Sisterhood Of Lake Alice (14 page)

*

When Lindy stepped out of the taxi at 25 Central Park Avenue West, she was both impressed and nervous. The uniformed door attendant held the huge brass doors open for her, while another man in the same uniform asked her whom she was here to visit. She told him that she had an appointment with Lawrence St. George. He nodded while he checked a sheet and then escorted her to the elevator. He held the door for her while sliding a security card into a slot on the wall and then pressed the 25 button. Lindy smiled, thinking that she had never been in a building with its own name. The Century even had its own little security force.

When the elevator door opened, there was a stern-looking woman waiting for her in a small marble hallway with two double doors that led into the apartment. The penthouse apartment occupied the entire twenty-fifth floor. The woman introduced herself as Maxine Harris, Mr. St. George’s personal assistant. As the doors opened, it took Lindy’s breath away. The massive living room and dining room had sun flooding into the floor-to-ceiling windows. Beyond the windows were balconies that overlooked Central Park’s boat pond. Everything was decorated in various shades of blue, from sky blue to deep navy, with the exception of the white grand piano. She followed Ms. Harris down a marble hallway that had niches with incredible sculptures in each one. Lindy kept smiling to herself, saying this was really the cat’s meow. If only Grandma Flo could see her now!

*

Lindy was sitting in a wood-paneled library, with bookcases up to the ten-foot ceilings and old, worn, leather furniture. The windows in this room overlooked the back of the building, which had a beautiful, landscaped courtyard. This place was majestic and magical. After a few minutes, there was a soft knock on the door, and a man in an electric wheelchair came into the room. He paused for a moment and then extended his trembling hand to her. In a harsh voice he said, “I am sorry to have kept you waiting. My name is Lawrence St. George, and I am pleased to meet you. I assume that you have been told about the conditions of employment and are prepared to accept the position.”

Lindy nodded but told him that she had received very little information regarding the position. Mr. St. George advised her that she had already been cleared on the security background check. All that was needed was for her to agree to sign a privacy of information statement. After that was done, she would become his private nurse. He required care around the clock. A small apartment, which was located off the kitchen, was provided for her. She would have one day off per week; however, she would be required to travel with him. The salary was more than she ever dreamed possible, and he was willing to sign an annual contract with her.

Within two weeks, Lindy had paid Carol her part of the rent for the next four months and had moved into the penthouse on Central Park Avenue. When she arrived with her few belongings, she was led to a charming one-bedroom apartment. The windows in each room overlooked the peaceful courtyard. There were fresh flowers on her kitchen table and a note welcoming her to the staff of Mr. St. George. Lindy could not wait to take photos and send them home to her mom and dad. What a hoot they would get out of their little Lindy’s new digs!

*

Maxine quickly became her new friend, taking her under her wing. She told her that Mr. St. George was a famous author and playwright. The apartment had once belonged to Ethel Merman, the Broadway star of the fifties. The white piano had been too much of a chore to move, so Mr. St. George had kept it. Until her death several years ago, Ms. Merman would often come to visit, along with many of the other Broadway stars. As the Parkinson’s continued to worsen, there were fewer parties, and now just small dinner groups were invited.

Although the disease made him look much older, Mr. St. George was only fifty-two. He was a kind and gentle man with a creative mind. Lindy’s job was to assist him each day in physical therapy. She also administered his medications and breathing treatments. Many evenings, she would spend time massaging his back, legs, and arms. After spending hours with him each day, she soon became very attached to this wonderful man.

Mr. St. George enjoyed Lindy from the first moment he met her. He immediately saw that her bright, cheerful personality could light up any room she entered. He knew that was just what he needed to keep him positive and motivated. As Lindy massaged his trembling limbs, he would run by a new idea for a show, song, or book. He respected her viewpoints and loved her quirky little suggestions. She finally agreed to start calling him Larry, which no one had ever done. He loved how comfortable he felt when he was with her.

*

After Lindy had been with Larry for a year, he asked her if she would like to go on a Caribbean cruise with him. She jumped at the chance. She had seen commercials for Carnival Cruises and always dreamed about going on a ship. Two weeks later, they flew in a private jet from New York to Ft. Lauderdale. There was a limo waiting for them as she wheeled Larry down the ramp from the plane. Quickly they were driven to the causeway, where the biggest private boat Lindy had ever seen was waiting for them. It was 125 feet long, with a staff of six to meet their every need. A special stateroom had been prepared to take care of all of Larry’s special needs. At 6:00 PM, the yacht left the harbor, just in time to view an incredible sunset. Lindy felt like a princess in a dream as she stood on the deck watching the cityscape fade away.

For two weeks, they sailed to Nassau, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Puerto Rico, and several small islands. They laughed together, ate together, played cards in the sunshine, and drank wine in the moonlight. It seemed as though they always had something to discuss. There were also comfortable quiet times. Several times after Larry had gotten comfortable in the big chaise lounge, he invited Lindy to come join him. The first time he quietly held her in his arms, Lindy instantly knew that this was where she was meant to be.

The evening before they were due back into Ft. Lauderdale, Larry arranged for a special dinner of lobster and champagne, which was served on the deck of the yacht. There were fresh flowers from the islands, candles everywhere, soft music, and a gentle breeze. After dinner, he moved his wheelchair around to her side of the table and said, “If I were capable of getting down on my knees at this moment, I assure you that I would. I guess you will just have to settle for me as I am. Lindy, you have brought rays of sunshine into my weary, tired body. I love you in a way I never dreamed possible. I realize that the package I can offer you is very flawed. I probably only have a few years of life left. I am sure that they might be challenging years. However, I know that I never want to spend another day without you. I love you with all I am. Will you marry me and help me celebrate each day that I have left?”

Lindy sat still for a moment; never before had she been without words. Larry had surprised her with a joy that she had only dreamed of having in her life. Finally, she pushed back Larry’s chair and fell to her knees as she softly whispered, “Yes, Larry St. George. I am overwhelmed with all the possibilities that we will share together as husband and wife. You had better be ready to stick around for a long time because I plan to make you understand that this is the best decision you have ever made, big boy! I have no idea what you see in this girl from Minnesota, but I am ready and willing to start our marriage as soon as we can arrange it.” With that said, she leaned forward and tenderly kissed him as she climbed into his lap.

The next day, when the yacht docked, she had another surprise waiting for her. Larry had hoped that Lindy’s answer would be yes, and he took it upon himself to make some arrangements that he hoped would make Lindy happy. The entire Pulaski family was waiting for them on the dock. There was also Maxine Harris, a minister, and a stylish woman holding a large garment bag. Three hours later, Lindy walked out onto the deck in a beautiful white gown, her hair in soft curls, with both of her parents at her side. The wedding ceremony was short and meaningful.

The next morning, as they flew back to New York, Lindy slept cuddled in the arms of her new husband. When she awoke, she stared at the large diamond ring on her finger and knew she was not dreaming. She knew that she would love being Mrs. Lindy St. George. God had given her a very special gift to cherish. Now she just needed a lifetime to show Larry that he had made the right choice.

*

One year flowed into the next for the St. Georges. Both of them were amazed at how deep their love for each other had grown. They could finish each other’s sentences, knew when the other needed a laugh or a hug, and most important, they learned to simply enjoy each day that was given to them. Larry often held Lindy’s hand as she walked beside him in his electric wheelchair. Of course, Lindy had a special wheelchair fabric designed that looked like a beautiful abstract painting and painted the wheels fire-engine red.

The St. Georges became one of the most popular couples in New York City. They entertained small dinner parties and attended charity functions. After several years of just having fun, Larry asked Lindy to assist him in writing his final play. The project gave them both a newfound purpose. It took two years to complete, and in the end, Larry decided to produce the play himself. The Broadway musical sounded very much like their life story. The opening night of the play
Thanks for the Loving
took place on their wedding anniversary and was a smashing success.

*

Now Larry was on oxygen all the time. It took days of bed rest before and after opening night for him to get enough energy to attend. He was constantly having more difficulty swallowing and breathing. Finally, he accepted that a feeding tube needed to be permanently installed. Both Lindy and Larry were well aware that the signs were not good.

Slowly, their daily routine began to change. Larry spent more time in bed sleeping. There were fewer visitors and no more outings. They decided together after a long, difficult night of breathing problems that Larry needed to be admitted to the hospital. Lindy never left his side except when some painful treatment was being administered that she could not bear to watch. Together, they had made the decision that no extreme measures to keep him alive would be taken. All they wanted was that Larry would be pain-free for as long as possible.

Lindy slept on a couch in his hospital room. Many nights she would climb into his hospital bed, cuddling close to him. One morning as she woke up next to him, Larry slowly opened his eyes, looked at her, and softly whispered, “My sunshine, thanks for the loving, kiddo.” He took his last breath while holding her in his weak arms.

*

Lindy’s life without Lawrence St. George was empty and barren. The beautiful penthouse no longer held any magic for her. Because of the complex multimillion-dollar estate, it took almost two years before all the legal work was done. Lindy donated millions of dollars to causes that she knew Larry wanted to support. She bought her parents a beautiful condominium in Naples, Florida, where they could escape the hard, cold Minnesota winters. She took art classes and tried each day to find a way to simply live until it was time to go to sleep. Vivid dreams in which she and Larry danced and sang in the moonlight aboard the yacht came to her. She woke one morning crying. The previous night in a dream that seemed so real, Larry held her gently as he softly told her it was time to let go and move on. She knew it was time to learn how to find happiness without Larry.

When she put the penthouse up for sale, she had no idea where she would go from there; all she knew was that this chapter in her life was finished. Larry was gone, but she was alive; she needed to find joy once again. Within a short time, the penthouse was sold with most of the furnishings to a couple from England. They were completely unaware of all the magic moments that had taken place within this beautiful home.

As Lindy packed her belongings, she came across a box marked SOLA. When she opened it, she found the sweater from Emily, Isabel’s wonderful quilt, and the locket from Grace. She clutched all of them as she started to sob uncontrollably. Life had taken her to places that she had never dreamed of going. Only this time, she knew that she could survive anything. There would not be an experience more painful than losing Larry.

She slept in his chair in the den the last night in the penthouse, wrapped up in Isabel’s special quilt. She smiled as she remembered the first time she had walked into this room. She thought of the wonderful memories she had been blessed to have. Tomorrow, the few personal things she had decided to keep would be taken to a storage company. She had arranged for a private jet to fly her to Florida, where she had just purchased a condominium sight unseen close to her parents. She knew they would have a special meal with Polish sausage and desserts waiting for her arrival. Lindy also knew that they would give her a hug and tell her that she was going to be okay. Then she would figure out what to do next with her life as a millionaire. Tomorrow, Lindy would begin again.

Chapter Thirteen
 

Rebecca

Rebecca’s love of music became her link to happiness. She moved into her condominium in Minneapolis shortly after graduation. For the first time in her life, she decided it was time to spend some of the money that she had been receiving from the income properties. An interior decorator was hired, and she gave her a generous budget. Then Rebecca left to spend the summer with her mother and grandmother.

Summer back in Fergus Falls was just what she needed to heal her wounds. During those lazy days, Rebecca healed her soul and renewed her spirit. She enjoyed the time with her mother and grandmother. They took long drives into the country, passing well-tended farms and small, pretty lakes. They rented a cabin on Ottertail Lake, where they went fishing, took naps, and ate out every evening. Monica had the time to get to know Rebecca as an adult woman. She loved what she saw in this strong but very gentle young woman. Grandma Ruby and Rebecca spent hours sitting on the front porch talking about her heritage and Ruby’s memories of the past.