AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Randall nodded, “What room is he in?”
“I’ll walk with you.” They passed the nurses’ station and turned down the hall as Jeffrey said, “He’s still imagining things, says he had more visions, so be aware of that.”
Randall knew Jeffrey didn’t place much faith in the old ways, although he was like most of the tribe in not wanting to say the names of deceased people or talk much about them, but he was a good friend and cousin. Randall said, “Maybe we can get together later, grab a bite.”
“I’m always hungry. How about K-Bob’s?”
“Sure. I’ll call you when I leave here.”
“Good to see you, Randall. It’s been too long.” Jeffrey clapped him on the shoulder and pointed at the open door of room seventeen. “Later.”
Randall entered, and saw his grandfather was awake, the old eyes bright. Grandfather said, “You came fast, grandson.”
Randall sat beside his bed, seeing how frail his grandfather looked in the hospital gown, and how the skin on his forearms was tissue paper thin, almost translucent, with the veins showing under it like small, pale blue worms. Randall said, “Are they going to let you out of here, or do you like the food so much you’re going to stay?”
“Ha-ha. I told them you would take me to the house.”
“I’ll visit with the doctor about it first.”
“That’s fine. He will be here soon. Maybe ten minutes, I figure.”
Randall wanted to hear from his grandfather about what happened, and not simply rely on Jeffrey’s story. He said, “Why were you at Whitetail?” His grandfather was silent for several minutes, which did not make Randall uncomfortable, because long silences while talking were a common trait among the Apache.
Grandfather patted Randall’s hand and said, “Had to do some visiting and find out a few things. I’ve had bad dreams lately. About you.”
“Me?”
“There’s trouble coming your way. I had to be in someplace where I could see it better, without interruptions, so I went to Whitetail.”
“What sort of trouble?”
“It wasn’t clear, kind of like seein’ a far off storm or black cloud. But you and your friends are in the path. Do you still have the Tzi-Dalti, I gave you?”
“Yes. I have it in my pocket.” Randall pulled out the thumb-sized amulet his grandfather made for him two years ago. The old Apache carved it from the root of a lightning struck tree that grew through a small vein of turquoise. Two small blue stones the size of honeybees were encased in the wood.
Grandfather said, “Good. Keep it with you.” He looked at the door, “Doctor Galindo is coming down the hall.”
Randall heard nothing. Grandfather said, “You’ve lived in the city too long, lost your good hearing.” He grinned, “Don’t worry about it; I wouldn’t be able to hear the things you hear in the city, so you are still in harmony.”
Doctor Galindo entered the room and Randall introduced himself.
Galindo said, “He’s been talking about you ever since he arrived.”
“My grandfather says you might be releasing him.”
“Since you’re here. I’d like to keep him overnight for a final observation, and release him in the morning.”
Grandfather said, “Doctor Galindo, I’m ready. Just in case you were doubtful.”
“I’m sure you are, Mr. Ishtee.” He checked the charts, then the patient. “You’re looking better, and those little cuts and scratches are healing well. I’ll start the paperwork so you can be out of here before lunch tomorrow. I’ll see you in the morning.” He turned to Randall, “Walk with me, please.”
Randall said to his grandfather, “I’ll be back.”
“I’ll be ready.”
Outside the room, Doctor Galindo said, “Your grandfather is doing remarkably well, let me assure you. But he’s been having lapses in memory for the last year, and appears to forget where he is going, or where he is. It is natural, especially at his age, but you should be aware of how he is. Mr. Ishtee may need to be placed in a nursing home if he deteriorates further.”
Randall felt like someone threw ice water in his face. He couldn’t imagine his grandfather in a nursing home. The old man lived outside most of the time, only going in the house to sleep, and to cook in the winter on the days when it was too cold or wet to use his wood fire stove on the covered flagstone patio. Randall said, “We’ll cross that bridge when it becomes necessary.”
