"Hey, Jason, what're doing?" asked Joshua at he entered the cabin.
"Getting things ready for Jeremy. " Jason explained. He was clearing out drawer space in his room in order to make room for Jeremy's belongings. "I thought I would change places with Jeremy, give him the bedroom, he'll need lots of rest and it'll be quieter...also give him and Candy someplace to visit privately when she stops by."
The more Joshua heard Jason say, the wider his eyes became. "Whoa...hold on a minute Jason! What are you talking about? Jeremy's coming back here?"
"I think it's best...don't you agree, Josh?"
"No, I think he needs to go home with his wife! What does Candy think of this anyway?"
"Well, you know Candy, she gets huffy sometimes, but she'll come aroundósee that it is for the best."
"Jason, this isn't for the best! Jeremy is a married man..."
"Now look, Josh!" Jason said in a voice raised in anger. "Jeremy has gone through a awful time, and well, he's got a lot on his mind right now...Candy doesn't fully understand how Jeremy felt after our mother died...we do...that's why he needs to be here with us."
"Jason, I talked with Allyn Wright today. She thinks there's something to what Jeremy's been trying to tell us..."
"Does she? Well, that's her opinion and she's entitled to it. The only thing that happened to Jeremy is that a madman tried to gun him down on his wedding day. He had been thinking a lot of mother on that day, and well, that's why she's on his mind ...that's all!"
"I'm not so sure, Jason, " Joshua continued. "I talked to Jeremy as well..."
Jason stopped what he was doing and looked at Joshua. "What did he say?"
"That he believes he had died and was with Mother. He doesn't remember too many details, though. Just that she knew that he was married and that he stuttered."
Jason looked thoughtful, but didn't say anything.
"Jason, I think you should talk to him, too. What difference does it make if it's true or not? What's important is that Jeremy thinks it happened and he needs to discuss it."
"Just let it go, Joshua. Let's just get Jeremy home." Jason abruptly left the cabin.
000
Candy wrapped the blue and white checkered cloth over the fresh batch of cookies she had baked for Jeremy. She was trying hard to understand what was going on between him and his brothers. They were extremely close, she had always known that. She loved that they were, but in this instance, their closeness left her feeling excluded. Jeremy was her husband, she loved him and wanted to care for him. Somehow, she had to make him and Jason see that .
She hung the basket from her arm and walked across to the clinic.
000
"Hello," she said softly.
Jeremy looked over at her and smiled. "Glad you came back."
"You thought I wouldn't?" she responded as she walked over to his bed.
"Well, I know you're kinda mad at me..."
"Jeremy, I'm not mad." Candy walked over to the window and looked out for a moment, then turned back to him. "I'm afraid, if you want to know the truth."
"Afraid?" he asked and sat up in bed.
"Yes, afraid."
"Of what?"
"Losing you..."
"I'm getting better Candy, really, I feel much better...," he tried to reassure her.
"Oh, I'm not afraid of that anymore...but I'm still afraid I've lost you."
"Come here, t-talk to me..."
Candy walked back over to his bed and sat down on the side of it. Jeremy took her hand in his.
"Now, why would you say somethin' like that?"
"Well, because you're so quiet, you just lay here and look out the window most of the time. I've tried to talk to you about our life, our future, but you don't seem to hear me. And now, you don't want to go home with me..." she wept softly.
"Candy, I just don't want to be a burden to you, that's all..."
"You'd never be a burden, Jeremy, ever, you know that ..."
Jeremy opened his mouth to say more when he saw Jason, Joshua and Lottie standing in the doorway.
"Why don't we come back later?" Lottie suggested.
"No, come in ...you all need to hear this."
Jason, Joshua and Lottie walked further into the room. Lottie sat down in a chair next to the bed. Jeremy's brother's remained standing.
"Candy and I have been talkin', she's worried cause I've been so quiet...I imagine all of you f-feel the same way..."
The group glanced around at each other then nodded their heads at Jeremy.
"Well, I'm all right...really, I am all right. I've been d-doin' a lot of thinkin'..."
"About what?" Candy asked softly.
"About my mother."
Jason turned away from the bed and walked over to the window and looked out. Jeremy noticed, but did not acknowledge his brother's actions.
"Know what I been thinkin' of, Lottie?"
"No Jeremy, what?" Lottie replied.
"The day my mother died, you were there." Jeremy voice was so hushed that everyone had to strain to hear him.
"Yes, I was."
"You helped Dad pick out a dress for her..." Jeremy stared at Candy's hand resting in his and gently stroked it. "I remember standing in the bedroom, you didn't know I was there; you brushed her hair."
Lottie took in a small gasp. She had no idea that Jeremy had been witness to her preparing his mother for burial. Tears clouded her eyes as she thought of him as a small boy watching that.
"Yes, I did Jeremy, I brushed her hair and fixed it the way like she liked it," Lottie answered in a shaky voice.
"She looked pretty, like she was sleeping..." Jeremy said wistfully.
"Jeremy!" Jason spoke up loudly, "stop this, stop all this talking about Mother. She's gone...gone."
Jeremy looked up at Jason and seemed to have a newfound energy. "I know that, Jason! But I'm tellin' ya, I saw her...I mean when I was shot! I know you don't believe me now, but you will, someday you will...all of you!"
"Jeremy, I believe you...I don't understand it...but, I believe you," said Candy tenderly.
Jeremy looked at his new wife, tears of gratitude misted his eyes. "Thank you..., thanks Candy. What about you, Josh?"
"Jeremy, I don't know. I know you believe...but, well, I'm just more worried about how quiet you've been...is that all you're doin' is laying in bed thinking of Mother?"
"No," Jeremy answered, seeming amused by his brother's question. "Is that what you think?"
"Well, yeah," answered Joshua.
"Josh, I'm fine, really. I have more peace about everything now...more peace than I ever thought I could. And it's because of the time I spent with Momma...really I'm tellin' you the truth."
Joshua looked at Jeremy, not knowing what to think or accept. All he knew is he wanted his family back to normal. He walked over to Jeremy, laid his hand on his shoulder, squeezed it, and smiled slightly. He glanced over at Jason to gauge his response.
"I'll find a way to show you, Josh, and you, too, Jason...I'll find a way."
"Jeremy," Jason spoke up. "When you're better, after we get you back home..."
"That's another thing, Jason," Jeremy interrupted. "I'm goin' home with Candy."
Candy's face lit up in a smile and she quickly leaned over and gave her husband a brief kiss.
"We're married now," Jeremy continued. "I belong with her...that's where I want to be, too."
Jason looked disappointed. He was worried if Candy would be able to help Jeremy through this difficult time. Jason felt sure that Jeremy was reliving the death of their mother. It had been such a traumatic time for him; his father, Jonathan had been instrumental in getting him through it. Now, if he was feeling the same loss again, Jason worried how Jeremy would get through it another time. He would feel much better if Jeremy were at the cabin with him and Joshua.
"Jeremy, I just think...." Jason started.
"My minds made up, brother...I'm goin' home with my wife."
Jason felt defeated, but not angry. He loved his brother and wanted his happiness above all else.
"All right then, if that's what you two want, but Josh and I will be close at hand to help."
"Thanks, Jason," answered Jeremy.
Candy got up off the bed and walked over to Jason and gave him a tender kiss on the cheek, making things right between the two of them again.
Jeremy's family made ready to leave, before they could, Jeremy asked Jason to stay and talk to him.
"You all right, Jeremy?" Jason asked concerned.
"Yeah, I just think we need to talk some more, Jason."
"All right, what about?" said Jason sitting down.
"About what I said a few minutes ago...you know being at peace."
"Oh, that."
"Yeah, that," Jeremy took in a deep breath, "Jason, I know you're havin' a hard time with all of this. I know you meant well, wanting me to go back to the c-cabin with you and Joshua...I hope you understand..."
"Yes, I do, I know you want to be with Candy....I just thought with everything you've been through and these dreams you've been having..."
"They're not dreams, Jason," Jeremy looked at his oldest brother, tears in his eyes. "I don't know how to make you believe me...but I'll find a way...they're not d-dreams."
"Jeremy, you were so young when we lost our mother... It was such a hard time..."
"I know that, Jason, and I know how much you did for me...you took real good care of me...I told Momma that, too." Jeremy shifted his weight in the bed trying to become more comfortable. "Jason, if you would only believe me...I don't worry about stuff as much now, I really have more peace about everything...I know why she left us, I know where she and Dad both are and where we're gonna be...I know life isn't easy, I've always known it wasn't, but it feels easier now...I wish I could get you to see that, too."
Jason leaned forward in the chair. "Jeremy, I want to believe you, I just don't know if I can...but I do see a difference in you...it's worried me, you've always been such a fighter, and now you seem like nothing matters to you in the same way."
"It doesn't matter to me in the same way, Jason. Don't you see? That's what I'm trying to tell you....I don't want to fight as much anymore...and now I don't feel like I have to...I'm fine now." Jeremy looked away from Jason as he spoke.
"You're all right, Jeremy? Really all right, then...." Jason said worriedly. He was thinking back once again to Jeremy's childhood and all the times when Jeremy told him he was fine when he really wasn't. He couldn't help but wonder, if this was one of those times, too.
"Never better, Jason, never better..."
Jason grasped his brother's hand and held tight for a moment. "I'll see you tomorrow then..."
000
Jason and Joshua walked into the medical clinic to hear Allyn Wright fussing at their youngest brother. They looked at each and grinned. Jeremy was hoping to go home, that's all he had talked about during their visit with him the day before. From the sound of it, he continued to torment his doctor with his request to be discharged home.
"Jeremy," Allyn stated. "You've been very seriously injured! You must give yourself time to heal."
"That was weeks ago, Dr. Wright! I'm t-tired of this bed. I want to go home. Candy and I have been married more than a month and we haven't spent a single night under the same roof!" Jeremy complained.
"That's not true, Jeremy," Jason teased. He and Joshua pulled the privacy curtain back and stepped around it.
"Yes, it is!" Jeremy shot back.
"No, it's not. Why, Candy has spent several nights right here with you under this roof!"
"Thank you, Jason," Allyn smiled and nodded.
"Ha, ha," Jeremy sneered. " I want out of here!" he continued to protest.
"Jeremy, what are you yelling about?" came Candy's voice.
"Candy," he called to her.
She stepped around the curtain and walked up to the head of the bed. She bent over and they gave each other a quick kiss.
"Will you please tell Allyn and my brothers that I can rest at home!" Jeremy continued.
Candy looked hopefully at Allyn. She desperately wanted Jeremy home with her. She knew he was a ways from being fully recovered, but still, she missed him and wanted him with her.
Allyn looked around at Candy. "You really think you can handle him? Of course, you already know he can be a handful!" she teased.
Jeremy and Candy looked at each other and smiled. They were getting their way.
"All right then, " Allyn continued. "If you promise to behave and do everything your wife says, then I'll let you go."
"I promise," Jeremy folded his arms across his chest triumphantly.
000
"You know Jeremy, this wasn't part of the deal," said Joshua.
"I know it, but I needed to stop by here." Jeremy grimaced slightly as he walked inside the cabin he had shared most of his life with his brothers.
"Well, it's good for us to see you out of that hospital bed!" boomed Jason. Joshua nodded his head and agreed.
"Are you tired?" asked Candy.
"Just a little...I'm all right," Jeremy answered.
"Well at least sit down," Candy admonished him. "You know, Jeremy, you worry me wanting to do too much."
"I'm not doin' too much. Our place is right across the way, it won't take a minute to get there from here. Really, I'm fine Candy," he answered, but remained standing.
"Jeremy, why were you so adamant about coming back here?" asked Jason.
"There's something I have to get."
"What?" asked Josh.
"In the hutch...an envelope is there." Jeremy walked over to the china hutch and started to pull out the right drawer.
"Jeremy, what's in there that you need?" Candy asked.
"It's not in the drawer, but wedged underneath it," he explained.
"There's nothing wedged under there, Jeremy, " Jason explained, taking his brother by the arm. "Why would you think there is?"
"Because I saw her put it there."
"Who?" Jason walked over and sat down on the arm of the chair, making himself more at eye level with his shorter brother.
"Momma. I saw her put an envelope under the drawer."
"When, Jeremy? When you were younger?"
"No, after I was shot."
"Jeremy, that can't be," said Joshua, walking over to him.
"I'm not c-crazy, Josh. I know you all think I am, but I'm not. She was there after I was shot." Jeremy looked at his brothers, hoping to see in their eyes a belief in what he was saying. Instead what he saw was doubt.
Jeremy looked Jason squarely in the eye. "Jason, I saw her. I talked to her. I did. It doesn't all make sense to me, but in a way it does. She told me she left us because it was her time. She d-didn't have choice, but I did. I could have stayed with her, but I couldn't stand leaving any of you... Especially you, Candy."
No one said anything to his statement. They really didn't know what to say. Instead they watched as Jeremy effortlessly pulled out the drawer and removed the envelope that was wedged underneath it. He carried the envelope over to the table and sat down. Candy followed him over and sat down next to him. He held the envelope in his hands for a moment just looking at it. Finally he opened it and revealed the contents.
Jason and Joshua stood in stunned silence as Jeremy produced the pair of ruby earrings that had belonged to their mother. The last time they had seen the earrings, the family had been in Scotland. They knew that Jenny had left them thereóshe had never brought them back to Seattle.
"They're beautiful,Jeremy," commented Candy, "where did you get them?"
"They belonged to my mother." He gingerly held the precious jewelry in his hand and stroked it, remembering when his mother had worn them. He turned to Candy. "I think Momma would have wanted you to have these..."
Candy held open her palm and Jeremy placed the earrings within it. "Thank you," she whispered, dazed.
Jason and Josh held their silence, they remained too astonished to speak.
He held up the second item contained in the envelope, it was a tintype of his parents. In it, his parents were young. Jonathan Bolt wore a dark suit and stood behind Jenny with his hand resting on her shoulder. Jenny was dressed in a light colored dress with small flowers; a small delicate bow at the neckline. She sat on a chair that looked like it was carved from a dark wood; perhaps walnut. She wore her hair in a upsweep; her ruby earrings clearly visible.
Jason walked over to Jeremy and looked at the tintype. He knelt down. Jeremy handed the picture to him.
"I told you I was with her. Do you believe me now?" Jeremy looked up at his brothers, tears clouding his eyes. He desperately needed them to accept the miracle he had been blessed with.
Jason lovingly caressed the image of his parents. His strong hand trembled. "Yes brother, I believe," he answered in a voice that was really just a whisper.
Jeremy nodded at Jason and looked at Joshua. Joshua simply murmured "Yes," and wiped a tear from his eye.
"It's for you, Jason, and you, Josh. Momma doesn't ever want you to feel alone..."
Jason and Joshua both nodded at Jeremy; they understood.
Candy rubbed her hand across Jeremy's forearm. "I know you must be tired. Let's go home, Jeremy."
Jeremy stood up from the table. Jason, Joshua and Candy exited the cabin first. He glanced around and looked it over for a moment. He inhaled deeply, breathing in the faint lavender scent that permeated the cabin. "I love you, Momma...always....good-bye."
The lavender aroma faded as Jeremy turned away and closed the door behind him.
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