Thursday with Marve went much like Wednesday afternoon. I was downstairs by 7:45AM so Jane could go to work. I helped Marve settle in his recliner in the living room to watch game shows. He laughed, "game shows are my guilty pleasure. Please Kynlee, don't rat me out to my friends."
I laughed and agreed, "your secret is safe with me Marve." I made a motion like I was turning a key to lock my lips and pretended to throw the key over my shoulder. Marve smiled warmly at me before I went to clean up the kitchen from breakfast.
Almost no one called me, so I found it strange when my cell phone rang. My heart and breath rates sped up when I recognized the number calling me as the main number from the hospital. My first thought was Kedron, so I answered it as quickly as possible, "hello?"
"Good morning. My name is Dr. Eman. Is this Kynlee Knutson?" He asked in a friendly but business-like manner.
"Yes, this is Kynlee. Is my brother okay?" I asked in a rush.
"I believe so Ms. Knutson. I'm not calling about your brother. I'm actually calling about some allegations brought to our attention about relations between you and Dr. Teton," he stated.
"Let me guess…Dr. Adams brought it to your attention?" I asked.
"I'm not at liberty to disclose my source Ms. Knutson," Dr. Eman stated matter of factly.
"Well, you should know that Dr. Adams was jealous of my friendship with Dr. Teton because he had politely refused her advances repeatedly. You should also know that Dr. Adams, Dr. Armani, and your head Physical Therapist, all work at Renowned Rochester Rehabilitation as well as being benefactors at that facility. I could be wrong, but it's rather suspect that immediately after Dr. Teton and I discovered their money making scheme, that Dr. Adams brings allegations against Dr. Teton…"
Our conversation went on for at least fifteen minutes during which time I honestly and candidly answered his questions about my relationship with Wam. I made it clear that even when I attempted to instigate a physical relationship, Wam had put the brakes on. I also explained that Dr. Adams and her allegations were the reason I moved out of Wam's cabin. "No one should be punished for helping someone in a tough situation, like Dr. Teton helped me."
As I washed the dishes, once off the phone, I couldn't help but become teary eyed at the thought of Wam and how much I missed him. He would be staying at the cabin tonight and I wouldn't be there. I craved his manly scent, his muscular build as I ran my hands over his body, and the feel of his strong arms as he held me.
The thought I may never have any of those things again, pulled a silent sob from my throat. I sunk down on my butt on the kitchen floor. My back to the cabinets below the sink, soap was running down my forearms, but I didn't care.
I've never been in love before. Why is this so hard? All anyone ever talks about is the wonder, the happiness, and that you know when you find the right one. Other than sappy love songs, they rarely talk about the pain, the heartache, the soul crushing emptiness that is so extreme in my chest right now. How do people recover from this and move on? I sounded so pitiful, even in my thoughts.
I said to myself, quietly but with conviction, "Kynlee, you need to pull yourself up by your boot straps and you'll be okay. You have to be okay for Kedron, for Marve, and for Jane. I can't let them down. I will be there for all of them, because that's what family does!"
I took a deep breath, stood back up, and dusted off my jeans. This reminded me of a quote I'd heard, 'you don't know how strong you can be, until it's the only option you have'. So very true!
About 11:30AM, I started lunch as Marve woke from a brief nap, and watched more game shows. The man had a real competitive streak. I was impressed at all the knowledge in his head. Although Marve had no college degree, he was very intelligent and loved to share old stories. He was very father-like toward me, and I really enjoyed our time together.
I escorted Marve to the table once the soup was warm and the sandwiches were made. He was able to walk, but appeared tired and slightly off balance at times. He informed me, "tomorrow morning is my first radiation therapy appointment and Jane is hoping to meet us there for the consultation part of the visit."
We further discussed location and Marve explained, "my appointment is at 10AM, so we need to leave in plenty of time because I'm not moving as fast as I used to. If we don't have enough time, I'll have to have you push me in a wheelchair. I just get winded so easily," he admitted with what looked like sadness.
"Hey, I'm here to help Marve. If you are too tired or too winded to walk, I'd gladly push you in a wheelchair. Please don't hesitate to ask for whatever I can help with." Marve's face remained serious, but he nodded slowly.
I placed my hand over his and tried to reassure him, "I'm here to help make things easier for you and Jane. We will try to leave here by 9AM. That should give you plenty of time if you feel up to walking. If not, please let me help you."
Marve gave me a slight smile and nodded again before saying in a breathy voice, "thank you Kynlee. That means a lot to me. Your parents would be so proud of the young lady you've become." He gently squeezed my hand before taking a drink of his water.
Again I heard my cell phone ring. I looked down to see the call was from Jane. I answered, "Hello Jane. What can I do for you?"
She asked first, "how is Marve?"
I smiled and winked at Marve, "we are just eating lunch now. Did you want to talk to him?"
"No, let him eat. I just called to let you know one of my colleagues will be coming for supper tonight. Would you like to cook, or would you prefer I bring home take out?" Jane offered.
"Oh no, I love to cook. I make a mean lasagna snd garlic toast if that's okay?"
"That would be perfect, if you're sure?" She clarified.
"If you don't have all the ingredients, can I run to the market up the street, or do I need to bring Marve with?" I asked to make sure I wasn't doing something taboo.
"Marve usually naps after lunch anyway, so yes, feel free to run to the store quickly once he is settled. Thank you Kynlee," she said warmly.
"No problem Jane. See you after 430PM. Is 5 okay for the lasagna?" I asked to nail down a time.
"5 sounds perfect. Thank you Kynlee. I gotta get back to work. Ask Marve for his store credit card for whatever you might need. I'll text him so he knows. Later dear heart," and Jane hung up.
I couldn't help but smile, shake my head, and laugh at the phone. Jane seemed awfully excited about whoever this colleague was. I would do my best to make supper delicious and the house presentable. Of course without children nor pets in the house, the house stayed pretty tidy.
Marve went to his recliner after lunch and I washed up after the meal. Next I took inventory of what we had and what was needed for my homemade lasagna. I went to say good bye to Marve and make sure he knew I'd be right back. Marvin handed me his store credit card and said, "thank you for helping Jane with supper. Having you here during the day has been a huge load off her mind."
"It's my pleasure to be here Marvin. I'll be back shortly and then I'll start assembling the lasagna for supper. Anything you need before I go?" He shook his head. "Okay then…enjoy your nap," I joked as I left.
The store was only a few blocks, but I knew I'd have bags to carry, so I drove the truck. Unfamiliar with the store, it took me about thirty minutes to find everything on my list. I paid with Marve's credit card and headed back to the house.
Luckily, Marve was still asleep in his recliner when I carried in the two bags and poked my head in to check on him. Marve and Jane seem so close, I cannot imagine how she would handle losing him to this cancer. Sadly, stage 4 cancer of any kind meant it had metastasized. From what Jane told me, it's much easier to treat stage 1 and stage 2. The higher the stage, generally the poorer the outcome. I was no expert, but I knew enough to know Marve's stage 4 wasn't a positive sign.
I began to put the lasagna together and placed it in the oven to bake. I then combined the various fruits into a fruit salad, covered the bowl, and placed it in the fridge to chill. I placed the garlic bread on a cookie sheet and left it out to cook when the lasagna was finished. I gathered four sets of dishes and flat ware for supper and set them on the table. Marve had coughed some today, but so far he hadn't needed a neb treatment, so I asked, "would you like to do a nebulizer treatment before they arrive? I'll set it up if you do."
He thinks for a bit and then answers, "that's a very smart idea Kynlee. Yes, if you don't mind setting it up, I'd like to use it before they arrive."
I nod with a smile and go back into the kitchen to set up the nebulizer treatment. By the time I'm hooking the cup to the nebulizer machine tubing, Marve is sitting down in his spot at the table. I hand the mask to him and he says, "thank you," before putting it over his head. I'm a tad worried about Marve walking tomorrow when simply walking to the table makes him short of breath. Once situated, he pushes the 'on' button and vapor starts swirling in the mask for him to breath in. I don't know who the guest will be, but I want Marve to be able to visit, not get on one of his coughing jags and have to leave the room or feel embarrassed.
Whether he beats the cancer or not, I want the time he has left to be the best it can be. This is a small thing I can do to help him feel his best. Just as I'm putting away the machine, rinsing the cup and setting it out to dry, Jane strolls into the kitchen.
"It smells wonderful in here Kynlee. Thank you again for running to the store and making supper. I'll help Marve get changed while you go freshen up, okay?" Jane requests.
I nod and head upstairs.