Читать книгу Downloads From God: Seven Portals to Peace - Joe B. Adair - Страница 6

There did not appear to be any change in the situation going on in his dad’s room. Rob took a seat beside the bed and tried to practice the suggestions John had offered. It was hard. He had not had particularly good communication with his dad when he was conscious and this was even harder.

“Dad, you’re getting stronger,” he started. “Before long you’ll be out of here and back to normal.” Rob found the words strangely increasing his own faith that it was true. “You have a lot of friends who really miss you.”

That gave Rob an idea. He retrieved the flower cards from the window sill and began to read them aloud.

“Charlie, we need you back here soon. We can’t keep growing without you. The Coffee Shop Gang. They really miss you, Dad. What is it you’re growing?” Rob inquired, not expecting an answer but looking for a hint of recognition just the same. None came.

“I remember the huge tomato patch you used to have out by the back fence. Everyone said they had the best flavor they ever tasted.” Suddenly Rob remembered something from the past and kept on talking. “Oh my gosh, do you remember the summer Terry Gibson and I raided your tomato patch and picked them all to throw them at the Davis twins around the corner? I can’t believe I would do that. I think you grounded me for a month. Unbelievable that I would do that!” Rob thought he saw a slight smile on his dad’s face – but then it was gone.

Maybe John knew what he was talking about. Maybe his dad could hear him. Hope increasing, Rob continued this strategy.

“You also got some beautiful purple flowers from Alice and Kathleen. Their card says, “As you always tell us, Charlie, just receive.” He watched his dad’s face. It appeared peaceful but there was no change in his expression.

“I met a couple of little ladies who seemed to live across from you. Do you think it was Alice and Kathleen?” Rob inquired. They said something crazy, something about you getting e-mails from God. I can’t wait to hear what that’s all about,” Rob quizzed him. No response.

Rob moved to the third card, “Charlie, you know you’ve changed my life for the better, and I know there’s more, so hurry back. Love, YSSP. Dad, do you have a girl friend I don’t know about?” Rob chuckled. No response.

Then Rob moved to a place he had been holding unspoken for some time. “Dad, you have changed my life for the better as well,” Rob told him, taking his dad’s limp hand in his own. “You always taught me I could do anything I wanted to. You wanted me to see the possibilities, and because of you, I have. I never would have gotten into law school at Northwestern, if you hadn’t been there every step of the way.

“I am so sorry, Dad. I am so sorry I have not been there for you since Mom died. I got lost in my work so I didn’t have to deal with my sorrow and I neglected you in the process. I am so sorry. Please forgive me,” Rob said, tears welling up in his eyes and in his voice.

Suddenly, Rob felt pressure on his hand. His dad was squeezing his hand. He was in there! He was hearing!

“Nurse!” Rob yelled, then pushed the call button beside the bed. A brown haired middle-aged nurse he had never seen before stuck her head in the door.

“My dad squeezed my hand!” he excitedly told her, “and before that, I think he smiled just a little” he said, trying to be convincing.

She walked over to the bed, took a cursory look at Charlie, then turned to Rob. “It was simply a reflex, Mr. Alexander. He was not hearing you. He probably is not even capable of understanding,” she said without care or compassion.

“With all due respect,” Rob told her, “I know what I experienced. Please be sure Dr. Gray knows about this.”

The nurse didn’t say a word, but rapidly walked up the hall toward the nurse’s station.