Transitions by Mike Hormek - HTML preview

Chapter 2

Josh continued to lead the point earnings on the WSL and was in line to win another major championship. It was just a matter of time before life got in the way. But one day, he got an unexpected call from his mother.

"Your dad has been diagnosed with colon cancer," she revealed.

"How bad is it?" he asked.

After a moment of silence, he heard his mother crying.

"It is aggressive and has spread. It is not operable."

His father, Bill, had been supportive and proud of Josh for his surfing accomplishments. Josh was at his bedside.

"Son, you have achieved greatness in a sport that has not received the recognition it deserves. I hope you continue surfing and win another world championship! Someday, it may even be an Olympic sport. I am proud to have been a part of it."

Bill died. Josh was an only child. Not many came to the funeral. Josh was not in the mood to deal with anyone, so it was OK. He was now in a dark place. The divorce was nearly final, and he was looking for an apartment. His friend Jim was not doing well.

Jim was on a transplant list for some time, but when his name came up, he had an infection and had to relinquish for the next name on the list. Elsie was doing an excellent job at home as a caregiver despite his weakening condition. His respiratory issues became worse.

Hope was diminishing for a new heart. Josh was careful not to burden Jim with his problems.

Josh visited and offered assistance to Elsie whenever he could. She truly loved Jim and was heartbroken over the circumstances. On a visit, he asked if he could talk outside Jim's presence. They met outside the front door.

“He is not doing well, is he?" Josh asked.

“I don’t think he has much time left. Infections have made it impossible to get a heart.” Elsie answered.

“Is there anything I can do?”

”Pray.”

Jim died before he could get a transplant.

Josh helped Elsie through her grief. Both were in a difficult place and leaned on each other for support. The time they spent together was valuable. It was a foundation from which they could move forward and the beginning of a romantic relationship. They were of the same religion and had similar interests. Elsie attended several of Josh's surfing events, and Josh hoped she would consider him more than just a friend.

Sometimes, a divorce can be as hard to get over as the death of a loved one, especially if you loved your mate. Women have to take more time to grieve and recover from a husband's death. That recovery time can be disastrous to a woman's future if she is older and time runs out before she knows it. It seemed Elsie was taking too long to grieve. Josh was ready to move on. A year went by. They

27

spent time together. Josh was confused. Where did he stand with her? Over a quiet dinner, Josh asked the hard questions.

"Elsie, you know Jim was a good friend. I know he would want us both to be happy, do you not agree?"

"Yes," she said.

"Will you marry again? I have always cared for you and figured you wanted children."

There was a long pause: "I did want children, but Jim thought it was not a good idea with his health."

Josh managed. "If I were to ask, would you consider marriage?"

She responded slowly: "I'm sorry, Josh, but I am not ready. What happened between you and Rachel?"

Josh had to think. "Make sure you say the right thing," he thought. "Well, I wanted children, and I don't think she did because, after two miscarriages, the doc said she should quit diving, but it continued, almost like she wanted the miscarriages.

"She added."I'm sorry, Josh. I like you, so don't give up on me."

Josh continued to hone his surfing talents. Elsie continued to heal from her loss. With her friendship, he won surfing tournaments worldwide, and she agreed to marry him two full years after Jim passed.

Nine months later, he returned from an international tournament when she broke the news.

"I'm pregnant."

Josh was so excited he had to sit down and catch his breath.

"How far along?" he asked.

"Around six weeks, but there is something else."

"What is it?"

"You better sit down. You have twins, but we don't know their sex."

"I don't know what to say, "Josh said. "Let's find out when they come out."

"Oh, I like that!"

Josh was glad he did not have to worry about the complications that Rachel had with the pregnancy. Elsie stayed home preparing for the twins and took classes on childbirth. Having a first child is challenging enough, but with two, she needed help-double everything. She read books on childbirth and care.

Josh was great. The Taurus in him was evident as he pampered her and placed her on a pedestal.

"I know you love me, but I can do some things for myself."

"I'm a Taurus, that's what we do."

The pregnancy went without complications. Josh made sure he was in town when the time was near. They were watching television at 2:00 pm on a Friday, and she excused herself, waddling to the bathroom. He heard her call.

"My water broke, Josh. Let's go. I have packed my bags!"

She had a long labor period, and there was much pain, as it lasted over 24 hours. Josh was exhausted for lack of sleep. He had a cot in Elsie's room, but it was so small that his legs rested on the floor. He complained to himself.

28

"I should have slept on the floor."

The attending physician entered.

"I recommend a C-Section because of stalled labor. I think it would be the best course for Elsie."

"What are the cons?" Josh asked.

"She is more likely to need a repeat cesarean delivery with future pregnancies. There is a higher risk of complications and a longer hospital stay, say, five days. There is also a longer recovery period."

"What are potential complications? Elsie asked.

"Blood loss or clots, allergic reaction to anesthesia, infections, and organ damage."

"Let's do it," Elsie relented.

The surgery went well. Josh recovered some sleep, but he looked like shit. He figured he could not remember when he bathed last and probably smelled. He was lying on Elsie's bed when the nurse called him.

"You have twin boys!"

"Wow, surfboards, here we come!" he thought.

The doctor was right; it was a long recovery. She had some infections that required two hospital stays. Josh was a good father. He envisioned spending the day at the beach with the twin's first surfboards. They named the boys Adam and Amos. They were identical, except Adam had a mole on his back. Amos cried more. Adam cried less and seemed more attentive, but overall, they were similar.

At times, Josh had to roll them over to tell the difference. They came home to a great environment.

They had loving parents and a prepared room. They grew like weeds.

Josh gave the twins their first foam surfboard when they were seven. He continued to practice and win events to claim another national championship. When the twins were seven, he was ranked number two on the WSL leaderboard. Things were going well, but he was concerned about the twins.

Adam was aggressive and could not wait to get in the water. Amos couldn't care less; he was studious and would rather be in the library.

"How could this be?"Josh thought. "They have the same genetics."

Josh had visions that they both would grow up to be champion surfers. One night after dinner, they were lying in bed, and he and Elsie were talking.

"Are you taking the twins out to the beach tomorrow?" she asked.

"Yes."

"I sense something is wrong."I don't think Amos is into surfing. I hate it because they can support each other," he explained. "I remember you telling me you were like that when you were that age. Your father did not abandon you."

"I know, but once I got into it, I developed a passion, and you have to have a passion for surfing to become a champion, or else it's just a hobby."

"You can't love Amos any less should he decide not to surf and does not meet your expectations."

Elsie got out of bed.

"I will be right back."

She returned with a Bible.

29

"In Luke 15:11-32 is the parable of the Prodigal Son. Do you know the story?"

"Not really," he admitted.

Elsie explained,

"A father had two sons. A younger son wanted his inheritance, so he took the money and left home. The older son stayed and worked and helped make a living. The younger son was gone a long time. His dad missed him. Then, he returned home after squandering the money. The dad gave him his best robe, a ring, and a great meal and celebrated his return. The older son took offense because he stayed and supported his father. He would not participate in the celebration. He told his father, 'You never gave me anything.'"

"The father replied, 'My son was lost, but now he is found.' Jesus teaches love and redemption, not harsh judgment."

"You are right," Josh said. "I cannot judge him because I have false expectations."

The next day was the first surfing day for the twins.

"Let me give you some tips." He explained. "First the surfboard..."

Sound familiar? What goes around comes around. Josh regurgitated each word that his father taught him about surfing. It became apparent Adam was a natural, taking after his father and grandfather. Amos, however, could not grasp the thrill, even after the persuasion of his eager twin brother.

Shortly after the twins' eighth birthday, it was a perfect surfing day in Santa Cruz. Seals were in the area, lounging as usual. Both twins had authentic surfboards. Adam was above average in his surfing skills. Amos could take it or leave it.

He could have been better but participated to satisfy his Dad and twin, as he did not like arguing. He flowed with the tide. Josh said Amos reminded him of his mother, while Adam reminded him of his father, Bill.

As usual, they had been catching waves all morning, Adam leading and Amos lagging. Josh, on a lawn chair on the beach, gave instructions. Josh noticed fish jumping and birds diving in the vicinity of the surfers. He saw the fins.

"Come in!" he yelled. "Shark!"

Adam appeared to hear him. Josh was worried about Amos because he was lagging. Adam paddled in. He looked back to Amos.

"Come on!" Adam yelled. "Shark!"

Amos appeared to hear him and began to paddle. Then, in a split second, he went under. Adam approached the beach when Josh hollered.

"Where is Amos?"

"I can't see him!" Adam replied.

Seconds later, Amos came to the surface, still clinging to the surfboard, its buoyancy bringing them up when the shark let go. A pool of blood surrounded him. The shark attacked, so Josh dove in and swam to retrieve him.

The shark likely mistook him for a seal, as the surfboard created a similar silhouette. Amos was not the shark's usual food, so he rejected him. Josh pulled Amos in, still clinging to the surfboard. His

30

hip bled profusely, and there was a significant bite from the surfboard. Josh pried his hands from the board. Amos went into shock. A crowd gathered. Adam wailed.

"Someone call 911!" Josh yelled. He removed his shirt and made a tourniquet. He tied it off above the wound as the bite was at the lower hip. The bleeding slowed, although it took an eternity before the helicopter arrived. Amos was still conscious but in shock when the helicopter transported him. Josh called Elsie.

"Meet me at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz. A shark injured Amos!"

"Oh my God! How is he?"

"Still alive. I have to go."

A doctor entered the waiting room.

"Hello, I am the attending physician. We gave your son transfusions. He has lost a lot of blood. He is in a coma. We do not know if he will make it. The next 24

hours will determine that. But you should know there have been severe cases of bacteria in the area, and sharks are a carrier. We have him on life support. It's too early to tell about any brain injury."

Elsie lost it. She fell to her knees and sobbed.

"Please, God, save my son!"

As time went by, there was no improvement in Amos's condition. The doctors notified the family that the probability existed that Amos had permanent brain damage and that they should consider taking him off life support. Josh, Elsie, and Adam sat down and discussed the issue. After a long and emotional dialog, it was decision time.

“If we take a vote, will you two agree with the verdict?" Josh asked Elsie and Adam.

They both nodded.

“What's your vote, sweetie?" Josh asked Elsie.

“No.”

“Adam?”

“Yes?”Adam offered.

“My vote is also yes," Josh added.

“Oh no, please no!” Elsie begged.”

“It's the best way," Josh said. "He would want his organs donated."

Adam cried. After he caught his breath, he asked, "How does that work?"

“We notify the organ banks, and when they find a recipient, they will let us know, and then the hospital will take him off life support."

Elsie and Adam agreed. It took a week for the organ bank to call.

“They have a recipient," Josh explained.

“Oh no, that means we have to let him go!" Elsie lamented.

“Yes, dear, that's what it means."

Elsie screamed and went into their bedroom. He could hear her sobbing as he entered.

“This is best for everyone,” Josh determined.

“I guess," said Elsie.

The next day, they met with the hospital representative overseeing organ donations and covered the details. The hospital removed Amos from life support, and the family made the funeral arrangements. Elsie and Adam took it hard. Josh was their strength.

31

32