Chapter Seventy Eight

The next day Nancy took a cab to the General Hospital. She found James to be in excellent spirits. He went on and on how J.J. suddenly changed. He suspected Nancy had something to do with it.

“What’s the secret, Nancy? What did you say to him that got him on side so quickly and completely, I might add? He said he was worried that you were having a heart attack and might die. He was glad that he was there to get your pills for you. What pills? There’s nothing wrong with your ticker, Nancy. Hell, your heart is stronger than a horse’s!”

Nancy winked at her step son and said, “If the truth be known the white pills are sucrose tablets to keep my blood sugar level stable…and the rest of it, well, the moment needed a little shock therapy.”

James stared at his dear stepmother; his eyes suddenly brightening, “You old devil, you!”

“Yes, I know, I could have been a big star in the movies and yet, I chose be the dull wife of an unappreciative Hamilton.”

Nancy paused, “I think he really likes the way you and Marjorie are getting along. Down deep, James, he’s been angry for a long time because he was denied that and just didn’t know how to express or show affection to either of you—”

“Until you gave him some motivation.”

Nancy shrugged her shoulders. “J.J. is still a very young man, James. He grew some yesterday, but when you’re gone, he’s got a big load to carry. Quite the responsibility…”

“He’ll manage, Nancy. It will be tough, but he’s a Hamilton and for better or worse, he has acquired a lot of my traits and skills.”

Nancy nodded and decided to change the topic. “So, you look good, James. What do the doctors have to say?”

“It’s not good news. The tumors are still growing. The radiation doesn’t seem to be helping and they’re hoping that starting up with the chemo treatments again might help to arrest the disease or at least delay its terminal effects.”

“Well, let’s hope for the best. If I could change places with you I would. I’m just putting in days that are not that fulfilling. I must say my talk with J.J. yesterday gave me the first spark of life in years. Perhaps I should do more of that… you know, visit people in care homes or something like that. Probably be good for my arthritis to keep on moving.”

“Yes, Nancy, something like that might be good for you and if you can give motivation and life like you did to that son of mine, you just might close down some of the hospital wards!”

They both smiled at one another. Nancy patted James hand, “That was nice what you just said. It was encouraging.”

James nodded to acknowledge his mother’s words and then grew more serious. “Nancy, I don’t know how long I have left. I’m hoping till Christmas…maybe longer. I didn’t think Marjorie would stay this long and it has been wonderful of her to do so. I know she is torn between staying here and going home for Christmas. I know she’ll stay… it’s her nature. If there are angels, she has to be one.”

Nancy nodded. “I couldn’t agree more, James. She is truly a very special woman. One of a kind, I would say…”

“Well, here is what I was thinking. Matilda knows Marjorie’s daughter, Camilla. They met in the hospital when Marjorie was there. I asked Matilda a couple of days ago when I was still at home if she still knew how to get in touch with Camilla. She said yes and when I told Matilda what I had in mind she thought it would be a nice surprise for Marjorie.”

“What did you have in mind, James, you have me intrigued?”

“Well, if Marj can’t or won’t go home for Christmas, why not see if we can bring Camilla and her family and… if they will come, the entire Pederson clan to the estate for Christmas?”

Nancy’s eyes widened. “That’s a wonderful idea, James, to bring the families together. It would be lovely for us to meet Marjorie’s daughter.”

“That’s one of the main reasons I am doing this besides the obvious selfish reason to keep Marjorie here. She shared with me a few weeks back that the last wish she wrote into her diary when she had died was for J.J. to meet his half sister. I would like to help make Marjorie’s wish come true for her two children to meet.”

Nancy shook her head, “What a marvelous thing to do, James…” Nancy paused to reflect on what she was going to say next and decided to ask, “Didn’t you say to me one time that Camilla married the son of the man that Marjorie is sweet on… Henry, is it?”

“Yes, that’s him all right… one fortunate man. The two would probably be married by now if it weren’t for their Church’s rules about divorce.”

“What do you mean, James?”

“The Catholic Church, to which they both belong, does not recognize divorce. The only way it can be dissolved is through some kind of an annulment, which really doesn’t apply in this case…”

Nancy was reluctant to say it but she did, “And the only other way is through your death…”

James nodded. “That’s quite the spot those two are in… and I have to be honest, I’m still hoping that I can win Marjorie’s heart… wishful thinking, isn’t it?”

“Well, you have come a long way in exposing your heart, James. If I were a young woman and not your mother, of course, I would easily fall for you, even with your thinning hair.”

James smiled. He raised his arm and touched his hair with his fingers, several strands immediately fell out.

“Funny, how important looks and hair are until all of a sudden it doesn’t mean very much… if you haven’t got your health, what does it matter? What does anything matter? I have enough money to buy half this city… so what? What does any of that do for me?”

“Make wise choices in the days you have left. I must say, what you did for Matilda, Thomas, and Charles is wonderful, James. That was a very fine gift you gave them.”

“Even before I gave them anything like that, they were becoming such close friends to me. I finally realized it all had to do with me. The moment I started to change they found it easier to approach me. I must say, Thomas is the first man I was ever able to talk to in a meaningful way. I was surprised how I opened up to him and was able to discuss personal matters that I would never discuss with my colleagues.”

James paused and shared an insight, “You know, Nancy, it came to me that I never much trusted my staff or colleagues and I wondered the other day if I had been less judgmental and more approachable and considerate of others, I think I would have found some friends there amongst the corporate jungle. It really depends on how we choose to relate to people that determines the response we get. I am amazed at Marjorie’s ability to be so accepting. Why she could be talking to anyone and they would fall in love with her in an instant and openly share their life story.”

Nancy nodded, “There is an aura of warmth and calm around people who are at peace with themselves. They know how to love so easily; it just flows out of them. But I have to say, James, she cracked into your armor and it all fell off. It took quite a spell, but not even you were a match for Marjorie’s special qualities. In my wildest dreams I would never have envisioned us discussing life like this. Why I just love talking with you, Son…I just have to say, how proud I am of you and… how dearly I love you.”

Tears surfaced immediately in James eyes, “Ooh, that was nice…I love you too…Mom.”