Chapter Eighty Four

It took longer than usual to get back to the estate. The traffic was heavy with last minute shoppers and the snowfall slowed the traffic movement even further. Everyone was tired and anxious to get home. Jenny hoped Thomas would call the limo driver and let her know how James was doing. She felt pangs of guilt to be sightseeing and thought she should be at James’ side. He was adamant, however, when she left yesterday to stay at home and host her guests.

J.J. and Nora had come over early in the afternoon to help look after Josh and Jimmy to free up Matti to prepare dinner for all the people, as well as get the turkey ready for the Christmas Day celebration.

Joshua missed his mom and dad and kept looking out the front window for their return. Suddenly he shouted, “They’re home!”

J.J. and Nora rushed to the front door to greet them and help with their coats.

Josh ran to Camilla as soon as she entered the door. She picked her son up and gave him a big hug. “Did you have fun playing with Jimmy?”

“He has neat toys, Mom. Come, I want to show you!”

“Okay, just wait until I get my coat off…”

“Here, Camilla, let me help you,” offered J.J.

“Thanks, J.J., so how was Josh?”

“He was great. He and Jimmy entertained themselves most of the time. It was fun watching them play together.”

As J.J. spoke, Camilla could see his eyes and mouth carried their mother’s genes. His hair was a different matter—jet black. Yet, she could see that J.J. and she were related.

Camilla went to her brother and gave him a hug.

“Sure smells good,” said Henry, as he hung up his coat and walked into the living room to make room for the others.

They all greeted one another and slowly they made it into the living room to enjoy refreshments which Charles had already prepared.

Jenny wanted to know how James was and if Thomas was at home yet.

J.J. answered all of Jenny’s questions. “Thomas is still up at the hospital or on his way home. I was up before noon and Thomas came in just as I was leaving. Dad said he was fine, but you know him. He’s pretty good at covering up his pain. I wish he would let the doctors feed him through the IV tubes. He’s losing so much weight and it’s obvious he is growing weaker each time I see him. I did see the nurse give him a shot just before I left. Thomas can fill you in from there on when he gets home…”

“Thank you, J.J., the nurse probably gave him morphine…”

“Come, Mom, I want to show you Jimmy’s neat toys…”

Camilla was listening to J.J. about James’ condition… “Okay, let’s go Joshua.”

As the foyer cleared out and Jenny saw Charles already carrying drinks in to the guests, Jenny decided to excuse herself and make a quick call to the hospital. She ran upstairs to her room.

Jenny called James’ room, but like last night there was no answer. She decided to call the nurses’ station. She wondered if James would be able to make it out that evening. The snow fall was getting thicker… probably not. Thomas and Neela were still at their guest house and should be along any moment. Thomas would know how James was.

“Ward 4C”

“Hello, this is Mrs. Hamilton. I tried to reach James Hamilton but there was no answer in his room. How is he doing?”

“He thought you might be calling, Mrs. Hamilton. He said he will not be making it home this evening, but will for certain tomorrow, on Christmas Day. He asked for a sedative just a half hour ago and is sleeping soundly.”

“Would you please ask him to call should he awaken… please?”

“Yes, I will and also relay the message to the next nurse on shift at eleven.”

“Thank you…”

Oh, James, what are you up to…

She recalled his last words when they spoke this morning, “I love you, too, Marjorie.” There was such a tone of finality…

Oh, I hope and pray he’s okay…

Just as Jenny came down stairs and entered the foyer, she ran into Thomas.

“Oh, good, you’re home,” Jenny said with a sigh of relief. “How was James, Thomas?”

“As best as can be expected, Miss Jenny. I don’t know if he will make it tonight. He was very tired when I left and the nurse gave him a sedative and pain killer. He said he wants to be here tomorrow and has something for you.”

“What, Thomas?”

“You will have to wait until then, Miss Jenny, those were my instructions.”

The gathering was so beautiful. It was wonderful to have everyone sitting around the tree and roaring fire. It was so soothing to everyone to listen to the Christmas carols playing in the background after a tiring day. Henry thought he and the family might go to the Notre Dame Basilica for midnight Mass, but winter conditions outside and exhaustion from the long day hit them all early. It was so nice to see the children play and how excited they were to open some of their gifts. Henry could see most people were tired and decided that perhaps he should initiate the bedtime ritual.

“Well, everyone, that was quite the day. Thanks again for the wonderful tour, Jenny. I know we only hit the tip of the iceberg of tourist attractions, but perhaps another time we can come for a longer visit. I sure hope James is able to make it home tomorrow. I would like to meet him.”

“It is wonderful having you and your family here. It’s all so supportive.” Jenny smiled at Henry from across the room. She so much would have loved to be held in his arms.

“Coming, Justin?”

“Yeah, I will go up with you, Dad.”

“I can see the girls chatting for another hour or two. Good night girls.”

Camilla, Lauren and Allison were reading the back of one of the records Lauren got for Christmas.

The girls jumped up and hugged Henry and Justin. After saying good night to everyone except Jenny, Henry made his way over to her. She rose and they hugged and Henry kissed her on the cheek. “Night, Jenny.”

“Don’t forget to set out milk and some of those fine cookies that Matti makes for Santa Claus!” Henry waved again to everyone and he and Justin exited the living room.

Henry thought of calling Father Engelmann when he got to his room. They would be two hours behind, but Father was probably getting ready for midnight Mass. Father said if Father Knuka didn’t need help he would have an earlier Mass at the Nunnery. Henry decided to call him in the morning and wish him a Merry Christmas.

At first Henry thought coming here wasn’t such a good idea but perhaps James’ plan for the families to meet would prove very beneficial and may prepare the way for a better future for all of them. Henry was pleased that J.J. was friendly towards him. He felt the young man’s eyes on him most of the evening and they did chat several times. Henry was glad Jenny was wearing her wedding ring. He wondered if J.J. and Justin noticed it…

Yes, Henry thought, as he reflected on coming, it was good to get to know one another. As Father often said, “If only we could see that we are all connected through Jesus. We are all brothers and sisters.”

Henry could see Jenny was distracted most of the day. She tried so hard to be present to everyone, but Henry knew she was concerned about James and would have much preferred to be ministering to him.

Jenny’s heart was so compassionate. Rather than feel left out or slighted at Jenny’s focus on her husband, Henry loved his dearly beloved all the more. Despite such a loveless marriage, her heart went to James so completely. There was no holding back.

What kind of heart did Jenny really have?

She was able to sacrifice her own happiness out of sheer loving without even knowing it. She considered it all gain. She and Father Engelmann had so much in common.

Henry turned over and kissed Julean’s rosary. He began to pray for Jenny, for James and his family…Henry hoped that perhaps tomorrow he might meet James…