leg is starting to ache. He puts his foot up on the rest. They are moving him to his room # 12.

“The nurse will be in here shortly.” The orderly says.

“I hope it won’t be too long, I’m starting to feel pain.” John said.

            The orderly leaves the room and the nurse comes in.

“How are you John? My name is Kimie; I’ll be taking care of you. Let’s get you into your bed. Shall I turn on the TV?” she then asks.

“Yes that would be nice.” John said. John was watching her she was pleasingly plump. She had a very nice smile and soft spoken. She wore a pale peach top with balloons prints on the material. Her slacks were a pale peach on her feet/ she wore white nurses’ shoes. She had a very long blond pony tail.

            John asks for something for pain. She says the doctor has written an order for him to have as often as necessary. She told him that she would also bring him some broth and water. He would only have to sip it, to see how his stomach was taking food.

“I’ll go get your medication for you.” She says.

            John takes the remote off the table next to him and starts scanning through the TV programs. He finds an oldies station. It was Bonanza. He thought that would be good as he hasn’t seen it in years. He liked western books and movies.

            A young man from the kitchen brought his dinner. The man checked John’s name and room number to make sure he had the right tray of food. Kimie the nurse came with his pill. He swallowed it with some water. He didn’t feel much like eating.

“You need to get to get well”. She said.

 She told him to try to sip some of the chicken broth. John thought it tasted pretty good. Kimie asked him about his leg, and what had happened to him. John told her he got hurt on the job. The doctor he had didn’t do a very good job of fixing it. The surgeon he had not thinks he will be 90% better.

John asked her if she had a family. She told him she had a little 3 year old daughter. Her mother was living with them out in the country. Her husband had been killed in a car accident.

“Are you settled now?” The nurse asked.

“Yes I feel a little better than I did when I woke up.” John replied.

“Every day you will feel better. It takes time. Don’t rush it. I’ll leave you to your program. I’ll look in on you later.” The nurse said.

“Before you go I want to share something special with you”. John said. He thought he should teach her how to be a better mother.

“Dose your daughter knows how to count from 1 to 100? My friend came up with a system of learning poetry. I would like to assist you to in learning the way he had explained to me. Please repeat after me.” John said.

“Zero, zero, zero, you are my hero.” John said. The nurse repeated and laughed.

“How wonderful” she said.

“What have I to do next?” The then asked.

            John told her to select a number from 1 to 10 and then she picked 3. John rhymed saying three three three where is the tree. Again he asked her for another number. She said 4. John replied with another rhyme, four four four open the door. The nurse repeated and then gave a belly laugh. 

“I can  select any number and rhyme.” She said.

            Now the nurse created a poem and wrote it down. Like the following:

Two, Two, Two, I’m going with you.

Five, Five, Five, where is the bee hive.

Six, Six, Six can you pick up the sticks?

Seven Seven, Seven, are you in heaven?

Eight, eight, eight, can I have a date?

Nine, Nine, Nine, can you see the pine tree?

Ten, Ten, Ten, can you pick up the pen?

Now you know zero to ten!

            At 10 o’clock John’s brother came to see him. He had a hand full of balloons, which he tied on the foot side of the bed. He looked like Mary Poppins. He gave John a big hug and asked him how he felt. He said well than when he had woken up. He told him the weather had fit his mode. John took a closer look at his brother and thought how nice he looked. He had on a short sleeve white shirt with navy blue trousers. With his tan from being out doors he looked like a model. He had the blond hair like his dad. On his feet he had sandals of black leather.

“How’d you sleep in my guest room?” John asked.

            He said he had seen a few ghosts hovering over the bed. Catherine came to see John She felt brave and gave him a little hug. Brother thought there was something going on between them two.

“I’m so happy the surgery went well, what’s the next step?” John asked.

“You will need therapy maybe the surgeon will send you to our clinic for physical therapy.”  Brother giggles with that remark.

“You two working together ha ha!” He laughed.

Catherine got shy and said she had to go to work.
  By G&G   2011-12, 

Catherine and Johns Saga, Ch - 10____Surgery

                John’s surgery was scheduled for May 1^st at 3 o’clock.  Catherine woke up early the day of john’s surgery. She decided to call him. He had told her that he was awake for some time, and invited her over for a cup of tea. He didn’t want to be alone; Catherine told him it would be a while.

She had made a May basket for John.  You make a basket out of construction paper, fill it with candy or flowers, hang it on the door knob ring the bell and run away. If the person catches you, you’d have to ask him her or out. She fixes a blue basket with peanut butter cups, mints, and some cashews, and a red rose for luck. She hangs it on John’s door, rings the bell and runs down the hall. John answers the door, looks up and down the hall and doesn’t see anybody. He takes the basket inside. Looks good but can’t have any of it. He puts the rose in a vase with water.

Catherine goes over to John’s place and he can’t figure out who left him the basket. “Think through and I’ll kiss you.”  Catherine said.

Catherine helps John pack his bag for the hospital. Tooth brush, comb, pajamas and razor. Footie’s for his feet, paper back western story book, which he’s wanted to read for a couple of months. With his bag all packed Catherine drover him to the hospital.

            When they arrived at the hospital John notices a truck with Harley Davidson emblem on the rear windows. The truck looks like his brothers vehicle. They walked through the main entrance of the hospital and John sees his brother waiting for him. He’s glad that he came. After they exchange hugs John introduces Catherine. Brother throws in a slick comment saying that she was too nice and pretty for him.

“You two wait here and I will go check in.” John said

 The lady in admitting gave John a big smile. She reminded John of his 7^th grade history teacher. She was a nice lady he told her about his teacher. He reached in his pocket and pulled out his key chain. From there he took off an apple key link.

“No, keep it for your teacher.” She says.

John looked back at Catherine and his brother deep in discussion. John took Catherine’s hand and gave her the apple. The receptionist smiles at them.

“You have the best surgeon available. Good luck.” She says.

            John’s room was #12. The nurse asked Catherine and brother to step pit of the room so she can prepare John for surgery. When the nurse finished her job the surgeon went into the room. He explained to John what he was going to do to John’s leg. He had made it sound so simple. Catherine was glad the surgeon had explained the procedure to her and Brother.

            John was then taken up to the surgery room. The walls and floor were all white. There were also large lights hanging from the ceiling. The operating table was in the center of the room. Catherine and brother were still in the waiting room.

“I will go for a cup of tea and coffee. We will talk about you and John, when I come back.” Brother said.

“The hot tea hits the spot” Catherine said.                             

“I will tell you how we met; I came up with the idea of a block party at the apartments. The party was on Labor Day. We had donations of wieners and hamburgers and brat warts. The guests brought a dish of food that they could pass. We had more than enough food. We had free flu shots and blood pressure readings.”  Catherine explained.

“See I told you, you were nice.” Brother said.

“When are you going to come to the farm?” Brother asked.

“I would love to come to the farm, but we will have to decide while John is recovering.” Catherine said.

            The surgeon then came and told them everything went well. He is one of the lucky ones.
  By G&G   2011-12,