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Chapter 29
“Hey, kiddo. What are you doing?” Josh sat next to Ben at the
computer.
“Emailing Julie.” Ben replied.
“How’s it going over there?”
“She says dufus Butler won’t set a date for the debate.”
“Is dufus her word or yours?” Josh asked a little alarmed.
“Mine.” Ben replied. “I’m telling her the chicken suit story.”
“I really don’t know if we should give her any ideas like that.” Josh
confided.
“I’m still sending it.” Ben shook his head. “Were you surprised by
everyone showing up at work?”
“How did you know about that?”
“Julie told me.” Ben answered. “She said everybody on the team
was dropping everything to come see you.”
“Yeah, they did. It made me feel pretty good.” Josh admitted and
then saw the grim expression on his son’s face. “What is it Ben?”
“You said it wasn’t going to be that big of a deal.” Ben stated. “But if
it isn’t any big deal, then why did everybody drop everything to
come here?”
“I…didn’t ask anyone to…I mean, it was-“ Josh broke off. On top of
the ICD, the medical arm of Team Jericho had decided this was the
optimal time to attempt some arterial repairs since they were going
to be operating anyway. Josh and Donna tried to downplay it with
the kids, but in light of this discussion with Ben, Josh realized that
might have been a mistake.
“I looked it up. On the internet.” Ben told him. “It sounds like a very
big deal. Your heart could stop, like, anytime.”
“Now wait a second.” Josh didn’t know that he had it in himself for
another gut wrenching conversation, but he didn’t have a choice
here either. “First, the new medication they’re giving me helps with
that. Second, that’s why I’m wearing this lovely jewelry now,
remember?” Josh opened his shirt to reveal the monitor he was
wearing until he had the ICD implanted.
Ben looked the device over like it was a snake poised to strike.
“I told you how this works. If anything starts going…differently with
my heart rhythm or rate it calls the hospital.”
“Yeah…” Ben still sounded weary. “But there’s fixing your heart too.
And it said on the website that the ICD’s only work for a few years.
Then what?”
“God, you are your mother’s child.” Josh grinned. “Then we decide
if we get another ICD or look at a heart transplant.” Josh said
simply but he saw Ben’s quick glance away.
“Talk to me, Benjamin.” Josh ordered.
“It said the average lifespan after a heart transplant is11 years, and
that’s if you’re lucky enough to get one in the first place. Do you
know how long the waiting list it?”
“Hey guys. I thought we’d order in. What are you hungry for?”
Donna’s lighthearted expression melted away as she sensed the
tension in the room. “Did I interrupt something?”
“Ben had some concerns about my heart surgery.” Josh told her
and she sat down on the other side of Ben. “Your son has been
doing some research on the net.”
“Ben, why didn’t you just come to us if you had questions?” Donna
asked.
“I didn’t think you’d tell me the truth.” Ben stated. “You didn’t tell me
the truth.”
“We didn’t lie to you, Ben.” Josh exchanged a look of regret with
Donna before he continued. “We didn’t talk about some of the risks
because most of them are very remote.”
“Some of them aren’t.” Ben argued.
“No, some of them aren’t, but we didn’t want to worry you about
something that may never happen either.” Donna pointed out.
“Why don’t they do the operation now? So you don’t have to wear
that thing all the time.”
“They want to see what effect the medicine is having and they want
to give me some time to get my blood pressure down before they
operate.” Josh answered.
“Will you be able to do all the regular stuff with us after the ICD
thing is in?”
“They don’t want your dad to do anything strenuous for six weeks
after the operation, but if everything is working like it should after
that, yeah, he can do all the regular stuff.” Donna assured him.
“What if the ICD thing doesn’t help?”
Donna and Josh exchanged a look. “Then we’ll talk to the doctors
and see what else we can do.”
“Then you’ll tell us about it?” Ben confirmed.
“That I promise.” Josh crossed his heart and the irony of that was
not lost on him. “I thought everybody was okay with this when we
had our family meeting. Is Ally worried too, Ben?”
“Yeah. Tori and Jake just don’t want you to go back to the hospital
again.”
“Neither do I.” Josh muttered and tugged his son closer to him. “I
promise to tell you the whole truth, even if it’s a little scary, if you
promise to come to me with you questions instead of the internet.”
“Deal.” Ben shook on it. Then another thought occurred to him.
“We won’t be able to go to the Minnesota State Fair, will we?”
“I won’t kiddo, but that doesn’t mean you couldn’t go. We’ll try to
work something out okay?” Josh’s head was already working the
problem.
“Okay.” Ben agreed although he was skeptical about his chances.
“Finish your email and then come down to place your dinner order.”
Donna gave him a kiss then took Josh’s hand to walk downstairs
together. Ben looked over his email so far and finished it up.
Dear Julie.
Butler is such a dufus to blow off the debates. She’s probably just
scared her old brain can’t answer questions for 90 minutes. One
time when my dad was trying to get President Santos in a debate
he sent this volunteer over to the other campaigns dressed up like
a chicken and followed them around all the time asking why they
were chicken to debate.
The really funny part is that Mom was working for one of the other
candidates and when she saw Dad’s chicken guy she almost
plucked his feathers off and they got it on tape. Dad still plays it for
us sometimes.
Dad was just in here and he said you shouldn’t do that; duh, like
you would! He really liked the team showing up to surprise him, I
think. He said it made him feel really good, so that’s good, I guess.
Uncle Toby told me they’re calling it Team Jericho, cause that’s
where Joshua won a great battle with God’s help. So…
I talked to Dad like you said I should about his heart stuff. But first I
looked it up on the internet and it’s a much bigger deal than they
told us. I know Mom and Dad don’t want to scare us, but I’m old
enough to know what’s going on. I’m not a baby like my brother and
sisters.
Ally hangs on to Dad all the time, like she can’t let go of him. Tori
doesn’t want to talk about the hospital at all but she’s very
interested in the heart monitor Dad has to wear. She keeps asking
for her turn and telling Dad he has to share. She doesn’t get it.
Jake gets mad when Dad can’t wrestle with him like he usually
does, but he loves taking naps with Dad. I’m the only one who really
gets it and I don’t like it when they treat me like the rest of the kids.
Dad said he’s going to try to figure out a way that I can still come to
the Fair with you, but if he’s still so sick, he might need me to stay
here. We’ll see. Good luck with the debate stuff.
Benjamin Lyman
Dear Ben,
I’m so glad you talked to your dad. Parents always want to know
when their kids are worried. Your dad has really good doctors and
lots of people who love him and who will help him get better. I have
faith that everything will be okay. Nobody messes with the Lyman’s
right?
I hope you can make it out to the Fair, but you’re right; family
comes first. There will always be other years to come to the Fair.
It can be hard being the oldest, Ben; for the oldest child and the
parents of the oldest child. You’re their guinea pig. They have to try
everything out on you first. Sometimes, they’re going to make
mistakes and sometimes they’re not going to realize you’re old
enough to handle more difficult things. Be patient. You have
wonderful parents who love you so much.
Can I tell you I love the chicken suit idea? I’d love to see Butler face
to face with giant poultry. Do you think Brian would wear the suit if I
asked him really nicely? I want to see the video of your mom
fighting with the chicken. Can you boost a copy for me?
Love,
Julie
“Turn on the TV, quick! Butler is on.” One of the staffers called out
and everyone in the office huddled around the TV.
“…and I feel that this issue can’t be boiled down to a 30 second
sound bite, George.” Michelle Butler.
“Your opponent, Julie Peterson seems to think otherwise.” George
replied.
“Well, Julie has a lot of optimism and a few interesting ideas, but I
think she’s going to find those things aren’t enough to be an
effective leader in the U.S. Congress.” Butler answered.
“That’s MS. PETERSON to you!” Julie ranted at the TV screen.
“She makes me sound like a Girl Scout.” Julie complained to Holly.
“Bitch.” They both said simultaneously grinning at each other. The
sound of the reporter’s voice drew their attention back to the TV.
“Are you saying that Ms. Peterson doesn’t have the experience to
be a Congresswoman?”
“I think Julie is a very bright young woman, but her ideology and
policies show a naiveté that would be dangerous in Congress.”
“Then why the hesitancy in setting up debates between you? The
Peterson campaign has suggested three in the three months
leading up to the election. Wouldn’t that be a perfect opportunity to
highlight the differences between you?”
“We aren’t indifferent to the debates, although I don’t imagine it
would take more than one to illustrate the differences between us.
We simply haven’t felt the sense of urgency that our opponents
have; perhaps because they’re down 12 points presently.”
“Bitch.” Brian chimed in and was rewarded with a smile from each of
the women.
“So you’d only agree to one debate?” The reporter followed up.
“All the details will be worked out by my staff. Delegating is an
important skill for the position I’m seeking. Thanks everyone.”
Michelle Butler gave a prom Queen perfect wave and disappeared
into her office in the Minnesota Capitol.
“Bitch.” Peyton repeated. He was spending time at various
campaigns the Lyman team was running and this week he was in
Minnesota. “And she dresses like my mother, in the front pew of the
8 am service.”
Julie looked at him strangely.
Peyton just shrugged.
“We’ve tried to keep up the professional experience appearance
but there’s no hiding the fact that she has almost 20 years on me.”
Julie added.
“May I make a suggestion?” Peyton asked.
Julie exchanged looks with Holly. “Sure.”
“Don’t.” Peyton said simply.
“Don’t what?” Holly asked.
“Don’t try to keep up a professional appearance.” Peyton replied.
“Run, don’t walk in the opposite direction. You’ve got this young,
energetic, and physically attractive woman candidate. Use it.”
“Her constituency is mostly older voters.” Brian noted.
“Who know how hard it is to get the energy to get things done. This
woman,” Peyton jerked his thumb to the TV screen, “she’s one of
them, sure. But do they want to send one of ‘them’ to the Congress
to tackle new problems?” Peyton posed the question. “Instead of
trying to meet her where she is you should be exaggerating the
difference. What’s polling showing as your biggest deficit right
now?”
“Education.” Brian sighed. “Butler’s voted to pass stricter guidelines
than the Federally mandated ones; Julie’s in favor of tossing them
out completely.”
“I’m not wavering on education!” Julie stated vehemently.
“Believe me when I tell you that I gave up that fight months ago.”
Brian shot back holding his hands up. “He asked.”
“Education is perfect.” Peyton pronounced.
“Have you READ her education platform?” Holly asked warily.
“Holly!” Julie shouted.
“I’m just sayin…” Holly pointed out.
“I have read it and it’s perfect for this.” Peyton said rubbing his
hands together. “What you’re advocating is scrapping the
mandated testing and using functional assessment instead; using
kid’s daily routines and work to gather information on whether or
not they’re learning.”
“Exactly.” Julie stuck her tongue out at Holly who laughed. “There’s
less pressure on the student and they have more opportunities to
show what they’ve learned. It’s a more accurate form of testing and
doesn’t scare the shit out of kids.”
“Oh, this is going to be so much fun.” Peyton smiled. “I want to see
a list of the most popular parks in the area and…your wardrobe.”
Peyton pointed to Julie.
“Ooooookay.” Julie agreed.
***************************************************
“What are you up to in here?” Donna asked hearing Ally, Ben, and
Josh laughing in the girls’ room.
“Nothing.” Josh answered before they all dissolved into laughter
again.
“Uh-huh.” Donna eyed them all suspiciously. “I can read you all like
books and I know you’re up to no good, so spill!” Ben and Ally both
turned looks on their father.
“We were just discussing what I’d need to pack for the hospital
tomorrow.” Josh answered with a mostly straight face.
Given the heaviness that had infiltrated their home in these past
few days leading up to the surgery tomorrow, Donna was tempted
to leave it at that simply because they were all laughing together.
But…there was something about the twinkle in Josh’s eyes that she
just couldn’t leave alone. She looked at the three of them, chose
the one she figured would be the weakest link, and pounced.
“Ally, Ally.” Donna sang sweetly as she hugged her daughter close
to her body. “I get that these two hyenas think their jokes are oh so
funny, but we women know better, don’t we?”
“Ummmmm….” Ally threw a desperate look at her dad but he was
no help.
“We know that things they think are hilarious aren’t even worth a
chuckle while we’re…I don’t know…shopping for those new jeans
you’ve been asking for.”
“Jeans?” Ally perked up.
“Don’t fall for it, Al.” Ben shouted. “She said she’d register as a
Republican before she spent $80 on jeans for a ten year old,
remember?”
“Maybe she changed her mind.” Ally countered.
“Maybe I did.” Donna repeated smirking. “Maybe I’ve decided that
daughters deserve something special for their wardrobe since the
men in this house don’t care about their clothing or their
appearance.”
“They do look kind of ratty.” Ally agreed looking closely at her
father and brother.
“She’s just trying to get you to spill!” Ben pointed out. Josh just kept
smiling, knowing it would be far more humorous for the ‘secret’ to
come from one of the kids.
“Spill about what Ally?” Donna asked patiently.
“Well…” Ally considered. “It’s supposed to be a big secret. That
ought to be worth jeans and…a new headband.”
“You little…” Donna looked at her daughter like she’d grown fangs.
“This is your father’s influence isn’t it? The heavy handed
negotiation tactics? Forget the jeans, you’ll be begging to tell me
your little ‘secret’.”
“Why?” Ally asked apprehensively.
“Because I’ve moved from bribery to torture.” Donna said
menacingly and attacked Ally with pillows and tickles. Soon, Ben
joined in and the commotion drew there other two children in the
room. Jake dove right in. Tori shook her head at the antics and
stood next to Josh who was watching the wrestling match with a
huge grin on his face.
“There’s a no fighting rule, you know.” She told him.
“I know.” Josh agreed and sat Tori next to him. “Who do you think is
going to win?”
“Mommy’s the biggest, but all three of them are ganging up on her.”
Tori analyzed the situation. Josh loved watching Tori’s unique brain
work. “Ben. Ben is going to win. Jake’s too little, and Ally isn’t really
fighting her best.”
As usual, Tori’s analysis was right on target. After another minute,
Ally dropped out, then came Jake who fell into an exhausted heap
next to the bed, leaving Ben to pin Donna and proclaim victory.
“Victory is mine!” He shouted and jumped on the bed all around his
tired mother.
“No jumping on the bed, Benjamin.” Tori shouted.
“Yeah, Benjamin, no jumping on the bed.” Donna parroted and with
one quick leg slice had him landing next to her, laughing.
“So much for begging for mercy!” Josh teased his wife.
“Yeah, well you’re next, Joshua.” Donna got up and carefully
cornered her husband on the second bed.
“Torture? In front of the children?” he teased again.
“If necessary. They need to know who rules the roost.” Donna
decided.
“Oh, well that’s me, definitely. I’m the Lyman team leader.” Josh
concluded.
“And just how to you figure that?” Donna wanted to know.
“Because Lyman team leaders can’t leave their underwear on the
floor at art shows.” Ben answered for him, and fell into hysterical
laughter again with Ally joining in.
Donna rounded on Josh. “You told them the underwear story???”
“What underwear story?” Tori wanted to know. The word
‘underwear’ was enough to make four year old Jake laugh
hysterically too.
“Mom went to an art show and left her underwear on the floor.
Somebody else found it and mailed it to Dad.” Ally repeated the
story, still a little miffed about losing out on the jeans.
“Joshua!!” Donna tried to keep her face serious. “You promised to
NEVER-“
“Why did you put your underpants on the floor, Mommy? We’re
never sposed to leave clothes on the floor, remember?” Tori
reminded her.
Josh just waited for Donna’s reply. “It. Was. An. Accident.” Donna
bit off, poking Josh in the side with her finger to punctuate each
word.
“Careful for Daddy’s heart, Mommy.” Tori replied sounding
frightened.
“Heart? This man doesn’t have a heart.” Donna said snidely.
“They brought it up!” Josh defended himself.
“Just how did our children, who have never heard that story, bring it
up?”
“We were talking about packing for the hospital and Ben asked why
I couldn’t just wear the same clothes home FROM the hospital that I
was wearing TO the hospital. It came out as a kind of cautionary
tale.” Josh explained.
“Just wait until you’re recovered. Then you’re going to pay, Lyman.”
Donna promised leaning closer to him to give him kisses across his
face.
“I’m already being punished.” Josh replied and whispered in her
ear, “What could be worse than 6 weeks without being WITH you?”
Donna leaned back. “I don’t know…maybe seven weeks?” She had
the satisfaction of watching his jaw drop before she called to the
kids. “Time for dinner; everybody downstairs.”