Closest to Your Heart- chapter 11

CHAPTER 11

The next morning, May awoke with a sense of peace she hadn't felt since Abel's accident. She credited God for it, and sent a prayer of thanksgiving upward.
As she prepared breakfast, the phone rang. It puzzled May. Who on earth would be calling this early in the morning? she thought. She answered the phone.
"Mrs. Richardson? It's Audrienne." the voice on the other end said.
"What is it, honey?" May sensed something in Audrienne's tone. Did it carry excitement- or panic?
"It's Mr. Richardson. I think you'd better get here soon." Audrienne said.
May gripped the phone cord with her left hand. "What happened?"
"Just hurry and come!" Audrienne almost yelled.
"All right, keep calm. Me and Oliver'll be there as soon as we can." May hung up and went to the front door. She called Oliver's name, causing him to come running.
"What is it, Ma?"He asked. "I'm only half done milkin' Gertie."
"Audrienne called from the hosptal and said we'd better get there quick." May said.
"Somethin' wrong with Pa?" Oliver asked, putting his hand on May's arm.
"I don't know, Oliver, but I gotta find out."
"All right. I'll call Tom Atkins and see if he'll milk for us. Then we'll go." Oliver headed for the phone.
As soon as they could be, May and Oliver were speeding towards the hospital. Once they reached the building, May was out the door before Oliver could stop the truck completely.
"Ma!" At Oliver's sharp tone, May halted and turned towards her son. "It ain't gonna do Pa any good if you kill yourself. Hold up and let me park."
May paced back and forth on the sidewalk while Oliver parked. When he came through the parking lot and stepped onto the sidewalk, he took her by the elbow and led her into the hospital.
May walked with her son to Abel's room, but stopped and leaned into Oliver heavily when she saw the bed. It was empty, with fresh sheets stacked onto the end, waiting for a nurse to come and change the linens.
"Ma?" Oliver said. "You all right?"
May looked up into her son's hazel eyes. Strangely, she felt at peace. "Yes, Oliver. Let's find Audrienne and figure out what happened." She straightened and took the arm Oliver offered.
Just then, May heard a voice she recognized. "May! May, look!" Audrienne called from down the hallway.
May turned towards Audrienne and gasped at what she saw. Standing in the hallway with Audrienne was Abel.
Only one word came out of her mouth, "Abel!". Then May burst into tears.
Abel, his arm in a sling, walked swiftly down the hallway and gathered May in his one good arm. He stroked her hair and whispered into her ear. "It's all right, May. I'm here now."
May lifted up her face and looked at her dear husband. He was smiling, but tears rolled down his cheeks. She reached up to wipe them away before erasing the traces of her own. She laid her head on his chest again and hugged his middle. There were no words she could say to describe the joy she felt.
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They sat around the table, all the ones May loved. Ruthie and her husband, Hugh, David and Evelyn with baby Rebekah, Audrienne, Oliver, and Abel and the head of the table.
They joined hands for prayer. May smiled as she saw Oliver shyly take Audrienne's hand in his rough one. Maybe there was something between them. May reached for Abel's, and he squeezed it hard before asking her to pray over the meal of celebration.
May nodded and bowed her head, followed by the others. "Dear Father, I come to You with a heart overflowing with joy and thankfulness. Thank You for all you have given us." She squeezed Abel's hand. " And, Lord, thank you for the lessons You've taught me. For I have learned it is more blessed to give than to receive. Amen."

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