[Dean's World] J.A. Eddy: *Methuselah's Daughter*, Part One, Chapters 8 & 9

[notify at powerblogs.com]

Posted by J.A. Eddy:
*Methuselah's Daughter*, Part One, Chapters 8 & 9
http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1178289837.shtml


                                 Chapter 8

   â[Begin Journal entry]â

   10 November 2004

   Jacqueline Novak is dying.

   On the flight from Harrisburg I find my mind running over my telephone
   conversations with Jacquelineâs husband, Dennis, again and again. He
   is distraught almost beyond words, and when he realizes all his family
   are scattered literally to the four corners of the Earth, he calls the
   only other number he can think of. Even in his fear and grief he is a
   wise and logical man. As I am carried towards Denver my people are
   moving Heaven and Earth to gather his family, people he needs far more
   than me. I am determined to be an adequate substitute until they
   arrive.

   Oh, Jacqueline. I know this is inevitable, but why so soon? It is not
   the first time, but it tears at me nonetheless. I have buried too many
   of the people I love.

   10-November-2004 (later)

   Dennis sees me and leaps to his feet, crossing the distance from the
   lounge to the door in just a few long strides. He sweeps his long arms
   about my shoulders. He has been holding himself together by sheer
   force of will these past twelve hours, and now he can contain it no
   longer.

   I hold him tightly for a long, long time as he weeps. Finally it all
   comes out, in fits and startsâthe morning headache, her dizziness, and
   the collapse at the doctorâs office, followed by a heart attack two
   hours later.

   âItâs not supposed to be like this,â he says. âShe was always worried
   about me leaving her behind. Honestly, I always thought it would be
   that wayâ¦â

   Eventually he takes me to see her. I despise hospitals. I understand
   the need for the routines and regulations, but even the best
   facilities become terribly desensitized to the crises they are forced
   to deal with daily. The duty nurse attempts to interfere with us,
   insisting that only family should enter. With all the ice I can
   muster, I suggest that she call security, and we brush past her. I am
   being unfair, but at this time, in this place, I simply cannot make
   myself care.

   She is a crumpled shell, merely a shadow of the vibrant woman I know.
   Her gray hair is carefully laid out about her, reminiscent of the
   chestnut mane she once sported, still silky despite the ravages of
   age. Her face is sunken and colorless, but her eyes are still open, so
   very blue and bright, and they fix on me with recognition. They plead.

   âShe can hear you,â Dennis says, âbut she canât speak very well.â

   [1]READ MORE

   ================================
   [2]Methuselah's Daughter, A Novel

References

   1. http://www.3500years.com/archives/000820.php
   2. http://www.lulu.com/content/416884