Chapter Twenty Two

Twenty Two

Oliver & Sheriff Byer

Portia’s Place Diner

The Next Day – Monday

Seated near the window, watching the seagulls fly by, Oliver sat sipping a glass of orange juice while awaiting the arrival of Sheriff Charles Byer. They'd scheduled a breakfast meeting for Oliver to interview him about Paine Harbor. Initially, Sheriff Byer was resistant to meeting with Oliver out of concerns over how 'those leftists in ‘Hollywierd’ will twist what I say.' But after being told by Mrs. Gourmand to cooperate with him, he agreed to the meeting. Oliver was beginning to think he was being stood up when Byer was over 15 minutes late.

Portia approached with her ever-present coffee pot in hand. “Are you sure you don't want a cup?” she asked again. “I know it's not as good as your brother's, but hey it can't be that bad, can it?”

Demetrius smiled, and declined politely. “Your loss,” she said as she walked away to deliver a plate of food to another table. As she left, the little bell over the door chimed and Demetrius looked over to see an obviously flushed and aggravated Sheriff Byer make his way into the diner.

Standing to greet him with a handshake, Oliver was rebuffed by Byer who said, “Sit down. Sorry I'm late.” Turning to Portia who was at the counter, he gruffly called out, “Coffee. Water. Now!” She shook her head in acknowledgment of his order and shook her head in disgust, mumbling something under her breath. Sheriff Byer didn't miss that and said, “What's that you're saying, Portia? Speak up if you've got something to say!”

Portia gave him the kind of glare that would melt an iceberg in Antarctica, and Charles wisely sat down turning his attentions to a bemused Oliver. “You order yet?” he demanded.

“No, thought I'd wait for you. Get what you want, this is on me.” said Oliver in a light-hearted way hoping to shift the incredibly tense atmosphere. 

“Well, that sounds good to me. Hey, Portia, get over here! Don't keep us waiting all day. Some of us have places to be!”

Portia approached the table, pouring a cup of coffee while inadvertently spilling some on the table and splashing Byer's uniform sleeve. “Oops!” she said sarcastically. “I am so sorry, Chucky. Please allow me to get some club soda and help you with that.”

“Yeah, right. Look, bring me the special with extra gravy.”

Turning her back to Sheriff Byer she said kindly, “How about you, Oliver?”

“Two eggs poached over well done English Muffins, please. Do you have any fresh fruit?” Demetrius asked.

“Not this time of year, sorry. I do have canned fruit cocktail.”

“No worries. I'll be fine, thanks.”

Waiting for their breakfast, the men made small talk about the weather, Christmas, the Grace family getting comfortable on the island and police work. After a few minutes, Portia carried their plates to the table. “Is that what you call extra gravy?” Charles asked with a nasty tone of voice.

“No, I've got to make two trips for you, Chucky. Be patient!”

They began to eat and continue their conversation, when suddenly Charles put down his fork and wiped his heavily perspiring face and looked deeply into Oliver's eyes. Oliver was surprised by this, and put down his fork as well. “What is it?” he asked.

“Well.” Charles paused looking around the room. “Something happened to me last night, and I've got to talk with someone about it, but not here. Can we go somewhere else?”

“Sure, how about we walk down to the Coffee House, there are several private places to sit in there plus I'm pretty sure Demetrius won't have a crowd this time of day on a Monday.” Oliver suggested. “If that's okay, I'll go take care of the bill and we will get out of here.” Charles nodded approval.

“Two Americanos,” Oliver said to his brother after the greetings at Grace Coffee House. “For here. Can you bring them over to us when they are ready?”

“Of course.”

As Oliver had said, finding a bit of privacy wasn't a problem this time of day on a Monday when most people of Paine Harbor were either at work on in school. Oliver did notice a few people quietly reading, or on their laptops while drinking coffee. They settled into a pair of overstuffed chairs in the back corner. 

“Let's wait before we talk until Demetrius brings us our drinks,” Oliver proposed. The two men sat quietly waiting and Oliver's head was spinning. “Holy Spirit, are You up to something here?” he breathed silently. It was at that moment Andi walked into the Coffee House. She looked over at Oliver and smiled, then stepped up to the counter to place her order. 

Demetrius delivered the steaming hot drinks in beautiful high gloss red ceramic mugs with the Grace Coffee House logo emblazoned on the side. “Here you go guys. Enjoy!” he said and turned away sensing that their privacy needed respecting.

After taking initial sips, Oliver said, “So...”

“I had a dream last night. A disturbing one,” Charles paused gathering his thoughts and taking another drink. Looking at his drink he said, “Man, this is good.” Oliver smiled in agreement.

“I was alone, out at Paine Point. The sun was going down and the storm was coming in fast and furious, I could barely stand up in the wind. It was like a hurricane. I tried to run to my patrol car but the harder I tried, the further it seemed to get away from me. Just when I was getting close to it, I tripped over something and fell down. It was then I felt the incredible pain running up and down my left arm – and I knew I was having a heart attack! I cried out for help, but there was no one there...” he paused, shaking from the retelling. Taking a small sip of his coffee to calm himself down, he continued, this time with less emotion and in a quieter voice. “I don't know if I passed out, or what, but suddenly I was out in the ocean on a small fishing boat, it was the same storm. Don't ask me how I knew, I just did. And the boat was being tossed in the waves like a piece of driftwood. No one was on board but me, and I – no matter how hard I tried – I couldn't get up to the bridge to try to maneuver the boat to harbor. As the lightening lit the night sky, I saw that the boat was dangerously close to the rocks, and that it was going to crash into them. I was terrified it would break up in the surf and I’d drown! And I knew, there was nothing I could do, I was going to die. And my entire body, I remember this clearly, my entire body was shaking in terror. There was a huge clap of thunder, and... I woke up.” 

Sheriff Byer stopped talking and looked hard at Oliver. “Oliver, I know what this dream means, and it... and here's why we couldn't talk about this at Portia’s place, it means I am going to die. My doctor has been warning me for a long time, but I've ignored him. And now I know, I am going to have a massive heart attack and there won't be anything I can do about it or anyone else can do either. Oliver, you are looking at a dead man walking.”

Tears ran down his red face. He quickly wiped them away with his uniform sleeve. In embarrassment and shame, he looked away.

Silence filled Grace Coffee House. 

Oliver realized for Charles to share this with him was a sign of respect and honor. “Why, Lord?” Oliver prayer silently, “Why would this man I barely know trust me with this story?”

Suddenly Oliver understood. He considered carefully what had just been given him and was seeking to discern its source. Within moments he came to see Holy Spirit had given him wisdom for Charles, and an alternative interpretation of the dream. This was a first time experience for Oliver, and he wasn't sure he could trust it. He prayed again, “I need to know...” and immediately Demetrius walked over with a fresh pot of coffee, smiled at Oliver and offered them both a refill. 

“I saw your cups were empty, and needed to be filled. Oh, wait,” he laughed, “Oliver! Your cup is still full. Sheriff, allow me to pour.” 

Feeling a fullness of confidence, Oliver spoke up, “May I call you Charles?”

“Call me Chuck.” he replied. “Everyone does.”

“Ok, Chuck. First of all I really appreciate that you shared your dream and your interpretation of it with me. I'm not sure why you would trust me this way, but please take my word for it; I will not betray your trust. And secondly, may I offer you an alternative interpretation?” Oliver asked with sincerity.

“Please do, I really don't like mine.” he replied with a sarcastic tone. Both men laughed.

“Paine Point and the storm both represent the same thing. They represent a problem that is too large for anyone to fix, even you Chuck. Your attempts to fix the problems – running for the patrol car, calling out for help, trying to get to the helm of the boat – were all failures. That isn't to say you are a failure, but the things you try to do to fix your problems, aren't working.”

“That’s the truth,” Chuck quickly admitted.

“Don't feel too badly, in all actuality they don't work for anyone. Falling on the ground, crawling on the boat – both are representations of the impossibility of fixing the issues at hand. The heart attack and the subsequent fear of death are proper feelings of desperation and despair. Okay, am I making sense?” Oliver paused awaiting Chuck's response.

“Yeah.” he said thoughtfully. “You are. Go on.”

“But there is good news in your dream.”

“I'm all ears!”

“Here it is. The lightening and the thunder are good news. And, before you interrupt me, here's why: They both served as warnings of danger and provided you with the direction to get out of it. You saw the lightning illuminate the sky so you could be aware of the danger you were facing. Right?” Oliver asked trying to determine if Chuck was following his line of reasoning. When Chuck nodded, he continued, “And the thunder. What did the thunder do for you? It woke you up and took you out of the nightmare. In a sense it rescued you from yourself.” Chuck's eyes were wide in recognition of the truth he was hearing.

“Now, I'm almost finished, but here is the really most important truth that this dream reveals – which I believe was sent by God to you because He loves you: Lightning illuminates the sky. It gives you light to see your way. I believe God is saying to you, ‘if you'll look to Me, I'll direct you into the light showing you the pathway out of danger.’ And thunder is a noise that grabs your attention. God is saying to you, 'Chuck, I AM speaking. Hear me. Listen. I will give you my voice and take you out of your troubles into freedom and joy.' Chuck, does that resonate inside of you?” Oliver asked.

Chuck, a big man, with a bigger presence, sitting in a hidden corner of Grace Coffee House was shaking like a leaf. Not from fear, but from recognition he had just heard truth in a manner he had never heard before. This truth had pierced him deeply, beyond his defense mechanisms, beyond his ability to protect himself and touched him in ways like never before. Quietly, he considered the words and message he’d heard. Never one to go in for religious nonsense or the big talk of the occasional tent meeting revivalists which would make occasional stops in Paine Harbor, Chuck was convinced Oliver's message was genuine.

Chuck said soberly, “You're right. It is a warning, but it’s a warning filled with a way out. How did you know?”

“I didn't,” he replied. “But Holy Spirit does. I just asked Holy Spirit to show me the meaning of your dream. And He did.”

“So, what now?” Chuck asked curiously.

“Well. I'll answer your question, with a question,” Oliver said.

“Okay. I'm listening,” Chuck said in anticipation.

“The question is this: Chuck, are you willing to let God take the driver's seat of your life? Will you let Him lead? Will you follow Him, or do you want to continue to try it on your own?” Oliver waited for Chuck's response.

“Here's what I know for sure. I've made a mess of virtually everything in my life. I can't keep a marriage together. My kids don't like me. Most of Paine Harbor talks trash behind my back. I'm in debt up to my neck, and my health is going downhill in a hurry.” He stopped to consider what he'd just said and, smiling he continued, “I'd have to be pretty stupid not to ask God to help me. So, yeah, Oliver, I really need His help. I'm at the end of my rope! What do I do now? I admit it, I'm a mess and I really need God's help. But...” he hesitated. “I've got another problem, Oliver. And I'm not sure what to do about it.”

“Go on...”

Sheriff Byer continued: “Well, it has to do with Reverend Sharp.” 

“Okay.”

“I'm not sure I can accept a God who lets a man like that speak for Him.” Chuck said honestly. “The dude has some serious anger problems. He has told me several times that I'm going to Hell, and he seemed to rather glad of it!” 

“Chuck,” Oliver said in a straightforward manner. “I guess there are two things I want to say about your feelings about Reverend Sharp. First of all, Reverend Sharp is just a man, like you and me. And as a man, even though he is a pastor, he is flawed and makes mistakes.  I believe that if you were to have a conversation today with Reverend Sharp, you'd find he is a changed man. God has been at work in his life, just as he has in yours and mine. Regardless, it brings me to the second thing, okay?”

“Yeah, go on...”

“Secondly, even when God's representatives on earth screw up His message, His real message doesn't change. The things I've shared with you about His love, His kindness, grace and the power of Jesus to change your life, they are all true. So, my encouragement to you is simple, don't throw out the baby with the bathwater. He is who He says He is, and it is Him who is calling you into relationship. Does this make sense to you, Chuck?” Oliver asked.

“I guess you are right. But, why would God let an angry man like Sharp lead a church? It just doesn’t seem right.”

Oliver looked at Chuck intently. After a moment or two, he smiled and said, “Chuck, why would God let a man like you be a police officer? Wouldn’t you agree you’ve betrayed the oath of office? Regardless of your imperfections, you are still used by God to bring order here in Paine Harbor. Isn’t it possible, in spite of Pastor Sharp’s failings, God is using Him too?”

Once again, silence filled Grace Coffee House.

“Point taken.” Chuck said with a mildly amused look on his face. Oliver’s point did indeed hit home, but it came without a hook in it, and Chuck was able to take it in the spirit it was spoken. After a few moments of quiet thoughtfulness, he continued, “In spite of our failings… given that, I suppose I was blaming God for how Reverend Sharp hurt me, and really that's not fair, is it?”

Unbelievably, the door chime rang, and both men looked up and were shocked to see Reverend Sharp walk in the door. Chuck and Oliver looked at one another with amazement. Before Chuck could react, Oliver called across the room to Reverend Sharp beckoning him to come over.

“Good morning Oliver, Sheriff.” Axel said warmly. “How's it going?”

“I'm so glad to see you Pastor,” Oliver exclaimed. “Chuck and I were having a pretty intense conversation, and your name came up, didn't it, Chuck.”

“Yeah, it did,” he replied. 

“Is there something I can do for you gentlemen?” Pastor Sharp asked. 

Facing Chuck, Oliver said to him, “Why don't you tell him what we've been discussing and how his name came up? I think this is a divine appointment, and God wants to do a powerful work right now to help you come to faith. After all, what are the odds Pastor Sharp would walk in, immediately after we'd be discussing this?”

Pastor Sharp look confused, but figured he'd understand soon enough. He looked at Chuck for an explanation.

“Uh, I... well, it's like this,” Chuck stammered. Sensing Oliver's encouragement to continue, he found the courage and carried on. “Oliver and I have been having a great conversation where he has been helping me understand what it would mean for me to give my life to God. And I am almost ready to do it, I can tell. I mean, I really think I want to make this change. But, I've got a hang-up, and it has to do with you.”

Axel sat down with a look of confusion on his face. “What can I do to help?”

Chuck was frightened and giving serious consideration to backing off and making a lame excuse, avoiding the reality of what needed to happen. His heart raced while his mind considered options. The enemy was setting a trap of fear for Chuck. But an unseen host of God’s angels had descended upon the coffee house. Bringing songs of worship and a powerful protection from the distraction of the enemy, they layered a cocoon of safety over what was about to happen next.  His face was flushed and mouth was dry, but in spite of his extreme misgivings, he suddenly found the courage to speak up. 

“Well, you might as well sit down.” He said motioning to the empty seat. As Axel sat down, Chuck continued, “I don't want to believe in a God who is as angry as you make Him seem to be. Your style of yelling, condemning and casting blame turns me off. Do you remember when you told me I was going to Hell? You genuinely seemed glad about it! I don't want to be a Christian if that is what it means. I cannot go around casting guilt and shame on people.” Taking a deep breath, he added one last statement, “Reverend Sharp, why are you so angry?”

The atmosphere was thick. As uncomfortable as it was, truth was being spoken. Axel's face was red, and his breathing was labored. But after a moment or two, he spoke calmly, clearly and with great honesty.

“I understand where you are coming from,” he admitted. “And, I'd have to say you are right. I've been angry for most of my life, and I've taken that anger out on my family, my church and my community. And apparently, I did it to you too. Something happened to me a couple of weeks ago that has changed everything. Chuck, you may not believe me, but my anger is gone. I mean it, gone. And then I came to see I wasn’t teaching God's Word as it really is. I was presenting a god made in my own image – filled with anger. Every sermon, every conversation, ever encounter had one thing in common, my anger. Here's the thing, Chuck. I was wrong. Dead wrong.” 

The gathered angels were celebrating. Victory was happening in real time. The glow they carry was burning brightly. Their songs were even more beautiful than usual. Angels are mighty warriors, but they also enjoy a good party.

Axel continued,  “I’ve come to experience the present tense reality that God is love. God is mercy. God loves even when we are a mess. I’ve been a mess, in some ways I still am, but regardless, He loves me. He really does. But, what matters here is this; I see I have hurt you. My anger and my arrogance combined to do damage.” With his chest heaving in sorrow he spoke the words Chuck never thought he’d hear, “I want you to know I am genuinely sorry. I will not make any excuses, I was wrong. And I truly hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. I don’t deserve it, but I have to ask, can you forgive me, Chuck?”

Tears of repentance ran down Pastor Sharp's face as he spoke. Oliver was overcome with joy at what he was watching occur. Chuck was shocked and nearly in a state of utter disbelief. He would never guessed Pastor Sharp would respond this way, in fact, he'd been prepared for him to defend his actions and point fingers of accusation back at him. Pastor Sharp asking for his forgiveness came as a shock. Even Chuck had to agree, something special was indeed happening at Grace Coffee House.

“Chuck, will you forgive me?” Pastor Sharp quietly asked again.

It was then waves of love erupted within Chuck's body. He looked at Axel, who clearly was a broken and contrite man, and he saw him through eyes of love. “Of course, Pastor. I forgive you.”

Through a shaking and thoroughly grateful heart, Axel replied, “Thank you. Thank you so much! You have no idea what this means to me!” Reaching out, he embraced him in gratitude. Chuck, a stranger to being hugged by men, initially didn't know what to do, but after a time, hugged him back.

Axel laughed in relief and excused himself. “I need to go wash my face.” 

“Do you see, Chuck how much God loves you? You realize He caused what just happened to happen, right? He sent Pastor Sharp here right now when you needed him to be here!” Oliver explained. “So, given all of that, are you ready to open your heart to Jesus?”

Chuck considered Oliver's words carefully.

Oliver waited. Sensing that to speak now would be a major mistake, Oliver simply leaned back in his chair and took a sip of his coffee. The moment was ripe with potential for an extraordinary life-changing event, and Oliver was carefully listening for instructions from Holy Spirit.  

“But,” Oliver said softly, “you are afraid. You’re afraid you won't be able to do all that is needed and you'll mess this up, too. You’re afraid you'll give it your best shot, and you will fail. Am I right, Chuck?”

The look in Chuck's eyes gave him his answer. 

“Listen, my friend, it is vital you get this,” Oliver said with great sobriety. “It's all been done for you. It's not about your ability or your performance. Jesus has done it all. Forgiveness is 100%. Guilt has been paid for. Jesus' death did what you and I cannot do. He overcame your sin, your failures, and your faults. Once and for all. That's why He said on the cross, 'It is finished.' He accomplished in dying what you and I cannot accomplish in living.”

“Why?” Chuck asked through reddened eyes. “I don't get it. I wouldn't do that for anyone, why would He?”

“Because of love.”

“Love?”

“Yes. He is all about love. Love defines Him; love motivates Him. Love causes Him to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves,” Oliver answered.

“Sounds too good to believe.”

“Actually, it's too good not to believe,” Oliver replied with a smile.

“So...” Chuck said thoughtfully, “you are saying, if I'm hearing you correctly, to follow Jesus I don't have to, I don't know... I don't have to be good? How can that be?”

“Great question, Chuck! How can God expect you to do the impossible? Would He really be the God of Love if He honestly demanded you jump to the moon? Because that is exactly the same thing as 'being good'. It's impossible. The Jewish people under the Old Testament Law tried their best for thousands of years and couldn't do it!” Oliver said excitedly. “But, listen, here's the amazing thing about God's love. His righteousness is a gift! It is a gift, my friend. There is nothing you can do to earn it, or deserve it, or somehow impress God with your good behavior, it is a gift of love.”

“But I've screwed things up. I've hurt people. I've been dishonest. Even corrupt. How can He love me?” Chuck asked with all sincerity of heart.

“Because He made you. He created you. And He longs for you to live life in the manner in which He designed it. Jesus said in John 10:10 these incredible words, 'The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, but I have come to bring life, even life abundant.' You and I have both seen and experienced enough stealing, killing and destruction to last a lifetime, but the offer on the table which Jesus is bringing you is the exact opposite. He offers true life. A new kind o life that is filled with righteousness coming from Him. Peace that comes from Him, and joy that comes from Him! To live by faith is to be set free from the old nasty stuff and to experience His righteousness, His peace and His joy. How could we not want that? Truly it is amazing grace.” Oliver declared with incredible enthusiasm. Sitting up in his seat, he reached for his coffee mug and continued, “So, really the only thing God asks of you is this; will you allow me to give you what you cannot get on your own? Will you make a choice to trust me and let me guide your life? If the answer is 'yes', that's called faith. Chuck, are you ready to let Jesus change your life?”

“Oliver, I believe what you are telling me. Somehow, deep inside, I know you speak truth. Already, I can feel a change happening inside of me. It's weird, odd, but I like it. I'm scared, but I'm excited too!” Pausing, he took a sip of his now stone cold coffee, looking up at Oliver, he continued. “Yes. I believe and I want what you've told me about, and what you have! I believe God loves me and He wants to change my life.”

“Jesus,” Oliver prayed aloud, “Thank you for bringing Chuck to this place of salvation. I worship You for Your kindness and love! Chuck, will you pray this prayer with me? Jesus, I believe You love me. I believe You want to change my life. I believe Your death on the cross paid for all of my sin. Jesus, please come into my life and transform me into the man You made me to be. By your power, I will follow You from this day forward.”

“Chuck, by your faith you've been forgiven,” he declared. “When Jesus said, ‘it is finished’ He had this very moment in mind! How do you feel? What is going on inside of you?”

“Wow. Wow. Oh man. I don't know. Hoo...” he laughed. “It feels like electricity running through my body, but it's a good thing! And I don't know why, but I just want to laugh. Is that weird?”

“Not at all,” Oliver encouraged. “That's Holy Spirit touching your life. Would you like more?”

“You bet I do!”

“Good.” Oliver said, “Then it’s simple, just ask for more! Just ask. Pray this, 'Holy Spirit, come and fill me! Holy Spirit I welcome you into my body, into my soul and into my spirit! Come, make your home inside me!'”

As Chuck prayed, he began to sob and as he did so, his face changed. Ordinarily his face was deeply red because of his horrid diet and high blood pressure, but the redness left and was replaced by a glow of health and peace. The splotches on his arms and hands immediately disappeared, and his labored breathing subsided to normal. The surprise on his face was overtaken by joy moving into his heart. 

Oliver laid his hands on Chuck's shoulder and leaning down, whispered in his ears words of life. “Welcome home, son. You are a new man. All of your sin, all of your failures, all of your brokenness is being healed right now! You will never be the same again! The only thing he asks of you is to seek Him. The rest of your life, pursue Him. And He will bless you in ways you cannot even begin to imagine!”

Oliver watched as Holy Spirit continued to minister to Chuck with deep healing, breaking off decades of pain, sorrow, grief, and the deep wounds which had tormented him, replacing them with healing touches of love, grace, peace and joy. With each passing moment his restoration was becoming more and more complete. 

When it all seemed to come to a natural conclusion, Demetrius walked over with a fresh pot of coffee and a gigantic smile on his face. During the entire time he'd been keenly aware of what was happening. But he had known his role was to stay behind the counter, taking care of a few customers, and interceding for Oliver and Chuck. Several times during the encounter, he'd felt strongly the enemy was trying to build walls in Chuck and, in his prayers, he had prayed for an open heart. Now, he could see the victory had been won and the enemy had been defeated. He was elated.

“Who here needs a fresh cup?” he asked with joy. 

Everyone looked up at Demetrius and simultaneously said, “I do!”

It was at this moment that the laughter began.

That Night – Grace Cottage

Oliver came home to Grace Cottage with a full heart and was excited to share with Sandy what had just occurred with Sheriff Byer. As he raced up the sidewalk, onto the porch and was about to step through the front door, he heard his wife singing a song of praise while preparing dinner in the kitchen. What struck him as being odd was he thought he was hearing someone singing harmony with her, and couldn't figure out who it was. When he stepped into the living room he remembered, “Oh yes! Sandy's mother is still here! How could I forget that?” he thought laughing at himself for being so fixated on his time with Chuck.

“Hey,” he called out, “Who belongs to those fabulous voices I'm hearing? I didn't know Celine Dion was in town!”

Sandy ran over and threw her arms around her husband. “Hi honey! We've had the best day! I'm glad you are home! Did you know my mom makes the best pot roast ever? Well, you are going to find out in a bit, because that's what we are having for dinner! We picked out wallpaper and paint for the nursery today, and I think we found just the right cribs and stroller,” she gushed. “And my mom wants to be here to help when the babies are born! She'll stay with us for a couple of months. That's okay right?”

“We are going to need all the help we can get, of course it's okay!” Oliver replied. Looking to his mother-in-law, he asked, “Iris, are you sure you can be away from San Diego for that long?”

She laughed.

“Well, as my old friend Mick sings, 'wild horses couldn't drag me away!'” Iris smiled remembering that old Rolling Stones song. “I really want to be here with you. If it’s okay with you, Oliver? I know how important your new not-so-little family is to you, and I genuinely don't want to intrude.”

“Oh mom.” Sandy piped in from the kitchen. “You are family too!”

“Iris, thank you for wanting to be with us. Frankly, I've tried not to think about how challenging those first few months might be. But I know we'd love to have you here and I also know we are going to need you here!” Oliver said, reaching out to give his mother-in-law a hug.

“Then it is settled. Mom, you can have the upstairs room next to the Nursery. We'll call it “Nana's Room!” Sandy said with certainty and finality. “Nana's Room – has a nice ring to it, doesn't it Oliver!”

“How'd your doctor appointment go today?” Oliver asked.

“Oh yes! Doctor Bourbon. He's like stepping back in time. Even his nurse wears a white nursing dress and one of those old fashioned hats! But I feel comfortable with him. He tells me I'm doing fine. The babies are doing nicely. There really is nothing to tell you,” She said. “Oh, wait. I guess there is one thing, he wants us to go to the mainland about two weeks prior to the due date and have the babies there.”

“What?”

“Yeah, he doesn't feel like Paine Harbor has the needed equipment in case something were to go wrong. And he really wants us to go to Bangor Regional Hospital where they are fully equipped and have a Neo-Natal Intensive Care unit which is highly regarded,” Sandy explained. “He tells me he always advises this to women who have potentially problem pregnancies.”

“Potentially problem pregnancies?” Oliver said with seriousness, “Is there something wrong you aren't telling me?”

“No, honey. It's okay. Really, it is. He's just being cautious. And,” Sandy began to slow her speech pattern way down emphasizing each word carefully, “given - we – are – going - to - have – three - babies, I can respect that. Can't you?”

Oliver thought about what he had heard from Sandy, and nodded his agreement and with a teasing sound in his voice, he slowed down too. “As - long - as - you - aren't - hiding - anything - from - me.”

“Oliver Grace. When have I ever been able to hide anything from you? Seriously.” 

Iris laughed at her daughter's statement. “Boy, that's for sure, Sandy. You've never been able to keep a secret. Even when she was a little girl! Oliver, I could tell you stories...” Just then the kitchen timer went off and she headed in to see what was happening.

“Saved by the bell!” Sandy chuckled.