Stephen - 22. Chapter22

“Life returned to normal, well as normal as it gets. With the use of the car I commute to my job, Nohr got a job teaching at our old school so he stayed home. Lukas was adopted, thanks to John, and he's doing well in school.

Our life became routine, chores in the morning, I go to work, Lukas goes to school along with Nohr. Evenings after chores, I cook and Lukas and Nohr do homework. After dinner we take a walk and check out how the renovations to the old farm house is coming along.

Life is odd, when everything seems to go well, something comes along that brings a sadness into your life. Nohr's grandmother took ill and has now joined her husband in heaven. Michael has assured me that they are happy. Even if it wasn't true, it was comforting, but I believe it was true. Nohr's parents came home, they didn't for his grandfather but did for his grandmother. It was the first time I met them. Aunty knew them from when they lived in the village. Of course they stayed with aunty and John.

I noticed Nohr, was glad to see them, but not as glad as I thought he would've been. When I mentioned that to him, he said they were really not part of his life, he was closer to his grandparents and he consider them to be his parents.

The church was packed, all of the villagers came and the tavern hosted a luncheon after the services. His grandmother was reunited with her husband in the church's grave site. Lukas and I waited till everyone left, I put my arm around Nohr, Lukas took his hand. "Michael said she is in heaven with her husband. They are happy and will look after you and our family. They don't want you to be sad but to be happy that they are together again."

I looked at the tears in Nohr's eyes, wiped them away with my fingers and gave his wet cheek a kiss, He was my love, his joy was mine and his pain was mine.”

“As we walked into the tavern, friends came and offer their condolences. I saw Jeppe leading the boys over and he had a drink in his hand for Nohr and myself. Aunty had a soda for Lukas.

"To grandmother" And we drank the drink. I sat at the table with aunty, John, Nohr, Lukas and Jeppe. Nohr's parents came and sat down across from us.

"I'm not sure if this is the proper time, but Nohr what are they going to do with the house?" I thought it wasn't the proper time.

"The house was sold before she joined grandfather. The condition of the sale was that she could live there till her end."

"What did she do with the money from the sale?"

"She used it to pay for my education and her living expenses.

There isn't any money left. For the last 2 years I was paying for her food and medicine. You can have her jewelry and any of her personal things. I already have her picture and grandfather’s."

We had another drink with the boys, and then we headed home. I still had chores to do and I didn't want to stay any longer. I knew that Nohr wanted to go.[

“That evening after chores and supper, we were sitting in the living room, Nohr had his head on my shoulder, softly crying, Lukas sat on my lap with his head on my chest. We just sat there, reliving memories, and the good times we all had together.

We were just getting ready to go to bed, when there was a knock on the door. I sent the guys upstairs to get ready for bed, while I answered the door. "Jeppe, what are you doing here this time of night."

"A few of us wanted to come, I don't know, it sounded like a good idea, grandmother was more than a villager. She helped us all in some way or other. You know you weren't the only one who ate her fish and chips."

I knew then, that these boys wanted to mourn their loss as well. "Come on in, Nohr is putting Lukas to bed, he'll be right down. You guys want something to drink or eat?"

"I think we drank enough tonight but something to eat would be nice.".

“They followed me onto the kitchen, I got out the eggs and prepares to make pancakes. I took out some bacon and ham and I started to cook that as well. Nohr came into the kitchen, and was greeted by the boys. As I started to fill plates, they started to eat and the conversation went something like this, "Do you remember the time you got all muddy and your grandfather wouldn't let you in the house. We got that old water hose and hosed you down and he still wouldn't let you in.You took all of your clothes off but the problem was your hair. The mud was caked in it and the hosing we done, we forgot about your hair."

For the next 4 hours, the boys kept remembering stories. We laughed at some and cried at some. But it was very cathartic for Nohr, he realized his grandparents were loved by a lot of people.