Journeys End

Journeys End

Serena took a deep breath as she reached for the phone, she’d waited all day for the call, but was still afraid to pick it up.

“Hey Geoff, thanks for calling. What did the doctor say?”

“The news isn’t good, the cancer is back. I’m afraid I’m living on borrowed time now.”

It wasn’t unexpected, theirs was a decades old friendship, they’d met at school and spent a number of years teaching at the same school afterwards.

Geoff had been in and out of hospital multiple times in the last few years. And although Serena presented as a completely no nonsense person, not a believer in miracles, she had hoped for one this time.

“Is there anything I can do?”

“Actually, there is, if you’re up for it.” His response was unexpected, but she didn’t hesitate. “Of course, whatever you need.”

He gave a short laugh. “Maybe you shouldn’t be too quick to agree.”

Her response was simple. “It’s for you.”

“Thank you.” His voice trembled a bit. “You remember Joyce?”

How could Serena forget? Geoff’s one and only love. He’d married her right out of High School and she left him within a few years for a man who had money, a lowly teacher was not going to be able to keep her in the lifestyle she felt she deserved.

“I remember.”

“We’ve reconnected lately, she’s divorced again, did I tell you that? Anyway, she lives in BC and I would love to see her one more time. So, I wondered, I need a travel companion, would you be willing to come with me? Like old times?”

Right after Joyce had left and after each of Serena’s two divorces, they’d always taken a road trip together. They’d pick a direction and just go, no specific plan, staying at every Mom and Pop motel along the way. If they weren’t able to find a hotel, they’d sleep in the car, and move onto the next town in the morning. After divorce number 2, Serena had purchased a well worn RV, so they had a better alternative to the car.

“I’ll fire up old Bessie.”

“We could fly if you’d prefer? I’ll pay for your ticket, obviously.”

“We could, I suppose, but it might be kind of nice to do it like we always have, if that wouldn’t be too taxing for you? We can split the gas costs.”

“You know what? I love that idea. I may need a few more breaks than I used to, but other than that..”

“Wonderful! How soon do you want to get on the road?”

“I’d like to rest for a few days, give Joyce notice that we’re coming, how about Saturday morning?”

“Perfect. That gives me some time to make sure Bessie’s roadworthy and move a few things around on my calendar.”

Geoff sounded anxious, “I’m sorry, do you have the time to do this?”

“I wouldn’t have agreed to it if I’d had anything important planned. Don’t worry. See you Saturday.”

They hung up and Serena sat quietly for almost an hour, letting so many feelings wash over her. Pain and regret, and the unwavering love she’d always felt for Geoff. She knew why none of her relationships had worked out, she’d kept settling because the love of her life hadn’t felt the same way about her. Serena had kept thinking that almost would be enough.

And, now at what was likely to be the end of his life, his last thoughts were of Joyce and Serena’s were of Geoff. She’d never felt in more agreement with Charles Dickens, “t’was ever thus.”

When Serena arrived on Saturday morning, Geoff was waiting outside for her, leaning on his cane.

“Good morning. You’re a sight for sore eyes,” he said with a smile.

“Good morning! Are your bags still in the house?”

“No, they’re on the porch.

“You just get settled in the RV, I’ll get them.”

“Are you sure? They’re kind of heavy.”

“No problem, I’ve been working out,” Serena said with a wink, pumping her arms like she was lifting weights.

He nodded appreciatively and headed slowly down the driveway.

“Oof. I see what you mean! What’s in this one?”

“Meds and the complete works of William Shakespeare. To be honest, I’m not sure which is heavier!”

“The complete works? That’s a lot of reading material!”

“Unfortunately, I can’t help you with the driving, so that leaves a bit more time for reading. I hope that’s OK.”

“No problem, I expected that. I’ll ask you a favour though, will you read some of it aloud? It’ll make the miles go faster.”

Serena had always enjoyed listening to Geoff, he’d done some productions with his class when he was teaching and also did some community theatre. He was good at it.

“With pleasure.”

Geoff settled into the passenger seat with a sigh, as Serena got behind the wheel.

“I thought we’d take our time, do it over seven days with stops every few hours? How does that sound?”

“Sounds good. I’ll follow up my email to Joyce with a text, letting her know the timeline. I can’t even tell you how much I appreciate this. You are my dearest friend and I don’t tell you that enough.”

Serena knew what an honour and a privilege that was, but her heart still broke a little.

The hours before their first break flew by, getting caught up. When they returned to the RV after the stop, Geoff was quiet.

“Why don’t you rest a while? I’ve made reservations at a trailer park a few hours from here, we’ll stop for dinner first, then we’ll check in. I’ll wake you at the restaurant.”

“Reservations, Rena? That doesn’t sound like you.”

She shrugged. She’d forgotten his nickname for her, it caught her off guard. He hadn’t called her that in years.

“I thought it might be a good idea. A lot more people are traveling by RV these days. And with the summer rush, I didn’t want to be scrambling.”

She didn’t verbalize that she had made sure she’d picked places that had hospitals nearby.

Day two was filled with Geoff reading Shakespeare out loud, using as many different voices as he could muster. Serena asked for specific plays, and by tacit agreement, they stuck to the comedies. It seemed neither of them wanted to think about death and dying.

Day three followed the same pattern. They made particularly good time that day, and were settled at the RV park, early in the evening. Instead of eating at a restaurant, they took their food to go, and heated it up later.

After supper, Serena said, “I’ve got an idea!”

“OK, I’m game.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t be so quick to agree, this time!”

His response was the same as hers had been. “It’s for you.”

Within a few minutes, she’d turned on the patio lanterns festooned around the RV and turned the interior lights off. Then she plugged in her phone and settled into a folding chair next to his, as her 80’s play list washed over them. They talked and laughed, reminiscing about all the High School dances they’d attended as students, and even talked about a few they’d attended as chaperones in their first few years of teaching together.

The opening notes of Peter Cetera’s “Glory of Love,” sounded and they got quiet.

Geoff stood and said, “may I have this dance, Miss?”

“I’d be delighted, kind sir.”

Serena stood and stepped into his arms like she’d done countless times before, to dance, to hug, to offer comfort when they’d lost people they loved. Serena bit her lip, wanting to hold onto this perfect moment and not ruin it with any tears.

She could hear Geoff singing the chorus softly, “I am a man who will fight for your honour, I’ll be the hero, you’ve been dreaming of.”

Under the circumstances, Serena couldn’t tell him that he already was.

When the song ended, she stepped back, “Thank you for the…”

Geoff staggered, she was still close enough to catch him. She half dragged, half carried him back to the lawn chair. He didn’t look well, he was sweating and very pale. Serena was afraid she couldn’t get him to the hospital in time, so she dialed 911.

Everything happened quickly and slowly, all at the same time.

She was able to ride in the ambulance with the paramedics so she could provide them with details of Geoff’s medical history.

A room was procured for him quickly, which Serena was grateful for.

She was about to take the chair next to his hospital bed, but Geoff was trying to speak, so Serena moved closer to hear him. “Unfortunately, it doesn’t look as if we’ll be able to finish our road trip, Rena.”

“I’m sorry, I know how much this meant to you. I’d better get in touch with Joyce and let her know.”

“I’d appreciate it. Her contact information is in my phone. And, before you ask, yes the password is still the same.”

A nurse was hurrying down the hall, towards Geoff’s room.

“I’ll step out and try Joyce now.”

Serena took his phone, Joyce would be more likely to answer if she recognized the number.

She picked up immediately. “Yes?”

“Hi, it’s Serena.”

“Serena who? This is Geoff’s number.”

“Serena from High School? Geoff’s friend?”

“Oh right. Why are you calling from his phone?”

“On our way to see you, Geoff ended up back in the hospital.”

There was silence on the other end. “Didn’t he get my text? I won’t be here. I fly to Edmonton for a week tomorrow morning.”

Serena quickly scanned Geoff’s call history. “I don’t see a text.”

“Oh! Well I meant to send one.” Serena put aside her distaste for Joyce’s apparent unconcern, she hadn’t even asked how Geoff was. And she reminded herself, this was for him.

“But, actually that’s perfect! We’re in Edmonton. You can stop by. He’d love an opportunity to speak with you.” Serena didn’t think she needed to add, ‘possibly your last opportunity.’

“I’ll see what I can do,” Joyce didn’t sound enthusiastic, “but I’m going to be very busy.”

“Oh well, it’s not like he’s going anywhere, they have to run tests, try to get his meds regulated..”

It took Serena a minute to realize Joyce had hung up on her.

Serena saw the nurse leaving Geoff’s room, so she slowly made her way back. She was relieved when she got there, he was sleeping. She wasn’t sure what she was going to tell him when he asked about Joyce.

There was a small pillow and blanket on the chair she’d occupied earlier, so she got as comfortable as possible and tried to get some sleep. Geoff woke up about 5:30 am and said, “I must’ve dozed off. What did Joyce say?”

“Straight to voicemail. I’ll try her later.”

“Great, thanks.” And he drifted off again.

It was mid-afternoon before Geoff asked, “have you called Joyce?”

“I’ll go do that, right now.” As Serena went to the hallway to place the fake call, she was stunned. Coming down the corridor was Joyce.

“Glad you could make it, Joyce.” She paused and glanced Serena’s way.

“You’re the one who called, right?” Before Serena had a chance to answer, she said, “where is he? I don’t have a lot of time.”

“Fifth door on your left, he’ll be thrilled to…” And she realized she’d been dismissed again.

Serena was tempted to follow immediately, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to be present for the “touching reunion.” She waited for a few minutes, expecting to see Joyce return, but she didn’t come back. Good for Geoff.

She decided to take a walk in the opposite direction, she’d come back when she was sure Joyce had left. But maybe Joyce wouldn’t go this time, perhaps seeing Geoff again would make her realize what she’d lost and she’d decide that spending these last few months with him was what she wanted to do?

Serena’s vision went blurry and it was like her broken heart had become a tangible pain.

That was the last thing she recalled until she woke up in a familiar room, in a bed right next to Geoff’s.

But when she looked at his bed, it was empty. Dread consumed her.

Then she felt a touch on her hand and she turned her head in the other direction. He was there, in a wheelchair, hooked up to oxygen, but present.

“I thought I’d lost you! And I’d never get the chance to say,” but then she remembered the reason they were there.

“Where’s Joyce?”

“She left hours ago.”

“I’m sorry, I was sure she’d stay, this time.”

Geoff shrugged. “I told her to go.”

“But that’s why we took this journey in the first place!”

“I know, but it was different than I remembered, she seemed less, I don’t know, luminous? Does that make any sense?”

“No one stays the same as they were in High School!”

“You did.”

Serena wasn’t sure how to respond.

“The trip was worth it though, I think what I needed was to say, ‘good bye,’ I needed to make peace.”

He continued, “and then you, young lady, decided to scare the living daylights out of me!”

“We’re the same age.”

“I’m still a week older.” She smiled at that.

Geoff got serious. “Did you know about your heart condition?”

Time to come clean. “I’ve known for a while, yes.”

“And still you decided to make this trip with me?”

“Your need was greater. Besides, according to my cardiologist, I still have a good 20 or 30 years in me.” Serena thought for a minute. “Although, she had asked me to come in for an unexpected appointment this…um soon.”

She hoped he didn’t catch onto the fact that was one of the things she’d had to move on her calendar, but he seemed preoccupied and let it pass.

“Earlier you said something. What was it you hadn’t had a chance to tell me?”

“Nothing we can’t talk about on the return trip. We’ve got time.”