“Go ahead and help him to bed, Charlie. Da, where’s the medicine the doctor gave you? I think you should have a dose of it.”
“Could be,” he replied. Another sure sign that he wasn’t at all himself. “I keep it in the wooden box at the foot of my cot.”
Melody let Charlie help him to bed first, then she opened the box and found the large bottle of liquid. It didn’t look as though much of it had been used. She got a spoon and went to her father’s side as Charlie returned to their eating area.
“How much are you supposed to have?”
“Doc said two tablespoons or so. More if I need it.”
Melody nodded and measured out the medication. She helped him to take the first spoonful and then poured another. Da didn’t protest but took the medicine quickly.
“I’ll just be restin’ now. Maybe even sleep for the night. Don’t fret about feedin’ me. Ya can eat with Charlie.” He closed his eyes.
Melody fought back tears. How could she have not seenhow bad off he really was? His face was so thin it was nearly skeletal. A thick growth of whiskers helped to fill it out a little, but that was only another sign that Da was ill. He had always been faithful to shave every day.
She returned the medicine to the box and left the spoon in case he needed more in the night. Seeing Charlie sitting there, just waiting for her to return, Melody nearly broke down again. Instead, she went to work fixing food for their meal. At least it helped her to focus on something other than Da.
When the food was ready, Charlie offered grace. Melody was grateful for his silence and the kindness he’d shown her father. She wished so much that things might have been different. After they’d eaten, Melody gathered the dishes and checked on her father.
Da slept soundly. His breath was even, and he bore no signs of discomfort. She whispered a prayer for him and pulled up his cover. The evening was already much cooler.
“I could help with the dishes,” Charlie offered.
She shook her head. “I think it’d be best for you to go and for me to get ready for bed. Da might need something in the night, and I’ll need to be well rested.”
Charlie hesitated. “I still need to talk to you about something.”
“That’s fine. I’ll see you at church or maybe even tomorrow. We can talk then.”
But she hadn’t seen Charlie on Saturday or Sunday. Da had been feeling much worse and had agreed to take the medicine very nearly around the clock. This had left Melody no choice but to miss church.
Now, as Melody stood with Mrs. Cooper at the edge of the garden on Monday morning, she knew she would have to resign her job. It wasn’t easy to let Mrs. Cooper down.
“As you know,” Melody began, “we weren’t in church last night.”
“I did notice your absence. I hope everything is all right.” The older woman looked out over the garden.
“The fact is, things aren’t good. I hate to do this, but I’m going to have to stop working for a time. I’d like to come back to it, but for now I’m needed at home. You see, my father is dying.”
“Oh no.” Mrs. Cooper turned to her and took hold of Melody’s arm. “Are you certain?”
“I’m afraid so. I had a talk with Da, as well as Dr. Latham. They have been dealing with Da’s kidneys not working right for a long time. Dr. Latham has tried to find solutions, but there seems to be nothing we can do.”
Mrs. Cooper gave her a hug. “I know how attentive you are. It’s surprising you didn’t notice it sooner.”
“I know. It seems a lot of folks could see the problem before I could. I guess I was just too close to the situation and focused on other things. Da has always seemed like a pillar of strength, and I suppose I refused to allow myself to see his failings.”
“Poor girl. Of course you can take as much time as you need. The job will be here for you.”
“Thank you. I’m sorry if this puts you in a bind. I would certainly understand if you needed to hire someone else to help you.”
“Nonsense. We’ll get by. I can pay the neighbor boys a nickel to come pull weeds and water. There won’t be any crops to harvest for a good while yet, so no need to worryabout that. The rest of the work ... well, it will get done when it gets done.” She patted Melody’s hand. “You go on now. Get back home to your father.”
“Thank you.”
She headed home still feeling bad for leaving Mrs. Cooper without notice. But in the back of her thoughts, Melody knew it wouldn’t be a long absence. Da was so much worse that now he wanted only to lie in bed. He’d even taken to using the chamber pot.
She glanced heavenward, noting white fluffy clouds overhead.How long, Lord? How long will I still have him with me?
