The Haunted Hideout Read online

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  It was Saturday almost before they turned around twice but Johnny and Chrissy made sure they were at the hospital before time for Bruce and Janet to get there.-Their plane was due in about noon and Johnny and Chrissy were at the hospital by eleven.-They hadn’t told Lydia that her daughter and son-in-law from Ireland were coming.-They were concerned that she would worry and she didn’t need that.-They talked to her doctor and asked if they should make any preparations for their appearance at the hospital and if he thought that the surprise could be harmful to Lydia.

  “I think she will be fine for it to be a surprise and I agree if she knew it very far in advance, she probably would worry and think she was being a big problem, etc.-I think their visit will be very good for her.”-And he was right.

  “Grandmother, there’re some people outside to see you, if you feel up to a visit.”

  “Sure, I’ll be glad to see anybody who cares to come by a few minutes.”

  “Well, what if it’s more than a few minutes, Mama?”-Janet came in followed by Bruce.-Janet looked good for forty-six.-She was a little plump but her blue eyes seemed always to be shining and Bruce loved her full, curvy figure.-The first time Chrissy had met Janet, her first thought had been, Well, there’s no more need to wonder where Johnny got his dimples.--

  “Oh, my mind or my eyes or my senses or something must be playing tricks on me.-Is it really you, Janet Lea?-And Bruce, you came, too?-Oh, my!-This is the most wonderful surprise!”-Lydia looked accusingly and amusedly at Johnny and Chrissy.-“You knew about this, didn’t you?-I should have you horse-whipped—both of you!-Oh, come here and give your poor old Mama a hug and kiss.-I’m so glad to see you!”

  “Now, if that’s not a hoot and a half.-You she wants to hug and kiss and I’m to be horse-whipped—all because of the same visit.”-Johnny pouted good-naturedly.

  Dr. Jennings came in a few minutes later and spoke to Lydia’s daughter about her condition.-“Since she has someone to stay with her, I think we can parole Mrs. Thorne into your custody probably on Monday if there are no symptomatic recurrences.-Would that suit you, Mrs. Thorne?”

  “Today would suit me better, but I’ll settle for Monday if I must.-But—but how long can you stay, Bruce?”

  “As long as we need to, Mom.-We are officially on vacation until we decide to go back.”-Bruce was being charming.-He had the Irish good looks with his auburn hair and Janet said he could charm a bird out of a tree if he put his mind to it.-Janet didn’t think he looked a day older at forty-nine than he had at twenty-one when she first fell head over heels in love with him and his Irish brogue.-

  “See, I told you it might be more than a few minutes, Mama.”-Janet hadn’t stopped worrying entirely but she was a lot less concerned since she’d seen her mother.

  “Oh, that’s so wonderful, Baby Girl.-I love you both!-Oh, and I love you two, too, before Johnny starts pouting again.”-Everyone laughed along with Lydia.-Her chuckle was a little weak but it was there.-And it was good to hear.