2

 

Early the next morning, Griffey hauled me and my small, crammed suitcase an hour away to the airport in Knoxville. I fidgeted in my seat the whole flight to Florida, unable to distract myself by reading.

Upon landing, I procured a rental car and headed toward the hospital. I gnawed my bottom lip wondering what shape I would find my father in. I took a deep breath and let it out in an attempt to ease the tension in my body. I voiced a quick prayer for wisdom.

Tears sprang to my eyes when I entered the ICU room and caught a glimpse of my father. The hospital bed seemed to swallow his frail-looking body. I tiptoed to his side and noticed his eyelids flutter. Finally, he was able to open them, and his gaze tracked to my face. Recognition softened his expression. He opened his mouth, but only a grunt emerged. He closed his eyes tightly and shook his head, sighing with disgust.

I laid my hand on his shoulder. “Dad, it’s OK. You don’t have to talk.”

A tear trailed down his face and onto the pillow.

A woman with dark, short-cropped hair entered, sporting a long white coat. She stuck her hand toward me, and I gave it a quick shake. “Are you Ms. Townsend, Mr. Reegan’s daughter?”

I nodded. “Yes. Mrs. Townsend—Addy.”

“I’m Dr. Lynford.” She turned her attention to my father. Her face took on a pleasant caring smile. “How are we doing, Mr. Reegan? I’m so glad we located your daughter.”

He nodded and managed a lopsided smile.

“I noticed his speech is impaired. Will he get that back?” I grasped the bed railing and studied the doctor’s face.

“We can’t be sure. The stroke occurred in his left side so he’s affected on the right side and his speech. Over the next few days we’ll be testing to see the extent of the stroke’s damage.” She patted Dad’s shoulder. As she turned to leave, I followed her out to the hallway.

“Now that he is stable and responsive, I’m having him moved to a regular room.”

“Will I be able to stay with him? If not, I need to find a hotel.” I glanced at my watch.

“You can stay with him. If it seems he’ll be here for an extended time, we’ll arrange for you a place to stay. We have rooms available on the hospital campus for family.”

“OK, thank you.”

As the doctor walked away, the words “extended time” kept ringing in my ears. I supposed I hadn’t expected a long hospital stay.

I spotted an unoccupied area just down the hall and headed for it. I brought up Griffey’s cell number. He would be waiting for my call.

He answered on the first ring. “Honey?”

“Yes, it’s me.” I leaned against the block wall.

“So, how serious is it?”

“He can’t speak.” My voice broke.

“Do you need me to come? I can be there in the morning.”

“No, not right now. The doctor said we would know more over the next few days. They’ll do some testing.”

“Do you have somewhere to stay?”

I explained what the doctor had said about accommodations. I promised to call in the morning, and then rushed back to Dad not wanting to miss when they transferred him to another room.

It was late when they finally settled Dad into a private room. The move seemed to exhaust Dad, and he quickly fell asleep.

A nurse brought an extra pillow and blanket for the fold-out chair I could use. As I struggled to get comfortable in my make-shift bed, I watched Dad and recalled when he reentered my life. At that time, I wasn’t sure I wanted anything to do with him, but I witnessed the day he asked Jesus to forgive him, and I had to learn to extend forgiveness to him as well. We’d stayed in contact and even traveled to visit each other a few times. But now, I wished I’d made more of an effort than I had.

 

****

 

My lack of sleep tested my patience, especially the morning I woke with a pain in my upper chest area. No wonder I would be sore with the sleeping conditions. I was surprised I didn’t have more aches and pains.

Over the next few days, Dad regained limited use of his right side and speech. When he spoke, I had to pay close attention to understand, and he was easily agitated by his disabilities.

Dr. Lynford met me in the hallway on my way back from the cafeteria. “I’m glad I’m running into you.” She stopped and shoved her hands into her coat pockets. “Mr. Reegan will be released from the hospital soon, but he can’t go home without help.”

“You mean a nurse to come in and check on him?”

“No, I mean he needs some place where he has constant supervision.”

My mouth flew open.

“I can recommend some assisted living facilities.”

“Be the blessing.” There was the whisper again.

“I’ll need to check into his finances so I’ll know what he can afford.”

The doctor nodded.

“Be the blessing.”

The directive came stronger this time.

God, what do you want me to do? I silently pleaded to Him.

Then I looked directly at Dr. Lynford. “You know, I’ll take him home with me. I need to call my husband to make arrangements.”

Dr. Lynford smiled. “OK.” She turned to leave but paused and spun back around. “You won’t regret it.”

I nodded, while deep down I wasn’t sure. Could I bring this man into my home? A man I had barely begun to know.

I zipped into a quiet corner at the end of the hall and called Griffey’s number. The moment he answered, I spilled out what the doctor had said and my exclamation that I would arrange to bring my father home.

“So, honey, what do you think? I mean, I suppose we could find him a facility there. We don’t have to move him in with us.” I paused but heard only silence on the other end. “Griffey, are you still there?”

“Yes, hon, I’m still here. I’m sorry; I was just in shock for a moment.”

“I’m so sorry to call and dump this on you …” I massaged my temple.

“No, you don’t understand, Addy. This morning God led me to First Timothy five during my quiet time. The passage speaks of providing for your family—if you don’t, you are no better than an unbeliever. I couldn’t understand why in the world I had to read that today, but now I know.”

“Let’s just say I’ve had my own version of a spiritual nudge.”

“I’ll talk to Anita—the lady at church—her employer is a medical supply company and provides hospital beds and medical aid equipment. The guest room will convert easily.”

“Thanks, babe. I’ll be back in touch when I know more details. And, Griffey, I love you.”

“Love you, too.”

I gazed out the window to my right letting all that had transpired sink in. I took a deep breath and headed back to Dad’s room.

Dad was propped up in the hospital bed when I entered. I pulled a chair from against the wall close to the bed and plopped down into it. “So, here’s the plan.” I kept my tone upbeat, and when he alluded to the fact he didn’t want to be a burden or intrude, I deflected his protest.

His bottom lip quivered. “—ank you.” He shook his head obviously still frustrated with his impaired speech.

“Don’t thank me yet. You haven’t had to live with me.” I grinned, crossing my arms over my chest dramatically.

He flashed a smile but then appeared serious, brow knitted. “Griffey?”

“Don’t worry. I just talked to him. He’s already preparing your room.” I propped my elbows on his bed. “He has had to live with me. Bless his heart.” I shook my head. The situation had been so dark; I needed to keep things light.

When Dad was released, we loaded into a rental car and headed to his house. We collected some clothing hurriedly because we had to get to the airport to catch our flight to Tennessee. He plopped exhausted onto his couch. His stamina had not returned. He instructed me on where his suitcase was located, and I stuffed as much clothing into it as possible. If he needed anything else, we would buy it.

A framed picture on his nightstand caught my eye. It was my sister and me at a very young age. I glanced around the room recognizing several pictures of my mother. Dad had never remarried, but I was shocked to see he still displayed the family he left.

I ran next door explaining the situation to the neighbor and asking if she might check on the house every so often until Dad returned. Then, we picked up his bills, so I could make sure we took care of them long distance until he arrived home again.

And we were off to Tennessee.