1- the Glass Room 2- the Spirit Stone -3-Bear Hugs-4- Believe

BEVERLY MACHADO

THE GLASS ROOM

Chapter One

Memories of happy times came flooding back in her mind as she sat next to the bed of her dying husband in the Roseland Personal Care Center. He made her laugh even when she thought there was no laugh in her. They had a good, long, marriage. Just months ago they celebrated their fortieth wedding anniversary. She was hoping this would be one of his good days where he was aware of his surroundings and recognizing her; but it wasn’t. As he sat in his wheelchair there at Roseland, the nurse’s aids tied white balloons around him. She wore her best dress and brought his western suit that was his favorite. A suit that was altered to fit him just right when he bought it, now hung loosely on his frail body.

Because he was always so particular in his appearance, in a way it was good that he could not realize his appearance now.

On the table beside the little white cup cakes was a wedding picture of the happy, handsome, newlyweds for everyone to see. That is to say, all the ones there in this home that was aware they were still part of this world. She kissed his cheek and tried to get him to take a taste of their celebration cup cake. The cooks made several trays of them with white icing for everyone there. When the ladies started fighting over the wedding picture thinking it was theirs, she had to put it away. If people only knew when they were young that their bodies would still function, but not their minds, or many in reverse, their minds would work, but not their bodies, how sad they would be.

She knew a lot of the nurses, the aids, the cooks, that worked there. They were part of her life for years. She took care of their children with their scraps and bruises while playing and rough-housing at school; doctored them up from their football practice. For the broken bones, they were sent across Goodyear Boulevard to the hospital, but the minor injuries, she was there to tend to them. She would wave to them at football games as her husband, Joe, the football coach, was pacing the field yelling and giving secret signals to his players.

They met and fell deeply in love in their college years in Poplarville. He was the quarterback of their team, the Wildcats. She was the head cheerleader. Life was wonderful back then. Love made their world bright and colorful. They were together as often as their schoolwork and extra practice allowed. They rode proudly in his ten year old car. She was especially proud of the rumble seat and sometimes they would let their friends drive so they could sit back there with the sky as their roof; the stars and moon being their light. Though little did they see them only between their kisses.

Their lives seemed shaped around the football field. She studied nursing. He studied athletics. When they graduated from college, they had the world by its tail. His first offer to coach came from the Picayune School District. It was to coach the Picayune Junior High football team. He was proud to be working at his passion in life.

She also received word that her application to be the school nurse at Picayune High School was accepted. She loved helping people and what better way than to nurse them back to health. She thought about working at the hospital across from the football field, but then her hours would not coincide with the football schedule. She loved being at all the home games; even took the long trips with the parents of the football players. Some of the people working at Roseland were part of the ones traveling on the school bus heading down long highways and back roads. One thing this football team needed to be proud of was the team spirit that the city boasted of deservingly.

Half of the city was on their way to all the football games no matter how far away they were. Some drove their cars; others rode in the school busses. Most of the times, the away team followers out-numbered the home team spectators. They certainly out howled them. Their school spirit wouldn’t be outdone. It was standing room only for their Quarterback Club meetings. More chairs had to be brought in. Ways to help the team were aired. She, Anna, along with some others made sandwiches for the players to have something to eat between when school ended and the game started.

They called them, football sandwiches. They were all made with luncheon meats and ham. There were bags and bags of sandwiches with the team grabbing their hands in as fast as they finished one, reaching for another.

Hot dogs were sold at home games by the Quarterback Club members. Cakes were raffled off. Anything they could think of to raise money for their hero’s, the Maroon Tide.

She wished he could remember all their happy memories back then. When the nurses-aids came in to bath her husband and change his bed, she walked down the long hall to the room everyone called the glass room. Rightly so because it was a 24 X 24 room completely made of unbreakable glass. Even the ceiling was glass. Comfortable sofas and chairs with thick padded cushions were placed in this room. The scenery was delightful, especially when the Magnolia Trees were covered with fragrant blooms. Shading the grounds were century old Live Oak Trees along with Long Leaf Pines. Several bird baths were placed around the large, fenced yard. They always had a bird or two drinking or bathing in them for the patients to watch. Flower beds held a colorful array of beautiful blooms.

On this day while she was standing by the window pane, she was aware of the people in the room. One lady was holding a doll so tightly and hugging and kissing it. Anna thought she must have lost her child and it was too much for her to bear sending her mind adrift. She knew the hurt of loosing a child for she miscarried with each of her two pregnancies. Sitting on the sofa, she saw a man that was just staring out in space. She wondered if he also had Alzheimer like her husband, Joe had.

She was watching a beautiful red bird. The same one that secretly knew where a honey coated bird seed feeder shaped like a bell was hidden in the Sycamore Tree close to the window. She liked watching him sneaking his own secret food. But on this day, he brought a female friend with him. Not to the honeycoated bird seeds, but on lower branches where it was hidden from her view. He very carefully flew up and bit a piece from it and flew to his friend and put it in her mouth. When she finished eating the tiny morsel, he repeated his secret maneuver and bit off another piece for her to enjoy. Each day, Anna would watch these birds. Even male birds liked to please their female partners. The male bird carefully plotted keeping it a secret from all the other birds.

It took her mind off the present conditions that surrounded her. For the most part of being here everyday, she knew these people, and were aware of their actions. Where some had their right minds, their bodies were sickly. She knew Zea, the school teacher, would be sitting in her chair by the front door.

That in her feeble mind was what she had to do each and everyday, and that was to guard the door.

An old man named Homer would hang on to any of the ladies that didn’t have the strength to get away from him. The workers would watch Homer and come to the aid of the ladies. So sad, Anna thought.

She took a leave of absents from her job at Picayune High School to be with her husband. Even though he didn’t remember her most days, she remembered him and would not dessert him in his time left here on this earth.

One day when she went to the glass room, she saw this same man was there. Only this day he had his hands opened holding his bowed head. She felt sorry for him and went and asked him if he was alright; her nurse’s instinct.

No one understands what my life is like now with my wife not knowing me. She has Alzheimers’ and if I say anything to anyone, they hurry and change the subject. No one wants to talk to me about what her sickness is doing to me. I love that woman. I always will. Why don’t people understand?

I understand. You can talk to me about how you feel because I am going thru the same thing with my husband, Joe. What is your wife’s name? What is your name?

I’m sorry. I should have introduced myself. I am Jimmy. My wife is Emily. We have been married it seems like forever.

I have to get back to my husband, but here is my phone number. My name is Anna. Call me when you feel the need to talk. I will listen to you, she said as she hurried down the hall to be with her husband.

One Friday night as she was in the glass room, she could see at a distance, stadium lights shinning up the sky. She knew their football team had their home game tonight. She wished things were normal and Joe would be pacing the sidelines watching his team in every move they made. And she would be in the bleachers with the Quarterback Club members shouting to keep up the team’s spirit. She felt the tears stinging her eyes. She could not look out at the stadium lights any more. She had to get back to Joe.

Weeks later the end that she dreaded, came to a close. He slipped silently from this world into the new world that awaited him. She was alone now. She and Joe never had any children. They always wanted children, but it never happened. The school children took their place. The funeral was simple. Their friends were there to comfort her, but sometimes you can feel all alone in a crowd of people. That’s how she felt.

The hardest part was when she entered their home, alone. For most nights, she couldn’t sleep; even when she would hold his pillow close to her body didn’t help. Before he passed on, the loneliness didn’t hit her like now. She knew she would be with him the next day. But now, how could this house that seemed so small and filled with love and happiness, now seem so big and empty. Quiet. Yes, that’s what was bothering her the most; the quiet.

She sat her cup of morning coffee on the snack bar and turned the radio on. Now she thought, now it won’t be quiet. As she sat drinking her coffee, she was listening to the music. No, No! That won’t help. Why are the songs all sad? She reached over and switched the radio off. Just then the phone rang. It was her best friend, Lilly.

Want some company?

Yes, please do come over.

After placing a cup of coffee in front of Lilly, she heard her say, Anna, what do you have planned for you life?

I will go back to work at the school, but not now. I need some time to adjust to my life without Joe.

Well, I was wondering. Would you like for the two of us to take a trip somewhere? We could go to the beach or the mountains or wherever.

That does sound interesting.

Where have you dreamed of going, but never got to go?

Without hesitation, Anna said, To Disneyworld!

Lilly laughed so hard, she had to run to the bathroom to relieve herself.

That’s where I always wanted to go, but Jake won’t take me.

Joe wouldn’t take me either, she joined Lilly with a hilarious laugh. Oh, that felt good. I haven’t laughed like that since Joe got sick.

Well, we are going on a trip to Disneyworld. Jake leaves for his two weeks work on the oil rig day after tomorrow. We could leave then, too, if we can get ready on time. I can get ready, can you?

Yes, I will make it a point to be ready, she said while wiping the laugher tears from her eyes.

They left early, two days later. Lilly waited to send her husband, Jake, off on his hitch on the oil rig as Rig Superintendent. The time for his retirement was nearing which he looked forward to. He was getting old and feeling his age. He was now sixty-four years old. Lilly and Jake had a good marriage and two good kids that lived away in different states. They said their goodbyes knowing Lilly was so excited about her trip with Anna.

Lilly stopped at the nearest convenience store.

We can’t make this trip without our goodies to snack on.

We haven’t even hit the highway yet and we are ready to break our diets?

Vacations are for forgetting dieting. Let’s open the chips first, she said laughing. Anna opened the chips and took a handful out the bag before handing them to her. She was starting to feel a little better already.

I wanted to surprise you, but I guess I will tell you my plan. I made a reservation for us to stay at a Bed and Breakfast Home in Pascagoula; the Renoit. Ever heard of it?

My goodness, yes. I have always wanted to spend the night there at the Renoit. It is famous.

It’s only a two hour drive, but it’s worth stopping early. Anyhow by the time we stop and do some sightseeing and shopping, it will be time for our supper and time to rest. Don’t you think?

Yes, we are not in a rush anyhow. And that will give us time to enjoy our stay in that unusual place.

When they entered The Renoit, it was like entering the 1800s with everything from the wallpaper covering the walls and the Pricilla curtains, to the old fashioned bathtubs on legs. Satin covered dining room chairs surrounded the longest dining room table she had ever seen. Even the dishes were antiques.

All the furniture was from the same era and in perfect shape that you would think they were brand new. Queen Anne living room furniture adorned the rooms.

Ms. Algot, the current owner of this two story home, showed them to their room. There were twin beds in this lovely room. That is what Lilly requested when she made the reservation. Anna had never been in a bed and breakfast before and after her bath, Lilly handed her a soft white terrycloth bathrobe and matching slippers. Compliments of the house, she said. They lounged around in their cozy bedroom and talked about everything including what they would do at Disneyworld. Every time Anna would fall back into her real world with a sad look on her face, Lilly would come up with the funniest stories to cheer her up.

The next morning they sat at the dining room table and had their delicious breakfast served on antique china. There was only one other couple there that was on their honeymoon so they weren’t very sociable; being so absorbed in their own world, but they were happy for them. Their time there was everything they expected, but now it was time for them to hit the rode again.

While they were driving along the highways, Lilly looked over and when she saw Anna with tears running down her face, she put a tape in the recorder. "Let’s