The Baggage Car: A Journey of Remembrance

By Kate Hancock

If we are lucky, we have a person in our lives who guides and nurtures us through the maze of adolescence and young adulthood. For Maxi Shelton, that person is her grandmother, Kathleen Doyle. Now Kathleen has suffered a stroke and Maxi has come home from college to act as health care advocate for the woman with whom she has lived since she was fourteen.

Maxi, although terrified at the thought of losing her grandmother, is determined to honor Kathleens wishes. Her high powered, but emotionally repressed mother, Laura, has other ideas. Laura and Maxi spar with each other while Maxis Aunt Rose tries to broker a tentative peace agreement between her sister and her niece. As the family tries to come to terms with their impending loss, a compassionate nurse suggests a pathway to reconciliation that sends all three women on a life changing journey of remembrance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Aug 28, 2018
• ISBN: 9781480863781

Kate Hancock

Kate Hancock is a retired fourth and fifth grade teacher who lives on the island of Martha’s Vineyard. Before and during her teaching career, Kate spent thirty years working as a stage manager. After moving to the Vineyard, she began a new career as the gallery manager of Featherstone Center for the Arts.

Book preview

Prologue

You have reached the Doyle residence. Please leave a message.

Gran it’s me, Maxi! I guess you’re at Mass. I had a meeting with my advisor and I’m all set to graduate. I just have to pass my last four courses. I sure wish I hadn’t left physics till now. Good thing I’m majoring in English and not science!

Please deposit two dollars and twenty five cents for the next five minutes.

I’m out of change, Gran. I’ll try to call you later. I miss you Gran.

Thanks, Dr. Metcalf! called Maxi Shelton as she left her professor’s office.

Schaum’s Outline of Physics!

Got it.

Maxi headed for the entrance of the Pomona College science building. As she emerged into the bright southern California sunshine, she dug in her backpack for her sunglasses and headed for the bookstore where she purchased Schaum’s Outline of Physics, an intimidating book of physics problems. She took her change in quarters and left the bookstore, entering the quad.

Typical of any fine day, there were groups of students congregating under the beautiful old trees. She waved at friends but didn’t stop to chat as she hurried towards her dorm. Nearing the edge of the quad, she passed a small group of young people obviously on a tour of the campus. The boys were all dressed in slacks with button down shirts and some even wore ties. The girls all wore dresses or skirts. She couldn’t help but laugh as she recalled the wardrobe she had brought with her when she first came to the school.

But Mom, nobody is going to be wearing clothes like this, argued Maxi.

Clothes like what? These dresses are the newest look in fashion, countered Laura Shelton as she precisely folded a colorful print dress.

I’m sure they are - if you’re going camping and you need a tent. Nobody’s going to be wearing dresses anyway. They’re going to wear jeans and Shaka Kahn and Frank Zappa t-shirts, and I certainly don’t want any platform shoes. I’m already taller than most of the boys I know.

If you think I’m sending you to college to become some pot smoking hippie, let me assure you, you have another think coming! Unless of course you want to pay your own tuition! Now pack!

And pack she had. Of course what her mother didn’t realize was that the ‘chic’ tent dresses and platform shoes had never left her dorm room closet. Maxi had managed to sneak in her jeans and sneakers and her collection of rock and roll t-shirts. It wasn’t that Maxi felt a strong need to conform - given who her mother was, that would have been almost genetically impossible. On the other hand, she didn’t want to stick out like the proverbial sore thumb either.

She exited the quad and crossed the street to Harwood Court, the dorm where she had lived for the last four years. She greeted the student at the desk and ducked around the corner to the pay phone. She found her change purse in the backpack and emptied it onto the counter underneath the phone and pushed quarters into the coin slot.

Again, the answering machine picked up.

Hi Gran. Sorry I didn’t call earlier, but I had class and then my first physics tutorial. My advisor recommended it since I had no high school physics. It’s two o’clock here, so it must be five there. I guess you’re playing canasta at Fennette’s this week. I’ll try you again in a little while. I love you! Bye!

Gran? Gran are you there? Please pick up Gran. This is the third time -

Hello?

Who is this?

Who am I speaking to?

My name is Maxine Shelton. I’m trying to reach my grandmother, Kathleen Doyle. Who the hell are you, and where is my grandmother?

Miss Shelton, this is Officer Ken Grayson with the New York City police. I’m sorry to tell you that your Grandmother seems to have had a stroke. I’m here with the paramedics and they are preparing to transport your grandmother to Lenox Hill Hospital. Could you possibly meet us there?

What? Wait a minute! I don’t understand. How did you know about this?

A neighbor, a Mrs. Ginny Gordon, became concerned when your grandmother failed to meet her for coffee around four o’clock. She called the police. Mrs. Gordon has a key to your grandmother’s apartment and she let us in when we arrived. She said your grandmother had complained of feeling poorly when they spoke this morning. Obviously you’ve been out of touch. There was a slight accusatory tone to the comment. Maxi bristled.

I’m surprised Ginny didn’t tell you that I’m finishing my senior year at Pomona College in California, but before that I lived full time with my grandmother. When did she have the stroke?

We wish we knew. It would help with her treatment. When was the last time you spoke to Mrs. Doyle?

I’ve been leaving her messages all day. She hasn’t picked up. The last time I actually spoke to her was two days ago, right before I left.

Wait a minute - you said you’ve been leaving her messages?

Yes, why?

What time did you leave the last message?

About an hour ago. What difference does it make?

There were no messages on her answering machine. That means she must have listened to them and erased them before she had the stroke. That means she had the stroke sometime within the last hour or so. Carolina - the stroke happened within the last hour to an hour and a half.

Have you called my mother?

We’ve been trying. We found her number on an old emergency notification card in your grandmother’s purse, but we got no answer at her home. Do you have any idea where she is?

Last I heard, she was in Paris. She’s a high powered attorney. I’ll call her firm and I’m sure they can tell me where she is. I’ll make sure she knows what’s going on.

Are there any other children?

My Aunt Rose, but she got married and moved to England with her husband. I can call her, too.

Please deposit two dollars and twenty-five cents for the next five minutes.

Oh great - hold on a second. Nine quarters clinked through.

I assume that your mother should make all decisions concerning your Grandmother’s health care.

Actually, no. If you look in the left hand drawer of the desk in the living room, you’ll find a folder. It has her will and a bunch of other papers in it. You’ll find a durable power of attorney that says if she can’t make decisions about her care, then I should make the decisions for her. It’s a legal document. Her lawyer drew it up and it’s signed and witnessed.

Really? That’s a bit unusual.

Yeah, well, so is my mother. And for that matter, so is Gran. They’ve never gotten along particularly well.

I understand. But if you are in California, you obviously can’t meet us at the hospital

"I’ll take the next flight I can and be there in the morning. Could I speak to the paramedic, please?

Carolina - can you talk to this lady please?

Hello?

Who am I speaking with?

Mam, drawled a voice, this is Paramedic Carl Wilroy, but ev’body calls me Carolina. Who am I speakin’ with?

This is Maxine Shelton. I’m Mrs. Doyle’s granddaughter. Can you please give me an update on her condition?

She’s stable at the moment, but not conscious.

Then how can you be sure she’s had a stroke?

Well now, the left side of her face is droopin’ and she occasionally moans in pain. Mam, we really need to get her to the hospital. Do you know if she was taking any medications or if she had any allergies to medicines?

"Everything is in her health folder. Have they found it?"

Kenny, we got a health folder? - Yes, mam, we have it. Thank you.

I’ll be there in the morning. Take care of her for me, Carolina.

We have a first class stroke unit waitin’. She’s in excellent hands.

After making the call to her Aunt Rose, Maxi made the other call which she was dreading. Her mother’s New York office had given her four possible numbers and of course it had been the last one she tried.

Mom - God you’re hard to find.

What’s wrong?

Gran - she’s had a stroke. They’re taking her to Lenox Hill. I’ll get the next flight I can.

Well typical - your grandmother could not have worse timing.

Maxi gritted her teeth.

Can you come?

Of course, I’ll come. I’m sure there are important decisions to be made.

Mom, you know Gran wants me to make them.

We’ll see about that, young lady. Call my office in the morning. Miss Brown will have my travel arrangements. I’ll bring Rose.

Click.

Mom? Mom are you there?

Dial tone.

After notifying her advisor and professors she would be missing class for the foreseeable future and filling her suite mates in on her situation, Maxi took a cab to the airport in Ontario, California. When she arrived it was a little after six-thirty in the evening and the airport was crowded. Her backpack, stuffed with the essentials she would need, was slung over her shoulder. Luckily she had plenty of clothes at Gran’s apartment in New York.

There was a short line at the small commuter airline that would have connecting flights to Los Angeles Airport, and in a few minutes, Maxi had reached the counter.

I need the next flight to LA and a connection to Kennedy, please. Can you ticket me for both or do I have to go to another counter?

No, I can help you with both flights. Let me take a look at availability. The clerk tapped at her keyboard. OK - we can put you on our seven-ten LAX connector and let’s see- … tap, tap, tap … American has a flight at eight-forty - … tap, tap, tap … They’re showing a full load right now, but I can put you on standby. The next flight leaves at- … tap, tap, tap … ten forty-five.

Okay. That’s only two hours later.

No, I’m sorry. The flight is ten forty-five tomorrow morning.

No, no - that won’t work. She might die before then! gasped Maxi.

I’m sorry? Who might die?

My Gran - she’s had a stroke - she’s bad. Please, can you help me?

Hang on, … tap, tap, tap … I can book you on a United flight to La Guardia. It leaves at midnight.

I’ll take it - but can you put me on standby for the American flight, too?

I’ll have to charge you for both tickets.

Fine. Maxi handed her the credit card her mother had given her for emergencies. This was surely an emergency.

Tap, tap, tap … A printer spit out tickets and a boarding pass.

OK, I have you booked on CommutAir flight sixty-four to LAX leaving from Gate Ten B at seven thirty-five, arriving LAX at eight-oh-five. Then, standby on American Flight seven-oh-two to Kennedy leaving at nine-forty, arriving at six-eighteen AM Eastern time. You’ll have to check in at the American counter and if they don’t have a seat for you on that flight, they’ll issue a refund. You’ll have plenty of time before the United flight. That’s this ticket - United Flight fifteen-forty-six, departing LAX for La Guardia at midnight, arriving La Guardia at eight-thirty AM Eastern time. If you make the American flight, they can cancel the United ticket for you. Now you’d better hurry. They should be boarding your LA flight right now.

Thank you, cried Maxi. Thank you so much.

You’re welcome. I hope your grandmother will be okay.

Thanks. Me, too.

Maxi walked quickly away, checking the overhead monitors and directional signs. The departure gate for her flight to Los Angeles was all the way at the other end of the small terminal and she picked up her pace as she heard the announcement.

This is the final boarding call for CommutAir Flight sixty-four departing for Los Angeles. All passengers should now be on board.

Excuse me. Excuse me, please! That’s my flight they’re calling.

Watch where you’re going, lady!

Sorry. I’m sorry.

CommutAir flight sixty-four paging passenger Maxine Shelton. Passenger Maxine Shelton please report to gate Ten B. Your flight is ready for departure.

I’m here! I’m here! I’m Maxi Shelton! she cried as she ran to the check-in desk at gate Ten B.

You called this a little close, Miss Shelton.

I’m sorry. It couldn’t be helped.

Okay. Well, you’d better hurry and board. They’re about to close it up.

Maxi ran through the door onto the tarmac and across to the small commuter jet, its engines revving loudly. She ran up the steps and into the cabin. A flight attendant motioned for Maxi to wait as she spoke into the intercom.

Okay, folks, our missing passenger has arrived. As soon as she’s seated, we’ll be underway. She turned to Maxi. You’re the last seat on the left. Please hurry and be sure to fasten your seatbelt.

Maxi scurried down the aisle.

About time, sweetheart.

Nothing like keeping an entire plane waiting.

I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.

You should be! So thoughtless.

Hey, leave her alone. Can’t you tell she’s upset?

She’s upset. Hah!

Maxi thought she now knew how it felt to make a perp walk! She reached the end of the aisle where another attendant met her.

Hi. Welcome aboard. This is your seat. Would you like me to put your knapsack in the overhead?

No thanks. I’ll keep it with me.

Okay. You’ll need to stow it underneath the seat in front of you. Have a seat and buckle up.

As soon as she settled into her seat and fastened her seatbelt, the door swung closed and the attendant began her pre-flight spiel.

Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen. Welcome aboard CommutAir Flight sixty-four to Los Angeles International Airport. In preparation for take-off, please make sure your seat is in the upright position, your seat belt is fastened, and your tray table is up and in the locked position.

Only partially listening to the instructions, Maxi took a deep breath and looked out the window until she heard, In the event we need to make a water evacuation … Maxi closed her eyes and saw Gran’s face.

Maxi, we’re going to be on this plane for seven hours over the Atlantic Ocean. I think you need to understand how to use the oxygen and how to use your seat cushion as a flotation device.

Gran, if this plane goes down, we’re not going to need a flotation device. We’re going to need a mortician.

What a pleasant thought. Are you sure you’re really sixteen years old? Gran chuckled.

I’m sure.’Cause my Gran is taking me to Europe for my sixteenth birthday.

Is she? Well, she must be one hot Grandma.

Oh you know it!

Welcome to La Guardia. The time is eight thirty-six. Please remain seated with your seatbelt fastened until the Captain has brought the aircraft to a complete stop at the terminal.

Maxi rubbed the tiredness out of her eyes. She had dozed fitfully a couple of times on the flight to New York, but for the most part, it had been a sleepless night. She waited impatiently in the aisle for the passengers ahead of her to collect their belongings and exit the plane.

Thankful she had no luggage, she headed directly for the taxi line. She needed to call her mother’s office, but she didn’t want to lose her place in the long line of travelers waiting for a cab.

Excuse me - I wonder if you could do me a favor? she asked the man behind her

Oh brother!

Could you hold my place in line while I make a phone call? I’ll just be right over there on that pay phone.

What do I look like honey, a bookmark?

Please? I’m trying to get to my grandmother in the hospital and I need to talk to my Mom’s office. I’ll only be a few minutes.

Oh, all right. But if it’s your turn and you’re not here, I’m not waiting.

Deal. Thanks.

Maxi ran to the payphone and fed quarters into it, then dialed the number.

Shelton and Bonniwell, Attorneys at Law, the receptionist answered. How may I direct your call?

Hi. This is Maxi Shelton. I need to speak to my Mom’s secretary, Miss Brown, please.

Thank you. I’ll connect you. One moment please.

"Thanks … Come on, come on. Please pick up -

Mrs. Shelton’s office.

Miss Brown? Oh thank goodness. Have you got Mom’s flight info?

"Hey Lady -