Episode 24: Wake Up Call

Previously:

Baby Jolie got a second chance at life.

Patrick pondered his future at the winery.

Cody Stiles came to Claypool to pay his respects.

Episode 24
Wake Up Call

    As Louisa and Suzanne bade goodbye to their last guest, Natalie began to pick up trash that had accumulated on the floor.  She looked at the leftover cake and tea sandwiches and sighed.

    “What are we going to do with all this food?”  Suzanne asked.

    “I’ll take some home,” Natalie replied. “If nothing else, I can feed some to my cat.”

    “Nothing doing!  You’re not going to feed any cats with this! Do you know how long Blaine and I slaved over these sandwiches?”

    Natalie looked dumbfounded.  “Well, uh...no...”

    “Can’t let any of these go to waste, anyway,” Suzanne said.  “I’ll fix a bag for you. Would you like some tea bags, also?”

    Natalie shook her head. “Not unless you have chai.”

    “Oh, we have chai,”  Suzanne replied. “And a few other teas.”

    “OK. I’ll have some tea bags, then.”

*****

    Cody sat on the love seat in the parlor, mind drifting to the portraits of the Carroll family lining the walls.  His eyes focused on the little girl in dark brown pigtails taking the wheel of a sailboat.

    I wonder who that is, he thought. Was it Louisa as a little girl?

    Louisa walked in with a pillow and pillowcase in hand. She was about ready to fluff it up to take upstairs when Cody approached her.

    “I’m in town for a few days and wondered if you could provide me with a place to stay,” he said.

    “Well, I’m afraid we’ve been booked for the funeral,”  she replied. “Unless--”

    “Unless what?”

    “Oh, nothing,” she said. “Give me a few minutes to think of something.”

*****

    “I’ve given it some thought,” Noelle told Ryan, “and I’d really like to try out for Canada’s Talent Showcase.” 

    “Have you thought about what you’re going to sing?”  Ryan asked.

    “I think I’d like to sing ‘Still the One’ by Shania Twain.”

    “What? No Ave Maria?”

    “That’s for church,” Noelle replied. “I thought the show wanted something more, you know, popular.”

    “That Shania song is all wrong for you!  You can’t sing country!”

    “Well, let’s hear your suggestions if you think you’re so smart!”

    “I was thinking more along the lines of Celine Dion.  Wasn’t that what the producer told you at the funeral?”

    “Celine?”

    “Maybe something in French.”

    Noelle pondered for a moment.  “OK. One of Celine’s French songs, then.”

*****


    Jeff tossed around in bed for a little while. The alarm clock next to his bed read 2:45.  In an hour and fifteen minutes, he would have to be at the studio, all dressed and ready to go.  He still wasn’t used to it yet, though he had been on the job at Breakfast in Canada for all of three weeks.  He was also still getting used to driving to work rather than walking or taking the subway since the subway didn’t start its daily run until five-thirty.

    What was he dreaming?  That he would call another victorious game for the Cannons?  Or that he would go to Hollywood to find a different kind of fame?  Or that he would flub the interview with Patrick MacPherson later this morning?  Whatever he was dreaming, it wouldn’t keep him asleep for much longer.

    As the alarm beeped, he mutttered a few choice words under his breath and slammed the snooze button.  Just fifteen more minutes--please? Just fifteen more.

    Fifteen minutes later, he bolted for the shower.

Episode 23: Fields of Gold

Previously:

Patrick meets his baby niece for the first time.

The reception gets underway at the Vineyards.

Louisa and Suzanne welcome a special guest.

Episode 23
Fields of Gold

“Oh, my God!” Suzanne exclaimed. “The Cody Stiles?”

Louisa shook her head. “I don’t get it.  What’s so famous about him?”

“No, you really don’t get it, do you?  Cody is only the ‘bad boy’ of world class skiing. He’s won races all over the place and is getting ready for the Olympics. The only thing that’s eluded him is a gold medal.”

Cody laughed. “I’m not exactly what the media thinks I am.  After you get to know me, you’ll think I’m a pretty nice guy.”

“So, what brings you here, Mr. Stiles?”  Louisa asked.

“Please...call me Cody.  Mr. Stiles is my father.  He was Mr. MacPherson’s lawyer.”

Louisa let out a long breath. “I see. So I guess I’ll have to deal with him some time in the  future.”

She showed him to the sitting room, where there were several sofas and a table and chairs.  Various tea sandwiches and cakes sat on tables lining one wall, and the other walls were decorated with several portraits of the Carroll family, formal and otherwise. She offered Cody some tea, to which he declined.  Cody preferred his Molson.

“Dad’s been gone for years,” Cody told her. “My sister’s taken over the firm now. So I suppose you’ll have to deal with her.”

“So, I’ll ask you again. What brings you here? Aren’t you supposed to be training?”

“Well, yes. I’m supposed to be training, but I took a few days off to come here to pay my respects.  Mr. MacPherson was a good friend of my family.  In fact, Seth’s uncle founded MacPherson, Tate and Stiles.”

“Ahh.”  She paused.  “Have some cake?  Blaine and Suzanne made it just for the reception here.”

“I really shouldn’t,”  Cody replied.

“Come on. A little slice won’t hurt.”

“All right.”

They walked over to the table where Cody picked up a slice of cake. Natalie did a perfect job with the yellow and green buttercream flowers.  One could hardly tell she wasn’t a professional cake decorator.

*****

Patrick stared at the large stainless steel fermentation tanks lining the walls of the MacPherson winery.  The job was left up to him now.  All these years he had resisted, insisting that he’d make his own way in the world, without his family’s help.  This was payback time.

The breeze wafting into the fermentation room did little to cool him.  He broke out in a sweat from head to toe. What would I do now?, he thought.  He had a reputation to live up to. The winery had made the best wines in southern Ontario. The ice wine was especially prized, having won awards throughout the province.

Pulling a handkerchief from his pocket, he wiped the sweat away from his forehead. He took several deep breaths. Exhaling again, he sighed.

“Dear Jesus,” he whispered. “If this is Your plan for me, then let me do the best I can to see it through.”

Taking his handkerchief, he began to wipe a tear from his eye.

*****

Noelle walked over to Jolie’s crib and began to pick up the tiny baby. Noelle noticed something was wrong.  She began to gently shake Jolie.

“Ryan!” she called out. “Come here! Stat!” 

He rushed over to the nursery. “What is it?”

“She’s not breathing!”

“Put her down. Is her heart beating?”

Noelle took two fingers to Jolie’s neck. “I can’t feel a pulse!”

“I’m starting CPR.”

After several seconds of compressions and a round of mouth-to-mouth, Jolie let out a loud cry.  Noelle let out a sigh of relief and threw her arms around Ryan.

“Thank God you came. I could have done this myself, but I’m so glad you were here,” she cried.  “Jolie needed her père tonight.”

*****

Episode 22: What's Love Got to Do With It?

Previously:

Patrick asked Noelle for her forgiveness.

The Carrolls get ready for a large reception at the Vineyards.

Jeff and Paige prepare for Monday’s show.

Episode 22
What’s Love Got To Do With It?

Just then, Jolie began to cry in the next room.  Noelle went in to try to comfort her.  She came out with the tiny baby in her arms and offered her to Patrick.

    “Would you like to hold her, oncle Patrick?”

    “I’m afraid I may drop her,”  Patrick responded.

    “Come on to the sofa,” Noelle motioned.  “It sounds like she needs a bottle.  I’ll show you how to feed her.”

*****
    Suzanne and Blaine had just finished baking a large sheet cake and were letting it cool when Natalie walked in.

    “Oooh, what flavor is it?”

    “Chocolate,” Blaine replied.
   
    “With chocolate icing?” Natalie asked.

    Suzanne nodded.

    “How good are you at making buttercream flowers?”

    “You’ll have to show me,” Natalie said. “I can do little stars and things, though.  And I can write ‘Happy Birthday’.”

    “We’ll have to think of something else to write,” Suzanne said. “What do you think?”

    Blaine replied. “We should leave it blank.  It would be tasteless if we wrote anything.”

    Suzanne and Natalie thought about it for a second, and agreed.


*****

    As Patrick was feeding baby Jolie, his cell phone rang. She began to cry.

    “I think she wants her maman,” Patrick said. He looked at the caller ID on his phone.  The number was unfamiliar to him, but he did recognize a Toronto area code.

    “Patrick MacPherson here. What can I do for you?” he answered.  The conversation was punctuated with “uh-huh”s, “yes”s, and other forms of agreement.

    “The 6:30 segment?  That’ll be fine. And you’ll be in touch?”

    After he hung up, he let out a long breath.

    “I hope you’ll be somewhere near a TV next week,” Patrick said.  “Jeff Perkins wants to interview me about my book for Breakfast in Canada.” 

*****

    The sitting rooms at the Vineyards began to fill with people. It seemed that all of Claypool was there to remember Seth and his life.

    Louisa sat in a corner and began to cry, the emotion and exhaustion overcoming her already.  Natalie walked up to her.

    “Is there anything else I can do for you?”  Natalie asked.

    “Just see that our guests are well taken care of,”  Louisa replied.  “I’ll be out there when I can.”

    Louisa took a tissue to her tear stained face and blew her nose with it.  “I’ve got to put on a brave face,” she muttered to herself. “People expect it.”

    Just then, she heard a knock at the door.  “Come in!”  she called out.  A tall, auburn haired man with a mustache and maple leaf toque stood in the doorway, Molson in hand.

    Louisa took a second look.  The man had a vaguely familiar look about him, as if she had seen him before.  She couldn’t place where.  Did he work at the mall?
    “Well, come on, don’t stand in the doorway,”  Suzanne said, looking at Louisa and the stranger.  “Aren’t you going to invite him in?”

    “Of course.  And you are...?”

    “Cody Stiles,” he supplied. 

    “Louisa Carroll.”

    She escorted him in.

    “Ms. Carroll, I’m so sorry for your loss.”

    “Did you say...”

    “Oh, my God,”  Suzanne said.  “The Cody Stiles?”   

Episode 21: Pick Up the Pieces

Previously:

Louisa chastises Patrick over his eulogy.

Noelle and Ryan find a flyer for talent show auditions.

Jeff Perkins gets the co-anchor job with Breakfast in Canada.

Episode 21
Pick Up the Pieces

    The doorbell rang at Noelle and Ryan’s place, but the only person it disturbed was Noelle.  She went to answer it, and cracked the door open just a tiny bit.

    “Patrick.”  Noelle had a look of surprise on her face.  “Come in.”  She took his scarf and coat and placed them on the coat rack in the corner. She placed her index finger to her lips.  “Shhh.  Jolie’s asleep, so we have to be quiet.  What brings you here?”

    “I just wanted to thank you for the testimony you gave at my parole hearing,” he said.  “I didn’t think you would come through for me.”

    “I can forgive you,”  Noelle responded, “but I can’t forget about what you did all those years ago.”

    “Please,”  Patrick put his arms around her waist.  “Let me make it up to you.”

    “I’m sorry, Patrick.  I’m a married woman now, with two children.”

    He leaned to kiss her, and just then, Ryan walked in.

    “Hello, Patrick,”  Ryan said. “Just what do you think you’re doing with my wife?”

*****

    Natalie Davies went to arrange a vase of flowers on a long table. Since the funeral reception at the Vineyards would have nearly all of Claypool, Louisa asked for extra help.  Natalie was glad to oblige.

    “Not there,”  Louisa told her.  “How about there?”  Louisa motioned to the center of the table.  “It would look more symmetrical in the center.”

    “You’re much better at flower arranging than I am,”  Natalie told her. “I just look at them and think they’re pretty.”

    “Come on. I can show you a few things,”  Louisa responded, putting the vase down.  “First, we’ll have to arrange the tablecloths.”

    They each took a corner of a long, striped tablecloth and placed it perpendicular to the white cloth already dressing the table.  “There!”  Louisa exclaimed.  “Doesn’t that look better?”

    Natalie nodded.  “Actually, I think it does.”

    “Why don’t I finish the table while you check on Suzanne and Blaine in the kitchen?  They may need some extra help there.”

    Natalie told her, “OK.”

*****
    Jeff sat in the production office of Breakfast in Canada, looking over material for Monday’s show.  Most of it was fluff pieces: the beauty queen who was embroiled in scandal, the latest reality show updates and a segment on better parenting.

    One segment caught his eye, however.

    “Paige?”  he asked.  “Do we definitely have the interview with Patrick MacPherson?”

    “I have to confirm it,”  Paige responded.  “I think we can get him to come on the show.  Can you do the interview?”

    “Sure.  Are you doing the piece on better parenting?”

    “Well, since I’m a parent--” Paige responded--”who better to do it?”

    “All right, all right.  I suppose I can do the MacPherson interview.”

*****

    Ryan confronted Patrick. “I asked again.  What do you think you’re doing with my wife?”

    “I--”

   

Episode 20: Careless Whisper

Previously:

Patrick delivered the eulogy at Seth's funeral.

Noelle was approached by a record producer.

Baby Jolie was born.

Episode 20

Careless Whisper

    As the congregation filed out of the church, Louisa's heels clicked against the cobblestone path leading to the sidewalk.  Suzanne followed her, and they tried to catch up to Patrick, who was more than several yards ahead.

    “Patrick! Wait!” Louisa called out.  “I want to have a few words with you.”

    Patrick stopped and turned to the two sisters.

    Louisa seethed.  She muttered something under her breath. She really wanted to swear, but that wasn't appropriate when she had just attended mass.  She quickly gained her composure and had her few words.

    “What was the meaning of that--?”

    Suzanne chimed in. “Self-aggrandizing--”

    Louisa placed her hand over Suzanne's mouth. “Hush, Suzanne.”

    “What I meant to ask was—what was the meaning of that—that so-called eulogy?”

    Patrick replied, “I spoke from the heart.”

    “That eulogy was all about you! It wasn't about your father at all!”

    Louisa's anger intensified a few levels. It wasn't fair that Patrick's eulogy left a bad taste in her mouth.  Seth's life was to be celebrated, not made a mockery of.

    “I loved my father.  It was tough. I thought I hated him...really hated him, but my emotions overcame me,” Patrick said.

    “You owe us an apology!”  Louisa yelled out.

    “You want an apology?  OK, I'm sorry,” Patrick said.

    “You didn't really mean it.”

 *****

    Holding baby Jolie in her arms and with Simone by her side, Noelle walked to her car. Ryan accompanied them.  Just before Ryan opened the door, he spotted a flyer pinned to the windshield by a wiper.

    “What's this?”  Ryan asked himself.  “Probably some snow shoveling service.”  He began to crumple the paper, and then took a second look.

    The flyer read, Canada's Talent Showcase. Auditions next weekend.

    He handed the flyer to Noelle. “Here's something I think you'd be interested in.”

    She studied it and handed it back to him. “No, I don't think so.”

    “Come on. Why not give it a shot?”

    “But I only sing in church!  Besides, I have the kids to take care of.”

    “We can get your parents to watch the kids.  You know how your mother absolutely loves Simone.  And they both dote over Jolie. How 'bout it?”

    Noelle pondered for a moment.  “All right. I'll think about it.”

*****

    “All right, that's a wrap. See you tomorrow,” the floor director said as Jeff and Paige removed their mics.

    The network boss called Paige over to a corner while Jeff waited at the news desk, sipping coffee.  This had been the end of his week's audition on Breakfast in Canada.  So far things had gone well, and he began to get used to waking up in the wee hours of the morning.

    “This Perkins kid is good,”  the boss whispered to Paige.  “What do you think?”

    “He's been a dream to work with,” Paige replied. “He's prepared, he interviews well and he has the smile we need and the knowledge to carry a serious news story.  I like him.  I like him a lot.”

      “Should we hire him permanently?” the boss asked.

    “That's your decision.”

    “It's as much your decision as it is mine,” he said. “You're the producer. I want your feedback.”
   
    “OK. Let's hire him.”

    Paige and the boss walked over to him. The boss put a hand on his shoulder.

    “Perkins,” the boss told him.  He always called Jeff by his last name, not wanting to use casual addresses. Perhaps that was a throwback to his football coach days.

    “We liked what we saw,” Paige added. “The boss and I have discussed this.”

    “We'd like to hire you,” the boss told him.  “You'll have to get used to coming in at 4AM.”

    “I've done it this week, so I've gotten used to it.  I don't think you or Paige will be disappointed.”

    “Come into the office to sign your contract and get show material for Monday.  You'll have the weekend to go over this, and we'll see you at 4 on Monday morning,” Paige told him.

    Jeff smiled and shook their hands.  “Right.  I'll be there.”

    Paige and the boss walked to the production office, while Jeff waited for a moment.

    Jeff pumped his fist into the air.  “Yes!”

    It was the job of a lifetime.



   
  

Episode 19: Candle in the Wind

Previously:

Noelle gave birth to baby Jolie.

Seth MacPherson died.

Patrick was released from prison.

Episode 19
Candle in the Wind

    It was a cool, crisp November day as people filed into Notre Dame d’Orléans.  Louisa Carroll placed a bouquet of red roses at the foot of the Joan of Arc statue outside. The statue, affectionately referred to by the citizens of Claypool as “Joanie on the Pony”, was the scene of many makeshift memorials. Today’s memorial was to one of the pillars of the community, vintner Seth MacPherson.

    Ryan turned to face Louisa’s tear-streaked face. “You know how much Dad loved you,” he said.

    “Yes,” Louisa replied.  “I was supposed to be a bride. Now I’m a would-be widow.”

    “How sad,” Ryan said. “Three days before you were supposed to get married.  He wanted me to be his best man.”

    Patrick MacPherson, all dressed in white, approached the couple.

    “Well, what a surprise,” Ryan said sarcastically. “What brings you here?”

    “I’m supposed to deliver the eulogy,” Patrick replied. “You’ll see that maybe I’m not such a bad guy after all.”

    Ryan pondered that thought for a second and noticed Patrick’s mode of dress.

    Why is he all dressed in white while everyone else is dressed in black? Surely he doesn’t have the excuse that that was the only suit he had clean.

    The congregation ceased their conversation as Father Brett Hobson led the procession.  A  soloist began to sing “Ave Maria”.
    Louisa whispered to Ryan, “What’s Noelle doing here so soon after having the baby? I didn’t know she could sing. She has a beautiful voice.”

    “She can surprise us.”

     When the song ended, Father Hobson motioned to the congregation. “Please be seated.  Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to honor a great man, a pillar of the community.  Seth MacPherson was a man who has touched many lives.  His vineyard gave great pleasure to those around us, and he was always smiling.  Today’s eulogy will be given by his older son Patrick.”

    Patrick took the pulpit, coughed to clear his throat, and began.

    “I hated my father.  I don’t know why, but I truly hated him. He had such high expectations for me. He wanted me to run the vineyard when he passed away.  He had high expectations for my brother Ryan, and he became a doctor.

    I did some truly evil things during my life.  I wanted to blow up--”  He stretched his arms around. “--this beautiful cathedral.  I wanted to get rid of a loving family, and, more importantly, the woman I thought I loved.”

    “But this eulogy isn’t about me. It’s about a man who did his best to love us and provide for our family.  When our mother died,  he did his best to raise us alone.  He raised us to become fine, upstanding citizens of this community.  He raised us to make something of our lives.  He raised us to become responsible adults.”

     “I accept that you wanted me to run the vineyard.  I won’t have the touch you had, but I will do my best.  I accept that God had a plan for you, and has for me. Father, I am ready to take the responsibility that you have provided for me.  I dedicate my life to you, the family I love, and to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

    He crossed himself.  “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

    And then he choked up.  “I love you, Dad.”

    He went back to his seat as Father Hobson prepared communion. 

    Stephane and Thérèse walked up to the rail and each took a wafer and a sip of wine.   

    “Hey, this wine tastes familiar,”  Stephane said. “It’s not like the usual grape juice.”

    Thérèse turned to him. “He didn’t--”
   
    Father Hobson winked.  He whispered in Thérèse’s ear. “It’s only appropriate.”  She smiled back.

    As communion finished, Thérèse and Stephane walked back to their seats.  Father Hobson went to Seth’s casket and sprinkled holy water on it.  He then turned to the congregation.

    “The mass has ended. Go in peace.”

    As the people filed out,  a strange man in a pinstripe suit approached Noelle.

    “Your voice is beautiful,” he told her. “How long have you been singing?”

    “Every Sunday. Or, at least on the Sundays when I’m not working.”

    “What do you do?” he asked.

    “I’m a pediatrician.”

    “I’m a record producer.  I’d like to record you.”

    Noelle blushed. “You’re flattering me,” she told her. “I have kids to take care of.”

    “No, really. You’d be Ontario’s answer to Celine Dion.”

    “Oh, come on. I’m not that good.”

    He held out his business card.  “Think about it and give me a call.”

    She smiled and tucked the card into her wallet.

    Meanwhile, Louisa stomped off in anger as Suzanne approached her.  “What in the world was that all about?”  Louisa asked.  “That eulogy was all about Patrick. It wasn’t about Seth at all.”

    Suzanne shrugged. “Was that all he was able to come up with?”

    “He should have saved that for confession.”  Louisa seethed. “That was completely inappropriate! I’m going to have a few words with him.”



*****

    The head of the news department at the National Canadian Network sat at his desk and pondered.  Breakfast in Canada needed a new co-anchor. Jeff Perkins sat across from him, wondering what was on the network boss’ mind.

    “Mr. Perkins,” the network boss said, “I’ve looked at your audition tape, and, I must say, it’s pretty impressive.  I’d like to try you out on the air for a week, to see how you interact with Paige and the rest of the crew.  If we like what we see, then you’ll have the job.”

    “We?” Jeff asked.

    “Paige and me. After all, she’s the producer, too.”

    “I see.”

    They got up and shook hands.  “You'll need to be at the studio for 4 AM Monday. Show starts at 6,” the network boss told him.  After walking to the elevator, Jeff smiled.

    “I'll have to get used to waking up early,” he said to himself.

Episode 18: The Circle of Life (Season 3 Premiere: First 2009 Episode)

Previously:

Thérèse Armand went to Vermilion Parish to meet long lost relatives.  She was happy to see them, but they weren't sure about being happy to see her. Still, they were able to make amends and mend wrongs. She was also able to speak French freely with them, even though she was made to speak only English when she was in school.  She went back to Canada with a renewed sense of hope.

Noelle started her therapy with Dr. Yvette Moreau. She had been diagnosed with PTSD from her assault, but had made such good progress that she was able to move on with her life. She began a relationship with Ryan, whom she married in 2003.  She became pregnant on their honeymoon, and gave birth to a daughter, Simone. Noelle and Ryan both graduated from the University of Ottawa's medical school and did residency training there in their respective specialties: Noelle in pediatrics, and Ryan in emergency medicine.

Blaine found out that Paige Gilbert was indeed Paige Hobson, who he dated in high school. He wanted to rekindle their romantic relationship, but she wanted to be all business. Now that Paige is a single mom with two children, she is looking for a second chance at love.

Louisa and Seth began a romantic relationship, during which Seth proposed on a Caribbean cruise. She said yes, and they began planning a small, intimate wedding.

Patrick was sentenced to ten years in prison for Noelle's rape and the attempted destruction of Notre Dame d'Orléans. 

Episode 18
The Circle of Life

 Federal Prison
Ontario
November 2009

    Patrick was in the prison's computer room, typing the latest entry into the word processor. He had received critical acclaim as a prison journalist, having become editor of the prison newspaper. He had won several awards for his journalism, and also belonged to Ontario's Hidden Voices, the prison's Toastmasters club.  He was determined to turn his life around after his experience with the Crimson Knights.

    His experience with the Knights led him to write Inside Crimson Lodge, an exposé of his days with the infamous cult.  He didn't expect to have a million seller, but he did want to let readers know just how evil the cult was.
    A hearing with the parole board today would determine whether he would be able to be free. He was sentenced to ten years for his part in Noelle Armand's rape and the attempt to blow up Notre Dame d'Orléans. 
    His dress would be much different from the t-shirts and jeans he'd been used to wearing all these years. At least he was allowed to wear those during his incarceration. He straightened his white tie and combed his hair, now shoulder length after he had decided to grow it. Patrick also decided to quit shaving and grow a beard.  The beard had been nicely groomed now after it had been stray for several years.
    The warden walked into the room and called out, “MacPherson. We're almost ready for you.” Patrick stood up and walked towards him.  The warden, taking him by the arm, escorted him out of the computer room, through a wall of cells toward a small room equipped with three long tables and a group of chairs. One table faced them, and they sat at one of the others.
    One by one, a group of well dressed people filed into the room, each taking a seat at the table facing them. A guard called, “All rise.”
    They did.
    “You may be seated.”
     The head of the parole board shuffled some papers around. After clearing his throat, the room fell silent for a moment.
    “We are gathered here today to determine whether prisoner number 737428, Patrick Sean MacPherson, should return to society. He was sentenced to ten years for aggravated rape and attempt to destroy historic property.  Warden, you go first.”
   
    The warden stood.  “Mr. MacPherson has proven himself to be an exemplary prisoner, having been rehabilitated through his involvement in communications. He has edited our newspaper and achieved the designation of  Distinguished Toastmaster. He has also cleaned and prepared our prison chapel for Sunday services. He has also assisted our chaplain in providing spiritual counseling. Mr. MacPherson deserves to return to the community.”
    Noelle, now eight months pregnant and with six-year-old daughter Simone in tow, sat next to Ryan, now her husband, and began to cry.
    The head of the parole board asked, “Dr. Armand, do you have anything to say?”
    Noelle dabbed a tissue at her tearing eyes and paused.
    Ryan placed a hand on her shoulder and whispered, “It's all right. Take your time.”
    She whispered back, “It's OK, cher. I'm ready.”

    Noelle stood and said softly, “Ten years ago, on Canada Day, Patrick did a terrible thing to me. I didn't know how, or if, I would recover.”
    She dabbed her tissue at her now tear-streaked face.
      “Through a lot of therapy and the help of Patrick's younger brother—now my husband, Ryan, I was able to get on with my life. Now we have a beautiful daughter and another on the way. 
    “God also played a part in my recovery.  I could not believe Patrick was involved in the attempt to destroy the church where we worshipped.  Fortunately, Notre Dame d'Orléans was saved, and we were able to go to the Lord's house on Sundays.
   
    “The decision is in your hands.”

    The head of the parole board paused and asked, “Will there be anyone else testifying today?”
    Ryan shook his head.
    “Very well.  We will have a decision in a few minutes.”

    The board whispered among themselves. They shuffled papers around while the warden just sat and stared.  Ryan comforted Noelle as the board deliberated.  She blew her nose and crumpled her tissue. Ryan offered another one.
   
    “You were very brave, love,” Ryan whispered.
    “I did what I had to,” Noelle whispered back. “The Lord forgives.”

    The head of the parole board called out, “All rise.”

    They did.

    “We have our decision.  Mr. MacPherson, it has been duly noted that you have become a model prisoner and have turned your life around.  We see no more reason to keep you.  You are now free to return to society.  Warden, if you'll process the paperwork—he should be ready to leave by the end of the week.”

    Noelle cried out to Ryan.  “Oh, my God.”

    Ryan replied.  “Is everything OK?  You're not backing out on your testimony, are you?”

    “No.”

    “What happened, then?”

    “I think my water just broke.”


*****
    Louisa,  having just awakened, wanted to have a long, relaxing breakfast with Seth.  They were to get married in just three days,  and she wanted this to become special.
    They stayed in the Trillium Room, the largest room at the Vineyards Inn. Suzanne made sure everything was perfect, from the lavender spray on the linens to the tiny chocolates underneath the pillow when she turned the bed down.

    Louisa turned to kiss Seth.  “Good morning, love.”

    He didn't respond.

    “Seth?  I said good morning.”

    She noticed something wasn't right.  She was sure she had turned the heater up that evening before they turned in.  When she went to hold his hand, it felt cold. She checked his breathing.  He wasn't.  She immediately began to start CPR.

    “1—2—3—4--5.”  She placed her mouth to his, then pounded his chest again.  “Come on, Seth, breathe!”

    She then gave him another kiss of life, then started the compressions again.

    “Can you hear me, love?”

    One more time.  And then she called 911.

    She called to the other end of the phone.  “My fiancé. He isn't breathing. I did mouth-to-mouth and CPR.”

    She was assured that the paramedics would be right there.
    
    *****   
    “Come on, Noelle, push!”  Ryan called out.

    “I'm pushing! I'm pushing!”  Noelle yelled.

    “One more time!” 

    “You wouldn't know! You've never birthed a baby!”

    “No, but I've seen enough in our OB-GYN rotation,” Ryan responded.

    Just then, Ryan's cell phone rang.  After seeing Louisa's number, he quickly answered it.


   
    “What is it, Louisa?  You know I can't be bothered. My wife's delivering a baby!”

    “You'd better come to the ER.  It's your father.  He's stopped breathing.”

    “Don't push any more, Noelle. I'll be right back.”


     *****
    “I found him in bed like this this morning,”  Louisa said to Ryan.

    “You did CPR, right?”

    “Yes.”

    Ryan was used to this, having seen many cases come through the emergency department at Claypool Hospital.  He had decided to become an emergency doctor after many rewarding experiences during his rotation as a student in Ottawa.  Noelle, on the other hand, followed her dream and became a pediatrician.

    He checked the monitor.  Flatline.

    He turned to the paramedics. “You shocked him, right?”

    One of the paramedics nodded.  “Three times.”

    “And he didn't respond?”

    “No.”

    Ryan went to touch his father. Seth felt cold.

    “I'm going to have to call this one.  Time of death, 8:26.”

    He turned to Louisa.  “He's gone.  I'm so sorry.”

    Louisa cried out, “NO!”

        *****

    Ryan hurried back to the delivery room to see Noelle with their baby in her arms, wrapped in a blanket.

    “I wish you could have been here to see her being born,” Noelle whispered. “Elle est jolie.”

    Ryan kissed the tiny infant on the forehead. “Jolie.  Can we name her that?”

    “Of course.”  He bent over to kiss Noelle.


    “I'm afraid I was gone too long.  I had to take care of something in the ER.”

    “You can't think of work at a time like this,” she said.

    “It wasn't work.  It was my dad.”

    “What happened?”

    “I'm afraid--”

    “What is it, Ryan?”

    “I'm afraid he passed away.”

     *****
    Ryan walked outside to the labor and delivery waiting room to find Simone playing with her Barbie dolls.  He squatted next to her.

    “Is she born yet?”

    Ryan nodded. “You have a new baby sister.”

    “Can I see her? Please?”

    “Not yet.  Your mother has to recover first.”

    “Oh, all right.”

    Ryan paused before giving her the bad news.  “I have something to tell you. It's about your grandpa Seth.”

    “What is it?”

    There was no easy way of telling her this.  How would he explain death to a six-year-old?

    “Your grandpa.  He went to heaven.”

    “He went to be with Jesus?”

    “Yes, honey,”  Ryan said softly.  “He went to be with Jesus.”

    “And the angels?”

    “Yes, honey.  And the angels.”

    Simone started to cry softly.  Ryan held her in his arms.

    “It's OK to cry,” he told her.  “Everything will be OK.  I know you'll miss him.”


    She nodded.

    Just then, a nurse walked into the waiting room.  “Dr. MacPherson?”

    “Yes?”

    “You may see your wife and daughter now.”

    Ryan turned to Simone and took her hand in his.  “Come on, Simone. Let's see your baby sister.”