Chapter 60: Healing the Body and the Heart

"Okay, come in!" David called out. JK pushed Diana into the sitting room, where their voice sounded from.

"Surprise!" her brothers shouted. The sitting room looked different. They had moved the couches to the walls. They had hung simple string lights across the ceiling to look like stars, and the coffee table was loaded with board games.

Diana smiled brightly and Clancy helped her get off the wheelchair and into the adjustable couch close to the board games.

***

Clancy spent almost every day in Selen’s home, hanging out with the kids. They usually hung out in the backyard right after school, turning the grass into their main playground.

On any given afternoon, they would play quick soccer matches where the rules changed constantly, or just lie down and look at the clouds.

Selen’s house had quickly become a comfortable spot for Clancy, filled with the loud, messy noise of the kids and the normal routine of a busy home.

He had become a regular part of their day, a steady adult who knew how to keep things safe while still letting them have fun. He was being a dad to them and every day, when he would leave. He left with the joy of the day spent, and hopefulness of the day ahead.

Those quiet afternoons were a huge relief after the stressful months they had all been through. Diana was slowly healing now, working her way back to full strength during the second phase of her recovery.

The hardest days of hospital isolation and heavy treatments were over. Now, she was in the stage where her body was building a new immune system. She still had check ups, a very clean environment, stuck to a strict medication schedule, and had to wear a protective mask outside, but being back home with her brothers was exactly what she needed.

"Hey, what’s going on with you guys lately?" Clancy asked them as they sat in the yard.

Selen watched them from the chair at the exit of the kitchen, totally unable to hear their conversation but she could see them clearly. She took a sip from her mug, watching them as she worked on her computer.

There was a lot of energy coming from the three siblings today. They were huddled together in a tight circle, whispering with wide eyes and pointing their fingers. Clancy sat flat on the grass right in front of them, looking amused and curious. Whatever they were planning, they were taking it very seriously.

"We want to get mummy a birthday present," Daniel said, speaking up without thinking. "Daniel, shh!" Diana and David said at the same time, cautioning their brother. Diana quickly put her hand over her mouth, while David reached over to nudge Daniel’s shoulder.

Both of them immediately looked back toward the kitchen porch, making sure their mother had not heard a word.

"What? You said that MOM should not find out. He is not mom," Daniel said defensively, crossing his arms. To a seven year old, the rule was simple- keep it a secret from Mom.

Clancy was not their Mom, so it did not count. "Oh, is it a secret?" Clancy asked them, lowering his voice to a whisper to match their tone. The three children nodded their heads in unison.

"Okay, if I promise to keep the secret, will you keep me in on it?" he asked them, leaning forward. He did not want them getting into things alone. He always wanted to make sure that they were safe. And the way to do that for him was to get involved with whatever they were planning.

Over the past few months, he had watched these kids handle a lot of stress, and he wanted to make sure he was always there to support them. Whether it was a basic problem or a secret project, Clancy wanted to help.

"We want to get mom a drawing of her. We have a photo we will copy," Diana said slowly, taking over the explanation now that the secret was out. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a slightly crumpled photograph. It was a normal photo of Selen laughing, looking happy and relaxed.

Clancy looked at the photo a bit longer than he was supposed to and just admired her beauty. He then nodded and smiled at the thoughtfulness that came with the present. He looked at the photo, then back at the kids.

She was an artist after all, she would appreciate art. Especially their art. Selen spent her nights painting pieces to sell to galleries, but Clancy knew that a drawing made by her own kids would mean much more to her than any expensive painting.

"Okay, what can I do to help?" He asked.

They looked at each other, trading looks to see who should speak. Finally, as though appointed as the spokesman for the group, David spoke.

"We need more art supplies," they said, lowering their voices again. David explained their main problem. They had used up all their good drawing paper, and their colored pencils were worn down to tiny pieces. "But if we ask Mum for new ones, she is going to ask why we need them so soon."

Clancy laughed quietly, understanding their dilemma. "I will take care of it," he said. "I will get you the proper supplies. Good sketching paper, real drawing pencils, and everything else you need." he said with assurance.

The kids looked incredibly relieved. Forgetting about keeping things quiet, they excitedly hugged him for helping them with their problem. They moved in all at once, giving him a big group hug.

Clancy laughed, wrapping his arms around them, making sure to keep his grip gentle around Diana ’s side because of her recovery.

Selen, who was still watching them, wondered what Clancy had done to make them so happy that they were all engulfing him in a group hug. It was not often that all three of her kids agreed on something so quickly, or showed that much affection at once.