The Old Man in the Park

By Fran Mirabelle

Jordan Marsh is experiencing several of life's problems when he meets a kind, yet mysterious, elderly gentleman, named Nick, in a park. They discuss many topics, but find a common bond talking sports. A fast friendship develops with Nick cleverly helping Jordan work through his issues.

As that friendship is developing, Jordan begins a roma

• Language: English
• Publisher: Palmetto Publishing
• Release date: Jun 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9781638371854

Fran Mirabelle

Fran Mirabelle was born and raised in northeastern Pennsylvania and loosely based some of the storyline on his experiences growing up there. He has enjoyed a very active sports life and still golfs several times a week. He is a retired federal civil servant and lives in Maryland with his wife of 45 years.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Family Ties

T

he persistent buzzing woke Jordan Marsh from his restless sleep. Through half-open eyes, he looked at the clock radio on the nightstand next to his bed. It read 3:18 a.m. Jordan realized immediately that it wasn’t time to get up, but rather the call he had been dreading. He fumbled for the knob on the lamp by the clock radio and was finally able to rotate it two clicks and get some light into the bedroom. Gaining his senses he located his cell phone and quickly checked the screen for the identity of the caller.

Jordan answered with his standard greeting, Hello, this is Jordan Marsh, although his voice was anything but in standard mode. Instead, it belied the fact that he had just been awakened. His voice was rather raspy and low-pitched. He silently wished for the glass of water that he usually kept on the night stand beside the bed, but had forgotten the night before.

The voice on the other end of the phone replied, I’m sorry to have awakened you, Mr. Marsh, this is night shift supervising nurse, Mary Starling. You had better come to the center fairly soon. She gently added, Your father began slipping since you left last night and may be only hours from passing. Of course, these situations are difficult to predict, so it still may be several hours. At any rate, I just wanted you to be informed.

Jordan asked her a few questions relative to his father’s condition, breathing, and pain level. Nurse Starling responded that Thomas Marsh, Jordan’s dad, was resting more or less comfortably, but his breathing had become shallower. He was now running a low-grade fever. She further explained that it was likely due to the onset of an infection, possibly pneumonia since his father had been bedridden for some time. Morphine had been administered in small doses periodically to keep him as comfortable as possible. Jordan assured her he would be there within the hour. She then mentioned, It would be a good idea to notify others in Thomas’s family. Jordan assured her that he would, thanked her, and ended the call.

His conversation with nurse Starling lasted less than two minutes, but by now Jordan was thinking clearly, fully awake, and alert despite having had only a few hours of sleep, albeit a restless, dream-filled sleep. As the adrenaline kicked in, he quickly made his way to the bathroom and washed up as much as possible, then got dressed. Knowing full well that he had to call his sister, he decided to do that while making the half-hour ride. At that time of the morning, there wouldn’t be many other vehicles on the road, but he still wanted to be heading to the Mercy Hospice facility quickly, just in case.

By 3:30 a.m. Jordan was backing out of his driveway and on the phone to his sister, Jackie. Jordan apologized for calling so early, then explained the urgency of the situation. He quickly filled her in regarding the nature of the phone call from the hospice facility. Jackie understood and told Jordan she was half expecting the call. She, too, had not been fully asleep figuring her father’s condition may turn for the worst.

Jackie wondered aloud, Maybe one of us should have spent the night at the hospice center with Dad.

Jordan reassured her, The medical staff didn’t think anything was imminent when we left last night. That was around 11:00 p.m. Jordan further reminded Jackie, The nurses urged us to go home and get some rest. Besides, he explained, They are the experts in these situations and have seen many similar cases. Jackie understood, but being close to her father, she still felt a little bit of abandonment.

Jordan suggested that Jackie take care of her family first, then get to the hospice center as soon as it was practical. He would be there in a few minutes, assess the situation, and get back to her. She agreed that it was a good plan, but wanted to be called immediately if there was any further worsening of their father’s condition. Jordan reassured her that he would.

Jackie was married to Richard Cardel, and the couple had two children, Richie, Jr., and Amanda. Both children were still of school age, so some of Jackie’s family responsibilities centered around getting them up (and ready) for school, making lunches, and getting them to and from school. Richard had worked as a certified financial planner (CFP) for a local investment firm for five years before branching out on his own in partnership with another broker. Jackie was a stay-at-home wife and mother but had finished college. She hoped to resume her career once her children were old enough to more or less fend for themselves during those after-school hours when no parent was home until the workday was finished and the commute completed.

Jackie and Richard met at college in their sophomore year. She pursued business while he studied finance. They both graduated college in four years. Richard went on to graduate school and obtained his MBA while Jackie pursued law school finishing in three years with her Juris Doctorate. Because of their backgrounds, it was only natural that Thomas Marsh’s financial affairs were handled by Jackie and Richard, but in reality, it fell mostly to Richard, since he was the CFP. Jordan had no problem with his sister and brother-in-law handling their dad’s finances after Thomas took ill. Besides Jordan’s education, background, and interests were not remotely related to handling tax returns, investments, Medicare regulations, and the many medical billing statements related to Thomas’s declining health. Also, Richard handled Jordan’s retirement portfolio, as well.

Jackie and Richard dated for several years before deciding to marry in their late twenties. They both started entry-level jobs in their fields after their schooling was completed and began the progression up their respective corporate ladders. They decided to wait to have children, but by their mid-thirties, they realized it was now, or never. As Jordan would later say, once they decided to have kids, Jackie popped out two in rapid-fire succession. They also decided that Jackie would take time off from her career to stay home with Richie, Jr., and Amanda, who were now ten and nine, respectively.

Jordan was godfather to both his nephew and niece and loved them as if they were his children. He made time to see them in many of their school programs and sports activities. Jordan particularly enjoyed watching Richie, Jr. play T-Ball and basketball even though at times those athletic endeavors deteriorated into a game of everyone chase the ball instead of each tyke staying in his or her assigned area. Of course, if baseball and basketball were a calamity, soccer was the ultimate scrum, but Jordan always got a laugh out of watching the kids run around and have fun.

Jordan further enjoyed playing with his nephew and niece. When his work schedule allowed, he would drop by their house to play catch or shoot hoops with Richie. Amanda was more interested in music than sports, but Jordan dutifully listened to and encouraged her to play her piano pieces for him. By all accounts, Jordan was an ideal uncle.

It was natural for Jordan to be more interested in sports. At an early age, he played every sport he could in its season. Thomas was a supportive parent but to a point. He always wanted Jordan to be a scholar first and an athlete second. Jordan understood quite well where his father was coming from, especially because he knew if he didn’t do well with his studies, his sports life would be curtailed, and that edict came from the top: Jordan’s mother, Vivian.

Vivian Marsh was an excellent mother to Jordan and Jackie. She raised them to be caring, loving, and honest people who always knew right from wrong, especially from her and Thomas’s perspective. Vivian was raised by strict parents, who expected her to complete her chores and homework before even asking to go outside and play. During her formative years, she learned how to cook and bake from her mother. Vivian’s mother also taught her and her sisters how to sew, knit, and quilt. By the time she was in high school, Vivian was already a well-trained, old-school homemaker. It was no surprise that she was always at the top of her class in any home economics project.

During her teen years, Vivian was discouraged from dating by her parents. At first, it didn’t bother her, but after meeting Thomas at a high school dance her feelings changed. For the better part of the school year, Vivian and Thomas would meet at the Saturday evening school dances. Even though they never left the dances together or went on a formal date, they considered themselves going steady. Finally, Vivian got up the nerve to ask her mother if she could invite Thomas to meet her and her father. This was mostly due to the school year coming to an end, and Vivian not wanting to miss out on seeing Thomas throughout summer vacation.

Initially, her mother said no, citing her age as being too young, which at the time was 16. Of course, Vivian persisted, and with the help of her sisters, she was eventually allowed to have Thomas visit her on weekends with her parents as chaperones. They continued their courtship over the next year with dates and house visits, but always under the scrutiny of her parents. Over time Thomas was becoming increasingly less satisfied with that arrangement but figured it was probably better that way than making an issue of it. At least, he figured, he was getting to see Vivian and, ever the gentleman, would work within the system outlined by Vivian’s parents.

Thomas was a year older than Vivian and a charter member of the baby boomer generation, who were now getting ready to graduate. He was also in the process of deciding his future. He knew that full-time college was out of the question since he wasn’t from a wealthy family, but he hoped to pick up some night classes at the local community college in perhaps plumbing or auto mechanics. In the meantime, he could try to find work as an apprentice at one of the local shops in town. That was all well and good, but there was one more unknown hanging over Thomas, and that unknown would affect the rest of Thomas’s life.

His senior year was filled with the usual fun and frivolity, dances and parties, a prom and graduation ceremony. It was 1964 and times were changing across the country. Unfortunately, shortly after graduation Thomas (like all-male American 18-year-olds at the time) was now eligible for the military draft, having lost his high school deferment upon graduation. Doubly unfortunate, and naturally unknown at the time, the United States would greatly escalate its involvement in the Vietnam War in early 1965.

Thomas, the ever dutiful soul that he was, had signed up for the draft right after his eighteenth birthday, as was required by law. He now had a decision to make: get a job and wait for his draft notice or bite the bullet and enlist. If he enlisted, he could have his choice of the services, but likely that meant a longer period of service. He recalled meeting with an Army recruiter during a school visit when he was a junior. Now, he wished he had paid more attention to what he was told about the military, service options, opportunities to travel, job training, and the like.

Having graduated in June, he weighed his options for a few weeks while hanging out with friends, doing odd jobs, seeing Vivian, and playing American Legion baseball for the local post. As it turned out, Thomas was an excellent high school baseball player in particular, and generally a fine athlete. He was a good enough baseball player to make the semi-pro team in town. What kept him from being looked at seriously by area scouts were his slight build and lack of a strong throwing arm. When Jordan began playing sports it was obvious to Thomas where Jordan got his athletic ability.

By the eighth grade, Jordan had realized a second love, sports being the first. He found that he enjoyed reading, and not just the sports section of the local newspaper. After a class assignment involving a book report of his choosing from a list of 19th century American authors aroused his interest, he started reading some of the other great literary classics. He found himself reading more and more books, and well beyond those which were required for his classes. The more he read, the more he began to appreciate the writing styles of the various authors like Nathaniel Hawthrone, Ernest Hemingway, Edgar Allan Poe, Herman Melville, and Mark Twain. Even foreign writers, such as Leo Tolstoy, Charles Dickens, Anton Chekhov, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle piqued his interest. He realized that his newfound interest was different from those of his peers, which resulted in a reluctance to discuss his latest readings with them. Of course, that didn’t stop them from wondering why Jordan always seemed to ace his literature classes. Jordan not only did well in literature, but he was also an all-around excellent student finishing in the top ten of his graduating class, in addition to being an officer in the National Honor Society. This delighted Vivian much more than his sporting acumen.

Like his father, Jordan was a pretty good athlete, and like his father, he excelled in baseball. Jordan was built bigger and stronger than his father, perhaps because of better nutrition during his growing years, or perhaps because he inherited some of the genes from his mother’s side of the family. By the time he graduated high school he stood six feet tall and weighed 175 pounds. Jordan did inherit his father’s same dark brown hair and blue eyes. He could have easily been a three-sport star in high school if he chose. Instead, he concentrated more on academics than sports, playing just baseball for his high school team. After high school, he didn’t grow much, but that was fine with him since he was not interested in pursuing playing sports at the collegiate level, even baseball. He did, however, stay active by playing some intramural sports for his fraternity, since sports were still an interest of his, just not as much as they once were.

One of Thomas Marsh’s proudest epiphanies was that he knew Jordan was better than he was at the early stage of their respective athletic lives. There was good reason for it, though. Thomas practiced with Jordan in all sports, but Thomas knew the most about baseball, so naturally, Jordan got the best instruction there. It wasn’t only advice as to how to hold the bat, or how to throw without putting too much strain on his arm, but Thomas was able to instruct Jordan in situational baseball, the finer aspects. That is, where to position himself defensively depending on the batter; where to throw the ball if it were hit to him depending on how many men were on base, which bases and how many outs there were; what pitch to look for from the pitcher in certain counts; not to mention batting stance; base running techniques; and the various types of slides.

Jordan started to play Little League at eight years of age. Immediately, he was elevated to play with the nine and ten-year-olds. It was obvious to the coaches that he was a class above his eight-year-old counterparts. This continued for Jordan throughout Little League resulting in him being named the player of the year when he was twelve. His hitting and fielding resembled that of a kid with natural ability rather than one who was mechanically completing each sports movement in fielding, throwing, or batting.

In early August of Jordan’s last season and during his team’s All-Star competition, Jordan completed two rare feats. In a game against their archrivals, Jordan was playing shortstop. It was the bottom of the sixth (and last regulation) inning. Jordan’s team was clinging to a one-run lead. They were in the field with no outs and the bases loaded. As the batter hit a line drive to Jordan’s left, he instinctively raced toward the ball, two quick steps later he snared it on the run, and in one fluid movement stepped on second base to force the runner who had started for third. Without breaking stride he kept right on running toward the baserunner from first base, who was now running at him. He tagged him for out number three to end (and save) the game. Jordan’s swift and effortless movement caught the umpires a little off guard, and it took them a few seconds to realize that he had just completed an unassisted triple play to end the game in the most dramatic fashion.

His team’s next game was the semi-final in district play. Jordan was considered a decent pitcher, but on this All-Star team, he was the number two starter. As the game progressed into the late innings, neither team had scored. What was particularly interesting was that Jordan was pitching a no-hitter. Further of note was the rule that no pitcher could pitch more than six innings in a Little League game. After striking out the side in the top of the sixth inning completing his pitching day where he had recorded 16 of the 18 outs via strikeouts, Jordan knew his pitching day was complete. As fate would have it, Jordan was due to bat third in the bottom of the sixth inning. Both teammates ahead of him struck out without so much as fouling off a pitch. Jordan then stepped up and hit the first pitch over the centerfield fence for a game-winning home run.

From that point, it was assumed that Jordan would be the next superstar baseball player, at least by his father. However, after Little League, there was no organized baseball until high school or American Legion. In those few years, Jordan’s interest migrated more toward literature than baseball. His obvious athletic talent and ability to outshine his competitors were rapidly dwindling, despite playing mostly sandlot sports. By high school he was still an above-average player, but no longer was he the best on the team, and this disappointed Thomas.

During his junior year in high school, Jordan began looking at colleges. He had begun to consider pursuing a career in journalism and by his senior year, he was sure that was his destiny. He would find an excellent liberal arts school to work toward his journalism major and a minor in English Literature. By the time he graduated he had not only written scores of articles for the college newspaper but was named the paper’s editor in his senior year. Having enjoyed the opportunity, it solidified in his mind that journalism was his future.

Jordan pulled into the hospice parking lot just before 4:00 a.m., then quickly parked and locked his vehicle. The ride over had been uneventful, as expected, and it had provided him the opportunity to talk with his sister. He knew he still had another call to make. This one would be to his Aunt Pat, Thomas’s sister, but that could wait until a later hour, and after Jordan had seen his father and talked with the hospice staff. He now hurried up the sidewalk into the hospice center, signed in at the reception desk, and took the elevator to the third floor where Thomas’s room was located.

Thomas shared a room with another man. Their beds were separated by a curtain. Jordan entered the room quietly to not disturb either his father or the other patient, although that was unlikely since both were in that comatose state that precedes death. He used the time to assess his father’s physical condition. Sliding into a chair bedside he observed that Thomas was still breathing, but as nurse Starling had stated earlier, it was less regular and shallower than he had noticed the night before.

Jordan also took the time to say a short prayer, although he wasn’t a particularly religious person. It just seemed the right thing for him to do at the time. His only hope and prayer were that his father was not feeling any pain. He then placed the back of his left hand on his father’s forehand to feel for warmth. Although not burning up, Jordan could detect a slight increase in his father’s body temperature. He next felt for Thomas’s pulse, but not being medically trained, it was difficult to find. He, therefore, looked at Thomas’s neck and was able to see a faint throbbing motion. His final observation about his father’s condition was one that many people exhibit shortly before passing. Thomas’s color had faded from a normal flesh tone to an ashy gray.

By now it was a few minutes past four. Jordan knew he should check in with the nurse’s station and particularly with the supervisor if she had the time to speak with him. Once at the nurse’s station, he explained who he was and inquired if nurse Starling was available. The nurse at the desk explained, She’s with another patient, but I’ll ask her to see you at her earliest convenience. She then recommended, You may want to return to your father’s room and wait there because it’ll be more comfortable. Also, it will allow you to have some quiet time with your father, and perhaps you can even catch a nap because, frankly, you look very tired.

Jordan thanked her and returned to his father’s room which was only about five or six doors from the nurse’s station. Once there he tried to get comfortable moving a chair near the wall so he could rest his head backward, close his eyes, and let his mind wander to happier times.

He began thinking of a few things he wished he had talked over with his dad. For some reason, the first thought that popped into his head was Thomas’s service in Army. Jordan knew that his father had been drafted within a year after graduating high school. He also knew that he served in Vietnam during the ramping up of hostilities there. What he never found out, although he had asked a time or two, were the details about Thomas’s military service. He knew he could likely find out some general information through Army records, but he had hoped for specifics, such as where he served, with whom, in what battles he fought, and most importantly what it was like to be on patrol where there were snakes, bugs, booby traps, not to mention the chance of being shot at any moment. Through other accounts and movies, Jordan had learned of drug activity and rampant alcohol consumption during soldiers’ downtime. Having never served, Jordan was naturally curious. Sadly, he realized that his father’s accounts were now lost. What he never understood was why his father didn’t want to share his experiences. This was not uncommon, however, since many combat veterans choose not to relive those details.

As those thoughts slipped to other remembrances, Jordan’s mind next moved to his mother. His first thought was of her death and how much he missed her. Having passed away unexpectedly and suddenly two years prior due to a stroke, she was now, once again, foremost in his thoughts. Vivian was just 70 when she died, young by 21st century standards. By all accounts, she was a special person, devoted to her husband, children, and two grandchildren. Like Jordan, she wasn’t an especially religious person, certainly couldn’t recite biblical chapter and verse, but she was very much a kind, sweet soul, who never spoke harshly of anyone. During quiet times, such as these, Jordan’s thoughts often drifted toward his mother, her very kind nature, and the fact that she was taken from their family so suddenly and much too soon.

Vivian never had a formal occupation, although her skills as a seamstress allowed her to supplement the family’s income through her sewing. Jordan recalled that Vivian was so capable with the needle, thread, and sewing machine, not to mention knitting needles, that she was easily able to make all of her own and Jackie’s dresses, even prom and wedding attire. When she and Thomas were first married, Vivian knitted several pairs of socks for Thomas (winter wear), not to mention sweaters and scarfs. They were such high quality that Thomas was able to wear many throughout their marriage. She often completed several dozen sewing projects over the winter months so that when spring arrived, she was able to hock her wares at flea and farmer’s markets in the surrounding area. After her grandchildren were born, she turned her attention and sewing expertise toward making them clothes, and of course, babysitting, when needed.

Jordan’s thoughts then returned to his father and something that his Aunt Pat had mentioned to him. Shortly after his mother’s funeral, his aunt told him, Keep an eye on your father and his health, now that your mother’s gone. She continued, Often it happens when one spouse passes away, the other seems to give up on living and declines rapidly. This was certainly the case for Thomas. Several years prior he started having unexplained medical issues. He had always been athletic and healthy, but by his mid-50s some irregular test results started showing up on his annual wellness exams. At first, no conclusive diagnosis was made, but eventually, it was determined that his exposure to chemicals from his military duty, possibly Agent Orange (the herbicide and chemical defoliant in wide spread use in Vietnam in the 1960s), was the likely cause of his ailments. Over time Thomas’s medical problems worsened, despite many trips to the local VA hospital for treatment. Now, fifteen years later, they were taking his life.

Jordan recalled what the hospital generalist explained to him and Jackie right before Thomas was sent to the hospice center, Your father’s organs are shutting down. His lungs, kidneys, liver, and heart are shot. He doesn’t have much time left. He should spend his last few days in hospice care where they can keep him comfortable and out of pain. Jordan wasn’t sure if that suggestion was made out of compassion for his father, or rather the hospital just trying to free up a bed and not wanting Thomas to die under their care. Somewhat cynical, he knew that hospitals were businesses, care-giving businesses, of course, but businesses nonetheless. On the other hand, he was astute enough to know that hospitals were in the business of treating people to get better; however, when patients were deemed beyond help, the best course of treatment was hospice care. It was a slippery slope, indeed, and Jordan wasn’t envious of their jobs making those life-and-death judgment calls.

It was only a few days after arriving at the hospice center that Thomas was on the verge of death. To Jordan’s relief, at least, he could see that Thomas was comfortable. Jordan took the opportunity to whisper in his dad’s ear, I don’t know if you can hear me, Dad, but if you can, please know that I love you. I realize this is a little late for me to be telling you this, but I appreciated everything that you did for me along the way and all the wonderful times you made for our family. He continued, One more thing, Dad, and I really have no right asking you this, but if you can hang on a little while longer, Jackie will be here soon, and I’m sure Aunt Pat would like to be here to say good-bye.

Shortly thereafter, nurse Starling peeked into the room and introduced herself to Jordan. Jordan sprang to his feet and introduced himself. For some reason, he was expecting an older person and was pleasantly surprised to see someone he figured to be close to his age. She gently suggested, Why don’t we move to the family meeting area for a consultation? He agreed and followed her down the hall and around a corner to a nicely appointed lounge. At that time of the morning, there was no one else there, so they could have a private conversation. Once seated, she explained, Predicting end of life timelines is an inexact science. It could be a few hours or several. Each patient is different, and we try to learn a little from each to help with the next one. Jordan instantly noticed her very compassionate tone and caring words. She continued, I’m sure you noticed that your father’s condition has worsened since yesterday. Please know that we are keeping him as comfortable as possible. We only administer a small puff of morphine when he becomes restless. This won’t necessarily accelerate his passing. It just keeps him calm and hopefully out of any discomfort.

Jordan nodded so that nurse Starling could see that he was understanding what she was telling him. She then asked if Jordan had any questions for her. Jordan thought for a second, then mentioned, I noticed my dad’s skin tone was more grayish and less pink. Is that normal?

She explained, That’s very normal in these situations. You may have also noticed that your father’s hands and feet were getting a bit cooler. This, too, is normal.

That reminded Jordan of touching his dad’s forehead, so he then mentioned, But, my dad’s forehead felt a little warm, and you mentioned an infection when we spoke on the phone earlier and possibly pneumonia?

She acknowledged that she recalled the conversation and reiterated, Again, very common observations at this stage. It wasn’t unusual for a dying person to feel warm around the head, for example, but cool at the extremities since the heart was probably not able to pump the blood very well.

He apologized for being out of his element and not knowing anything about what to expect. He mentioned that the only other person in his life that had died was his mother, but she had passed suddenly, so this was all new to him.

Nurse Starling quickly made him feel at ease, It’s not a problem asking me anything. That’s why I’m here. If anyone on our staff can be of any further assistance, please don’t hesitate to ask. Turning to her clipboard, she then directed a few questions to Jordan relative to the information he and his sister provided when they checked Thomas into the hospice center. She needed to verify that the undertaker they designated was still the one they wanted to be notified when the time came. She also wanted to be sure that Jackie was correctly listed as power of attorney. Jordan acknowledged that she was. Next, she asked if the chaplain on duty when Thomas passed should be called bedside for a family prayer. Jordan nodded approvingly.

Finally, she said, Included in the chaplain’s duties, we have an excellent grief counseling service here at Mercy. Patients of any denomination and their family members are not only welcome to participate but encouraged to do so. Jordan again nodded that he understood, said that he would pass along the