Angels Walking (33 page)

The crown of grace.

He kept playing, looking at the faces of the men and women in their eighties and nineties. Heaven waited for all of them. If they chose the gift of God’s salvation, they’d all be there one day. He sang “How Great Thou Art,” and then he set down the guitar. For a long time he looked at Virginia’s empty chair. Then he lifted his eyes to the residents.

At the same time he saw Cheryl and her family sitting nearby, watching. Tears streamed down her face.

Tyler found his voice. “This past week we lost our good friend Virginia Hutcheson.” He worked to keep his tone clear. He let his eyes rest on Virgina’s chair again. “The thing is, life is short. A hundred years is nothing.” He looked at a few of the faces sitting nearby. “Right?”

A quiet chorus of murmurs and nods came in response. A few of the women quietly began to cry. One of them leaned over to the resident next to her. “Virginia died? No one told me.”

Tyler picked up his guitar and began singing “Amazing Grace.” “Virginia believed in Jesus and she believed in grace. She knew none of us has what it takes to make it home.” His voice caught. He waited for half a minute.
Get it together, Tyler.
He was never going to be a preacher, but here—for Virginia—he had to try.

He cleared his throat. “None of us can get to heaven alone. We can’t be perfect.”

His eyes met Cheryl’s across the room. “Perfect is God’s job. He’s perfect enough for all of us. You need Him and I need Him. If you haven’t made peace with that, then it’s time. Today.” He let that settle for a few seconds. “That way when our time comes, we can find Virginia Hutcheson and sing hymns on Sunday afternoon. Forever.”

That was all. Tyler finished Virginia’s favorite song and as he did, he had to hope that around the room a few hearts might’ve heard him. Some of the women were nodding and at the back of the room a man in a wheelchair began to clap.

The clapping became contagious. While Tyler softly strummed the last few chords, three women and then another two and a couple of old men all began to clap. They clapped for Jesus and salvation and a woman who had lived out her faith.

Tyler looked at Virginia’s empty chair and once more he could see her. Clapping along with her friends, tears shining in her happy eyes. Celebrating grace as only she could. He could see her and feel her presence and as he set down the guitar, he realized something he hadn’t before: the words he’d told Virginia were true. She would always be with him.

As close as the song.

27

W
HEN THE MEMORIAL SERVICE
ended, the residents gradually made their way back to their rooms. A few of them stopped by Virginia’s empty chair and touched the back of it. Just long enough to be intentional. Tyler waited, nodding and smiling. Not until they were gone did Cheryl walk up.

“It was beautiful. The songs . . . What you said. Mom would’ve been so proud of you.”

He smiled. “She always was. No matter what.”

“True.” Cheryl’s eyes sparkled as she studied him. “I have good news.”

He sat on the stool again, appreciating the way she felt like family. “Tell me.”

“Well, the other day after I prayed for you at the hospital I got to thinking.” She clutched her purse in front of her. “A few years back we rented a room to a baseball player for a season. Even after he left we stayed in touch. I thought maybe I could
call him and see if he knew of a surgeon who would operate on you for less money. It was worth a shot.”

Tyler felt his spine stiffen. He had no idea where this was going.

“You won’t believe this—or maybe you will, since we asked God for a miracle.” Cheryl reached out and took hold of his left hand. “Anyway, the young man has been busy, but he called me back this morning. I told him about you, how you had loved my mother and how you needed surgery.” Happy tears glistened in her eyes.

Adrenaline rushed through Tyler’s veins. The floor felt liquid. “You did that?”

“I did.” She made a sound that was more laugh than cry. “He told me to get you on a plane. He’d make the appointment with the team surgeon and—” Her voice broke. She shook her head, trying to speak through her emotions. “He . . . he said whatever the cost, he’d pay for it. Himself.”

The words came to him all jumbled up. What had she said? She knew a baseball player who could pay for his surgery? That wasn’t possible. People didn’t pay for other people’s operations. “How would . . . who would—”

“Here’s the most amazing part.” Cheryl was practically bouncing now. “You know him, Tyler. He plays for the Dodgers. He said you were on the same Little League team.”

He played for the Dodgers? Tyler felt the blood leave his face. He gripped the edge of the stool and tried to keep his balance. The baseball player friend of Cheryl’s could only be one person. “Marcus Dillinger?” Everything was spinning. Was this really happening? Was she really telling him this? “You called Marcus?”

“Yes.” She ran her free hand over her opposite arm. “I’ve had chills ever since I hung up. Think about it, Tyler. We ask God for a miracle and I see the baseball game on in my mom’s room. There’s Marcus, pitching on TV. And because of that I feel the need to call him. In case he might know of a doctor who could help you. Only he hesitates for a second, then he tells me the thing that I never could’ve known: the two of you were best friends when you were twelve.” She laughed again. “That’s a pretty big miracle.” Cheryl reached into her purse and pulled out a slip of paper. “He said you two lost track of each other. He wanted me to give you his number. He says he has a reservation on hold for you to fly to LA tomorrow!”

Tomorrow? He was going to get on a plane and see Marcus Dillinger in the middle of the playoffs? The Dodgers were in the World Series. They’d locked their place with Saturday’s win. At the busiest time in his baseball career, Marcus was making time for him?

Tyler shielded his eyes for half a minute, then he looked at Cheryl again. “You’re serious?”

“We asked God for His help.”

“So it’s real?”

“Yes, Tyler Ames. Call Marcus.” Cheryl’s face beamed with joy and for a moment she looked just like her mother.

Tyler started to chuckle. The adrenaline had left him exhausted and lightheaded. He stood and pulled Cheryl into a hug. “I have no words. I mean . . . I can’t believe it. The whole thing is impossible.”

“It’s a miracle.” Cheryl stepped back and smiled at him. “The one we prayed for. Now go call your old friend.”

“Yes, ma’am. Thank you.”

“I’ve got errands to run, but I had to come here first. Tell you in person.” She took a few steps toward the door. “Keep in touch, you hear?”

“I will.” He pictured how his life might be in six months or a year. “If things go the way I think they will, I’ll be back. I might even see if you have a spare room.”

Cheryl smiled. “We’d be honored to have you.” She waved before she turned around. “You’re family now, Tyler. You always will be.”

“You, too.” He watched her leave. He wasn’t sure what to do first. He decided to call Marcus. His old friend was waiting—if he could believe this wonderful miraculous turn of events. He went to his apartment and used the wall phone. Marcus answered it on the first ring. As if he was expecting the call.

“Hey, Ames! This you?”

“Marcus.” He had never felt his rock-bottom place more in all his life. They were both supposed to have made it to the Bigs. They were supposed to play for the same team or meet up in the World Series. They’d had it all figured out when they were twelve. Tyler pinched the bridge of his nose, desperate for composure. “I talked to Cheryl Conley. She says—”

“We’re gonna get your shoulder fixed. No time to waste.” Marcus sounded happy, full of life. “It’s a long story, but I think you’re part of some crazy things happening.”

Marcus sounded the same, as if no time had passed between them. “You’re sure? I can pay you back . . . but it’ll take a while.”

“You always did talk too much, Ames. You know that?” He laughed. “Get your broken butt out here first thing tomorrow. I have the ticket on hold at the airport. I’ve got like ten million frequent flyer miles.”

This was real. Marcus was on the other end of the line telling him about flight details. He was going to LA. He had an appointment with one of the top surgeons. And in a week or so, he was going to get his surgery. “I . . . I’m not sure what to say.”

“Now there’s a switch. Remember when Coach lit into you because you were talking when he was talking?” Marcus laughed as easily now as he had back then. “I’ll give you a day, Ames. By the time you land tomorrow you’ll think of something to say. I have no doubt.”

Both of them laughed. Tyler could hardly wait for morning. Before the call ended, his friend’s tone grew softer, more serious. “You gotta get better, Ames. You’re too good to sit the bench, you hear?”

“Thanks. Remind me to tell you about Cheryl’s mother tomorrow. Talk about crazy things happening.”

The call ended and Tyler remembered Harrison Myers. He needed to tell the man that he was leaving. He wasn’t sure when he’d be back. He held his injured arm against his body, ignoring the pain as he hurried to the office. So much hope filled him he half expected to look down and see angels carrying him. God felt that close. And even if they weren’t, Tyler knew this much:

Somewhere in heaven, Virginia Hutcheson was smiling.

HARRISON MYERS WAS
filling out paperwork for one of the new residents at Merrill Place when Tyler Ames knocked on his door and came in. He’d never looked happier.

“Mr. Myers. Sorry—I have to talk to you. It can’t wait.” Tyler still wore his brace, though it was frayed at the seams now. “Is that okay?”

Harrison laughed a little. “Of course.” He nodded to the chair. “Have a seat.”

“I have a flight out tomorrow morning at 7:15.” He was breathless. “I’m not sure when I’ll be back.”

Tyler explained everything. But when he finally came up for a breath Harrison thought he understood the big picture. “Are you saying this is your last day?”

Laughter shook Tyler’s chest, and Harrison realized he hadn’t seen this side of the young athlete. He hadn’t had a reason to laugh until now. “I think so.” He explained that he would come back for his things as soon as he could, or maybe he’d pay to have them shipped. “If I get everything in a few boxes, maybe you could keep them in your storage out back.”

“Of course. I’ll wait to hear from you.” Harrison leaned his forearms on the desk and studied the young man in front of him. “I’m happy for you, Tyler. This is just what you need.”

“It is.” Tyler’s smile faded. “None of it would’ve happened if it hadn’t been for you. If you hadn’t given me a chance. I was homeless. I hadn’t showered in days and my clothes could’ve walked in on their own.” He narrowed his eyes. “Without you, I never would’ve met Virginia.”

“That was special, what happened between you two.” Harrison slipped his glasses back on and nodded. “Never seen anything like it.” Harrison stood and Tyler did the same. “I’d take you back anytime.” They shook hands. “You’re a hard worker and a good man, Tyler Ames. When you get back on that pitcher’s mound, just know this: I’ll be following your career from here. I believe in you.”

“Thank you, sir.” Tyler took a few steps toward the office door. “That means so much.”

“Take the rest of the day off. Go pack.” He sighed. “Looks like I need a new maintenance man.” He pointed at Tyler. “One who can sing.”

“Yes, sir.” Tyler laughed again. He was at the door when he stopped and turned around. “Oh! I almost forgot. I made a phone call earlier—long distance. Ten or twelve minutes.” He hesitated. “Can you take it out of my last paycheck?”

“Tyler Ames, no, I cannot.” Harrison shook his head and grinned. “I think I can cover the calls. After all you’ve done around here.”

Not until Tyler was gone did Harrison sit back down and think about what had happened.

Working at Merrill Place sometimes felt monotonous. Like he was biding time, living on cruise control. Working for a paycheck. But that wasn’t true. He loved the residents here. God was using him.

He thought about Tyler walking into Hope Community Church and some volunteer remembering Pastor Roman’s information about Merrill Place. Then Tyler’s resemblance to Virginia Hutcheson’s son and the young man’s heart to take
time for an old dying woman. He thought about the connection between Cheryl and Marcus Dillinger and Tyler and he shook his head. God had allowed him to be ringside to a miracle bigger than all of them.