The Big Bad Dad "Down Unda"
Friday, January 27, 2006
The night before, Collette’s top right wisdom tooth has just popped a corner through the gum. And Dad called early that morning to check up on the case of her wisdom teeth (to check out the surgeon, the medication, the shots, etc. – surgery was no joke, to be sure, no matter what type. But Collette hoped there would be no complications). He was such a good Daddy, as Carrie would say. And Collette told him to “fly safe” on his way over the deep blue.
The day was so quiet and slow at work that morning, that Collette had only forty-five minutes worth left of tasks by 11:15. The phones were still not working (only the fax), and so she tried to keep herself awake the rest of the afternoon following lunch.
Thursday night, OLeif, Collette, and Shakespeare had dined at the illustrious Simple Simon’s Pizza, accompanied briefly by a mom and her four kids (one of whom screamed bloody murder intermittently). Afterwards, they drove back to the apartment for an American episode of “The Office,” while OLeif fiddled with his new toy PSP – a gift from work.
In other news, Bob and Madge Wheels had dropped by the church office for Bob to cut a check, and while Collette took care of the bulletin, she and Madge discussed things. Madge related to her how that when she was nineteen, right before she was married, the doctors had diagnosed her with melanoma. Going into surgery, they had given her six months. And then they found out that the cells were only pre-cancerous.
“And twenty-eight years later, she’s just fine,” Bob said, smiling, as he helped her on with her coat.
Amazing the stories one heard. Collette wondered what such an experience would be like, the surge of relief…
Madge also told her of how Linnea had told her at her piano lesson that she was praying that the Wheels’ house wouldn’t be sold. She loved coming out there to the lake.
“How much does it cost?” She asked Madge, seriously. “Because I would like to buy it.”
When Madge explained that it would probably cost more than what she had in her piggy bank, Linnea responded:
“Well, then Frances and I could buy it together.”
And Judah had left Wednesday for Australia once again – another year in the Outback (or rather, the Sydney Opera House, more like.) And now, according to Carrie-Bri, “The Big Bad Dad” would join him and the Moss’ for a week of tense meetings, yellow sunshine and blue waters, bright shells, and warm beaches, “Down Unda.”
Once Collette’s childhood dream and hopeful prayer – that she might be dealt with as Elijah:
“And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.” – II Kings 2:11