© Copyright 2006 by Jan G. Madden

Part II

Olivia Grace grew to be a happy and healthy toddler. Her dark red hair hung in tight curls almost touching her shoulders, and her eyes were dark brown. Thomas stood on the ladder whistling as he secured the tire swing in the old oak tree this beautiful spring day. Olivia watched from the sandbox close by.

He had taken the day off from his dental practice to tinker around the house with Maggie and Olivia. Maggie had a doctor’s appointment this afternoon, so he and three-year-old Olivia were enjoying the warm sunshine. “Okay, pumpkin, let’s see how this thing works.” Thomas squeezed into the center of the tire and began swinging. “Whee! I think if it’ll hold me, it’ll hold you. Wanna give it a try?”

“Yeah!” Olivia screamed as she ran to him as fast as her little legs could take her. Thomas’s heart overflowed with joy.

“Okay, here we go. Hold on tight.”

“Dis is fun, Daddy! Yeaaaa!” she squealed.

Thomas turned at the sound of the car pulling into the driveway. “Mommy’s home, pumpkin. Let’s go give her big hugs.”

“Mommy’s home!” Olivia’s foot got caught in the tire, so Thomas helped her down, and then she started to run to her mommy. “Mooommmy!”

“Slow down, pumpkin!” Thomas called after her unable to hold back the laughter.

He reached the car, but Maggie hadn’t gotten out yet. He knew immediately something was wrong. His heart sank, and he picked Olivia up before opening the car door. “Maggie, honey, what’s wrong.”

She looked up at him, her eyes red and swollen and her hands gripping the steering wheel. “The doctor found something. He is unsure what it is, but he needs me to come back Monday for further blood tests and an MRI.”

“Now, Maggie, don’t get all worried. It’s probably more ovarian cysts. You’ve had them before, and you know they always have to check them out.”

“He said these looked different. Dr. Martin called the hospital and they worked me in their schedule for an ultrasound on my ovaries today. He must be concerned to want to do an MRI, too.”

“Are you cwyin’, Mommy?” Olivia asked reaching for her.

Maggie couldn’t hold back the smile. Olivia’s worried expression confirmed that Thomas and Maggie needed to finish this conversation later. Maggie got out of the car and squatted down eye-level with Olivia. “I’m okay, sweet pea. Did you have fun with Daddy while I was gone? Oh, I see the tire swing is up! Wanna swing?”

Thomas put Olivia down and Maggie took her little hand in her own to lead her to the swing.

The following Sunday, the pastor and congregation gathered around Maggie and lifted her up in prayer. Maggie really appreciated that.

Monday, Maggie had the MRI, but the results wouldn’t be ready until Wednesday. She and Thomas would go together to hear the results. She had a peace, but somehow, she knew the test results weren’t going to be good.

Tuesday evening, she finally shared as much with Thomas, “You know how overly tired I’ve been these last few months and several things I’ve read recently pointed that symptom out. I don’t know how to explain it, Thomas, it’s just a feeling.”

Thomas fixed Maggie a cup of hot tea. Their light conversation consisted of trivial happenings at the office and silly things Olivia said. Then they shared a quick prayer. “Now, try to get a good night’s sleep, sweetheart. We’ll see the test results tomorrow, okay? ‘And we know that all things work together for good,’ remember that.”

“Okay.” But it was hours before the restless sleep came.

* * *

Olivia loved staying with “Miss Tweesa.” As Thomas and Maggie drove away, they saw Olivia jumping on the miniature trampoline waving good-bye. Her red curls bounced haphazardly, and her smile glowed.

Just thirty minutes later, Thomas and Maggie sat rigidly in the doctor’s office. Dr. Martin’s entrance broke the silence and startled them. “Hello, Thomas, Maggie…. I’m glad you could come in together. How’s little Olivia today?”

“Oh, she’s fine anytime she’s with ‘Miss Tweesa.’” Thomas said forcing a grin, but it was obvious that no one wanted small talk.

Dr. Martin sighed as he opened Maggie’s chart and sat in the leather chair behind his large desk. “Maggie, there’s no easy way to say this. I’m afraid the results show… cancer.”

There it was. The word they feared most slipped off the doctor’s tongue.

Thomas looked over to Maggie; she mirrored his rigid breathing, and her chin trembled. Thomas placed his hand on hers and found it trembling.

Finally, Thomas found the strength to ask, “What can we expect, Doctor?”

“Well, we certainly want to try chemotherapy, but I’m afraid that the tests don’t offer much hope of more than a year or eighteen months at the most.” Dr. Martin sighed deeply. “I am so sorry, Thomas and Maggie. I wish there was more I could do.”



Disbelief, tears, questions, tests, chemotherapy, and fear filled the following year. And early April of the following year, Maggie passed away.

Thomas carried Olivia and as they left the cemetery, four-year-old Olivia wiped a tear from her daddy’s cheek. She said, “Don’t worry, Daddy. Mommy told me she would always be watching us from heaven. She said every time we see a star twinkle, that’s her winking at us.”

Thomas grinned as he brushed some stray curls from Olivia’s face. But he couldn’t find words.

They entered the country house filled with memories … Olivia’s home, and Maggie had made Thomas promise he would stay there, if possible, for Olivia. Thomas didn’t know how he would carry on, but he had to for Olivia’s sake, if for nothing else.

* * *

“Cassandra Marie Duncan.”

Cassie, dressed in her black cap and gown, made her way across the stage. She accepted her degree with a huge smile. “Thank you, sir.” Then, she walked back to the row of fellow graduates.

I made it! A Dental Assistant! Cassie thought as she stared at her name on the official degree. It had taken her several years to complete the two-year program, but that was okay. Her position at the dental office had given her valuable experience as well as having paid the bills.

After the graduation ceremony, Cassie and Lisa enjoyed a celebration dinner at Ruby Tuesdays, their favorite “splurge” restaurant.

“I just feel like I need a fresh start, Lisa. Do you know what I mean?”

“Well, yeah, but where will you go?” Lisa stuffed another mouthful of shrimp and pasta in her mouth.

“I saw an ad in the Christian Dentist’s Newsletter for a dental assistant needed in east Tennessee. I’ve been through the Smoky Mountains and thought it would be a beautiful place to live.”

“Yeah, but I can’t imagine living here without you close by, Cassie.”

“We’ve sure been through a lot together.” Cassie looked into her friend’s eyes. Lisa was with her every year when she sent a balloon up to say happy birthday to her baby. Lisa never stopped her from those “I wonder if she’s…” and “Do you think she’s…” conversations. Lisa always seemed to be there to hold her when grief overtook her. “You are my best friend, Lisa. I’ll never forget you and all you’ve done for me.”

Together, Cassie and Lisa typed Cassie’s resume. Then they revised it and revised it yet again. Finally, they faxed it to the rather small dental practice in east Tennessee.

“Cassie, you beat all I’ve ever seen, girl. You have more nerve than anybody I’ve ever known. You don’t know a soul up there.”

“I know it seems crazy, but when I read that ad, I just had to apply for the job. So,” Cassie shrugged, “it’s in the Lord’s hands now.”

Cassie’s hands trembled days later as she opened the letter requesting an interview. She immediately phoned Lisa.

“Lisa, can you go up there with me?”

“Oh, Cassie, I can’t; that’s the week I have to go to Ohio for my cousin’s wedding. You’ll do fine.”

“Pray for God’s will, promise?”

“You know I will.”

They hung up and Cassie began packing.

* * *

“Well, here it is,” Cassie whispered as she sat alone in her car parked in front of the dentist’s office in east Tennessee. “Dr. Thomas Jenkins, D.D.S.” She pulled the sun visor down and checked her hair and make-up in the small mirror, and then began the trek up the stone walkway to the entrance. Along the way, she noticed the beautiful view of the Great Smoky Mountains. The breeze was pleasant, and some tulips were beginning to bloom. A smile formed easily.

Upon introducing herself to the pleasant receptionist, Cassie sat in a plush, mint green chair. She eyed the paintings that hung around the room – mostly Scripture beneath scenic mountain views. The taupe walls, ivory window treatments, and the pleasant smell of eucalyptus bathed Cassie in peace.

This is unlike any dental office I have ever seen! Wow…

“Ms. Duncan, Dr. Jenkins will see you now.”

“Thank you.” Cassie grabbed her handbag and folder containing an extra copy of her resume and some other papers she thought might be necessary and followed the receptionist to the doctor’s office. Along the way, there were more elegant furnishings. “Wow, this is a beautiful office.”

“It is, isn’t it? Dr. Jenkins’ wife did the decorating. We really miss her.”

“What happened, if I may ask?”

“She passed away recently. Cancer.” The two women stood in front of the doctor’s office.

“Oh, I am so sorry.”

“Yes, we all are, but Dr. Jenkins is a strong Christian, and Maggie was, too. And the Word tells us ‘His strength is made perfect in our weakness.’”

Cassie’s gasp must not have been noticeable, though at the mention of those words, she immediately remembered her prayer over four years ago when she found out she was expecting Blake’s baby.

The receptionist opened the doctor’s office door and introduced Cassie. “Dr. Jenkins, this is Ms. Cassie Duncan.” Cassie stepped around the corner and behind the mahogany desk stood a man close to her own age with dark hair, compelling eyes and a strong, athletic build. Where was the older, simple gentleman she had expected? She tried to hide her surprise.

Finally, she spoke, “Hello, Dr. Jenkins.” Cassie didn’t even realize when the receptionist left the room.

* * *

Thomas noticed the applicant’s dark red hair that hung in tight curls past her shoulders. It was a lot like Olivia’s. Her bright smile seemed to come easily, and she looked professional in her navy pantsuit. She was a bit nervous, which was to be expected. Something about her brown eyes looked familiar.

Okay, let’s get on with the interview.

“Hello, Ms. Duncan, please have a seat.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Well, let’s see,” Thomas said as he reviewed her resume. “I see you have several years experience at the dental office in Braxton. Would you, please, tell me the duties you held there?”

Cassie explained the basic receptionist’s duties, but expounded on opportunities that allowed her to gain experience as an assistant.

Thomas was impressed with this applicant, but in all honesty, she intrigued him. He couldn’t shake the fact that she looked familiar. Even the way she tilted her head at times jogged his memory. Had he seen her somewhere before?

* * *

Cassie tried not to expose how nervous she was, but actually being here, miles and miles away from the place she had always called home suddenly struck her. True, she wanted a fresh start; true, she wanted to be away from the ‘poor little Cassie’ looks and whispers in her hometown. True, she wanted away from the memories, but the reality of it all struck her here at this most inopportune time. And this handsome doctor sizing her up didn’t help. Of course, she knew there was no physical attraction; the doctor would be expected to ‘survey’ her appearance as well as her qualifications since she would be his assistant.

Finally, after almost an hour, the interview was over. Dr. Jenkins asked Cassie if she would mind waiting in the lobby for just a few minutes, he would like to see her again before she left.

“Certainly, Dr. Jenkins,” Cassie replied as she stood. She walked back to the waiting area passing a couple other staff members who smiled at her.

The receptionist met her at the waiting room doorway, “Well, how’d it go?”

“I think it went okay, but he wants me to wait out here for a few minutes.” Cassie motioned to the waiting area with her thumb.

“Oh,” the receptionist nodded knowingly. “He must be praying before he makes the decision.” She sighed, then smiled, tilted her head slightly, and patted Cassie on the shoulder before returning to her desk.

Cassie sat in the waiting area doing some praying herself. Dr. Jenkins called her back to his office after about fifteen minutes.

“Ms. Duncan, I realize you have come a long way….”

Well, here it is, the ‘I’m sorry, but you didn’t get the job’ speech, Cassie thought as she listened.

“…and I appreciate the fact that you are familiar with the Christian Dentist’s Newsletter. Though I normally would take a few days to think and pray about my assistant, I have no doubt that we would be able to work together nicely, and that you would be an asset to my practice. So, I would like to offer you the position.” Dr. Jenkins crossed his arms over the edge of the desk and leaned forward expectantly.

Cassie, taken off guard, gathered her thoughts quickly. He just offered me the job. This is real; I could have a fresh start. I would be moving. This is a new town. I don’t know anybody. What about a church? Friends? Familiar surroundings?

The sporadic thoughts eventually led to why she was here in the first place, and before she thought further she said, “If you’re sure, Dr. Jenkins, I would love to be your assistant. When would you need me to start?” Did I just accept this job?

“Considering the move and the situation, maybe in a month? Would that be sufficient time for you to take care of everything?”

“A month? I think that will work fine.” Cassie smiled excitedly, though quite anxious about the new life she was approaching. As she left the office, she noticed the picture on Dr. Jenkins’ bookshelf. A family picture. His wife was a bit plump, but she looked happy, and the little girl… there was something familiar about her. She realized she was staring, and so she drew her attention back to the doctor. “Well, I’ll begin searching for a place to live while I’m in town. You don’t have any realtor friends, do you?”

“Oh, of course, I should have thought of that sooner. Here, let me get you the number of a woman that attends our church. She will be happy to help you out.”

Cassie spent the afternoon with Belinda, the realtor, who led her to the perfect little two-bedroom country house just a couple miles from the office. The rent was reasonable, and it was furnished. Apparently, it was a family’s “old home place,” and the children couldn’t bear selling it after their parents passed away.

Perfect.

“These two big maple trees turn fire red in the fall, Cassie, and the mountains over there, oh, they are certainly a sight to behold. I could just sit on this porch swing for hours on end.”

They stared in silent wonder at the majestic mountains for several minutes.

Cassie breathed in the fresh air. “Well, it seems the Lord is working everything out, so I’ll get my things in order and will plan on moving in a couple of weeks.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful, Cassie. I just know you’ll love it here.”




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