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When Hadley got out to go around the car the next morning, she couldn’t help the grin spreading across her face as Matthew Katzen started her direction. As usual, he had Babe the sheep at his heels along with his typical morning person radiant smile on his face. She glanced at her mother as she circled the car to help her from the vehicle.
She wasn’t confident how she would react to Matthew or anyone else they might encounter. There had been tantrums, ignoring characteristics, and even the occasional outburst of truth on her mother’s part. She rolled her shoulders and offered the crook of her arm. Her mother swatted her away, playfully, “I’m mentally deficient, not old,” she said.
Hadley choked on her mom’s words and then bit her tongue so she wouldn’t giggle. No more valid words had ever been spoken in her opinion, but she didn’t need to turn the statement into anything on her part.
“Morning Hadley,” Matthew said with a wave.
“Morning, Matthew.”
“Wow, you have gotten big,” her mom said, gazing at Matthew.
“I’m twenty-six now,” he said proudly, puffing his chest out. “You look old now, how old are you?”
Hadley stumbled and did not understand how those words would strike her mom. But she laughed out loud.
“That’s what I always adored about you, no sugar coating in your nature. I’m sixty-two years old, and I know I look old.”
“It’s okay, Gramma Grace said lady’s age like fine wine and only got better with age.”
“I know your Grandma was a wonderful lady.”
“Are you visiting Marissa today, she makes the best scones.”
“Maybe I will stop for a scone later, but I’m here to see Belle,” she said patiently.
Matthew’s face scrunched up oddly, and he cocked his head to the side. “Do you have mental problems like me? Everyone who comes to see Belle has different issues, and she fixes them,” he said proudly once again.
“I do have mental problems, but not like you. I like to hang on to things, like security blankets. I’ve been sad a long time and hanging on to all my items, and my son’s stuff makes me feel better. I have to learn to let things go and make peace with stuff that bothers me more constructively.”
Hadley felt the fissures dissect her body, and goosebumps rise. Her mother knew the concerns but just wasn’t able to cross the line of fixing them. That, to her, was tremendous progress.
“Grandpa Holmer always told me to hold on to things that made me happy. All the rest should be given to others who can use it. You can’t take stuff with you when you die, and besides, it gets between you and other people. It’s people that make your life good; that’s what he would say.”
Hadley wanted to hug the sweet soul in front of her. Matthew may have Down Syndrome, but he was blessed with a truthful tongue and always seemed to know just what to say.
“You know what, Matthew? I think you are right,” her mom said, turning to Hadley. “I think the young man has a point.”
Hadley nodded as a tear threatened her eyes.
“I gotta go,” Mathew said, and without another word, headed to the primary office area.
Hadley and her mother started walking to the clinic. “That is one angel on earth,” her mother mumbled. “Simply an angel.”
When they finally made it to the building where Belle’s offices were, she told Hadley she was okay and would have someone fetch her when she was done. Hadley found herself deep in thought as she crossed the yard to the nursery.
“Hey,” Ezra’s voice cut into her reverie. She glanced up as Stormi, Scout, and Ezra stood directly in her path.
“Hi, not sure we have officially met?” the man she knew was Ezra’s boss said from a distance extending his hand as they got closer.
She took it, and after a firm shake, let go. “What are you all up to today?”
“We got in a couple of horses last night from a tough situation, and one kicked a hole in the stable wall,” Ezra volunteered.
“Did the horse get hurt?” Hadley asked, worriedly.
“No, he was more shocked than anything,” Stormi added. “I saw your mother with you today. That is amazing. I haven’t seen her out in some time.”
“Yeah, Belle somehow talked her out of the house for a session here today. I am amazed at how patient she is with my mother.”
“She amazes. There are many of our clients and people from the community that need support in a variety of ways,” Stormi added.
“She also told me that the clinic had expanded due to demand,” Hadley said.
“Yep, and we offer several therapy animal clinics now.”
“Well, I better head to the nursery. Going to get a little work in before I have to take mother home,” she said, and passed the group making eye contact with Ezra.
She smiled when Ezra told Stormi and Scout, he would catch up with them later. He began walking with her, matching her strides.
“I was hoping maybe to stop by tonight after work.” He said after a minute. “Maybe we could take a walk through town. I know a certain ice cream shop that has a Butter Pecan double scoop you never could resist.”
“Oh, you know all my weaknesses. I would love that,” she said, with a smile in his direction.
“Great, see you then,” he said, dropping a light kiss on her cheek before turning to go in the opposite direction.
She shook her head, feeling buoyant and happy in a way she could not remember feeling in a long time. She had begun to no longer dread the next day but wondered about what possible new things could happen. With Ezra back, there was no telling, but she knew where she hoped this was going. She refused to even complete the thought for fear she would jinx or sabotage it.
“One day at a time,” she reminded herself softly as she opened the nursery. The sounds of little chattering souls stopped any self-reflection to focus on the chaos ahead.
