SHORT STORIES OR THE LEGEND OF U. EDWARD ROBINETTE

A LOVE STORY Ed Robinette Age 88 BASE ON THE MEMORIES OF THE AUTHOR’S BOOK THE ADVENTURES OF A YOUNG MARINE IN WWII ***** The Christmas of 2013 was the fourth Christmas that I had not shared the holidays with my wife. She died on June 5th, 2009. I spent Thanksgiving with my son in Florida, and I have just returned from Louisville where I spent Christmas with my daughter and her family. I walked into my house more depressed than I ever been. I dropped my bags on the floor, went into the living room, looked at a picture of my wife and cried. I shared with her about the kids and the grandchildren that she didn’t lived to see. I told her I was so lonely and dating once in awhile didn’t help. I needed someone to love and for them to love me. The love given to me by my family and friends didn’t help. Sometimes I could feel her presence in the room, but today the room was as empty as my heart. I sat there for hours feeling sorry for myself and eventually fell asleep on the couch. I was awakening by the phone ringing, and when I looked at my watch, it was 9a.m. I had been asleep on the couch all night. “Good Morning, this is Ed Robinson speaking.” “Ed, this is Julie from Hospice. Can you take another patient at Brook Wood nursing home?” “Yes, I think I can. I have three more patients there and one more won’t matter. What is the patient’s name and room number, and any other information you can give me.?” “Ed, you know our new privacy rules, I can’t give her name or very little other information, except she is a woman and in room 301. But I can tell you this, she is around ninety, was a school teacher, and somebody told me she could see in the future. She has worked with the police on several unsolved murder cases.” “Sounds like an interesting woman, I will see her tomorrow. I just got back from seeing my family, and I have some unpacking to do.” “Thanks Ed. Tomorrow would be fine.” I called the kids and told them I made it home safely, and I was going to put some flowers on their mother’s grave, and then go to the store. I went to the flower shop bought some white lilies, then went to the cemetery and to the grave where my wife was buried. After placing the flower on her grave, I sat down and talk to her. It was a beautiful day to be alive and I thought about the night she died. Yes, I would have liked to have gone with my wife, but I was still in good health, and I think GOD has a purpose for my life. I had made a promised to GOD, that if He gave me the strength, I would visit the sick, and tomorrow I would go to the nursing home and see my new patient. Wednesday morning after breakfast, I took a quick shower and went out to my car. After arriving at the nursing home, I went straight to the nurses’ station. “Good morning Ann, did you have a nice Christmas?” “Yes, I did, Ed. What about you?” “Pretty good, I guess. I spent Christmas at my daughter’s house. Ann, I understand we have a new Hospice patient. Can you give me any information about her?” “Very little Ed. She is ninety, eight years, old and dying of cancer, but has a mind of a twenty year, old, sharp as a tack, she is.” “Can I see her, Ann?” “Yes, she just woke up she loves company, and enjoys talking.” “Does she have any relatives, or close friends that visit her?” “No Ed, you are the first to visited her, and our records show no family.” “That’s sad Ann, but I see it every day. Why doesn’t the family visit their love ones? Some people put them in here to die, because they can’t take care of them at home, and others they just don’t care.” “Room 301?” “Yes, and her name is Rose.” ***** As I softly knocked on the door, a soft voice said. “Please come in, is it time for lunch?” “Not just yet Rose. My name is Ed Robinson, and I’m a volunteer for Hospice. Can I visit with you for a few minutes?” “Hospice? Oh yes, they are, find folks. My husband was with them before he died. Am I going to die, is that why you’re here?” “No mam, not for a long time, I hope. But again, we all are going to die someday. We hope to get you well, and then you can get out of here.” “Don’t lie to me young man, I know when I’m dying. What do you want to talk about?” “May I set down in this chair beside your bed?” “I guess you can, unless you want to set on the floor.” “No mam, at my age I won’t be able to get up.” “How old are you, young man?” “I’m eighty, eight, my wife died about four years ago, and that’s when I volunteered to work for Hospice.” “That’s a good thing, and I’m sorry about your wife. How long were you married?” “Fifty, eight good years, we had a good marriage, two children and four, great grand, children. God has blessed us in many ways.” “Yes, I’m sure HE has. But you’re just a young man. I’m ninety, eight, you know, and I have seen plenty in my lifetime. Did you know that I used to solve murders? I’m, a psychogenesis.” “Big word. What does it, mean’s?” “I can see things that other people can’t see. It was given to me when I was a little girl, found my little sister when no one else could. I think God gave me this gift.” “Life a fortune medium?” “No! I’m not a fake, and don’t use that word to me again.” She said very irritated. “Yes mam, would you tell me about it sometimes? Sounds interesting.” “Yes, I will be glad too, but young man that’s my lunch coming. And I’m hungry. Come and see me tomorrow.” “Can I see you Friday? I need to see couple more patients tomorrow.” “That would be fine. I have got to eat now, gott’a keep my figure, you know.”