Cocoon (29 page)

She lay her head down and closed her eyes because, in that instant, she felt as relaxed as she'd ever remembered feeling. A deep tranquility overtook her and lulled her into instant, deep sleep.

Sunlight awakened her. Barth was already up. She heard him puttering in the kitchen. No doubt fixing coffee and breakfast. She sat up and took a deep breath that tingled in her senses, all the way out her fingers and toes.

Something astounding was taking place inside her.

She blinked and turned her head this way and that. The sound of birdsong outside her window beckoned to her. Barth came to the door, stuck his head in, and said, “Breakfast is ready.”

His smile pierced her in a delicious way.

Seana slid from the bed, buoyant as a child.

The nothingness was gone. She felt light as a feather in the wind. Felt like twirling and leaping. But somehow managed to walk into the kitchen, right up to Barth, who turned from the stove holding her plate of scrambled eggs.

She took the plate from him, deposited it on the counter, and then slid her arms up around his neck.

“Barth, I'm back.”

His mouth fell open, and his eyes, after a long, dumbstruck moment, filled with tears. “Really? Are you really back, Seana?” his voice cracked with emotion. “I'm not dreaming am I?”

She smiled then as the burn of tears pressed behind her eyes, a long forgotten sensation. “Yes. I'm really, really back, honey.”

His arms seized her, and he buried his face in her hair as they both wept and laughed, gazing at each other in wonder then coming back together, even closer.

Thumping, rapid footsteps from the stairwell intruded on their intimate celebration. Billie Jean's trumpeting voice called, “Hey! You guys!”

Presently, she rounded the corner into the kitchen and skidded to a halt, her eyes round as donuts. “Sit down. You'll
never believe
what happened to me at three a.m. this morning!”

• • •

Seana had an appointment with Dr. Welton several months later so she kept it.

“How are you doing, Seana?” he asked, making notes. Barth sat beside her, silent this time, leaning back to watch the exchange with an amused detachment.

“I'm doing great, Dr. Welton. I have my driver's license.”

His hand stilled and he looked up at Seana, expression stunned. “How –”

“Oh, Barth bought me a new car, too. He'd sold the other one to Peyton, our grandson, awhile back when he needed a good car to travel back and forth to school. No, I like the new one better anyway and –”

“How did this happen?”

Seana looked at Barth to see if he wanted to add to the conversation. He smiled, his eyes glowing behind the thick lenses, and nodded a silent
go ahead.

Seana shrugged. “I'm well, Dr. Welton. Simple as that.”

The good doctor stared at her, aghast. “To what do you attribute this – healing?”

“A miracle,” she said. “A God thing.”

Clearly skeptical, the doctor made more notes. “I want you to continue your meds –”

“Oh but I'm not taking your meds anymore. And I'd like you to dismiss me.” Seana smiled, feeling completely at peace with her decision.

“B-but,” blustered Dr. Welton, his face reddening, “You cannot discontinue Abilify or Lexapro because you might be right back where you were within six months.”

Seana shook her head, still smiling. “I haven't taken them in two months and am doing just fine. I know you're skeptical, and I know what's happened is not normal. But I want to be released because I know I won't be sick again.”

Dr. Welton, face still red, took a deep breath and exhaled. “Okay, Seana. I'll dismiss you – however reluctantly – but I want you to make an appointment with my psychologist for another memory test.”

“Okay.”

Seana left feeling free as a butterfly ready to explore all the velvety, fragrant flower petals of creation. She kept the promise to Dr. Welton, making an appointment with the psychologist, but after a week cancelled it.

There. Her conscience was clear.

Now, she would stretch and flap her beautiful wings!

“A butterfly could flap its wings and set molecules of air in motion, which would move other molecules of air, in turn moving more molecules of air – eventually capable of starting a hurricane on the other side of the planet.”

– Andy Andrews,
The Butterfly Effect

Five years later

T
he months following Seana's awakening rang with triumph and wonderment. At first, Barth watched her closely, cautioning her against overdoing things, such as cooking huge meals and taking on too much responsibility.

Seana knew he feared a relapse. Each time she saw the fear in those Cocker Spaniel eyes, she would reassure him. “Honey, I'm not going to go there again. Trust me. I know. I feel it” – she would place her hand over her heart – “here.”

So, little by little, Barth's apprehension eased and he grew more confident that what had transpired that night in their bedroom had truly been a supernatural visitation.

Paradise Springs, said more than one resident, would never be the same.

“And it should never be the same,” said Pastor Keith from the pulpit on this five-year anniversary of Seana's miracle. “Something of this scope happens maybe once in a lifetime. We've heard this story over and over, from many sources but never from the recipient. And now, I want to ask Seana to come up here and – in retrospect – to tell her version.”

Amid applause, Seana arose and made her way to the front and up into the pulpit. She laid her carefully prepared notes on the podium and looked out at the expectant sea of faces. She smiled.

“First I want to thank each of you who carried me along all those years in prayer.” She looked at Joanie, Billie Jean, and Chelsea sitting in the congregation, all three dabbing their eyes and blowing their noses.

Seana cleared her throat. “And then there were those of you who literally carried me in your arms. You were hands on, believing for me even when I could not believe for myself. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

She went on to recount some of the difficult times, giving examples of her emotional quandary. And she shared in detail the doctor's diagnosis of dementia and early stages of Alzheimer's, citing the chart readings and all the medical “proof.”

“One doctor told my family that I was slowly dying. Another told me I'd never drive again.” She laughed. “How many of you see me surfing all over the place in my little white Accord?”

Hands went up all over the auditorium as emotional laughter joined hers.

“What do doctors know?” shouted Fred Johnson in a croaky voice.

“Yeh!” called Sadie Tate from across the room. “They don't know everything.”

Seana shook her head slowly, reliving the wonder of it all. “Seemed they were right until that night I had a bedroom visit around three a.m.”

The congregation fell so silent Seana could have heard a sigh.

“That was …” She choked up. All over the place, folks snuffled and coughed.

Seana blinked back tears and cleared her throat. “I cannot even put into words what happened. It's too sacred. I can only quote from the book of St. John, 8:12, ‘I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life.'”

Seana's face glowed. “The light that touched me that night was Him.”

Billie Jean, overcome with joy, stood and called out. “Sure was! I can vouch for that because He came to my room, too!”

Applause erupted, then a standing ovation.

Seana shook with emotion but continued. “I thank Him for mercy and grace and healing.”

She took a moment to compose herself. “My husband stuck by me throughout all those nightmarish years. I could never have made it without him. Nightly, he read the Word to me. He didn't know it, but despite the cocoon surrounding me, the truth of those passages penetrated and made their way into my heart. Somehow, they did.”

She turned to where Barth sat on the platform, his eyes red behind those thick lenses. “Barth, when I was at my worst, any other man would have walked away or let me rot in that nursing home. But not you.” She blinked back tears. “Thank you for your faithfulness and unconditional love. No woman is more blessed than I am.”

She addressed the congregation, her family, and friends. “Now, I want Scott to sing this song that sums up what I'm feeling right now.”

Seana moved gracefully from the pulpit to her seat beside Zoe as Peyton took his seat at the piano and began to play the introduction for Scott, his wonderful stepfather.

The rich baritone voice began singing an old Andrae Crouch song:

            
Through it all … through it all …

            
I learned to trust in Jesus

            
I learned to trust in God.

            
Through it all … through it all …

            
I learned to depend upon His word.

• • •

A week later, Seana and Barth applauded wildly, while the Paradise Springs Cloggers exited the platform following their rousing performance at the annual Paradise Springs Summer Festival. Barth's whistles split the air.

Seana looked at him, grinning from ear to ear. “That's my man,” she mouthed at him.

He pushed his glasses back up on his nose and mouthed smugly, “I know.”

They watched Danny Day and his Foothills Ramblers Band dash away to raid John Ivey's Tarheel Dog Booth fare. Seana thanked the Lord that her appetite was healthier than ever as she inhaled the mouthwatering aromas wafting through the warm July air.

“How'd we do?” Peyton and Ashley, now dance partners, arrived like gangbusters, out of breath and high on performance adrenalin.

“Wonderful!” Seana and Barth said simultaneously, and all burst into laughter.

Zoe and Scott, still winded, strolled over, arms binding them at the hips. “Good, huh?” Zoe stated confidently.

“Best you've ever done,” Barth declared sincerely.

‘Would've been better if you two were still dancing,” Ashley insisted, miming a pout.

Seana laughed and hugged her, sweat and all. “We older folks like to sit back and be entertained, doncha know?”

“Time to slow down a bit,” Barth added. “It comes to everybody at some time in life.”

“Aww.” Scott cuffed his shoulder, grinning. “You're not old, man.”

Barth and Seana looked at each other and burst into laughter. Barth slid his arm around her and winked at Scott. “Tell me that when you're twenty years older.”

Chelsea and Joanie left their partners and made their way to the circle. “Hey, you two, wanna go sample some of that BBQ?” asked Joanie.

“I can't wait to dig into it.” Chelsea rubbed her back and flexed her ankle, making her tapped shoes jingle slightly. “I think somebody else might be right behind you in retiring from clogging, Seana,” she said, raising her dark eyebrows.

“Hey!” Joanie protested, “not me! I'm a long way from sitting on a shelf.” She fluffed her blonde hair, at present becomingly short and bouncy.

They all strolled over to picnic tables set up by John Ivey.

Billie Jean, having taken Seana's empty place on the clogging team, sashayed over in her crinoline-petticoated outfit.

“Dang it you don't look downright pretty, Billie Jean,” Barth exclaimed.

Billie Jean scowled at him. “What'd you expect, Barth?” she quipped. “Country ugly?”

Barth back-pedaled, looking sincerely contrite. “No. Of course not. That outfit just –”

“Brings out the feminine beauty in you,” finished Seana, by now feeling sorry for Barth.

“Oh shut up, Seana.” Billie Jean flung out her arms. “Let 'im get outta this on his own. That's part of the fun!”

They all ordered an array of sausages of every description, hamburgers, hot dogs, and BBQ, along with crisp golden fries. Today, the weather was just right, not hot or humid, just breezy and balmy.

Before long, Sadie Tate arrived, choosing the next table where they could all chat. “You're doing good with the clogging, Billie Jean,” she said, smoothing her latest Sassy Rags multi-colored sundress down over her spindly knees as she maneuvered herself onto the picnic seat.

Billie Jean smiled. “Thanks for those great healthy, sugar-free cookies you brought by. You know what I like.”

“Was just thinking about you,” Sadie said as she tucked into her hamburger. “Wish I was as conscientious about healthy eating as you folks.”

Seana grinned, watching the ol' bird scarfing down the fat-ladened fare without a morsel of regret. She also thought how Sadie had mellowed and stopped her gossiping ways. Was, in fact, downright sweet nowadays.

Fred and Elsie Johnson strolled over from their booth, leaving it to one of the high schoolers to manage for a spell. They, too, joined in the feasting.

“Sorry we're late and missed your performance, Zoe.” Pastor Keith and Louann rushed up with their all-the-way hot dogs. They scooted onto the bench next to Sadie and the Johnsons. “An emergency came up.”

“Nothing serious, I hope,” Barth said around a mouthful of BBQ. Today, he and Seana had called a time-out from the health routine and opted for the less hearty but delicious pork concoction.

“Not anymore.” Pastor wiped his mouth. “You remember little Harry Woodall?”

“The Sunday School nightmare,” Barth said before he thought.

Pastor and everyone else chuckled. “That's him. Anyway, he's in middle school now and had an altercation with another student and got his nose broken.”

“Is he okay?” Seana asked, frowning, hurting for the little boy who'd stolen her heart way back during those days she taught him in Sunday School. He'd been a good boy beneath his busy-ness and innocent lightning-rod that drew trouble.

“Yes.” Pastor Keith went serious. “Said he tried to talk to this other boy about not bullying smaller kids and girls.” He shrugged. “The bully didn't like his interfering and pummeled him.”

“Oh my.” Seana put down her fork.

“He'll be okay. In fact” – Pastor looked at Seana – “he mentioned you, Seana.”

“Me?”

“Yes. He remembered a time you taught the class about doing the right thing, even though it's not the popular thing to do at the time. He said you'd shown him that it's always right to do the right thing. And that's what he felt he was doing by standing up for a small, defenseless girl. Even though he got a broken nose for his efforts, he said he got in a few good licks and it was worth it.”

Tears stood in Seana's eyes as she reflected on that.

“Mom?” Tim stood and leaned to hug her. “Sherry and I've gotta run. Still some office work to do. Peyton? You coming soon?”

“Yes sir,” Peyton replied. He'd joined the family business since graduating from college. Seana's son Tim was giving nephew Peyton a generous percentage of shares in the family company along with a nice salary, plus commission on all sales. The bequest from her and Ansel had become even more lucrative and kept them all busy. Seana still, on occasion, dropped by to help them catch up during busy seasons.

So did Pops Barth.

Pops.

Barth.

That one decision to marry him.

Even before that, her decision to sign over the real estate business to her son was still gaining momentum. Granddaughter Ashley also would share in the profits. She was already training for future involvement, after college graduation.

Now, Peyton was third generation with the firm. At the same time, he also was third generation in Zoe's Happy Dance Studio business, another bequest from Seana and Ansel.

And the gift went on and on … and on.

Each decision.

No more than a butterfly wing's flap.

“You ready to go, honey?” Barth touched her arm and she arose.

As they strolled to the car, she gazed up into blue infinity. Lord, how beautiful life was. And she viscerally felt it in that instant ….

The cocoon.

The struggle to emerge.

The breathtakingly beautiful butterfly soaring and flapping its wings.

The love bonds that had flourished here in Paradise Springs as a result of her long, dark struggle.

And triumph. A miracle.

And she laughed, a peal of pure delight.

“What?” Barth peered at her, curious.

“Just thinking how a decision can set off a chain of events that affect so many lives.”

He smiled then, dimples and all. Those eyes behind the thick lenses lit up and adored her. He stopped right there. In front of the world and Paradise Springs and pulled her into his arms.

His deep voice was husky. “I'm just glad you made a decision – that night we met at Happy Dance Studio – to give me a chance. Just look where it got me.”

His head dipped and he kissed her.

And dang if she didn't feel it all the way out her fingers and toes.

And in that moment, Seana was certain she had the power in her to change the whole daggum world!

But for the moment, she would simply enjoy being in her man's arms and float in
feeling.