“You were the only one I wanted.” She met his gaze. “The only one who could help ... me.” She had known plentywho could help her with Da, but Charlie was her own selfish desire. Charlie would help her face the hours to come.
“I’m glad you felt that way.”
Mr. Cooper arrived with the wagon and drove them back to the tent. Melody jumped from the wagon seat unaided and rushed into the tent, almost fearful Da hadn’t kept his word to be there.
He was still alive, but the medicine was already starting to cloud his thinking. He opened his eyes, but Melody wasn’t sure he even saw her.
“Da, Charlie and Mr. Cooper have come to take you to the hospital. We’re going to move you now.”
He nodded, then closed his eyes again. “Charlie’s the one,” he murmured.
Melody frowned as the two men entered the tent. The one for what? To take him to the hospital?
The men carefully wrapped the blanket around Da and lifted him. Charlie had Da’s head and shoulders and Mr. Cooper his feet. Together they moved as one to place Melody’s father in the back of the wagon.
“It won’t be a very comfortable ride,” Mr. Cooper said.
“Charlie, help me into the back, please. I’ll cradle his head.” Melody hiked her skirt as if to get up on the spoke of the wheel, but Charlie lifted her in his arms instead. She was surprised by his strength. He placed her in the wagon as if she weighed nothing at all. Then he climbed in after her.
By now a few of the tent-community neighbors had come outside to see what the commotion was. Men took off their hats and bowed their heads. The women nestled close to their men. Death was never easy to face.
Mr. Cooper headed the wagon in the direction of the railroad hospital while Melody held her father’s upper torso inher arms like a baby. Charlie sat close to her side, supporting her.
“We’ll be there soon, Da.”
They hit a rut, and Mr. Cooper called out an apology, but Melody simply held her father tighter as he groaned. She tried to forget about his pain and glanced heavenward to the clear blue of the open skies. It was a beautiful day to go home. She imagined her father meeting Jesus face to face. He would no doubt laugh and embrace his Savior with great joy. The kind of joy Melody had always known him for. She wondered if he’d see her mother right away. Perhaps his parents?
She brushed back graying hair from his face. The action caused him to open his eyes. He seemed to recognize her without any trouble and smiled.
“Me darlin’ girl ... love ya so.” His voice was just a whisper. “Don’t ... be ... afraid.”
She felt the tears form in her eyes. She wanted so much to be strong for Da, but she couldn’t fight back her emotions.
“I love you, Da. I love you so much. I wish you didn’t have to leave me.”
His face tensed, and he closed his eyes again.
Melody felt his uneven breathing continue. The breaths came further and further apart. “We’re almost to the hospital, Da.”
He said nothing.
Mr. Cooper arrived at the wooden-framed hospital at the corner of Seventeenth and Hill. Melody allowed Charlie to help her disengage from her father. She scooted off the back of the wagon and waited while Charlie jumped down and took hold of her father. He carried him in his arms, not even waiting for Mr. Cooper’s help.
Together they made their way inside. With it being so early, there was only one orderly and nurse in residence. The orderly quickly directed Charlie to a room. They worked together to situate Melody’s father on the available bed.
“What seems to be the problem?” the orderly asked.
“My father is a patient of Dr. Latham’s,” Melody replied. She went to her father’s side and took hold of his hand.
The nurse came in and began examining Da. “This is Mr. Doyle,” she told the orderly. “He’s suffering from severe nephritis. He’s in the final stages.” Melody wasn’t sure how the nurse knew the details of her father’s condition, but she was relieved. With her emotions on the edge of being out of control, Melody wasn’t sure she could have answered many questions. The man gave a solemn nod. Everyone there now knew the situation.
The nurse finished her exam and looked to Melody. “When did you last give him his medicine?”
“Just before we came here. He was in horrible pain. The worst yet.”
The nurse nodded. “There’s nothing else to be done. I’m sure Dr. Latham already told you. We can give him more medication if the pain returns, but he seems at peace for the moment.”
Melody nodded and squeezed her father’s hand all the more. Charlie came to stand beside her and put his arm around her shoulder. He didn’t say a word, but then, nothing needed to be said. Melody had anticipated this moment. She hadn’t allowed herself to dwell on it for too long of a time, but she knew what was happening. Dr. Latham had explained the situation and what was to come. Her father would be in excruciating pain, and they would medicate him with the strongest remedies available. This, unfortunately,would cause him to sleep and probably never awaken again. All she could do was wait for Da to draw his last breath.
