Sometimes exhaustion can take you down and it isn’t due from any physical exertion that was expended. Raw emotions can do it. Dennis had an appointment in Mankato for an ultrasound as the final check of his carotid surgeries of the recent past. We got home at eleven and were taking our time with some leftover breakfast coffee. When the doorbell rang I looked out on the driveway, there was no vehicle. Dennis’ son Jeff was at the door. My heart sank.
Jeff is an alcoholic. I could tell by his eyes that he had been drinking. Jeff had not been here for several years. Dennis, myself and Jeff spent the next four hours in the patio porch. How he got to St. James from Fairmont is still a mystery. Conversation content is measured by skepticism of what may be truth and what is not. What was coming through was that Jeff wanted to see his dad for Father’s Day. It was not an easy visit as conversing with someone that has been drinking does not follow a rhyme or reason. Anyway . . . when Jeff asked his dad if he would take him back to Fairmont . . . I looked at Dennis and for the first time ever in looking at Dennis, I saw the 81-year-old man that he is. It broke my heart. Dennis is still Jeff’s dad and Jeff will always be Dennis’ son. I will breathe easy when the little red pickup drives up the driveway and Dennis is home. I can only imagine how weary this day has made him feel. I will welcome him home with open arms.