A Life of Joy (27 page)

Was Lindsay destined to float through life without a purpose, or was she headed for greater things? She stopped and let the water roll over her toes while she wondered when she would figure out what God’s plan was for her. How would she know when He presented it to her?

She didn’t know what God had in store for her, but she knew one thing—she wanted to volunteer in the nursing home in memory of her grandfather. Lindsay smiled as another wave crashed in front of her. She was so thankful for the clarity that the smell of the salty ocean, the warmth of the sand, and the cleansing of the water brought to her.

15

T
uesday morning, Lindsay looked up just as Frank stepped into the kitchen. Clad in shorts and a T-shirt, he smiled at Trisha.

“Today is doctor’s appointment day,” he announced with enthusiasm. “Are you ready, Trish?”

Trisha looked at Lindsay across the breakfast table and rolled her eyes. “I can’t wait.”

“Maybe you’ll get good news,” Lindsay said, touching Trisha’s hand. “You said you can’t wait to start physical therapy so you can walk again.”

Trisha sighed. “I’m just so tired. Why is it that I sleep all the time, but I’m still tired?”

“Because you need to get up and go. You said you wanted to try crutches, so let’s do it.” Frank grabbed the crutches leaning against the wall by the doorway and brought them over to Trisha. “Your chariot, my lady.”

Trisha rolled her eyes again, and Lindsay swallowed a snort. While Frank helped Trisha up from her chair, Lindsay took the dirty dishes to the counter and began to fill the dishwasher.

“Okay,” Trisha said, thumping her way to the doorway. “Let’s go.”

“Have fun,” Lindsay said with a smile. “I’ll run the vacuum and clean the bathrooms while you’re gone.”

Trisha gave Lindsay a confused expression. “You’re not coming with us?”

“Oh.” Lindsay looked between them. “You want me to come?”

“You’re not Cinderella or Rapunzel,” Trisha quipped. “You’re allowed to leave the house occasionally and visit civilization.”

Lindsay bit her bottom lip. She’d been up late last night surfing the internet on Frank’s laptop and considering whether or not she wanted to register to get her GED. She longed to go to a bookstore to buy a study guide before she signed up to take the test.

“Would it be possible for me to run a couple of errands while we’re out?” Lindsay asked.

“Sure,” Frank said with a shrug. “I may even buy you two ladies lunch while we’re out too.”

Lindsay placed the last glass into the dishwasher and closed the door. “Let me just get my purse. I want to get a study guide book for the GED test.”

Frank smiled. “Good for you.”

“That’s wonderful, Lindsay. I’m glad that you’re going to do it,” Trisha said. “All right. I’m ready to do this. Let’s go get in the truck.”

Lindsay flipped through a magazine in Trisha’s orthopedist’s waiting room. She glanced at the clock on the wall and found that it had been forty-five minutes since Trisha had been called back to the examination room.

Out of her peripheral vision, Lindsay spotted a young woman about her age staring at her. Lindsay assumed it was due to her attire, and she absently smoothed the skirt of her jumper over her legs. The young woman wore shorts and a tank top while her leg was encased in a calf-high cast.

The door leading to the examination rooms opened, and Trisha hobbled out, her crutches thumping on the tan carpet.
Frank held the door for Trisha and then moved to the counter, where he spoke to the receptionist.

With her face twisted in a grimace, Trisha slowly made her way to Lindsay.

Lindsay stood and met Trisha halfway across the waiting room. She touched Trisha’s arm. “Are you okay?”

Trisha sighed. “Two more weeks.”

“Until what?” Lindsay asked.

“Until I find out if I can get a walking cast and start really walking.” Trisha balanced her crutches in one hand and scratched her nose with the other. “Why is it that every time I try to walk with crutches my nose gets itchy? Is it Murphy’s Law?” She put her crutches back under her arms. “But the good news is that a physical therapist is going to come to the house beginning tomorrow and start teaching me exercises that will help strengthen my leg.”

“That is good news, Trisha,” Lindsay said with a smile. “You’re getting better.”

“Yeah, I am.” Trisha forced a smile. “But it’s not happening soon enough.”

“Okay, ladies,” Frank said as he approached. “Where to next?”

“The bookstore is right up the street,” Trisha said, starting her trek toward the door. “How about we go there and then go to lunch?”

“Sounds like a plan,” Frank said, holding the door open for Trisha.

Lindsay munched on a chip covered in salsa while they sat in Frank’s favorite Mexican restaurant. “It’s been so long since I’ve had Mexican food. It’s so delicious.”

Frank grinned. “I guess you don’t cook tacos for your aunt and uncle, huh?”

Lindsay chuckled. “No, I don’t think
Onkel
Daniel would like tacos or even chips and salsa.” She placed the GED Study Guide, which was more like a catalog than a book, on the table and flipped through it, her stomach twisting at the thought of trying to learn and memorize all of the information contained in it.

“You’ll do fine,” Trisha said as if reading her mind.

Lindsay looked up at her. “You think so?”

“I know so.” Trisha touched Lindsay’s shoulder. “We’re so proud of you for taking this on.”

Frank nodded while munching chips. “Yes, we are.”

The waitress appeared with their lunch and placed the chicken fajita special in front of Lindsay. She bowed her head in silent prayer, thanking God for all of her blessings, and then began filling a tortilla with the chicken strips and vegetables.

Frank dug into his grande beef burrito, and Trisha picked at her taco salad.

“The doctor said that your physical therapy starts tomorrow?” Lindsay asked between bites of her fajita.

Trisha nodded. “The therapist will be at the house around ten.”

“Are you excited?” Lindsay asked.

Trisha shrugged. “I guess so. It’s going to be a lot of work, and I’m already exhausted from schlepping around with the crutches.”

“You’ll do great and quickly regain your strength,” Frank told her as he lifted his glass of Coke. “You worry too much, but you’ve been strong throughout this whole ordeal.”

Trisha stabbed at her taco salad. “So, Lindsay. You’ve been stuck in the house with me too long. Where do you want to go next?”

“Where do you guys want to go?” Lindsay asked.

“I asked you, Lindsay,” Trisha said.

Lindsay fiddled with her napkin on her lap. “I would really like to go by the nursing home and ask about volunteering on
Saturdays. Aunt Trisha is getting better, and I’d love to do more while I’m here. I’m used to always being busy and working a lot back home in Pennsylvania. Would that be okay?”

Trisha smiled. “Of course it’s okay. We’ll go there next.”

“Great.” Lindsay made another fajita.

Lindsay’s stomach fluttered as she stepped through the front door of the Sandbridge Beach Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. She cleared her throat and then touched her hair, making sure her ponytail was still neat and tidy.

Crossing to a long reception desk, she smiled at a nurse who was talking on the phone.

The nurse hung up and gave Lindsay a curious expression. “May I help you?”

“Yes.” Lindsay clasped her hands together in order to try to stop them from trembling. “I wanted to talk to someone about volunteer opportunities.”

“Oh.” The nurse stood and came around the desk. “Come with me. I’ll introduce you to the social worker.”

Lindsay followed the nurse around the corner from the front desk to an office where a young woman sat at a desk, typing on a computer.

“Janice,” the nurse said. “This young lady would like to discuss volunteering.”

Janice looked up. “Come in.” She gestured toward a chair in front of the desk. “Have a seat.”

While the nurse disappeared from the office, Lindsay sank into the chair and forced a smile, despite her frayed nerves. “Hi,” she said.

“Hello.” Janice leaned across the desk and shook Lindsay’s hand. “What’s your name?”

“Lindsay Bedford.”

Janice sat back in her chair. “Tell me why you’d like to volunteer here.”

“Andrea Clark is in my Sunday school class, and she said she volunteers here on Tuesdays,” Lindsay said.

“I know Andrea,” Janice said. “She’s a nice girl.”

“Yes, she is. I’ve always wanted to help out in a nursing home because my grandfather was in one in Williamsburg when I was little, and I felt sorry for the people who didn’t have anyone come visit them.” Lindsay absently played with the hem of her jumper. “I would like to visit the people who don’t have family members or help someone read a letter or even write a letter.”

Steepling her fingers, Janice nodded and smiled. “That’s very admirable of you.”

“Thank you,” Lindsay said with a modest smile. “It’s just something I’ve always wanted to do. I grew up here, but I’ve been living with my aunt in Pennsylvania since my parents died four years ago.”

Frowning with sympathy, Janice shook her head. “I’m so sorry for all you’ve been through. You’re a very mature young lady.”

“Thank you,” Lindsay said.

“Are you back in town visiting friends?” Janice asked.

“Actually, I’m helping my aunt Trisha recover from an accident,” Lindsay explained. “She broke her leg after a bad fall, but she’s been doing a lot better now.”

“That’s good to hear,” Janice said, folding her hands on the desk. “What else have you been doing while you’re in town?”

“I’ve been having fun walking on the beach since I don’t get to see the beach anymore in Pennsylvania,” Lindsay said, while absently smoothing the skirt of her jumper. “I’ve also visited some old school friends. I’m planning on getting my GED too. In fact, I just picked up my study guide today.”

“That sounds like a wonderful idea.” Janice stood. “Let me show you around.”

Janice showed Lindsay the facility and introduced her to
a few of the nurses. Lindsay couldn’t stop smiling while she thought of how much good she could do if she were able to help the patients. She couldn’t wait to tell Rebecca about this opportunity. She hoped that Rebecca would be proud to hear that Lindsay was going to volunteer her time in order to help others.

While moving down a long hallway, she glanced into a room and thought she spotted a woman wearing a prayer covering. She stopped and considered stepping in to see the woman, but Janice called to a nurse who came over to meet Lindsay.

After the tour, they moved back to Janice’s office, where Janice explained that she would have to do a background check before allowing Lindsay to volunteer. Lindsay filled out the paperwork and then shook Janice’s hand.

“You seem like a very nice young lady,” Janice said. “I’ll get in touch with you as soon as I get this paperwork back.”

“Wonderful,” Lindsay said as they walked to the doorway together.

“Did you have a particular schedule in mind to work?” Janice asked.

“I think Saturdays would work best for me,” Lindsay explained. “My uncle Frank is home on Saturdays and can take care of my aunt Trisha, so I can come here and help out.”