Charlie and Eleanor Thomas made a great team; they were soul mates. Blessed with a special kind of love and caring for each other, they experienced both the ups and downs of married life. Together, through many triumphs and trials, they raised their children, Bit and Stretch.
But when Eleanor dies unexpectedly in her sleep, Charlie is not prepared for the extent of his grief and the prospect of a future without the woman he loved so deeply. His grief and despair send him spiraling down toward an overwhelming depressionuntil he receives help in finding the healing path from two unexpected sources: his two grandchildren, Teddy and Sarah; and his wife.
Bittersweet follows the Thomas family and the rich tapestry of their lives as they begin to deal with the grief of losing both a wife and a mother. Filled with both bitter and sweet memories, Charlie does what it takes to keep his family together. Eleanor would be pleased.
Charlie and Eleanor Thomas made a great team; they were soul mates. Blessed with a special kind of love and caring for each other, they experienced both the ups and downs of married life. Together, through many triumphs and trials, they raised their children, Bit and Stretch.
But when Eleanor dies unexpectedly in her sleep, Charlie is not prepared for the extent of his grief and the prospect of a future without the woman he loved so deeply. His grief and despair send him spiraling down toward an overwhelming depressionuntil he receives help in finding the healing path from two unexpected sources: his two grandchildren, Teddy and Sarah; and his wife.
Bittersweet follows the Thomas family and the rich tapestry of their lives as they begin to deal with the grief of losing both a wife and a mother. Filled with both bitter and sweet memories, Charlie does what it takes to keep his family together. Eleanor would be pleased.
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Overview
Charlie and Eleanor Thomas made a great team; they were soul mates. Blessed with a special kind of love and caring for each other, they experienced both the ups and downs of married life. Together, through many triumphs and trials, they raised their children, Bit and Stretch.
But when Eleanor dies unexpectedly in her sleep, Charlie is not prepared for the extent of his grief and the prospect of a future without the woman he loved so deeply. His grief and despair send him spiraling down toward an overwhelming depressionuntil he receives help in finding the healing path from two unexpected sources: his two grandchildren, Teddy and Sarah; and his wife.
Bittersweet follows the Thomas family and the rich tapestry of their lives as they begin to deal with the grief of losing both a wife and a mother. Filled with both bitter and sweet memories, Charlie does what it takes to keep his family together. Eleanor would be pleased.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781450249843 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | iUniverse, Incorporated |
| Publication date: | 08/24/2010 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 132 |
| File size: | 164 KB |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
Bittersweet
A Love StoryBy Dick Wells
iUniverse, Inc.
Copyright © 2010 Dick WellsAll right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4502-4982-9
Chapter One
"Hello?""Hi, Bit."
His voice was soft and distant, seemingly carried on a gentle wind from far away. When Bit was a little girl, her favorite book was The Wind in the Willows. It was that kind of wind.
"What's up, Dad?" She hadn't yet registered the hollowness in his voice.
"I don't know how else to say this. I would have come over if we lived closer." He was trying to protect her from the pain he was about to inflict. He had always tried to do that, but despite his best efforts, he had failed as often as he had succeeded. This morning would be another failure. Why she still believed in him was beyond his grasp. He sucked in a breath and plunged forward.
"Your mother died in her sleep last night." His voice broke. "I brought her a cup of coffee like I always do, but I couldn't wake her. 911 came and said she was dead, probably an embolism. They took her to Giradi's."
That was it; he was empty. He began to cry softly. Then he realized that Bit was crying, too.
Finally, she gathered herself. "EMS took her to Giradi's?"
"I'm sorry I confused you. They took her to the hospital, where she was pronounced. Then Giradi came and took her. It all runs together."
"It's okay, Dad." There was a pause while she gathered her thoughts, untidy as they were. "I'll make travel plans to get there tomorrow afternoon, and I'll find someone who can take the kids."
"Please, no. Bring the kids. There are plenty of Mom's friends like Peggy around who can help you out when you need it."
"But, Dad ..."
"Bit, I need to see them. She loved them so much, and I can't let her go without them saying good-bye."
Bit sighed. "All right, Dad."
"Do you want me to pick you up?"
"No, I'll rent a car."
"Okay. Now I have to call Stretch."
* * *
His son was two years younger than his daughter, but there was a huge gap in maturity. Eleanor always asked that he be patient with him, but he didn't suffer fools easily and so it was a struggle for him.
He called him on his cell phone.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Stretch."
"Hi, Dad. Can I call you back? I'm on my way into a meeting."
"No. I need to talk to you now."
"I'm just going into the conference room. I-"
"Chuck ... now. Please go to your office and shut the door."
He could hear voices and laughter. How dare they laugh when he had just lost his lifelong soul mate?
Chuck hated it when he was told to do something, especially by his father. Now his voice reeked of exasperation. "Okay," he said, sighing. "But let's make it quick." There was no background sound. Then he could hear a door shut firmly. "What is it?"
"Your mother died in her sleep last night. The paramedics thought it was an embolism. The hospital confirmed it."
When Chuck was a lost soul-which happened often-it was always his mother who consoled him and made it better, even if it was just a long phone conversation. Now that emotional refuge was gone. He didn't know how his son would survive his next crisis. He knew Chuck didn't know either. Chuck was silent. Charlie could hear the breath of life slowly leave his son.
"Oh, Dad, I'm so sorry ... for both of us." He couldn't see his father sitting in his favorite chair by the front window and nodding slowly.
"Bit will be here tomorrow afternoon if she can get a plane out. I asked her to bring Teddy and Sarah. I want them to say good-bye."
"Then I'll aim for the same time. And, Dad, did she tell you she's been given a ninety day notice? Downsizing and offshore and all that."
The silence on the line told Chuck that his father didn't know.
* * *
The phone calls were over for now and the neighborly onslaught hadn't yet begun. He sat in his chair. "I guess they're all my chairs now," he thought.
Other than that revelation, his brain was dead. He stared for hours at nothing. No hunger pains forced him to move. The ticking of the large mantel clock she saw at the estate sale and had to have faded. The silhouette of the chair tracked the sun as it moved across the sky. The doorbell jolted him from his trance. Slowly, he arose and shuffled to the door. It was Peggy, their next-door neighbor. He turned the knob to open the way for her.
"Oh, Charlie." Tears trickled down her face.
"It's hard," he said. What else could he say?
She broke the awkward silence that followed. "I made you a casserole," she said as she reached out to hand the covered dish to him.
He didn't want it. Peggy was a wonderful cook, and they had shared many a meal as couples. He was sure it had been made with love and would taste exceptional, but he didn't want it. "Thanks. That was extremely thoughtful of you," he said as he accepted the dish from her.
"Is there anything else we can do?"
He thought, "Can you bring her back? End this nightmare?" He said, "No, I guess not. Thanks again."
"We'll be praying for both of you." She turned away and started down the porch stairs as he gently closed the door. He took the casserole to the kitchen and found room for it in the refrigerator. Then he returned to the chair.
The phone rang. It was a neighbor from across the street. Probably watching through her curtain as the casserole was delivered. Ten calls later, he took the phone off the hook. He thought, "Why can't people let me grieve in peace?" Then he realized, "I haven't started grieving. I'm too numb to grieve. God, how bad is it going to get?"
Much later, the room dark, he got up to go to the bathroom. He turned on a single light as he made his way to the hall. When he sat back down, he looked at the clock. It was 10:30. Suddenly, he felt very tired. He locked the doors and climbed the stairs. When he flicked on the light switch in their room, he went into shock. The pillows were cast about on the floor, and the sheets and blanket were in total disarray. It was just as the paramedics had left it after their futile attempt to revive her. His strength and control disappeared. He slowly fell to the floor and curled into a fetal position. Sobs wracked his body. He was still there crying an hour later.
He came awake with a start. He used the footboard to pull himself to his knees. The clock on his nightstand said 3:17. He stumbled into the bathroom, illuminated by the nightlight, which was never off even if no one was home. He came out with a pillow and blanket from the linen closet and made his way back downstairs. He lay on the couch and pulled the blanket up to his chin. He couldn't sleep in their bed. He wondered if he ever could again.
* * *
He slowly came to. Fragments of sunlight were in the front window, on the blanket under his chin, in his eyes. He was completely lethargic. Then he bolted upright. "Oh my God, the kids are coming."
He stood and immediately started to fall. Lunging toward the couch arm and grabbing hold were what saved him. He was completely lightheaded. He became steadier as he sat there. Finally, he slowly stood. The dizziness had passed, replaced by another sensation-hunger.
He slowly walked to the kitchen, realizing that he hadn't eaten for a day and a half. He started the coffee and opened the refrigerator. He saw Peggy's casserole just inside the door. As he spooned a large serving onto a plate, he decided it was chicken and mushrooms.
While he heated it in the microwave, he stared at the knickknacks on the window ledge and counter that she'd purchased over the years. They had argued from time to time about how the growing collection was overwhelming the remaining space. He said it was too much; she said they needed more.
He was overpowered by the aroma. "God, that smells good." He finished two servings and was halfway through a third when he began to sweat profusely. He barely made it to the sink before it all came up. He held on to the counter. His knees were weak.
When it was over, he ran the water for a long time, cleaning the sink as best he could good, and rinsing his mouth and washing his face. Finally, he turned off the coffeemaker. "I'll sip some 7UP later."
He went upstairs, squeezing the handrail for balance. There, on remote control, he showered and shaved, made the bed, and inspected the guest rooms and the guest bathroom. It was as if Eleanor had known cleaning would be beyond him. Everything was immaculate.
* * *
The knock on the door startled him. He hadn't heard anyone walk up the steps. He opened the door.
"Hi, Dad." He wordlessly embraced Bit as tears trickled down his face.
They disengaged. He looked at his grandchildren. He dropped to his knees and took them in his arms. "We're so sorry," said Teddy, trying to be brave and failing.
"I'll really miss her," said Sarah. She started to cry.
"Me, too." He helped bring in the suitcases and carry them upstairs. Bit got the kids something to drink and settled in front of the TV in the den. She and her father sat quietly in the living room.
"How are you?"
"Not very good," he answered truthfully. "She was my life."
Bit nodded. "Have you eaten?"
He shook his head. "I tried, but it all came back up. 7UP seems okay."
"We need to eat dinner. Does anything sound good?"
He tried to slow down his flipping stomach. "Maybe eggs and toast. That's what your mother would have done." The tears began to flow again. "Oh, God, I can't even talk about food without crying."
"It's okay, Dad. You have to work through this a step at a time."
"What if I don't want to work this through?"
Her answer was interrupted by Chuck coming through the door.
* * *
Peggy readily agreed to come over to watch the kids and get them fed. They wanted pizza and Charlie tried to leave some money, but Peggy would not hear of it. Now he and his two children were on their way to make arrangements for their mother's funeral.
"She wanted to be cremated. We both do. So no graveside service."
"What about a showing first?" Chuck asked. "Older people seem to like to see the deceased. They always say how good the person in the casket looks."
"Was he speaking for himself or thinking of others?" Charlie wondered.
It sounded cold and detached, as if Chuck was discussing an innate object, not his mother. Charlie knew Chuck didn't mean it that way and he tried to not be angry, but it was a struggle.
"Bit, what do you think?"
"You should do what you and Mom wanted. But an open casket during visitation is somehow reassuring. I guess it's closure."
"Okay." He sighed. "Then that's what we'll do. Okay with you,
Chuck?"
"Fine."
They made arrangements with Leo Giradi, an old friend. Bit would return in the morning with what Eleanor would wear.
"Charlie, there will be no charge for the casket. I'll contact the paper. Have you talked to Reverend Nelson?" Leo knew where everybody went to church.
"No. I'll call him now that we know what we're doing."
"What if he isn't available?" Chuck asked.
"He would drop anything for your mother's funeral," Leo said as he stared at Chuck without comprehension. "Your mother was a beloved and respected woman in this town. Everybody will be saddened by her passing."
Charlie nodded solemnly. "Leo is absolutely right." He thought, "Funny ... the folklore had it that whatever age a child was when he or she left the nest, that's the age they remained in their parents' eyes. No one talked about kids not understanding that their parents' lives continue to evolve over time."
The two men embraced, and then they were back in the car on their way home. But it was no longer home to Charlie. He didn't have a home anymore ... not without Eleanor.
Chapter Two
The next three days were a blur-notifying family and friends, meeting with the minister, standing in the receiving lines for what seemed like hours at a time. When he and his children returned home each night, they were emotionally and physically exhausted.After the service and lunch in the church basement, they were joined at the house by a few close friends. He noticed that Bit and Chuck seemed to hang on every word of every story told about their mother. He noted, with slight satisfaction, that they were beginning to understand that their mother's world was far greater than the sphere they inhabited. Finally, the house was empty. Teddy and Sarah headed up to bed, and Bit announced that she was going to take a long, hot, soaking bath. "How long are you staying?" he asked Chuck as they sat in the living room.
"I have to head back in the morning, Dad."
"Do you want to come back when the lawyer's ready?"
"Not unless you want me to. You can just call with the results."
Charlie studied his son. It was time to assume the role Eleanor had played to perfection. "Stretch, we both leaned heavily on your mom." Chuck nodded. "Now it's just us. You won't be nearly as comfortable talking to me as you were Mom, but I will really try to be there for you, regardless of the situation."
Chuck's eyes glistened. "Thanks, Dad. I really appreciate that. I know I've not been the best son at times, but ..."
Charlie waved his hand in dismissal. "Neither of us has been at our best at times-certainly I haven't-but the way I see it, we owe it to your mom to try harder. That's what I'm trying to say."
Nothing was said for several minutes, and then Chuck stood and slowly began to move toward his father. Charlie stood up and met him halfway. They wrapped their arms around each other and stayed that way. Finally, Chuck stepped back, wiping tears from his cheeks. His father was also in tears. Both were in desperate need of comfort. "I'm just sorry it took your mother dying for this to happen."
"Me too."
* * *
Later, Chuck came down the stairs. "I'm meeting up with two old friends from high school who stopped by at the visitation to offer their condolences. Don't wait up, but leave the front door unlocked."
"Stretch?"
"Yeah?"
"I have great influence in this town, but it won't help you one bit if the cops pull you over for DUI."
Chuck grinned. "I thought I learned that in high school."
"There were lots of things you supposedly learned in high school." Charlie smiled back.
"See you for breakfast."
Bit walked down the stairs a few minutes later, wearing a terry cloth robe and drying her hair with a towel. "Did I hear Stretch leave?"
"Yeah, he's meeting two high school buddies. I guess he couldn't tolerate any more time today with me. He always did that when he came home from college." His daughter heard the self-pity but didn't rise to the bait. "I reminded him I'm not in the bail bond business."
Now she laughed. "Once a dad, always a dad." Charlie nodded.
Bit went in the kitchen and returned with two Diet Cokes She gave him one and then settled onto the end of the couch closest to his chair.
They were both quiet for a while as Bit studied her father. Then Charlie spoke. "Chuck told me you're getting laid off." Bit became preoccupied with the Coke can as she nodded. "Do you know what you are going to do?"
She shook her head. "The job market isn't very good. I'm networking and sending out some resumes, but no bites yet."
* * *
He immediately saw them in the boat the first time he took her fishing. She was five. They stared at the bobbers all afternoon, but the bobbers never moved. Finally, he pulled up the anchor and was about to start the motor. "Wait," she objected, "I'm not done."
The boat started to drift in the slight breeze. She checked to see that the worm was still on the hook and laid the line back in the water. A moment later, her bobber began to move in little jerks and then went totally underwater. She pulled the line up and brought a five- inch perch into the boat for her father to unhook and slide back into the lake. "Okay, now I'm done," she said, with a smug smile on her face. "It just takes a little patience, Daddy."
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Bittersweet by Dick Wells Copyright © 2010 by Dick Wells. Excerpted by permission.
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