Welcome to Part 4 of my first Christian romance novel. I hope you enjoy it.
Parts 1-4 are a preview. Parts 5-23 are available as they are published to PLM+ members. CLICK HERE for more information.
Chapter 7
The Clown, located across from the hospice office, started off as a food trailer parked in a gravel lot several years ago. The hamburgers were so good that the owner parked there permanently, added on, built picnic tables, then a massive enclosable gazebo and, lately, added a small music stage for weekend concerts. It’s popular with the Sunset Hospice employees due to its proximity to the office and its food.
Jake arrived with his usual promptness and procured a table. This is just lunch with a colleague, right? Why was he having so much trouble convincing himself of that? Did he want to convince himself of that?
“The green chile cheeseburger is the best.” Jen was standing right next to Jake before he knew what hit him.
“Oh, hi Jen. I was zoned out... that sounds good. What will you have? I’m in a good mood today, so I’m buying.”
“Ooh, I never turn down a free green chile. If you’re feeling generous I’ll take fries and a diet soda with two animals. It’s been a tough day for just one.”
“Two... animals?”
“Oh, you’re new here. Suzie at the counter will know what I want.”
“Okay, whatever.” Jake suddenly felt that warm wonderful sensation that he felt every time he was around Jennifer Lawson. He smiled as he made his way to the counter to order lunch.
On his return, Jen helped him distribute the messy burgers, the greasy but incredibly delicious fries and two diet sodas each with two tiny plastic zoo animals hugging the edge of the Styrofoam cups.
Jake was rather amused by the menagerie on his drink. “The animals are a nice touch.”
“Yeah. It’s become a hospice tradition to broadcast what kind of day you’re having by how many animals you have on your cup. One for a good day, two for a rough one and three, well, just leave me alone.”
“Got it.” Jake plucked one of the animals off his cup. “I’m having a good day.”
Jen smiled and plucked off one of hers. “Mine’s getting better.”
Jake felt a wave of overwhelming contentment and nervousness at the same time. This was very unfamiliar territory for him. He didn’t like being in unfamiliar territory. Safe was better. Jake wasn’t sure why he would feel unsafe with Jen. She couldn’t possibly know enough about his history to want anything from him... except. Can’t go there, Jennings.
“I guess you’re wondering why I called you here. I do have a motive for this little meeting, Jake.”
“Really? What’s that?”
“I hate to talk business during lunch, but there’s a family in my church that’s needing hospice care and I wanted to talk to you about them before they came on service.”
“Sure. What can I do to help?” At some level he didn’t quite understand, Jake felt a pang of disappointment that this was not a personal visit.
“Well, this is a really complicated problem. You’ll find out a lot more when Sharon fills in the details and, well, we can’t use names in public.” Jen looked away for a moment, lost in thought. “The husband worked for many years in a factory where he was exposed to asbestos. His wife was the one to come down with mesothelioma, not him. She washed his work clothes every day and probably breathed in the asbestos fibers. It’s just awful what the husband is going through thinking that he made his wife sick like that.”
From Jen’s demeanor, Jake could tell this was affecting her deeply. This was the first time Jake had seen Jen in this kind of a mood. It was unsettling. “I can’t begin to imagine what he’s going through. I hope they got a huge settlement from that one.”
“No. The company won that case because the husband didn’t have any physical evidence of asbestos on his work clothes.”
Jake instantly became angry as Jen talked. “I hate lawyers. All of them... except one, but that’s another story.” Jake could feel an old, cold rage building up inside of him begging to be let out. This was a repeat of history that he didn’t want to remember... ever. Jake took a deep breath, trying to relax. “So, they are coming on service soon?”
“Uh, Jake. Are you okay?” Jen had a strange, concerned look on her face.
“Yeah, I think so. Why?”
“Well, you just choked your napkin to death. I’ll give it a decent burial for you if you want.”
“Oh, sorry. I get a little worked up about lawyers. That’s all. So, the family will be coming on service... when?”
Jen paused for a moment, giving him a wary stare. She hadn’t seen a dark or angry side to Jake so far. It didn’t feel good to her at all. She had experience with men with anger issues and she didn’t like it. “This week. Sharon said she wants to send you on the consent visit since you need to be involved as the chaplain and the bereavement counselor. They have asked for me to be the nurse.”
Jake took a deep breath to finish calming his nerves. “Jen. It looks like this is affecting you deeply. Is it a good idea for you to be caring for this family?”
“I need to do this. They’ve asked for my help, and I need to be there for them.”
“I understand our need to be there when people ask for our help, but we also need to take care of ourselves. Nurses are the worst about going too far and stretching themselves too thin. Please don’t do that to yourself.”
Jen’s glow began to shine through again. “Why, Jacob Jennings. I didn’t know you cared so much.”
Jake was speechless. Anything he said next would probably get him in trouble. A lot of trouble. He just smiled and looked at Jen for a moment. “Well, we all need to take care of ourselves.” That was lame, Jennings.
Jen’s smile began to glow brighter. She knew some of Jake’s discomfort and exactly why he was so off balance right now. She also instinctively knew that she had to tread lightly with Jake.
Chapter 8
That evening, Becca, who rented a bedroom from Jen for their mutual benefit, had a talk with Jen while they folded clothes and straightened up, which were monumental tasks with two boys in the house.
“So, Jen, what’s cookin’ between you and the yummy Chaplain Jake?”
“Cooking? I’m not sure anything’s even simmering between us Becca.”
“Oh, I know there is. I’ve seen the way he looks at you when we’re at the office, Jen. There’s something going on there. You’ve got to go for it. He’s too good to pass up... and those green eyes are to die for.”
“Yeah, but there’s something else there. He’s got something else going on behind those eyes I can’t quite figure out. It’s like he’s trying to hide something from me every time we talk.”
“Maybe he’s got the hots for you and doesn’t want to show it.”
“No. It’s not that. Well, I hope it’s that too... No. It feels like he’s really hurting down deep inside and can’t let it show. He’s a great guy. I’d like to get to know him, but it’s hard to get close to someone who’s that closed up.”
“Patience, Jen. Patience. Give him time. It’s like trying to make friends with a cute little wild animal. You can’t force it to happen. You have to be patient, friendly and still. Offer it something it wants and you’ll have a friend. You got it goin’ on girlfriend. How could Jake not want to be with you? The two of you are made for each other.”
“Maybe, but Becca, I’m still trying to deal with Steve and the problems he’s causing for me and the kids. Why am I even thinking about another relationship so soon?”
“Because he’s so freakin’ hot, Jen. That’s why.”
That brought a laugh from both of them.
That same evening Jake also had a talk, but with himself. The anger he felt earlier in the day around Jennifer had disturbed him. It wasn’t the time or place for something like that. He just couldn’t help himself. Jake didn’t like being out of control in any aspect of his life. That’s why he tried to establish such an orderly routine and living space.
The dark time in his life was made that much darker by the very people who were supposed to uphold the concept of law and justice. They instead turned an inexcusable tragedy into an evil course of events that almost destroyed him forever.
He let his anger slip in front of Jen. He shouldn’t have done that. Jake needed to talk it through... but with whom? He sat alone on a cedar post bench under an ancient pecan tree on his three-hundred-acre ranch. Alone. And cried.
Chapter 9
Jake arrived at the office the next morning at Sharon’s request to discuss a new patient. Jake had an idea what this was about. “Morning Sharon. What’s up?”
“Hi, Jake. Hope you’re having a good week. I have an assignment for you. It will accomplish several things at once, your orientation consent visit, a social worker ride out and get you introduced to a patient and family that are going to need you as a chaplain and bereavement counselor. The patient is Eileen Janicek in Cameron. Her husband is Don. She has mesothelioma.”
“Jen told me a little about them yesterday. They go to her church. She said they want her as their nurse.”
“Then you know this is a pretty tragic situation. It’s going to need your magic touch, Jake. You up to it?”
“That’s what I’m here for, Sharon. Let’s do it.”
“Okay. I want Sarah to go with you since she will be the social worker and you still need your ride out signature. Come back to the office with a full report.”
“Will do.” Jake picked up the consent paperwork and met Sarah in the Family Support room.
“Hey, Jake. This one sounds tough.”
“Yes, it does. You ready?”
“As ever. Let’s go.”
The two of them walked quietly to Jake’s car and left to go meet the Janiceks. Jake’s radar sounded a faint signal that Jake couldn’t quite make out.
Chapter 10
Jake and Sarah shared small talk on the way to the Janicek home. Jake was lost in thought, not really paying much attention to Sarah as they drove through the Central Texas farmland.
Sarah felt slighted by Jake’s lack of attention but understood that he may be distracted by the visit that was at hand.
When they pulled to a stop at the curb in front of the Janicek home Sarah unbuckled her seatbelt and started to open the door when she realized that Jake hadn’t moved. She looked over at him and noticed that he sat still with his hands on the wheel and his eyes closed. She was hesitant to say anything not knowing whether to check if he was alright or leave him alone.
After a short and nervous moment for Sarah, Jake looked over at her. “Oh, I’m sorry, it’s my tradition to say a quick prayer for the patient I’m about to visit.”
“Oh, that’s... that’s beautiful, Jake.” Sarah really didn’t know what to say. She felt moved by the depth and genuineness of Jake’s faith. “That’s something we all should do, really.”
“Well, we have a family to meet.” Jake grabbed his satchel and headed for the door. Sarah followed him hesitantly, almost fearfully. He couldn’t understand Sarah’s hesitancy. Jake’s intuitive radar wasn’t perfect. Then again, he sometimes avoided the signals.
Shortly after ringing the doorbell of the immaculately kept ranch style home, they were greeted by a distinguished looking gentleman who tried hard not to look beaten down and tired.
“Hello, Mr. Janicek? I’m Jake Jennings, chaplain with Sunset Hospice and this is Sarah Newsome, social worker.”
“Good morning. We are expecting you. Won’t you come in.” Mr. Janicek led them down the entry way to the den. “Eileen, girls, they’re here.”
As Jake entered the den he found Mrs. Janicek, a gracious petite lady with twinkling blue eyes and the tale tell nasal cannula that signaled a serious illness, sitting in one of two plush recliners surrounded by three women who looked to be around Jake’s age or younger. “Hello, I’m Eileen Janicek and these are our daughters, Mary, Ellen and Cheryl.”
Ellen looked vaguely familiar. “Hello, Mrs. Janicek, ladies. I’m Jake Jennings, chaplain and this is Sarah Newsome, social worker from Sunset Hospice.”
Don took his seat in the recliner next to Eileen. Jake could easily see this scene as the king, queen and the ladies-in-waiting in a medieval castle. “We’re glad you’re here. We think we need your help.” Don seemed to grow stronger in their presence, as if having everyone where they were supposed to be meant things would somehow be better.
Jake and Sarah shook hands and greeted the daughters. While all three of the daughters looked apprehensive about this visit, Ellen seemed particularly emotional and nervous around Jake sending his radar alarm blaring.
Don, not one to waste time, jumped right in. “Now, what can hospice do to help my Eileen?”
“We’re here to see how we may be able to help all of you, Mr. Janicek.”
“Please, call me Don,” he interrupted.
“Alright, Don. We have all the time you need to talk about what we can offer and answer your questions. But first, tell us about what you are going through and what the doctor has told you about your illness so I will know how to proceed.”
“Well, you can call me Eileen and I guess I will start. The doctor told me I have mesothelioma, a lung cancer you get from asbestos exposure. That was about a year ago. It’s progressed pretty fast. I’m on oxygen most of the time and have a hard time getting around on my own. Today’s a good day for me.”
Jake looked at Don while Eileen talked and saw the deep hurt on his face. Don felt that he caused Eileen’s illness by bringing home the deadly substance on his work clothes.
Don spoke up. “Eileen had never come into direct contact with asbestos, but I did. I worked at the plant south of here that makes equipment for the oil and coal industry. Eileen, being the wonderful wife that she is, scrubbed and washed my greasy work clothes almost every day when I came home. She breathed in the asbestos fibers and got sick. I didn’t.” His voice cracked.
Eileen patted his hand and smiled reassuringly. Don felt guilty, but Eileen only felt love for her husband.
It took a moment for Don to regain enough strength to continue. “The doctors were certain that the only way Eileen could have gotten sick was from exposure from my work clothes, but the company refused to take any responsibility. I retired long before Eileen got sick. I didn’t have any of my work clothes with ‘evidence’ as the company lawyers put it. Our lawyer tried his best to get a settlement, but it didn’t work. The only coverage we have for her illness is Medicare and my regular retirement. We saved up to enjoy our golden years, but they’ve tarnished on us.” Don looked down and away from Jake and Sarah to keep them from seeing the tears forming in his eyes.
Jake allowed the silence to continue for a moment. His distaste for and distrust of the legal profession from his past experiences was creeping into his mind in an inappropriate way. Focus Jake. It’s not about you. Sarah was about to speak, but Jake motioned for her to stop. He knew Don or Eileen would speak when they were ready.
Don ran his hands over his face. “Well, now that you know what we are up against, what can hospice do to help us?”
“Quite a lot actually. When the doctor says they can’t reverse an illness, hospice steps in to let you know there is still a lot that can be done to make your life better. We do that by providing medical, spiritual and social support for the whole family based on your unique needs for as long as you need us. The good news is that Medicare pays for everything we do. We know you’ve had enough expenses up to this point. Medicare knows it is far less expensive for us to be caring for you than for you to be on your own. Without us the only option you would have if you had a pain crisis at two o’clock in the morning, for instance, is to go to the emergency room. You would likely end up in the hospital for several days costing Medicare in the high five figure range. That amount would pay for hospice care for over a year. With hospice involved you call us in the middle of the night, and we send a nurse here to take care of you, figure out how to resolve the problem and not leave until you feel better.
“I know that you have asked for Jennifer Lawson to be your nurse. She will see you on a regular schedule to check on you for any changes in your condition. She will determine on admission what medications your physician has prescribed. Any prescriptions that are necessary for your admitting diagnosis, hospice will pay for. Jennifer will be sure that all your medications are up to date and in your home as you need them.
“We also have Certified Nurse Assistants who are available to help with bathing, changing sheets and light housework to make things easier for the whole family. As you already know, you have a chaplain and social worker available to support you with spiritual concerns, living wills and other issues that may be of concern to you or your family. We also have volunteers who can provide companionship visits for Eileen if Don needs to go to the store or visit a doctor. We are available to support family members even if they don’t live in the home. There are some other services available that are explained in the handbook.” Jake gave the handbook to Don.
“All visits will be scheduled at your convenience. How often each of us visits you is determined based on a care plan we all work on together as a team. You are the boss.
“We are here to be your support system, to provide hope and encouragement, to let you know that even though you have a terrible illness we don’t give up on what we can do to make your life better.” Jake allowed a moment to let the information sink in. “How does that sound?”
“A little too good to be true. What’s the catch?” Don wasn’t someone to fall for a scam. He’d been through enough with his wife’s illness. He couldn’t afford to lose even more. “Don’t take this the wrong way, Chaplain. I know Jennifer. She’s a fine girl. I know she wouldn’t do anything crooked, but it just doesn’t make sense that we would get all of this without having to pay anything.”
“I know it sounds like that, Don, but you have been paying Medicare premiums for years. That’s what is paying for this. It’s also more cost effective for us to be caring for you than not. There’s a Medicare brochure in the handbook that explains that aspect of the hospice benefit.”
Eileen spoke up. “What about a time limit? Don’t hospice patients have a six-month time limit? What happens if I live longer than that? I hope I would, anyway.”
“Good question. The guidelines are six months, but none of us knows how long we will be on this earth. Medicare has very specific and complicated parameters for who can and cannot be admitted to hospice. If a patient meets those parameters, they can be admitted. A patient can remain on hospice as long as they remain eligible and as long as they want to remain on hospice. I’ve taken care of patients for a few hours and some for a few years. We will be here for you as long as you want and need us.”
Eileen thought for a moment. “This sounds wonderful to me. What do you think, girls?”
The three daughters looked at each other and nodded approval. It was Mary who spoke up. “Sure, Mom, we’ve been wanting you to do this for months.”
“Are you alright with this, Don?”
“Sure, dear. Okay, Jake. What do we do next?”
“Well, any time you are dealing with Medicare there’s always a lot of paperwork. I will have you fill out and sign about ten forms. Jennifer will come over this afternoon and conduct an admission which will take a few hours. You will be our patient starting today if that is alright with you.”
“That fast?”
“Yes, ma’am. We feel that if you need us, you need us now, not later.”
“Let’s get going, then.”
The favorite part of any consent visit for Jake happened at that moment. The rewards for a well-done consent visit were the look of relief, the happy banter between family members and even tears of relief that often come when they realize that what they thought was going to be a depressing, even painful meeting turned out to be something inspiring. They found a resource that provides them the first light of hope they have seen since being given a death sentence.
Jake and Sarah talked with the Janicek family about all kinds of things, mostly unrelated to illness and death, while Jake helped Don and Eileen complete the complicated maze of forms. Ellen excused herself from the group at her earliest opportunity.
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