Sisterhood Of Lake Alice (23 page)

They were all sobbing as they reached for Rebecca. Grace finally said, “Rebecca, I want you to know that you can ask me for anything. I promise to be there for you in whatever you need.” Emily simply took Rebecca in her arms as they rocked in rhythm with their sobs. Lindy sat remembering all the pain of Larry’s death and hoping that in some way it would help her to help Rebecca.

*

It was just before sunrise when they all decided it was time to get some sleep. Without anyone saying a word, they lay on the floor in front of the warm fireplace. They knew that they would not go to their separate bedrooms. They all needed to be close to each other tonight. Their old friendship had now blossomed into a friendship of adult women, with far more depth and meaning to all of them. As they wrapped themselves in their precious, twenty-year-old quilts, they fell asleep.

Chapter Twenty
 

A New Day

It was one of those crisp autumn days where the air feels cool and clean against your face. Lindy was the first one awake. She slipped out of the house without anyone hearing her. It was almost noon when Emily, Grace, and Rebecca awoke to the rich aroma of a fresh pot of coffee. As they slowly walked into the kitchen, they all paused in the doorway laughing. There was Lindy dressed in a bright red sparkling pants suit with a gigantic yellow hat, which had yellow feathers sticking out in every direction. The table was set, and in the middle of it was a platter filled with two dozen donuts of every kind and flavor. Emily was the first to speak. “Lindy, where did you ever find that wild hat? It hurts my eyes, or maybe it is just part of my hangover from last night.”

Lindy told them that Larry had bought her the hat when they were in Aruba. As he had gently placed it on her head, he told her that no one else on the planet would ever be able to wear it in the style that Lindy could. It had become her good luck-thinking hat over the years. She had worn it when they had written some of the songs that would later be in their Broadway show, but that was a story for another day. She figured that today she needed to do some heavy-duty thinking. She was so thankful she had thrown it into the RV just before they had left on their trip.

Grace asked Lindy what was bothering her. Lindy sat down at the table, crossing her arms across her large chest, and said, “Well, here is how I figure out what happened last night. First, we finally all got honest with each other. In addition, surprise of all surprises, we discovered that not a one of us is perfect! Now I could have told you that twenty years ago, but it would not have been the same back in those days. Each of us has experienced some painful turning points. At least, we have all arrived here and are together. It seems as though this was our destiny for whatever the reason. Personally, I like all of you a lot better as grown women than as high-strung high school girls. The big news to me is that out of the four of us, three of you are going to be living here in Fergus. That leaves me once again as the odd duck. Well, you know me—I can’t stand to be left out of the action.

“After thinking about it for all of two minutes, I decided that I don’t want to miss anything that is going to happen. So, I got up early and went back to the hotel. I explained to my parents that I have decided to stay here for a while. As it turns out, my sister, Lana, needs to get away from a failing business and a divorce. It just so happens that the timing is perfect for her to hitch a ride back in the RV with her kids. She is going to live in my condominium and has promised that her kids will not destroy the place. With all of that done, it seems like everyone in my family is going to be happy with the new arrangement.

“Now, I just have to find a place to live, which brings me to my dear pal, Emily. I don’t mean to hurt your feelings, girlfriend, but this place has turned into a real dump. I was thinking that maybe I can stay here with you. I swing a mean hammer, know how to use a paintbrush, and can wallpaper anything that does not move. The one thing I did not tell you all last night is that when Larry died, he made me a multimillionaire. I have spent the last months trying to spend the money, but it never seems to go down. Therefore, here is my offer, Emily. I will be happy to help you with any expenses you need to fix this joint up. You can consider it payback for the hundreds of nights that I slept here and ate everything in the kitchen. You would be doing me a huge favor because I really need to feel useful again. I figure this might be the place to find some new purpose. I also promise not to play my country-western music too loud.

“Now onto my dear sweet Rebecca. I am an incredibly good nurse. I knew from the first moment I laid eyes on you that there was a serious health problem going on. If Emily lets me crash here, I promise to be with you in any way that you will need. You know the old saying, in sickness and in health. Well, I am here to tell you that I do both of them pretty well. So, what do you all think of my plan?”

Emily jumped out of her chair and gave Lindy a hug, getting her raspberry-filled donut all over Lindy’s arm. She laughed as she said, “God sure does have a great sense of humor. Just look at what has happened to us. Me, Emily, the rich and pampered overachiever, is now almost broke and living in this dump. Lindy, who never had more than two nickels to rub together, is now a multimillionaire, and she wants to help me! My oh my, how life takes us all on some interesting twists and turns. Lindy, I would love to have you stay with me. Your offer to help is truly appreciated. As soon as we are done and the house is sold, I promise to repay you for whatever money you lend me. In addition, girlfriend, if you can find some wallpaper with glitter, sparkles, or glow in the dark, you go for it! I need you and your wonderful can-do attitude in my life.

“I feel so blessed that all of you have forgiven me for being such a self-centered brat when I left here twenty years ago. I will be forever grateful for your friendship. Yes, Lindy, I agree with you that I think I like all of us a lot better today than when we were the girls of SOLA. I am truly amazed at what incredible women we have all become. However, we will always be the Sisterhood of Lake Alice. SOLA still has a wonderful charm to it.”

Rebecca then softly told them that she, too, was so happy that they had taken her news in stride. She did not need to be surrounded with people who felt sorry for her or treated her like a china doll. She agreed with Lindy that they were all brought back to Fergus Falls for a reason. She wanted her future to be a rich time of joy, laughter, and meaning. Then she also turned to Lindy. As she held her hands, she said, “I am going to take you up on that offer to help me with the upcoming challenges that I know I am going to have to face. I cannot imagine trusting anyone more than I will trust you with helping me make good decisions. For the next few days, I want you to look at the health records that I have brought with me. After you have a good understanding of what is going on, perhaps you can come with me for my first visit to the doctor here in Fergus Falls.

“However, I have one huge favor to ask of you. Will you be with me and help me explain what is happening to my mother? I want her to know that you will be there for both of us. Also, I will be at peace knowing that you will make sure that my wishes for treatment are honored. I know that this is a lot to ask a friend that I have not seen for many years, but in my heart I know that you will be my anchor during this time.”

Lindy quickly agreed to assist Rebecca in whatever her future held for her. They both agreed that they would spend some time going over the records. After they had a chance to discuss what Rebecca wanted for a course of treatment, they would then find a doctor who would work closely with both of them.

*

Grace sat there in total amazement at what was happening in front of her. In some ways, it was as though they had never left each other. Yet in another way, who they had grown up to be was such a wonderful surprise. Four girls had left Emily’s house almost twenty years ago. Today, four compassionate and wise women sat around a table discussing how each of them would help each other. There was no doubt in Grace’s mind: it was no accident that they were together again. Together they would help each other heal, grow, and find new purpose in life. For the first time in twenty years, she knew that she had three devoted friends—friends who had enough courage to be honest, humble, and loving with each other. After last night, she knew that there would not be any false pretenses. They would be able to trust each other with their virtues and their flaws.

She smiled as she looked into their faces and simply said, “So this is what it feels like to be with girlfriends. I did not realize how much I have missed your presence in my life until this morning. For the first time in a very long time, I feel free to just be me. We will do whatever we need to do for each of us. Rebecca, I want you to know that you will never be alone in your struggles. Emily, we now have an opportunity to see what was under all that expensive outer layer; I like what I see in you today. My Lindy, you will lead us into chaos and joyful adventures. Your love of life and delightful spirit will make us all reach for new heights. As for me, I don’t know what I can offer all of you. Perhaps I can introduce you to the simple pleasures of living in a charming place called Fergus Falls. I just want you to know that I will stand by all of you. Plus, as a little added bonus, I promise that you can all buy clothes from Claire’s at cost.”

With that, they all clapped and told Grace that they were going to take her up on her offer. They laughed about buying matching outfits. Rebecca said that she would have to draw the line on wearing big yellow hats.

*

After two pots of coffee and eating all the donuts, they decided to go home and get some rest. They agreed to meet again at Mabel Murphy’s for dinner. Lindy was going back to the Holiday Inn to pack her clothes and make the final arrangements for her parents’ and Lana’s family trip back home. She prepared a list of clothes, accessories, and special items that Lana would ship to her in Fergus Falls. Before she returned to Emily’s house, she stopped by the car dealer and bought a new bright red SUV, which she drove off the lot. The salesperson was still in shock as he watched her wave good-bye to him while he held a check for $38,000. His boss had called Lindy’s bank and was assured that the check was perfectly good.

Rebecca had again made everyone promise to keep her secret until she had time to tell her mother. She did not tell them that she needed to go home and rest for the afternoon. As soon as she got home, she went in her bedroom, where she used her rescue inhaler and took some of her stronger medications. After telling Monica all about the reunion and the sleepover, she excused herself for a well-needed nap. As she fell asleep, Rebecca felt at peace with all that she knew she would be facing in the future. She knew that her friends would be with her until the end.

Emily cleaned up the kitchen and den. She smiled as she walked from room to room in a house that had been cold and unloving. Now as she looked at each of the rooms, she imagined a new beginning—not just for the house but also for Lindy, her wonderful new roommate. She laughed out loud thinking if anyone was capable of finding wallpaper that did actually glow in the dark, it was Lindy!

Grace decided to walk back to her apartment by herself. She walked down the streets that were covered with an umbrella of trees in their full autumn beauty. She looked at the leaves in deep shades of gold, orange, and amber and smiled as she took a deep breath of the crisp air. Grace knew in her heart that there was a new beginning on the way. She thought about how good it felt to have Emily, Rebecca, and Lindy back in her life. Grace knew that they were going to make a difference in Fergus Falls. The girls of SOLA were gone. They had been replaced with four incredible SOLA women. Yes, life was good in Fergus Falls. Now there was a promise that it was going to get even better.

Chapter Twenty-One
 

Back Home

It did not take long for Emily, Lindy, Rebecca, and Grace to fall into a comfortable pattern in their daily lives. At dinner that evening, they worked on their schedules for the upcoming week. They agreed that every Friday evening would be a girls’ night out with dinner and gossip, unless any of them ever were to have a date, which they all agreed was very unlikely. Then following their old tradition, every Saturday night they would have a sleepover at Emily’s house. By the end of the evening, each of them felt as though they reconnected in a deeper way than ever before.

*

Lindy and Rebecca got together the next morning to start looking through all of Rebecca’s medical records. By noon, Lindy had reviewed the files. They sat in the den with the door closed as they discussed what options were available for her. Aside from a complete lung and heart transplant, which they both agreed had very little chance of happening, most of her options revolved around medications and oxygen. For the most part, these options would keep Rebecca comfortable. There was no cure.

Lindy explained with great gentleness and honesty just how the disease would progress. In time, Rebecca would need to be on oxygen and then in a wheelchair. However, for the moment, they needed to find a good doctor and start working on a routine to keep her health as stable as possible. Rebecca spent time telling Lindy about how she wanted to live the balance of her life and that when the end came, how she wanted to leave this world. Together, they wrote down Rebecca’s wishes. When that was done, Lindy gave Rebecca a hug and told her that she would honor all of her requests.

They decided that they needed to have the painful conversation with Rebecca’s mother, Monica, as soon as possible. She was already concerned about Rebecca, and it did not seem fair to keep this information from her. Lindy agreed to join them for dinner that evening. After their dinner, they would have the talk. Rebecca was both emotionally and physically exhausted as she left to go home. She planned to spend some time praying and resting for the afternoon. Both of them were anxious but prepared to gently break the news to Monica. Rebecca knew this would be one of the most difficult conversations she had ever had. However, with Lindy’s help, she knew that it would somehow turn out okay.