Page 13 of Ultimate Freedom

Dear Demi,

I know Harold would be upset if he knew I was writing to tell you this, but I felt you’d want to know. He’s been going downhill for the last few months, lost quite a bit of weight and is often tired. I was finally able to drag him to the doctor’s, and they say he’s in congestive heart failure.

I first noticed it when he started wheezing, and his appetite had dwindled. You know him when he comes to my place, he usually eats like a bear. Not so much now. He fainted last week, and I saw how bad his ankles are swollen. He’s slowed down so much. Doc says he needs more oxygen but he’s being stubborn.

All he talks about is coming to see you in the Yukon. Says if it’s the last thing he gets to do, he’ll die a happy man.

I asked the doctor, and he says Harold should go if he wants to. They can give him some medicine to make him breathe better and to keep him stable for now. Since he’s determined, they told me there’s no time to waste.

If you can find us a place to stay, I promised him I’d come with him in the airplane. He wants to surprise you, but I told him no. It’s not fair. So, he will bring it up next time you call him on Sunday.

I just wanted to warn you about the truth. If you can’t have us there, I understand.

Your pal,

Lefty

At that instant, the world shifted, and fear began to take shape. When Demi saw the signature logo under his name with the restaurant’s title, address, and phone number, she didn’thesitate. Calling the number, she anxiously waited to hear Lefty’s voice.

Thankful it wasn’t one of his workers answering, she quickly replied, “Hi, Lefty, it’s me, Demi. I just opened your email and found out that Harold is sick. I’m so sorry. He looked well in the summer, but I know he’s getting on.”

“Yeah, hi Demi girl. I rewrote the note a number of times, and then almost didn’t send it. Harold would be mad if he knew I went behind his back.”

“Then we won’t tell him. I just wanted to reassure you that you can bring him whenever it suits you. I know Whit wouldn’t mind if you both stayed at his house in town. He had it closed down, but he recently opened it for some friends over the holidays who needed a place for their parents to stay. They leave tomorrow.”

“That sounds good. I know you’re kinda isolated at the cabin.”

“We are. His house is better situated because the clinic is close by and so is the store. Of course, as long as the weather is good, you’ll spend a lot of your time here with me at the cabin.”

“Are you sure it’s okay we come, Demi? He’s feeling pretty low, and I know it’ll cheer him a lot to have something to look forward to. And… he talks about you non-stop. You’ve become very important to the old fart.”

Laughing, as if he knew she would, her face broke into a huge smile, and her delight at the prospect seeing them sounded in her voice. “I think it’s a wonderful idea. I can’t wait to have you both here. When did you figure to travel?”

“I’ve been watching the weather, and I know you’ve had it bad for the last week. But it looks like there’s a break coming and some better times to follow. Would three days from now work for you? It’s New Years Day and one of the easier times to get reservations.”

“Good thinking. We’ll pick you up in Terrace – just send me your itinerary. And don’t worry. We’ll get you settled. Do you have winter clothing?”

“I do… from when I lived in Manitoba. I might even have a parka for Harold. No problem, we’ll come properly attired.”

Laughing at his witticism, she ended the call in all seriousness. “I’m going to call Harold right now.”

“He’ll wonder why. You already called for Christmas.”

“Hey, I have other news I can share. My editor just sent me a big royalty payment and wants me to write a second book. He’ll be happy for me. If he brings up the trip, I’ll know what to say.”

“Can you let me know how it works out?”

“Absolutely. I’ll call you right after I talk to him.” Before she hung up, she added, “Lefty, keep me up to date with your plans. If there’s anything I can do from my end, let me know.”

“Thanks, Demi. You’re a sweetheart. Talk soon.”

Demi sat back and let the information she’d just heard sink in. Sick inside at the thought of Harold being unwell made her sigh long and hard, clench her hands, and bow her head. Goddammit. Just when she felt like she had a family, this kind of shit happened.

She hated to think of a world that didn’t include that old man. She’d kept him involved in everything she’d accomplished over the months of living in Alaska. At first, she’d sent letters, but since his writing had declined so much over the last few months, she’d called instead. The recent phone calls had brought them closer. In her dreamworld, she thought of him like her family, and it had made her feel safe to know he existed.

Dealing with her misery before calling him, she swallowed her pity for the man, cleared her throat, and sat up straight. When he answered, happy to hear from her, she shared her news. His excited congratulations were like a balm to her wounded spirit.

Since she’d sent him a copy of her manuscript once it was finished, she knew his praise came from a place where he’d read her work, had even pointed out a few blatant errors, and had raved about the finished product. She loved hearing him tell her how he just knew she’d be writing a lot more books in the future… because in his case, they weren’t just empty compliments.

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