Heaven's Gate Bridge forty-six

Heaven’s Gate Bridge Forty-Six

Edith did not know how long she was unconscious. When she woke up, she saw that she was in a strange place, and that Penny was asleep next to her. Leaning over her was a very old man with a few strands of white hair, big glasses and a large bulbous nose. Behind him was Wallace, and Irene who were trying to get a closer look at her.

“Oh no. Must get mother. There’s a storm.” she began as she tried to lift her head to get out of the bed.

“Little lady. You have a bad bump on your head. And your daughter was lucky that she did not lose an arm.” said the stranger.

Edith laid back down and listened for the train sound. It was gone. She also recognized that she was no longer in her mother’s house. This room was larger. The curtains were not the same. The sheets on the bed were different. And most of all, she could not see her mother anywhere in the room.

“Where’s mother?” she said as she looked directly at Irene.

“Mother’s gone. She did not make it.” said Irene as tears began to well up in her eyes. She turned and buried her head into Wallace’s shoulder. Next, Edith heard the sound of a newborn baby’s cry. She knew were she was.

“I tried. I called Penny and we were lifting mother up so we could carry her to the cellar.”

“I know you tried. Penny told me before she passed out.” responded Irene.

“We got to Mother’s house as soon as we saw the twister touch down. I’ve never see such a mess in all of my life. But it seems that the old tree outside of maw’s room completely collapsed. And of all things it looks like maw tried to push you out of the way so that you wouldn’t get hit. “ he added.

“Yes and Penny has some cuts and bruises but an ax that had been picked up missed her by inches.”

Edith tried to picture that scene in her mind. She knew that her mother loved her family and probably used the last of all of her strength to save her daughter and granddaughter.

“Where is Mother now?” she asked.

Wallace and Irene looked at each other. Wallace nodded to the doctor. “Doctor Flack will tell you.”

“I hope that you don’t mind me calling you Edith. I have been the family doctor since Doctor Long retired.” He stood up from the chair that he had been sitting on. “We guess that your mother died from a blow to her head. I do not think that you should see her. She did not look like your mother when your family found her. I would suggest that the funeral and other events for the departed be closed casket. Just try to remember her either as you last saw her or as she was when she was healthier.”

Edith felt a big lump in her throat. She tried to scream from her open mouth but no sound came out at first. Irene moved past Doctor Flack and picked up her hand. And then as if someone had opened a gate the loud, almost animal like sobs began. She tossed her head from side to side. Irene picked her up and cradled her. Then the tears and sobs in Irene started again. The only thing that the two men could do was stand and watch as the tears of family, sisterhood and love began the process of letting go of a beloved family member.

Penny began to stir. She grabbed her left arm with her right hand. She winced as she felt the soreness of her arm. Wallace walked out of the room to get someone to come in and tend to the needs of the ladies in the room. As he went into the living room, he saw his beautiful wife. In her arms was their baby son, Joseph who was asleep in her arms. Other members of the family were in the front porch trying to exchange stories of how they survived the storm. One member lost a barn. The other cousin lost some cows. A final brother had all of his crops ruined. But the storm did not touch Wallace’s house or barn. It seems that the angels knew that Tina was having her first baby and would need special protection. She had a little difficulty at first and then Joseph came out with the loudest baby cry in the county. Wallace knew from that moment on that his son, was alive and well. And one day, his son would use that voice to become one of the most well known and loved speakers in the area.

Doctor Flack gave the two storm patients a final look over and then left to go back to town. He knew that on his way there would be other victims who would need medical help. He remembered the last time that he was busy for one and a half days after the horrible storm that came through the area. He just wished that there were a few more doctors in the area or that someone would find a way to warn people of bad storms. Life in the country was so beautiful. But every now and then, Mother Nature would find a way to show that she was a force to be respected.

After Doctor Flack left, the family gathered in the living area to say a small prayer. They knew that there were some blessings to be acknowledged. Wallace remembered what he had heard in church about “the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.” He knew that without his mother, life would go on but she would always be with each member in their hearts. And then he looked at his first, healthy son Joseph. Never was a day so tragic but yet so special.