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“We always make merry. We’ll have plenty to eat, and there will be games and singing. We love Christmas songs. You saw how things went at Thanksgiving. I’m sure the crowd will be just as large. We’ve always loved to share good times with anyone who wanted to join us.”
“It sounds like an amazing time.”
Erik had never known such celebrations. Mother had been a sullen woman, always unhappy and void of concern for anyone other than herself. Erik had never known a more miserable woman. Father excused it, reminding Erik that she often told him that she had never loved him. She didn’t believe he loved her either, but he did. Her children had loved her too. The trio had been heartbroken when she’d gone away. Even in her cold indifference, she had been an important part of their household.
“Seems the new heating system is working well,” Dr. Turner said. “This bitter cold would be a misery for patients otherwise. I remember when we started Cottage Hospital. Reverend Knickerbacker had a passion for the poor, and the hospital was his dream. We worked hard to make that place come together. It was always cold in the winter and hot in the summer, but we did good work there. Patients knew they could come regardless of their ability to pay.”
He touched one of the filing cabinets and smiled. “If you looked through the old records there, you wouldn’t find a lot of details related to charges and expenses, but you’d see the things that mattered. At least in Sister Annette’s way of thinking.”
“Sister Annette?” Erik asked.
“Sister Annette Relf. She kept the books and records of each patient. She didn’t give some of the information we find so important today, but she would note what had seemed important at the time. I remember one patient—I believe the first man who died in the hospital—Sister Annette marked down that she had written a letter for him for his family back home in Maine. She noted him as a ‘wanderer from home’ and wrote that he asked his family to meet him in heaven. I don’t know why that has stayed with me over the years, but it did. She was quite the lady, and there was no better worker for the Lord. Her biggest concern was with everyone’s spiritual well-being.”
“Sounds like an amazing woman.”
Dr. Turner nodded. “She was. I’ve worked with quite a few exceptional people. Women and men. It’s hard to give it up.” He glanced around the storage room with a look that Erik could only describe as longing. “I shall miss it, but then, I’ll have Mrs. Turner to keep me busy. She promises not to let me get bored.”
Erik didn’t know quite what to say, and when his father suddenly appeared in the doorway, he breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn’t good with emotions. After years of refusing to allow himself such depth of feeling, Dr. Turner’s confessions were almost disturbing.
“Sorry I’m late. The car wouldn’t run in this cold weather,” his father announced. “I rode the trolley. It’s so cold out there, I don’t know that I made the wisest of choices but wanted to do my volunteer hours before heading home.”
“Everything is quiet and under control. You needn’t stay,” Dr. Turner replied. “I’ll be here until quite late as I finish compiling things to turn over to your son. Dr. Edison volunteered to be here through the night. Of course, you’re certainly welcome to warm up before you head out.”
“That would be great. I finished up early and closed the office. It seemed impossible to heat the place, and patients weren’t coming in anyway. I sent the nurse home an hour ago. Thankfully she only lives a few blocks away.”
“Father, Dr. Turner invited us to yet another celebration at his house.”
Dr. Turner nodded. “It would be our honor to have you and Erik join us for Christmas. As I explained to him, we go to church first, then back home for an amazing feast. You would both be very welcome.”
His father looked hesitant, and Erik spoke up. “They don’t exchange gifts, just play games and sing carols.”
“And eat,” Dr. Turner added with a laugh. “We seem to always be doing that.”
“Well, it sounds like . . . a good way to pass the day.” Erik’s father glanced at Dr. Turner, then shrugged. “I think we should be able to fit it into our schedule.”
“Wonderful. I’ll tell Cook to expect two more. The number always fluctuates so much prior to the event that she just brings in wagonloads of supplies and starts cooking well in advance of the day. I always give her a large Christmas bonus. She’s definitely earned it over the years.” He moved toward the door. “Now if you’ll both excuse me, I need to speak to our head nurse.”
Erik waited until he’d gone to speak to his father. “Are you certain you want to go? We don’t have to.”
“No, I think it would be a fine time.”
“You seemed hesitant.”
His father looked at the floor and heaved a sigh. “This time of year is always hard. But I think celebrating with the Turner family would be just the thing to lift my spirits. How about you?”
Erik immediately thought of Leah and how much he’d like to see her again. “I think celebrating with Dr. Turner’s family would suit me just fine. After all these years of Christmas misery, I think we owe it to ourselves to get into the spirit of things.”
Leah couldn’t believe she’d allowed Randolph to take her out to dinner on the coldest night of the year. The temperatures had warmed up to around negative ten, then plummeted again when the sun set at four thirty. All she really longed for was her bed and the thick quilts and eiderdown comforters that she could burrow under.
“Have you heard any news about your family?” she asked, teeth chattering. Thankfully the waiter brought her hot tea. Leah barely waited for him to pour the steaming liquid before picking up the cup to cradle in her frozen hands.
“No. There’s been no word. I fear the worst.”
“I am sorry. That must be such a burden.”
“Belgium was a wonderful place before the war. I have so many fond memories of visits there. I would spend several weeks there each summer. I don’t know if you realize this, but I’m actually related to the king, Albert the First. We’re distant cousins. Close enough, however, that I’ve been in his company on many occasions, especially when I was younger.”
“How fascinating.” Leah had known there was some royal connection but had never bothered to learn what it was.
