Chapter Thirty-eight
The drive from Ohio to West Virginia was silent, in Terrance’s car anyway. Now in Margie’s car that followed behind them, that was a different story. Margie and Unique prayed out loud most of the time. Bethany did some praying too, but mostly slept, resting her body. That’s the only way her husband, Uriah, finally agreed to allow her to make the trip—if she promised to not be all worked up and rest her body.
Mother Doreen knew her sister and sisters in Christ were praying for her. She could feel it. There was no other explanation for how calm and relaxed her spirit and her mind were. There was no nervousness and no anxiety as she rode the entire time, finishing all but the last twenty pages or so of the journal.
“Well, here we are.” Terrance exhaled and threw the car in park after pulling up into the parking lot of the facility where his mother resided.
Mother Doreen admired the well kept lawn. “Wow, what lovely grounds,” she complimented. “Look at all the lovely flowers and the beautiful rosebushes.”
“Yeah, well, they don’t mean much when you can’t come outside, take them in, and enjoy them. When you can’t do that, well, I guess, they’re just like any old plant in the ground.” Terrance got out of the car. To Mother Doreen’s astonishment, he walked around and opened her door. She looked up at him with surprise. “Spite what you and your church folks think, I am a gentleman.”
Mother Doreen nodded and allowed him to help her out of the car. Just as he closed the door behind her, Bethany, Margie, and Unique came over.
“Whoa, all y’all not coming up in here.” Terrance held his hands up.
“The heck if we ain’t,” Unique spoke up. “No telling what you might do to her behind closed doors.”
“Look, if I wanted to do something stupid, I could have easily lost you all on the drive here,” Terrance countered.
“Well, we already know you’re capable of doing something stupid. You did that back at the church. It’s you doing something outright insane that gives me pause,” Unique shot back.
“I appreciate you all following along,” Mother Doreen interrupted, “but Terrance is right. I don’t think all of us going in there is going to be good for his mother. Why don’t you all go grab something to eat, or just stay out here or in the lobby or something, and pray?”
“We could have stayed back at the church with Deborah and Pastor Frey to pray.” Unique rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. “Or went with Paige to eat.”
Paige had stayed back in Malvonia because her blood sugar level had dropped and she needed to eat and get some rest.
“I think Mother Doreen is right.” Margie patted Unique on her shoulder to calm her down. “I’m sure this place has security and Mother Doreen will be okay. Let’s just go grab a bite, and then come back for Mother Doreen to drive her home.” Margie looked from one person to the next. “How does that sound to everybody ?”
All nodded in agreement, including Unique—reluctantly.
Each woman gave Mother Doreen a hug and retreated back to the car. Unique was the last to embrace Mother Doreen. After doing so, she cut her eyes at Terrance and reminded him, “Don’t forget; I will fight a man,” then joined the other women at the car.
“Oh, don’t pay her no never-mind,” Mother Doreen said to Terrance.
“Trust me, I’m not,” he assured her.
Terrance led the way up the walkway and into the building. Once inside, Mother Doreen admired the interior décor just as much as she had admired the exterior. A beautiful place indeed it was. Mother Doreen thought in her head how much Terrance must really love his mother in order to provide only the best for her. This place looked to be one of the best.
“Well, hello, Mr. T,” the woman at the sign-in desk said to Terrance as soon as she buzzed him through the double doors.
“Hello to you too, Rhoda.”
Rhoda looked down at her watch. “It’s kind of late for you to be visiting on a Saturday. I didn’t think you were going to make it in today.”
“Oh, yeah, well, I had some things I had to do today. But I’m here.”
“And we are so glad you are here indeed,” she blushed.
Mother Doreen stood back and watched the exchange take place between Rhoda and Terrance. It took a moment for Rhoda to take her eyes off of him and even notice that Mother Doreen was there.
“Oh, you brought someone with you?” The smile that had been plastered upon Rhoda’s face after seeing Terrance somewhat faded as her eyes darted back and forth between Mother Doreen and Terrance.
“Yes, I did.” Terrance turned to acknowledge Mother Doreen’s presence. He also noticed the questioning look on Rhoda’s face. “It’s okay.”
“Are you sure? Miss Casinoff isn’t used to any other visitors besides yourself. You know, ever since your grandmother passed, you’ve been the only one to come visit her.”
“Yes, I’m sure, Rhoda. Thanks for your concern, though.”
“Well, all right. You know the drill. I just need the two of you to sign is all.”
Terrance signed in, then moved to the side so Mother Doreen could do the same. Afterward, Rhoda hit a button. There was a buzzing sound, and another set of double doors opened for them.
“Thanks, Rhoda,” Terrance said as he and Mother Doreen made their way through the doors.
“No problem, Mr. Terrance,” Rhoda smiled. “No problem at all.”
Terrance led the way down the corridor.
“She seems like a fine woman,” Mother Doreen spoke, referring to Rhoda.
“Oh, who, Rhoda?” Terrance played it off. “Yeah, she’s good peoples. She’s been a good friend to me and my mother during all the years my mother has been here.”
“She seems nice. And it seems like she wouldn’t mind being a little more than just a friend to you.”
Terrance shrugged as if he hadn’t noticed Rhoda’s huge smile toward him and all her blushing.
“And with good reason too. You’re not too bad looking of a fellow. Remind me a lot of my Willie back in the day. Oh, the way he could get the girls to go crazy for him without even trying.”
Terrance stopped in his track and turned to face Mother Doreen. “Yeah, tell me about it—Drive ’Em Crazy Willie. That should have been his nickname.”
Mother Doreen covered her mouth. “Oh goodness. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
Her last comment gave Terrance second thoughts. “I’m not sure if this is such a good idea after all. What if you say something in there that pushed my mother away even deeper?” He shook his head. “I’d never forgive myself if—”
Mother Doreen interrupted him, resting her hand on his shoulder. “I promise you, I’ll leave my flesh right out here in this hallway. I’ll let my every word be directed by the Holy Spirit. What I just said a second ago, I honestly didn’t mean anything by it.”
“I’m sure you didn’t, but—”
Again, Mother Doreen cut him off. She would not allow him to talk himself out of the decision he’d made to allow her to come see his mother. “You said you’d do anything to try to get your mother back right again.”
“But the doctors have already tried so much.” Doubt laced Terrance’s every word and was the only expression on his face.
“Then let me try what they probably have not. Let me try Jesus.”
The name of Jesus must have certainly had power, because Terrance turned and continued leading the way. “Well, this is it. This is my mother’s room.”
Mother Doreen looked up at the door to see the name Lauren Casinoff written on a piece of white stock paper inserted in a slot.
“Are you okay?” Terrance asked with concern after he saw the color drain from Mother Doreen’s face as she stared at the door.
At first, Mother Doreen didn’t respond. She just held her chest and tried to catch her breath. Finally she was able to compose herself. “Yes, I’m okay. I’m fine.”
“Then are you ready to go in?” Terrance asked.
Inhaling a deep breath, Mother Doreen replied, “Yes; as ready as I’ll ever be.” And on that note, Terrance opened the door, and once again, Mother Doreen found herself walking into room 111 where Lauren Casinoff would once again be on the other side in bed.