The weekend was a master stroke. The kids loved the company, and at the same time the other kids seemed to make Alan and Tracy relax at being around so many people.
I sent the kids off to bed. They went to their rooms with a glow. I went into their rooms and kissed them goodnight. What more could any person ask for. Mary followed me downstairs and into the kitchen.
After Mary put a warm drink in front of me, I looked up at her and smiled. Mary is originally from Canada, I'm from the UK. I started my lawyer firm up in Toronto. I met Mary at a restaurant after being with an obnoxious client all day. The man could test the powers of God himself. Rather than go home, I went to the Golden Eye restaurant to eat. Mary, like me, was waiting for a table, we talked and decided to share. I don't think our dialect was that far apart as we hit it off straight away. She wasn't a person who craved the high life. Someone as they say 'close to home without the fuss'. We had been courting (now there's a word) for a year when I asked her to marry me. My life changed for the better when she said yes. We've had our ups and downs, even our really bad arguments. But nothing we couldn't put right with love and understanding. I digress. Our honeymoon was a trip around the Yukon. We slept in a different room every night. Or as we say 'a different boarding house'. It was cold as hell, but being together made it so special.
"What would you say about taking the kids to London?"
"They can't miss school." Was that a teacher talking or a mother?
"Christmas is only round the corner. We could find a hotel, do some shopping. They would love it."
"No, I'm not sure Alan would have the same experience as Tracy." That was like a bolt to the heart. Why was God so cruel? A caring God would not give a child the agony. Unseen is the agony. Love is not only to be given, it is to be seen. Things would need to change.
Great men say, "Life has to be an incessant process of repair and reconstruction, of discarding evil and developing goodness.... In the journey of life, if you want to travel without fear, you must have the ticket of a good conscience."
In all good conscience, I needed to see if there is anything that can be done about his eyesight. I have no doubt that he could live the way he is as long as he knows he has a backup, which is his sister right now. We went to bed with little more being said.
The following morning I heard the shuffling of tiny feet. I lay with my eyes shut waiting for what might happen. I opened my eyes just as I was jumped upon by an angel in pyjamas. Mary woke startled, as she was being tickled into hysterics. "Oh no, it's the terrible twins. Arrggh." Which earned me a few giggles.
At breakfast the laughter continued. I knew I had to go into work, but wasn't looking forward to it. Must be the Monday morning blues.
I went to work feeling unwell but not ill. I tried to get some paperwork filed but couldn't concentrate. I had given two of the kindest and loveable children a life. I knew that giving them all the love in the world would give them a purpose. But it didn't feel like I was doing enough.
I came back from lunch still not in the right frame of mind to do any work. I did try. Then out of the blue I had a thought. Picking up the phone I rang Bill. Bill Evans. "Bill it's Jeff, Jeff Owen... . Yes, things on the divorce front are looking up. Can you come for dinner tonight? I need some help and advice... . Yes, as soon as I can get it... . About seven if that's okay... . Good, see you then, bye." I then rang Mary and told her about Bill coming for dinner. "You remember Bill, Doctor Bill Evans. The one I helped with his divorce."
I walked into the house about three to a barrage of hello's. The kids went outside while I followed Mary into the kitchen. I explained about the invitation and why. Mary was really upbeat about what could be done. Seven on the dot Bill arrived. After the pleasantries, offering Bill a glass of wine, we sat down to eat. Bill acted like a child himself, which of course made Alan and Tracy very happy.
I took Bill into the study. We sat down, I offered to top-up his glass, then I got straight to the point. "It's about Alan. You know he's blind. Well, I want some advice." After explaining about his accident and what was said about his blindness, I asked if he could recommend a good ophthalmologist.
"I know of a few doctors who could work with the boy, but I would recommend a Dr Evans." Now I was a little confused. "No relation. He's just unlucky we have the same name. Being from Wales his manner can be a little abrupt, but he's good. His wife is a member of what was my ex-wife's 'meeting core'." Laughing, he continued. "I met him one day when he was dragged to our house for the meeting. My wife...sorry, ex-wife was, well, shall we say she liked his company for a while. But anyway. He's good, if he needs any assistance he has his colleagues at his practice to help. I would recommend him without hesitation."
Just then, as seems to happen often, Bill's beeper went off. Asking to use the phone I pointed to the study. "I'm sorry, but I have to go," he said walking through the door. I walked him to the front door saying I would be in touch. Mary had sent the kids upstairs to change for bed when I joined her in the living room.
With a warm drink in front of me I looked up at Mary. Repeating what had been said over dinner about the recommendation of the other Dr. Evans, Gordon that is, to take a look at Alan things were looking good. Bill said he would contact him as soon as he gets to the hospital.
"Awww, isn't that sweet," as two little munchkins shuffled down the stairs. That earned me a dirty look and a giggle from the two midgets. "Come here, no hug for your old man?" It would have been more comfortable on the settee when they jumped on my lap. I gave them both a hug and a kiss on the forehead. "Now scoot," I said laughing. After Mary got her kiss and hug they were gone, asking if we would come and tuck them in.
The night was quiet. I kissed Mary and held her with every ounce of strength I had. She turned over, dragging my arm with her. "Never for a moment do I ever regret loving you."
The rest of the week seemed to fly by. Over the weekend I helped Mary sort some lessons for the kids. We stayed out back for the rest of the day with the kids. "Is that boy really blind?" I said, looking at Mary laughing.
Monday I helped teach the terrible twins arithmetic. Or should I say they taught me. We sent the kids off to bed, tucked them in, and left them to dream happy thoughts.
I came down and went back into the living room, Mary brought in some drinks and then we sat down. "You okay?" She said.
"I was thinking about the specialist Bill recommended. Am I doing the right thing or am I making things worse. If things don't turn out for the best, then God only knows what that will do to him." Mary gave a nod.
"But don't you think it would be worse if you did nothing? And then years down the line found out something could be done? Could you look at yourself in the mirror?"
"But he's only nine years old. How much pain can you give a youngster before you say it's time to stop? The boy has been made to feel like an outsider for no fault of his own." I sat in silence for some time.
"I think Tracy is the strong one, Alan Is passive. He can't see and he's lonely. The only thing he had in the whole world was his sister. Not a lot to be cheerful about, was it? Tracy is the one that held them together. That's a hell of a responsibility for a ten year old girl, don't you think? Both seem to have come to terms with losing their family, but I think you know that one bad experience can bring the hurt back. I also believe that Tracy will cope better if she knows Alan is okay. They seem to thrive off each other."
We both knew the specialist would need to do a number of tests to determine if anything could be done to restore Alan's sight. If after seeing the doctor and nothing can be done, it would be like he'd lost his sight for a second time. "You're right, we have to try, leaving things as they are doesn't really seem to be an option."
That night in bed I couldn't settle. I know trying to restore his sight was the right thing to do, but it didn't feel that way. I wondered if parents knew if they were ever doing the right thing. Probably not, but like everything else you pray and hope for the best. I woke the following morning like I was just ready to go to bed. Instead of tea I had coffee. I needed to be a wake for a while. Like all day. Oh boy.
Tuesday was a very long day. Now that might suggest I did some work, like paperwork getting brought up to date on our finances. No, what it meant was I rang the office about coming in to catch up on cases I had missed. I was quickly told that Nate the office manager had brought most of my cases up to date. Nice to be wanted I thought. I hung around the house feeling like a third wheel. I got the mower out and cut some grass. Well that was one accomplishment today. Then I made some compost.
Thursday morning after just sitting down the phone rang. Typical. "Can I speak to Mr. Owen," the voice on the other end said.
"This is he. Who may I have the pleasure?"
"By name is Evans, Gordon Evans. Bill asked me to call you."
"I'm so glad you rang Mr Evans. Let's do away with the polite, please call me Jeff."
"I like a man who's direct. Please call me Gordon. I don't know where the name originated from, but my mother liked it so here we are. Bill has told me about a child he says I can help. Your son I believe? The details are sketchy, but he said you would fill in all the blanks." Again I went over the details regarding Alan and Tracy. Arrangements were made for dinner that evening.
"I have the batter you bring the cod." I could hear the deep laugh as he heard the pun. "About 6:30? Bring the other half, it would give my wife Mary someone to talk too."
"Till 6:30 then." We said our goodbyes and hung up. Mary came in from the garden and asked who was on the phone? "Mr Evans, the 'specialist', I invited him to dinner tonight. I'm getting impulsive in my old age," then laughed.
The doorbell rang just as we finished setting the table. "Mr Evans, nice to meet you."
Gordon please. This is my wife Megan. Not too late I hope? That smells delicious."
"Mary's secret recipe. Fish croutons with garlic and basil and potato salad with steamed vegetables. If you would like to freshen up before we eat the bathroom is down the hall and to your right?"
Over dinner the conversation was light, but very informative. Alan was the perfect gentleman. Tracy, being the lady of the house, was the perfect hostess. After we ate, we took our drinks onto the porch. The night was cool but pleasant with a breeze just to give our surroundings life. Being one for nature I love to sit out back to savour the beauty of the night.
Alan and Tracy seemed to have other ideas when it came to a quiet evening at home. Everyone was in hysterics at the antics of the pair. I called them both over asking the time. Without any hesitation they went to get ready for bed. "Oh, how delightful," Megan said.
I hate a snob, was my first thought.
Gordon beckoned me over to the house to talk. "My wife gets ahead of herself, but she's harmless." He looked over at me and we both stifled a chuckle. "Please tell me more about Alan's condition." I went over what Kathy had told me, remembering every minute detail.
"He doesn't look the least fazed by his condition."
"Don't judge a book by its cover. Underneath, he's a frightened little boy. I have never once heard him complain of his condition, but he hurts, believe me."
"My apologies, nothing was meant."
I looked him directly in the eyes. "What are the risks? I know you haven't examined him yet."
"I can't and wouldn't give an assessment on what you have said till I have examined him and done some tests. I will get him examined as soon as possible, but I won't guess."
I offered them the spare room.
I told Mary about what had been said, then we went to bed. Another night of dread was what was waiting for me.
To Be Continued....