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.”
