The Mennonite - A New Start 3 CGW
After the incident in S.L we arrived a little late for the first visit in I.C.U., we would have to wait for 2 hours for the next session. I spoke to the nurses about Cameron and how he was doing, there wasn't any real change in his condition but the fact that we were here was very important for his recovery. Izaack was the first to notice to notice a couple of Mennonite women dressed in traditional old style sect clothing, one was just a girl maybe 16 or 17 and the older one was in her mid-fifty's. I quietly told him to ask the women to share our place in the waiting room, Izaack was very careful to walk up behind them so they couldn't walk away. The ladies walked into the waiting room like a couple of scared rabbits, I motioned for them to have a seat so we might talk. I said; your son is a real fighter there is no doubt from whom he received that gift, Mrs. Lutz broke down in tears and sobbed she couldn't believe that someone could be that cruel and let anyone harm a child as Cameron was hurt, especially his own child. I comforted her and reassured her that Cameron had the spirit of a true fighter and he would overcome this but it would take a lot of time. She introduced her only other child Cameron's sister Anne and said; I will keep her safe from harm if it cost me everything I have on this earth.
She asked Anne to give her the note, and she passed he a piece of paper was written a list of names of who harmed her son Cameron. Can you make sure that the Elder gets this so my son can have justice? I responded that I would make sure that my husband received it and he would make sure it was taken care of for Cameron's sake. Mrs. Lutz asked; might I inquire who your husband may be? I replied he is The Elder Micah E. Gunderson, Mrs. Lutz. She stuttered and said; you are known as Poppa Clayton are you not. Yes I am Clayton, Mrs. Lutz why do you ask? She broke down and hugged my neck and as she sobbed, she said; My prayers have been answered then, my only son is safe just like the Angel said he would be, I know the proper thing will done for my children.
Mrs. Lutz could you wait here and let me contact Micah and you can tell us the whole story here. I called and found out that they had just finished up and were going to drop off Beth and the children before heading to the hospital, No Micah I need for you to bring them also they need to meet some people and we might be needing your special kind of help, so make it quick and tell Galen to be careful driving here with his precious cargo.
Mrs. Lutz let us go the cafeteria and let these two young folk here get better acquainted with one another. She agreed and we went to get some fresh coffee and talk. I learned a lot about her life in their sect and how hard it was on the children and those who were different for others. She had another child but because she was born with Downs Syndrome she was cast out by the Father and Elders at 3 days old as imperfect and an abomination; she only knew that she had found a loving family who took her in and named her Elizabeth. I hope if we ever meet on the Earth she can forgive me, I had no choice in the matter.
I excused myself and called Micah and told him that the day that we had dreamed of for Elizabeth had finally arrived. He was silent on the phone then asked; does she know, I responded no; not until we introduce them and Micah there are siblings, one is a fine looking blonde headed young man we both know and her little sister is here at the hospital. You are kidding me you mean that; yes big mouth now don't give it away only tell them that they are going to meet someone very special today.
Micah was the first to arrive and introduced himself to Mrs. Lutz and Anne, next to enter was Seth who ran to my arms and hollered Poppa followed by Galen carrying the baby, I asked where is your wife Galen. She is bringing the babies things you know how big of a mother hen she is about her children. Then entered Elizabeth she walked up and sat the bag down and hugged me and said; good morning Poppa, I'm sorry we are so late but slowpoke here wouldn't dare go over the speed limit after Daddy told him you said; to be careful with your precious cargo he had with him. Daddy said; you had a surprise for us.
I would like to introduce to you Mrs. Lutz and her daughter Anne; they are Cameron's Mother and Sister. They have given me a list of name for those responsible for hurting Cameron.
Mrs. Lutz, I want to introduce to you our daughter, Elizabeth. She was brought to us at 3 days old by a special Angel for us to raise because her mother wasn't allowed to keep her.
Mrs. Lutz began to stutter and asked; is she really, you don't mean, is this for real she can't be, oh my; I don't believe it.
Poppa what is wrong with her? Do I need to get a nurse for her? No Beth; please listen to me, many years ago Mrs. Lutz was forced to give up her second born child, a little girl at 3 days old because she was born with Downs-Syndrome.
All she was told is that the child was placed in a loving family and her name was Elizabeth; she is your birth mother, Cameron is your brother and Anne here is your little sister.
Beth hugged Mrs. Lutz and her sister Anne and said; I'm very glad to meet you, would you like to meet your grandchildren. Sister; please meet your nephew and niece. I got up and let Beth sit down before she fell down from shock.
As I walked by Galen I said; close your mouth boy before it draws flies. Micah smiled and said; this is a good sign, this was destined to be. Our family just keeps getting bigger and bigger doesn't it?
The Doctor came in and said; they were getting ready to wake Cameron from his coma, it might be rough on him, he is still in a lot of pain despite the drugs he was on, Micah walked to the Doctor and explained the situation and he agree that because of the problem he would allow; Izaack, Beth, Anne, His mother, Micah and myself to visit him together. He would still be on the vent but if everything goes well that would be removed very soon also.
Mrs. Lutz had a hard time seeing her son in this condition, The Doctor said; now that his family was here, he would remove the ventilator, he told Cameron not to fight as he removed it. After he removed it the Doctor said; try not to speak young man, if you need anything be patient someone would help him. After the doctor checked him over he stated that he was doing real well and if he continued to improve he would be moved to a private room today. We all breathed a sigh of relief for Cameron; the doctor if you will blink your eye's once for yes and twice for no I will ask you some questions now. Do you remember what happened to you, he blinked them twice, the doctor said; his mind has closed itself to the trauma as protection. Cameron you were beaten by some very bad men, you are in the hospital and have been here for now 4 days since the event. You suffered a broken jaw, cheekbone, shoulder, ribs and both legs were broken also, you suffered a collapsed lung but we recovered it and you are doing a lot better than we expected you would have, It could be that you have so many people praying for you, you will have a long road of rehab and recovery but I suspect you won't travel that road by yourself.
Mrs. Lutz said; after seeing my son Elder Micah; I ask of you that we be granted sanctuary within your community if not for me, only for my daughter so she isn't force to marry an evil man her father promised her to, he was one of the men that did this to my poor son.
Micah looked in my direction and said; let me step out and make a few calls and I will be right back. I walked out with him, I touched his arm and said; my dear husband please help the mother of our sweet Beth she is as much of a victim here also. He kissed me and said; worry not my sweet love, all will be settled today.
I walked back into the room and asked that everyone pray for a swift and just decision in this matter. Micah walked in and said; it has been decided that they will be allowed entry into the community, they will be placed into the older spare 2 bedroom cabin in the back section, it's very basic but it will do, it will be cleaned and ready.
Basic; Like Hell it will be basic, Micah Earl Gunderson you get back on that phone and tell them that it will be anything but Basic, they don't want me to get pissed off and come back to find something that just will do. It better be perfect and make sure to tell them that. He looked at me and said; yes dear. And let the room.
A shocked Amma Lutz looked at me and softly said; he's an Elder he cannot be spoken to in that manner. I quietly said to her, Amma first off he is my husband then he's an Elder, remember these words "Happy spouse happy live, Unhappy spouse no life". These are the rules of the Gunderson Household. Right Galen, to which he responded; yes Poppa you are very correct, our spouse and children come first.
Amma said; it will take me time to get used to this place, it is so strange the spouse has a voice in the matter. We only have what we have on as clothes and Anne has her wood tools with her, I decided when we left this morning she wasn't to return with me if I returned.
We had to leave the I.C.U. so they could care for Cameron and we went to the waiting room. Micah I said; we shall return in a little while, Beth leave your children with their father; we are taking these ladies shopping. Amma grab you purse and Anne follow us. We shall return when you see us coming.
Micah said; this sounds expensive, you have no idea how expensive it's going to be. We took off from the hospital and headed to the market place, I sent Beth and Anne off together and I took Amma to a ladies store there were plans for no less than 7 new suits of clothes each and also several pairs of shoes. Both ladies had complete makeovers hair, make-up and the works. Beth explained to the ladies about the importance on being fresh everywhere on their bodies, Amma turned red several times.
When we walked back in that Hospital you could have heard a pin drop, in fact several Doctors did drop their pins and their mouths open. These ladies were knockouts. When Beth and Anne walked to the nurse's station Beth and asked if her brother Cameron Lutz had been moved, a cute male nurse couldn't find his words, as he attempted to speak Beth said; calm yourself down boy, I'm married and my little sister is only 17 so do yourself a favor go take a long cold shower now where is my brother. He squeaked out Cameron's room number and we left to find the room.
Beth and I walked into Cameron's room followed by Anne then Amma; Cameron had the biggest smile on his face he started to cry as a tear ran down his cheek, Beth said; isn't our mother a knockout my dear brother and our sister is beautiful so you better get well soon because she will have young men lined around the block at our mother's home just waiting for a chance to date her, but until then Galen will keep then at bay.
Cameron had a puzzled look on his face when his Mother said; you heard your sister correctly. This young woman standing in front of you is the baby that I was forced to give up so many years ago and like the angel she was raised in a loving family and wanted for nothing.
Izaack was exhausted between his work and going to the hospital to see Cameron it was wearing him out. Amma and Anne they helped out as much as they could.
It had been 4 long months when the doctor released Cameron to go home and start physical therapy there. When he arrived the whole community turned out to welcome him home we had a grand time, but we remembered that Cameron was still weak and couldn't do anything so Micah and the guys put up a tent topper and placed his hospital bed beneath it so he could enjoy it also.