Chapter 18

Melody woke up to the sound of moaning. At first the gut-wrenching sounds seemed far off, beyond the tent, but then the sound came again. This time much louder. She jumped up off her cot, pulling on her robe as she made her way to the other side of the curtain.

She found her father writhing. "Da, let me give you some medicine," she said, grabbing the bottle.

Her father groaned and twisted, barely able to speak. "It's time I be ... be goin' to ... the hospital."

She was surprised by this. Da had said nothing about being taken to the hospital. He hated being fussed over. She gave him his medicine, then recorked the bottle before coming back to his side.

"Are you certain you want to go to the hospital, Da?"

"Aye. 'Tis what I want. I don't ... don't wanna..." He stopped speaking and grabbed his midsection. The pain was so intense that Melody felt herself tense as her father cried out. She had no idea what she could do.

Da reached out to take her hand. "I don't wanna die here. Get me to the railroad hospital."

She nodded. "I'll get dressed and get help."

Without waiting for a response, she hurried to pull on her clothes and boots. Da continued to toss and turn. She prayed for God to ease his pain, knowing the only real healing would be in death. Once dressed, Melody was uncertain where to go. It wasn't that far to Marybeth and Edward's house. Of course, there were people in the tent community who would gladly help her. But it was Charlie she wanted. Charlie she needed.

"I'm going to get help, Da. Will you be all right?" she asked, knowing she was really asking if he'd still be alive when she returned.

He seemed to sense this and gave a weak smile. "For sure, I'll be here."

She nodded and ran from the tent, making her way to Mr. and Mrs. Cooper's boardinghouse. Faith Cooper was in the kitchen working on breakfast when Melody burst in through the back door, her sandy-brown hair flying out behind her.

"Da has ... taken bad ... needs to get to the hospital," she said, panting for breath. "I need Charlie."

"You wait here. I'll get Mr. Cooper to fetch him." The older woman left the kitchen and was only gone a few minutes. "Mr. Cooper can hitch the wagon and come along too. The men can carry your father to the wagon and drive him to the hospital."

"Thank you." Melody had regained her breath, but her heart continued to race. She knew the end was near, and it was hard to think of what would come next.

"Sit and have a cup of coffee." Mrs. Cooper poured a cup and put an ample amount of cream in as well. "This should help a bit."

Melody sipped the hot liquid, but it did nothing to ease her fears. She tried to pray, but the words failed to come. Finally, all she could do was silently beg God to help.

Mrs. Cooper disappeared for a moment, and when she returned, she held a hairbrush and piece of ribbon. She didn't even ask Melody if she wanted help but went to her and began to brush her long hair.

"I'm sorry that you and your father must go through this," Mrs. Cooper said in a soothing manner as she continued to draw the brush through Melody's hair. "This is no doubt one of the hardest things you've had to face. Be assured, however, God is here with you. He will never leave you."

Melody found strange comfort in the rhythmic strokes of the brush, as well as Mrs. Cooper's encouraging words. After a moment, Mrs. Cooper began to braid Melody's hair into a single plait down the middle of her back, putting order to chaos. Oh, that she might be able to do the same thing with Melody's mind and spirit.

Charlie was there in no time at all. He went to her side as Mrs. Cooper finished tying off Melody's braid. "Mr. Cooper said he'd meet us outside just beyond the garden." He helped Melody to her feet.

"Thank you, Mrs. Cooper," Melody said, searching the older woman's face. "For everything."

Charlie led her outside, his arm around her shoulder. "What happened?" he asked.

"I woke up to Da crying out. The pain was so intense he could scarcely draw breath. I gave him medicine, but I doubt it's helping much. He asked to go to the hospital, so I know it's not good. He doesn't want to die in our home."

Charlie nodded. "I'm glad you came to get me."

"You were the only one I wanted." She met his gaze. "The only one who could help ... me." She had known plenty who could help her with Da, but Charlie was her own selfish desire. Charlie would help her face the hours to come.

"I'm glad you felt that way."

Mr. Cooper arrived with the wagon and drove them back to the tent. Melody jumped from the wagon seat unaided and rushed into the tent, almost fearful Da hadn't kept his word to be there.

He was still alive, but the medicine was already starting to cloud his thinking. He opened his eyes, but Melody wasn't sure he even saw her.

"Da, Charlie and Mr. Cooper have come to take you to the hospital. We're going to move you now."

He nodded, then closed his eyes again. "Charlie's the one," he murmured.

Melody frowned as the two men entered the tent. The one for what? To take him to the hospital?

The men carefully wrapped the blanket around Da and lifted him. Charlie had Da's head and shoulders and Mr. Cooper his feet. Together they moved as one to place Melody's father in the back of the wagon.

"It won't be a very comfortable ride," Mr. Cooper said.

"Charlie, help me into the back, please. I'll cradle his head." Melody hiked her skirt as if to get up on the spoke of the wheel, but Charlie lifted her in his arms instead. She was surprised by his strength. He placed her in the wagon as if she weighed nothing at all. Then he climbed in after her.

By now a few of the tent-community neighbors had come outside to see what the commotion was. Men took off their hats and bowed their heads. The women nestled close to their men. Death was never easy to face.

Mr. Cooper headed the wagon in the direction of the railroad hospital while Melody held her father's upper torso in her arms like a baby. Charlie sat close to her side, supporting her.

"We'll be there soon, Da."

They hit a rut, and Mr. Cooper called out an apology, but Melody simply held her father tighter as he groaned. She tried to forget about his pain and glanced heavenward to the clear blue of the open skies. It was a beautiful day to go home. She imagined her father meeting Jesus face to face. He would no doubt laugh and embrace his Savior with great joy. The kind of joy Melody had always known him for. She wondered if he'd see her mother right away. Perhaps his parents?

She brushed back graying hair from his face. The action caused him to open his eyes. He seemed to recognize her without any trouble and smiled.

"Me darlin' girl ... love ya so." His voice was just a whisper. "Don't ... be ... afraid."

She felt the tears form in her eyes. She wanted so much to be strong for Da, but she couldn't fight back her emotions.

"I love you, Da. I love you so much. I wish you didn't have to leave me."

His face tensed, and he closed his eyes again.

Melody felt his uneven breathing continue. The breaths came further and further apart. "We're almost to the hospital, Da."

He said nothing.

Mr. Cooper arrived at the wooden-framed hospital at the corner of Seventeenth and Hill. Melody allowed Charlie to help her disengage from her father. She scooted off the back of the wagon and waited while Charlie jumped down and took hold of her father. He carried him in his arms, not even waiting for Mr. Cooper's help.

Together they made their way inside. With it being so early, there was only one orderly and nurse in residence. The orderly quickly directed Charlie to a room. They worked together to situate Melody's father on the available bed.

"What seems to be the problem?" the orderly asked.

"My father is a patient of Dr. Latham's," Melody replied. She went to her father's side and took hold of his hand.

The nurse came in and began examining Da. "This is Mr. Doyle," she told the orderly. "He's suffering from severe nephritis. He's in the final stages." Melody wasn't sure how the nurse knew the details of her father's condition, but she was relieved. With her emotions on the edge of being out of control, Melody wasn't sure she could have answered many questions. The man gave a solemn nod. Everyone there now knew the situation.

The nurse finished her exam and looked to Melody. "When did you last give him his medicine?"

"Just before we came here. He was in horrible pain. The worst yet."

The nurse nodded. "There's nothing else to be done. I'm sure Dr. Latham already told you. We can give him more medication if the pain returns, but he seems at peace for the moment."

Melody nodded and squeezed her father's hand all the more. Charlie came to stand beside her and put his arm around her shoulder. He didn't say a word, but then, nothing needed to be said. Melody had anticipated this moment. She hadn't allowed herself to dwell on it for too long of a time, but she knew what was happening. Dr. Latham had explained the situation and what was to come. Her father would be in excruciating pain, and they would medicate him with the strongest remedies available. This, unfortunately, would cause him to sleep and probably never awaken again. All she could do was wait for Da to draw his last breath.

"We will see to it that no one disturbs you," the nurse said, motioning to the orderly. "I'll let Dr. Latham know when he gets in."

Melody said nothing. She kept her gaze fixed on Da and did her best to remember all the good times they'd had together.

"Clancy, if you can hear me," Charlie said, bending down to speak to the unconscious man, "I want you to know that I'll see to it that Melody is safe and cared for. You don't have to worry about leaving her alone. She will never be alone as long as I have breath in my body."

It touched Melody that Charlie would go out of his way to offer her father comfort in his final moments. She wanted nothing more than for Da to rest easy and know he was free to leave this world without worrying over her.

"You told me I was the one," Charlie continued. "Said you knew we were meant to be together. I see you were right, and I'll not let you nor Melody down."

Melody thought of her father's words back in the tent. "Charlie's the one." Now she understood what he meant. How precious it was to know she had her father's approval to spend the rest of her life with Charlie. Da had been determined she wouldn't remain in Cheyenne alone. Now she wouldn't.

The minutes turned into an hour, then two. Dr. Latham arrived at eight o'clock. He came into their room, listened to Da's heart and breathing, and turned to Melody. "It won't be long now."

"I know." She tried her best to sound brave. Thoughts of life without her father, however, were anything but comforting. She constantly reminded herself that she had people who cared about her, people who had offered her a refuge and their love. But it wasn't the same. It would never be the same.

She remembered their typical mornings when Da would ready himself for work on the railroad. They would share breakfast and laugh about something that had happened the day or week before. They would talk about things that they hoped to accomplish that day. And, always, they shared Scriptures and prayed. They would never do that again.

Melody stroked her father's cheek. His color had turned a pasty yellow-gray. There was more of death to him than life, and Melody felt the need to speak her final good-bye.

"I love you, Da. With all my heart. I will miss our long talks and your good advice. I'll miss your sense of humor and quick wit. Everything about you has been a blessing." Tears slipped down her cheeks.

"I wasn't ready for this ... wasn't ready to say good-bye, but I know it must be done." She leaned down and kissed his forehead. "Beidh tú i mo chroí i gcónaí," she whispered. "You will always be in my heart."

Her tears dampened Da's cheeks, but Melody knew he wouldn't mind. There were two more shallow breaths and then nothing. She put her ear to his chest. The silence there left her no doubt that he was gone.

Melody stood and turned to Charlie, who already held his arms open to her. With no words spoken, she walked into his embrace and cried. He held her close ... protected ... loved. Melody had no idea what the future would hold for her now, but she knew it would be a little less lively and joyful without Da.

Charlie held Melody and let her weep. He thought of verses in the Bible that he might speak to offer comfort, but nothing seemed as right as just holding her tightly. After a few minutes, Dr. Latham rejoined them and pronounced Clancy Doyle dead.

"Your father has made all of his arrangements, so I'll contact the undertaker to come and get his body."

Melody pulled away from Charlie just enough to address the doctor. "Can they let Dr. Scott know too? He's our pastor."

"I'm sure they will. Your father was very explicit in his plans. He told me he didn't want you having to worry about a thing."

Melody watched as Dr. Latham pulled the sheet up over her father's head. Charlie felt her tense with the action and suggested they leave.

"Let me take you home."

She shook her head. "I need to tell Edward and Marybeth. They loved Da very much." She turned to Dr. Latham. "If anyone needs to reach me, I'll probably stay with them for a time."

"That's good. I wouldn't want you to face this alone, and I know your father wouldn't want that either."

"She won't be alone," Charlie said. He touched Melody's shoulder. "Come on. I'll take you there now."

Melody allowed him to lead her outside. Mr. Cooper had gone back to the boardinghouse shortly after dropping them off at the hospital. Melody started walking but seemed aimless in her direction.

"Why don't we go to the tent and get the things you'll need?" Charlie turned at the corner and headed her in the right direction.

They walked for several blocks before she spoke again. "I'm glad he's out of pain."

"Yes," Charlie agreed. "It's hard on you—us—to lose him, but none of us wanted him to suffer."

"I wish I'd known sooner that the end would come so fast."

"I don't suppose anyone can know for sure how much time they have left. The important thing is that you made that time special for him. You were there to care for him and to encourage him. No man could ask more of his daughter."

They reached the tent, and Melody just stood and looked at it for a moment. "The tent belongs to the railroad, but what's inside is ours. I suppose I shall have to find a place to store everything. Marybeth said I could stay with them, so I can probably move our belongings into their woodshop."

"I would imagine. Why don't you just pack the things that you'll be needing in the week to come? I can help if you need."

"If you just sit and keep me company," she replied, "I can pack it all myself. There's not that much to worry about." She frowned. "I don't have a black dress."

"That's easy enough to get. I'll help you figure it out after you settle in with Marybeth. I'm sure she'll have ideas as well. Probably better than anything I could come up with."

Melody hesitated as she glanced toward the tent. Charlie saw her bite her lower lip. This was her first time facing her home without her father. No doubt it was a daunting thought.

"Would you like me to go first?" he asked.

"Please."

The word was barely whispered, but it was enough for Charlie. He stepped around her and pushed back the flap. He tied the waxed canvas to the side to allow the light to filter in. Even at that, it wasn't very bright inside, so he lit the lantern as he'd seen Melody do on other occasions.

"There, now you can see better."

Melody walked inside and silently surveyed the room. "It won't be the same without him here."

"No. I don't suppose it will."

"I'm glad I don't have to stay here alone."

Charlie felt an overwhelming urge to take her in his arms. He went to where she stood and paused only a moment until he saw her reach for him. Pulling her close, Charlie's heart overflowed with love for her. He couldn't imagine his life without her.