Sara was included in all aspects of the foundation; she could take over, if need be. He bought a life insurance policy with Sara as owner. He felt a keen obligation to take care of her—and Danny.
CHAPTER SEVENTY
“Hey, Sara, Manhattan on Sunday?” She hadn’t mentioned her new therapy; maybe on Sunday she would say something.
On Sunday morning, they went to church together. The service was meaningful. The lecture addressed finding God within one’s self and in the marvels of nature. Afterwards, they lunched at a little café.
As they were finishing their meal, Sara looked up. “I would like to give you a report on my therapy.”
The faint smile on her face told Michael it was good news. “By all means.”
“It’s been going well. I have taken a few clumsy steps with braces and rails supporting me. I may need some surgery on my hips, the doctors aren’t sure.”
He remained silent, hoping she would continue, but it appeared this was the extent of her news.
“That’s great news! If you ever want to get an opinion from international specialists, you know I’m here for you, physically and financially.”
She looked down and put her hand in his but remained silent.
Michael smiled, “I know, I won’t bring the subject up again; just know I’m here, wherever this path leads you.”
As they left the restaurant, Michael’s mind was whirling. He took her home, and they topped off the evening by watching a movie on Netflix.
CHAPTER SEVENTY-ONE
Michael made his way to Sara’s after lunch. His thoughts wandered. He knew in his heart, he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. He was fairly sure she felt the same. However, he felt they both had enough on their plate at the moment. It was not the time to propose marriage. He thought he might give her a ring at Christmas. Concluding her therapy before there were other changes in her life seemed the right way to go. He reminded himself, if she could walk, she might want some personal freedom—to make up for lost time. It was obvious she valued her independence. He took her to see the sisters once a month. He knew they sensed their budding romance. When the time came, he looked forward to sharing the news of their engagement with Sister Bernadette. “Hey, Sara, may I join you?
“Of course, come in.”
Their conversation was relaxed, almost lazy. Michael felt it was a good time to ask Sara about a few things. “Sara, were you baptized Catholic?”
“Yes, though Daddy and I drifted away from the Church after the accident.”
“I was baptized Catholic, but my parents didn’t attend church—except Easter and Christmas.”
“I didn’t know that, Michael.”
“I admit to being a spiritual interloper.” Michael was relieved to know, in essence, they were both Catholic; both partners must be Catholic to be married in a Catholic church—Danny might insist. Whew, that hurdle was easy.
CHAPTER SEVENTY-TWO
The months passed. Sara did spend time at Michael’s home, but they stayed at Danny’s place most of the time. Sara was not ready for complete intimacy, but nevertheless, they were like two lovebirds, cuddling and loving each moment.
They decided, for the first year, they would request a six-month review of their chosen charities with yearly reviews to follow. The Girls’ Club was number one on the list. Their long-range dream was to help children in Ireland and the States who had difficult circumstances at home.
Sara was resolute in creating a home for pregnant mothers, offering a solution other than abortion. She envisioned a choice for expectant moms, childcare education or adoption alternatives, and a GED program. The women would leave the home prepared for their future. She felt the program could become self-sustainable if prospective adoptive parents donated a specified amount to the facility. Perhaps the Catholic Church would assist them.
Another project for the first year was one of Michael’s priorities. He would start a training program for the residents of the New York shelters. In order to participate, the residents would need to be clean and sober. He wanted computers and a teacher on site. Upon completion at each level, there would be incentive money set aside in a trust account. After graduation, they would receive a weekly pension for three months while they searched for a permanent job.
A donation to the Heifer Program was a no-brainer—people bettering their own circumstances by raising animals for their own livelihood. Last on their list were donations to homes for battered women in Chicago, Los Angeles, Detroit, and New York. Of course, contributing to cancer research was a must since cancer had taken Sister Abbey’s life. It would be an exciting year.
CHAPTER SEVENTY-THREE
During the next few months, Michael noticed Danny walking slower, and he appeared short of breath. It was obvious he was losing weight.
Sara sighed, “I’ll try to get him to go to the doctor. He’s not been in years; I doubt he will go.”
She was right—he flat-out refused.
As the season changed, so did Danny. One evening he fell on the stairs; he had been working all day. Michael was upstairs when he heard the thud. He found Danny lying at the bottom of the stairs, ashen and unaware of his surroundings. The ambulance arrived within ten minutes. Michael repeated the well-worn words to those whose lives were in peril: “Hang on, Danny, hang on—we’ll follow you to the hospital.”
After hours of waiting, they were told it was a heart attack. The physician had started a clot-busting medication; fortunately, Danny had reached the hospital within the “golden hour.” The doctor also expressed concern about the lack of breath sounds in one of Danny’s lungs. They would investigate this once he was stable.
Sara and Michael took shifts at his bedside. To their relief, Danny rallied after two days.
The bad news came a few days later. Danny had advanced lung cancer.
He returned home the following day. His demeanor was unchanged; he was the same old Danny. The question remained whether he would subscribe to the devastating chemo and radiation. Michael and Sara did not speculate about the situation. They waited for Danny to tell them his plans.
A few days later, Danny came upstairs and announced, “Hey you guys, let’s go to Sara’s favorite place for dinner; it’s on me.”
The dinner was filled with light conversation, albeit Michael and Sara had sensed an impending serious discussion. As they finished up, Danny suggested they meet back at the apartment for a “little talk.” In silence, Michael thanked God the “talk” would not be in a restaurant. Once they were settled, Danny launched into the justification for his decision.
“Well kids, I have given this whole cancer thing a lot of thought—” he gave a half chuckle under his breath, “I even talked with Father Murphy.”
“I have had two meetings with the doctor in charge of my case. My chances of success with the chemo are next to nothing. It’s already in my bones. My quality of life would be less than pleasant. Lingering on in misery is not my wish. I’m still in pretty good shape.” He stopped and cleared his throat. “I would like to take you both on a trip to Italy. Do you think we could do it? Manny has offered to take care of the store.”
Michael and Sara gave a fleeting look at each other and nodded cautiously.
“Sure, Dad, we’d love to spend this time with you. What a treat! Were you thinking a couple of weeks?”
“Yeah, I can make it that long. I would like to visit the area where my parents were born and buried. My cousins received their remains and buried them in our family plot.”
“Sure, Danny, I would be happy to join you and Sara.”
“Hey, get that gloomy look off your faces. We’ll go first class all the way. I want this to be a happy time.” He mustered up a hearty laugh and rose to leave. “So it’s a go?”
“It’ll be great, Danny. Sara and I will be honored to be your guests.”
Danny looked at Sara; she could see his eyes were moist. “Sara, may I leave the arrangements to you??
??
“For sure, Dad—we’ll make it special.”
After Danny left the room, they just sat there, looking at each other; finally Sara spoke, “You know, Michael, I can’t blame him for his decision. Although I’ve not had to make that choice, I might be inclined to do the same.”
“I agree.”
“I’ve had a great relationship with Dad, and I don’t need to see him miserable in order to have one or two more months with him.” She paused for a moment looking out the window. “I agree with Dad; let’s make it a happy time.”
Michael interjected, “I do think we should go non-stop, first class. It’s a long trip, and it would be better for him to be able to stretch out. I’ll pick up the tab for the upgrade, he won’t know.”
“Thanks so much, Michael.”
Michael knew it would also be beneficial for Sara. “We’ll choose the airline with the beds; he can sleep on the plane.”
“I wasn’t prepared for this news. I thought Dad was going to tell us there would be no chemo, but a trip—it’s a wonderful idea. He will be doing something meaningful during these remaining days. It’ll leave us with a special memory too.” Sara started to choke up with the last few words; she quickly regained her composure.
Michael saw her momentary slip. He knew Sara would appreciate some time alone. “You know, I am really exhausted. Do you mind if I cut the evening short?”
“Sure, Michael, it’s a lot to digest.”
“I think I’ll drop in and see Adam—just to wind down a bit. Will you be all right?”
“I’m fine. Let’s go over the details tomorrow. I’ll start looking for accommodations.”
“Call me tomorrow.” Although Michael gave her a hug and kiss, he sensed they were both somewhere else; they were void of displaying affection at this moment.
“I’m off.”
Sara winked, “By the way, thanks for realizing I need a little time on my own.”
“Yeah, sure, I understand.”
CHAPTER SEVENTY-FOUR
Michael kept the conversation light at Mel’s and left after an hour. There was a definite chill in the air that seemed to echo his emotions. The thought of losing Danny and all that would mean—it would take time to process the ramifications.
He was relieved he had the comfort of his new home. He fell asleep pondering Danny’s decision and how he could help make it a memorable trip.
Michael couldn’t imagine Danny not being present at their wedding. Poor Danny—he was facing the prospect of not knowing who would care for Sara. Maybe he should speed things up a bit. It was a serious issue, and he had not discussed any future plans with Sara. He had always thought Danny would see his little girl, possibly even standing on her own, exchanging her vows with Michael. Many nights he had dared to imagine their wedding without Sara being confined to a wheelchair. Danny should be by her side. Once again, a higher power was stepping in. He would look for an engagement ring. The first priority was Sara’s wellbeing, followed by managing the charities. The rest would fall into place. He decided to wait and see what Danny might suggest regarding the store.
The next two weeks passed in a blink. Sara had finalized the plans for their trip. They were flying first class. A few nights before they left, Michael took Sara and Danny out for dinner. It was a small, intimate place close to home. They ordered dessert; Sara’s arrived covered in a shiny dome. Danny and Michael commented that it must be something “extra special.” With a quizzical look, she removed the lid and discovered a blue velvet box. She had a momentary flash of puzzlement, and then looked at Danny with a knowing smile. She opened the box, all the while, looking at Danny. The look on her face said it all. Her eyes widened and an audible gasp followed. A sparkling diamond and sapphire engagement ring took her breath away. She was speechless—tears began to flow. She appeared to be momentarily confused until Michael took her hand and uttered the words.
“My sweet Sara—will you marry me?”
Danny was smiling from ear to ear. The two men had shared the plan ahead of time. At this point, all eyes were glistening, including the wait staff.
“Oh, Michael, I am in shock—I—yes—yes and yes!
The wait staff remained well in the background. At this point they started clapping and cheering; soon the other patrons chimed in. It was a joyous moment. All three were unabashed as they wiped their glistening eyes. It was one of those times in life when tears of joy are meant to be shared with both friends and strangers alike.
Sara slipped the ring on; it shimmered in the light. At this point, she was still trying to catch her breath. Michael knew he had made the right decision. Now, all three would feel more secure. He knew Danny’s journey in life was drawing to a close. This might give him peace, knowing Sara would be cared for. The night was a complete joy for all.
CHAPTER SEVENTY-FIVE
Their departure day came, and they were pre-boarded. It was a nine-hour evening flight, arriving in Rome at eleven-thirty in the morning. Michael had never flown first class. The seats flattened out like a bed. Michael enjoyed every minute of the luxurious flight.
They watched a movie, had a late dinner, and bedded down. Although necessary for this trip, the price was exorbitant. It was money well-spent for a hardworking man and his gracious daughter. Michael had one more surprise up his sleeve, and Danny was in on it.
CHAPTER SEVENTY-SIX
The three travelers arrived in Rome without incident. They planned to remain in the ancient city for the first few days, and the next leg would be on to the town where Danny’s parents had lived. They had slept well on the plane. After settling in at a small hotel, they headed out to see a few of the famous sites. The Vatican was first on the list; the famous Michelangelo fresco was the hit of the day. The splendor of the Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica took their breath away. It was not a crowded day, and they were able to maneuver easily.
They stopped for lunch in a small rustic café that featured typical Italian fare. It was obvious the restaurant catered to local patrons. Michael could see Danny was in his element. He had never seen him so relaxed and peaceful. It was as though he had left his gruff facade in his suitcase. They moved on to a little gelato shop and indulged in a cone. This was a repeat for Sara as she had visited Rome with her mom. On the other hand, it was a dream fulfilled for Michael and Danny. They were captivated by the size and intricacy of the sculptures behind the fountain. Sara threw a coin over her shoulder and closed her eyes. Danny and Michael joined in the ritual. It might have been a bittersweet gesture in light of Danny’s condition, but the look on his face told a different story. Michael wondered if any of the onlookers imagined what he, Danny, and Sara were wishing. On second thought, everyone had a story, all poignant and equally significant.
The Spanish Steps were next. Many shoppers lazed on the vast, ascending, one hundred and thirty-eight steps.
Everyone appeared to enjoy the moment of respite.
After dinner, they strolled for a while and retired early.
The following morning, they visited the Pantheon and the Coliseum. They were walking where Nero had ruled, gladiators had fought, and Christ was sentenced to death. The Biblical stories came to life.
Danny had been keeping up until this moment. He stopped, and took a few deep breaths. “Let’s take a break, guys.”
After lunch, they moseyed around smaller, more intimate, private galleries. After a rest, they hailed a taxi and dined just outside the city. They planned to leave by train for Terni in the morning. Danny’s strength was holding up; he was cheerful and appeared at peace with the world.
Michael was looking forward to Terni. They would be guests of Danny and Sara’s cousins, who met them at the station. The trip to their home was a short jaunt. It was a typical stone farmhouse. The walls were partially concealed with dense green ivy. A small olive orchard and several grape vines complemented the field adjacent to the front yard. It reminded Michael of the movie Under the Tuscan Sun. That
evening, friends, relatives, and neighbors arrived for an outdoor dinner. Danny, the honored guest, was seated at the head of the table. His disposition changed before their eyes. Michael could tell Sara was thrilled to see her father so free and outgoing, and—very talkative. The meal was comprised of more dishes than they had ever seen on one table. The children played nearby with goats, dogs, and cats; American toys were noticeably absent.
As Michael looked down the table, despite the fact they were newly acquainted, he felt a genuine closeness to these folks. The balmy weather, paired with the delicious fare, made Michael euphoric; the wine accentuated his mood.
The sound of children laughing in the background was musical. It was almost implausible how this incredible dinner had come together with what appeared to be very little effort. Everyone brought food and helped in a discreet manner. The evening centered on an endless string of conversation and laughter. A neighbor played the guitar, and some folks joined in singing familiar songs.
Finally, the precious day ended, and they retired around ten to their modest bedrooms.
The following morning, they enjoyed breakfast in the garden. The day had been planned, including a visit to some nearby waterfalls. Lunch was packed, and the day was unhurried. Sara’s cousin Antonio peeked at his watch a few times; Michael knew why, although, Sara didn’t appear to notice the furtive glances between the two men.
“We must head back now. Father will be hosting a christening of our friend’s first-born at our home.”
Danny appeared tranquil as he watched the countryside drift by. His eyes seemed to be scanning a place beyond anyone else’s vision. One could only imagine his thoughts. As they arrived at the house, there were quite a few cars parked nearby. Sara raised her eyebrows, “Looks like the guests have already arrived.” Michael and Danny shared a swift glance and smiled.