Sisterhood Of Lake Alice (2 page)

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Recently, Fergus Falls decided it was time to merge two small hospitals into one big one. Lake Region Hospital is the new name, and there are many plans for it to become an impressive place in the next few years. The most beautiful building award in Fergus Falls goes to City Hall. Covered in gold tin, its tall steeple can be seen from miles away. The Post Office building is the biggest building, with beautiful marble floors and a statue of someone that no one knows. Surrounded by churches on each corner, the courthouse stands in their midst as a reminder to the “criminals” in the jail on the top floors of the building to mend their ways. Almost all of the churches are Lutheran: there is German Lutheran, Norwegian Lutheran, Free Lutheran, and just plain Lutheran.

Everyone enjoys a simple and good life in Fergus. You can feel safe walking down the streets at any time of day or night. The kids ride their bikes on their secret routes, taking them through the unpaved alleys all the way to downtown. The winters are hard, with temperatures often going below zero and many feet of snow. Ice-skating on Lake Alice or going sledding down Old Smokey are the favorite ways to pass time during the long winters.

There are many ways to celebrate the arrival of springtime in Fergus. Everyone opens their windows to air out the house of the stale winter smells. The clotheslines start to reappear. It is a time to start hanging laundry outside and smell fresh, clean sheets again. In most backyards, the men start to plant the gardens, while the women work on their flowerbeds.

Summer is fun because of the many lakes around here. You could go to a different lake each day and still not make it to all the lakes by the end of the summer. The summer is warm but never humid.

When fall arrives, it is time for homemade apple cider, caramel apples, and warm sweaters. The air captures the smells of pot roast cooking, leaves burning, and the first hot chocolate being made. Anyone is welcome to take free apples and squash from the baskets outside the stores.

Yes, Fergus Falls offers all who live here an uncomplicated life. They are not fancy people, but they sure are friendly folks. Life is basic here, with a strong sense of belonging. The fact that everyone in town knows each other has proven to be both a blessing and a curse to most of us at some time in our lives. Some of the young people dream about moving away to the big cities of Fargo or Minneapolis. However, it seems that after you leave for a while, Fergus Falls always calls you back home to the joys of a pretty town with lots of nice people waiting to welcome you home.

Chapter One
 

Emily Larson

The Meyers moved to Fergus Falls in the early forties. Ralph Meyers owned a large construction company, which had been awarded a contract to build the new Lake Regional Hospital. Ralph and his wife, Ruth, soon became an important part of the community. They often donated large amounts of money to the city for many worthwhile causes. Their twin daughters, Joyce and Julia, were pampered and spoiled. Many thought they were self-centered; however, the town learned to accept them for who they were.

It came as no surprise when years later, Joyce Meyers announced her engagement to Dr. Howard Larson. Dr. Larson was not known for a warm, caring manner; however, he was considered one of the best surgeons in town. He was also the town’s most sought-after bachelor. In fact, merging the two small hospitals was only accomplished because of his insistence. The new hospital became Dr. Larson’s pride and joy. Shortly after it opened, Dr. Larson took the position of chief of staff.

Joyce Meyers’s wedding was the event of the year in 1947. All twelve bridesmaids were dressed in flowing, lavender satin dresses. Two flower girls wore a miniature version of the same dress and scattered white rose petals as they paraded down the long aisle. Dozens of perfect white and pink roses delivered from Fargo filled the church with their soft fragrance. Joyce’s softly draped satin dress was created by a famous designer from New York City, with an Italian lace train more than twenty feet long. The dress had a sweetheart neckline covered with pearls and lace. She looked like a princess with a stunning tiara sitting on top of her mass of curls and veil. Dressed in a formal tuxedo, Dr. Larson looked cool and aloof. The mother of the bride, Ruth, wore a deep purple dress with matching gloves and shoes. To everyone’s surprise, she also wore a tiara.

A large crowd filled Bethlehem Lutheran Church. A few important people from Fergus were invited, but the rest of the crowd was out-of-town strangers. The governor of Minnesota and both senators attended the two-day celebration. Pictures of the wedding appeared in newspapers all over the state. Dr. and Mrs. Larson were definitely celebrities in this little city.

After a month-long honeymoon to Europe, they returned home to their newly purchased home. The beautiful old Victorian house, which overlooked Lake Alice, had been elegantly restored. It was professionally furnished and filled with priceless antiques. While on their honeymoon in Europe, they purchased tapestries, Persian carpets, and artwork to add to their collections.

People often drove past the house, especially in the evening, just to marvel at its style and beauty. It became the site of many parties and charity events. When Joyce discovered that she was pregnant, she was extremely upset. After the first three miserable months, Dr. Larson surprised her with a trip to New York, where she bought one-of-a-kind maternity clothes. In June, the doctor informed Joyce that she was carrying twins.

Joyce Larson expected perfect twins, just like her and her twin sister. She had been on bed rest for several months. That did not stop her from ordering two of everything she could think of for the babies’ rooms. Her husband had little time or patience for all the chaos that had been caused by the upcoming births. As soon as the pregnancy was announced, he arranged for a live-in nanny. She would arrive one month before the births so that she could take care of the details of preparing for the arrivals. Dr. Larson seemed to be gone more than he was home these days.

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Dr. Larson was in Minneapolis when Joyce went into labor. Julia, her sister, drove her to the hospital. She tried to keep calm while waiting patiently for the news of the babies’ births. Within a short time of arriving at the hospital, it became apparent that there were some serious problems with the delivery. Joyce was quickly wheeled into the delivery room. Julia was advised to contact Dr. Larson and tell him that there were complications with the birth of the twins.

Emily Catherine Larson was born October 8, 1950, weighing six pounds thirteen ounces. She had soft blonde hair, big blue eyes, and long pretty fingers. She entered this world with a mixture of joy and incredible sorrow—and a loud cry. A few minutes later, a little boy was born; however, he was silent. The umbilical cord was wrapped tightly around his tiny neck. The doctor and nurses worked frantically on the baby for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, they stopped; they had gone well over the normal procedures because this was the child of Dr. Larson.

When Joyce woke up in the recovery room, her sister gave her the news. She had a beautiful healthy daughter; however, Emily’s twin brother had not survived. Joyce wept for her dead son and refused to hold her newborn daughter. She was well aware that Dr. Larson wanted a son. He had already informed her that their baby boy would be named Joshua after his wealthy grandfather.

By the time Dr. Larson arrived, Joyce was heavily sedated and resting in the nicest room in the hospital. When Dr. Larson learned about the births, he asked if his daughter was physically okay. When he was assured that the baby was fine, he simply nodded. It never occurred to him to stop at the nursery to see his new daughter.

When the attending physician came into Joyce’s room to talk to him, he shoved him up against the wall and stomped out of the room. He slammed every door on his way out to the parking lot. He was shocked that his daughter survived, while his son had been taken from him. Filled with uncontrollable rage, he did not let anyone comfort him. He mourned for his dead son, who would never receive his proper place in the family. In some twisted way, he blamed his son’s death on his newborn daughter. The doctors tried to explain that this was not the case, but it made no difference to him. He knew that he would have little to do with the daughter.

Joyce told him that she did not intend to become pregnant again. Dr. Larson fumed with outrage, knowing that he would never have a son to carry on his family name.

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Emily Catherine Larson was baptized at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on New Year’s Day in a church filled with friends and relatives. She was given the very proper name of Joyce’s grandmother and the middle name of her great-grandmother. After the church service, there was an elaborate party held at the Larsons’ beautiful home. From the windows of the house, Lake Alice sparkled with fresh white snow and a perfect blue sky as children skated to music. All the important people in town made a mandatory appearance at the baptism party. There were mounds of expensive gifts displayed in the formal dining room.

Tiny Emily made her appearance in a white silk and lace christening gown imported from France. As she was paraded around the room by her nanny, all the guests had a chance to comment on what a beautiful little girl she was with her big blue eyes and delicate features.

Isabel quickly took Emily upstairs, just as she had been instructed to do. Isabel was an eighteen-year-old girl from Norway and Emily’s full-time nanny. She had a small room off Emily’s spacious bedroom. She had prepared everything needed for the babies. She was excited about Emily’s arrival into the big cold house. Joyce was pleased that Isabel spoke proper English. She immediately informed her that she was to never use any form of baby talk or speak Norwegian around Emily. Isabel was required to be available to care for Emily at any hour of any day. Because of the tragedy of the death of the other child, Joyce told Isabel that she would need more rest and quiet. Isabel quickly removed all evidence of the twin that did not come home. She was told not to bother Joyce with the baby. When and if Joyce wanted to be with Emily, she would simply inform Isabel to bring the child to her.

As the party continued, their guests all commented on how quickly Joyce had regained her hourglass figure. Although she looked beautiful in a deep red, formfitting dress from Claire’s Dress Shop, her face showed no expression of happiness or sadness. Dr. Larson spent his time impressing his guests with expensive liquor, cigars, and humorous stories about their travels to Europe. He laughed as he told his guests that Emily needed to learn early on that children were to be seen and not heard.

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Emily grew into a quiet, petite girl. Her long, blonde hair, blue eyes, pale complexion, and dainty appearance often made her look frail. She had sensed from a very early age that she was not loved by her distant parents. With a soft voice, she only spoke when someone asked her a question. Her shy and timid manners made her appear to be sad most of the time.

Her closest attachment was with Isabel, whom she adored. Isabel taught her how to ride a tricycle and then a big bike. However, she was never allowed to ride anywhere except around tiny Lake Alice. There was no swing set because Joyce feared that Emily might be hurt and thought it caused too much noise. Playtime was always quiet, learning how to draw and do her alphabet. Her life was a protected cocoon, away from any danger that might happen her way.

When she was five years old, a piano teacher arrived to teach her how to play. Whatever task she was asked to perform, she excelled at it. By the time she was seven, she held her first piano recital. She played “Amazing Grace” and a selection from Chopin. Having conquered the piano, it was decided that Emily should begin private voice lessons. The following year, she sang her first solo at the Christmas Eve children’s service at Bethlehem Church.

Everyone who met her commented on her beauty, grace, talent, and manners. She was bright, polite, and talented. Her pale little face and big blue eyes rarely showed any emotion. People thought she was just like her parents. They did not see that she was painfully shy and always afraid of not being perfect.

Emily’s parents continued to be remote and disconnected from her. Dr. Larson became the leading force to develop Fergus Falls’ first golf course and country club. He served as the chief of staff at the hospital, and the Chamber of Commerce often sought his advice. His new, private clinic was overwhelmingly successful. He recruited three doctors into his practice so that he could work less. Although no one truly liked him or his wife, most people knew that they needed their generous donations and power to get things done around town.

Dr. Larson continued to have little inclination to spend any time with Emily. He agreed with his wife that there would be no more children. He surprised Joyce with expensive trips to Europe, beautiful clothes, and gala parties. Yet the only contact with Emily was when he came home for dinner one or two nights a week. At the dinner table, Emily would be asked to explain how she was doing in school and with her many lessons. She politely reported on her progress, awards, and grades. Her parents never asked her about friends or questioned if she was happy.

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Joyce never fully recovered from the death of her son. She had failed to give her husband the son she knew he wanted. Instead, she became the unofficial social hostess of Fergus Falls. She organized many of the fundraisers for the hospital, church, and schools. She hosted events at the newly built country club at the golf course. Their large, five-bedroom home was decorated both inside and out to show her elaborate taste. Her closet overflowed with designer clothes and all the accessories to match. She was the only lady in town who had three fur coats.

Joyce also seemed to take a real fondness to expensive Scotch, which she drank daily. She had it delivered by the case from a shop in Minneapolis. Many times after an important charity event, she would go to bed for days at a time with the claim of a terrible headache. No one outside their home ever saw Joyce without her perfectly styled hair and makeup and wearing a high fashion, coordinated outfit.