Chapter Twenty

Hello, Mr. Hamilton? Nurse Johnson just called to say you be phoning for me?”

“Look, Matilda, I have one of my staff making arrangements to ship Marjorie’s body back to Ottawa—”

“But, Mr. Hamilton, she may have made arrangements to be buried here where her daughter lives and also her…”

“We’ll just have to cancel any cemetery plot she may have purchased. Her daughter will just have to come to Ottawa—”

“But, Mr. Hamilton, it’s not just her daughter, it’s also…” Matti’s words trailed off.

“Surely you don’t mean that farm boy, Pederson, has any say in this?”

Matti was surprised that Mr. Hamilton knew of Henry Pederson. “Do you know Henry Ped—?”

“Yes, yes, from way back. Marjorie got over him a long time ago. That’s why she married me! No, she belongs at home with her family and we’re going to have a funeral that she rightfully deserves. J.J sold her home last fall in Regina and so Marjorie doesn’t have any ties there anymore.”

Matti could feel her employer’s sensitivity in the matter. She knew from years of experience with her master that he could erupt at any time. He had been softening up this last while, but she had to say what was in her heart. She knew how deeply her dear friend loved Henry and so desired to be with him.

“But, Mr. Hamilton—”

“There are no ‘buts’ about it, Matilda. Marjorie is coming back to Ottawa and I will press to have it done by tomorrow at the latest! And since you are there, I would like you to go to the hospital first thing in the morning and do everything you need to do to keep things moving. If there is any problem or matter that needs attention, call me right away and I’ll have it attended to. Is that understood?”

Matti was perspiring, “Oh, sweet Jesus, if you be fishing in one them there heavenly streams, I hope you catch Your limit soon. You be needed back on the job. I don’t like the way this be movin’ forward, that for sure…”

“What are you mumbling about, Matilda. You’re not beginning to lose it on me, are you?”

“No, I just be waiting on the Boss, to tell me what to do—”

“I just told you, for Pete’s sake!”

“My God, Camilla, look at the crowd up ahead. That’s where the accident scene must be. My heart is pounding so fast, I hope I don’t have a heart attack.”

Camilla reached her hand over to Jeremy’s and squeezed tightly. “Maybe park over there and let’s walk into the crowd.”

“Yeah, that may be best.” Jeremy pulled over and parked the car. The three of them made their way through the crowd. They saw the ambulance attendant close the back doors to the ambulance and hurry around to the driver’s side.

“There’s a police officer. Let’s go talk to him. The ambulance may have Dad in the back or somebody else that was injured.”

They formed a single line and held hands as they slithered through the crowd.

“Excuse me officer, my name is Jeremy Pederson. I’m not sure if it was you or one of the other policemen that phoned to let us know that Dad was in an accident. That’s his red SUV over there.”

“You’re his son, are you?”

Jeremy nodded struggling to keep his emotions in check. He was much like his dad in that regard; he wore his feelings on his sleeve.

“The ambulance just picked up your father and are on their way to the General Hospital—”

Jeremy lowered his voice, stood in front of Josh, and asked the officer, “Did my dad die in the accident…?”

The senior police officer tightened his lips and nodded, “I’m afraid he didn’t make it, son. You can see the condition of his vehicle. That was some accident. We needed the Jaws of Life to remove him. It’s a tough break…”

Camilla began to sob. “Why are you crying, Mommy?” Joshua wanted to know.

Camilla simply bent down and picked up her son. “Maybe we should go to the hospital and see your dad, Jeremiah.”

“You go ahead with your family. There’s not much you can do here. We will put your dad’s SUV into our compound. You may be still able to catch up to the ambulance. It’s getting close to the noon rush hour and there is no urgency to get to the hospital…” He gazed slowly at Jeremy, not sure if he should have said what he just did.

Jeremy nodded and forced an appreciative smile. He turned to Camilla. “Okay, let’s get back to the car and go to the hospital.”

The nurse had difficulty walking into the crowded room. It was filled with family and parishioners to overflowing. Normally visits were restricted to only family and limited to two people at a time in the IC unit but Angie’s request to override the hospital regulations was approved by the family doctor. The nurse had to admit she could feel the spiritual power in the room. Perhaps the prayers by those present could bring healing where medical help was no longer effective. Florence went over to Peter’s side and picked up his wrist.

The nurse looked at Angie and slowly shook her head. “I’m so sorry,” Florence whispered. She looked up at the rest of the family and friends that surrounded the bed and the sadness in her eyes confirmed what she had just relayed to Peter’s grieving wife. Florence let go of Peter’s wrist and gently laid his hand down on the bed and in the same motion pulled the sheet over Peter’s face.

Angie’s weeping became more audible but soon was drowned out by the praying sounds of others present in the room. Everyone remained stationary, unable to move, nor accept what had happened. They all expected Peter to be healed; they had been praying so fervently.

Tears filled the eyes of the attending nurse, as well. Florence had not seen such support, love and prayer for someone in a long time. She, too, had come to love Peter in the few days that he had been on her ward. Florence gazed at the monitor and saw the steady line on the screen hoping that a blip would appear, but neither the line nor its eerie sound changed. Just as she went over to the monitor to turn it off, a blip appeared and then vanished.

Florence looked at the monitor puzzled.

Angie had heard its tiny sound and looked up, but only saw the steady, even line. Perhaps it was just her imagination, hoping against all hope that her dead husband was coming back. She stared at it for the longest moment, along with the nurse.

Once again, just as Florence reached up to turn off the monitor, she was so startled she nearly keeled over…