Introduction

Are there those among us who possess the power to heal? Are they hiding in plain sight? In Ken Levine’s fourth novel The Healers, readers are taken on a multi-generational journey that follows Frances Anderson and her granddaughter Glynnis as they come to terms with their extraordinary abilities and the impact they have on those around them. This rich and poignant saga tracks the Anderson clan from homesteads in Wyoming to the magical coast of Oregon as they navigate through some seventy years of familial strife, loss, heartache, and love.

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Excerpt

4

off track

(1993)

Lorraine had been so wrapped up in trying to find a new job that she had not spoken with her mother recently. When her mother begged out of their recurring lunch date for the third week in a row, she became suspicious. She knew Glynnis was always calling her grandmother, so when she walked in from a play date, Lorraine asked if she had learned anything in her recent conversations with Frances. Glynnis stared at her for a moment and then shared the awful truth. Her mother had breast cancer and was undergoing chemo. Lorraine could actually feel her whole body tense.

“But you were there last Saturday. What was she doing?”

“Throwing up mostly.”

“And what were you doing?”

“I made her tea.”

“And you didn’t think it might be something her daughter should know about?”

“Gram said she was going to tell you. I thought she did already. She was afraid you would get upset.”

“Well of course I would get upset. She’s my mother. Unbelievable.”

“She said you were doing so well and didn’t want you to start drinking again.”

“Secrets and more secrets. How long has she been receiving chemo ?”

“A few weeks.”

“Get in the car.”

“Now?”

“Yes, now.”

“I have homework.”

“You’re in second grade. Nobody cares. You can do it when we get home.”

“My teacher does.”

“Get in the car. Now.”

Glynnis stole a glance at her knapsack where her homework awaited her. She really wanted to take it with her but she was afraid her mother might blow up, so she left it leaning against the couch. Her mother drove faster than usual, and she was afraid they might cause an accident. When they arrived at Gram’s house she braked suddenly, and the car screeched to a stop and Glynnis was pushed forward against her seat belt. She could feel the belt dig into her ribs. Leaving her to fend for herself, her mother practically ran up the front steps taking two at a time and rang the bell repeatedly. It took her a few moments to answer the door, and she looked like she had barely slept. She was never a fashion plate, but she was disheveled and wearing an old house coat. When Lorraine saw her appearance, she slowed her breathing and reminded herself that her mother was now a cancer patient.

“Hi Lorraine. This is a surprise. Come in.”

Lorraine could see that her usually tidy mother had also let the house go to pot. Dishes were piled high in the kitchen and the surfaces were dirty.

“Sorry about the mess.”

“Mom.”

“What?”

“Stop the crap. I know you’re sick.”

Frances looked over at Glynnis, who was standing in the corner, and smiled. Glynnis shrugged her shoulders in response. She should have known her secret would not last very long with an eight-year-old, even a very unusual one.

“I am. And I’m sorry I haven’t said anything yet. I was hoping to make it through the first round of chemo which ends next week and then I was going to tell you. I was hoping for some good news.”

“Mom. I can’t believe you wouldn’t tell me this. Did you think an eight-year-old making you tea was going to be all the support you needed? Look at you. No offense but you’re a mess and this house looks like you’re living with college kids.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking. You’re just doing so well right now I didn’t want to get you off track.”

“Let me worry about getting off track. You need me now; don’t you get that?”

Frances started to tear up and Glynnis could see that she needed emotional, if not, physical support and ran over to her and gave her a hug. Frances patted her on the head. Lorraine rarely saw her mother get emotional and when she saw the nascent tears in her eyes she felt herself starting to tear up as well. Frances nodded in Lorraine’s direction and Lorraine nodded back. Lorraine then told Glynnis to find the vacuum while she attacked the mountain of dishes in the kitchen.

(1995)

Lorraine kept looking in the rear-view mirror at her mother. As a child she was always secretly so proud of how pretty she was. When she held her hand walking into town it was like sauntering around the kingdom with the Princess. Now, her fifty-five-year-old mother had been ravaged by over two years of chemo and radiation, and, if a stranger was asked to guess her age, they might say she was at least ten years older. Their destination was Billings, which was about a two-hour drive from Cody into Montana. Lorraine had read about an oncologist up there who was conducting an experimental treatment for late-stage breast cancer. His assistant wasn’t too keen on speaking with her after she gave her some information about her mother’s medical situation, but she begged for an appointment and the woman relented. Lorraine sent the doctor all of her mother’s medical records, which she stored on her computer. Exhausted from illness and treatment, her mother wasn’t particularly keen on going, but she told her that the trial had shown real promise in some patients and had lengthened their lives by as much as two years. Her mother told her that she had already done so much for her and that she could give up now. Lorraine ignored her and told her that they were going and that was that. Frances reluctantly agreed but told Lorraine that if she was allowed into the trial that this was her last treatment cycle. Lorraine hadn’t replied.

When Frances had found out that the trial was in Billings, she agreed to go more for the ride than anything else. They both knew that her time was running out, but her sweet Lorraine was still a long way from coming to terms with it. Her Grandma Millie once said that Wyoming was “a continent in miniature” with its mountains and prairies and farms and mines all mixed together. The drive to Billings was one of her favorites and she once again marveled how the terrain morphed every few miles. She had hoped that she and Hollister would take long drives across the state stopping when the spirit moved them. They might have camped out in the mountains and canoed in the rivers. They could have kissed him under brilliant starry skies so chock full of stars you could barely see the darkness of space.

She could see Lorraine checking to see if she was using the oxygen her oncologist had prescribed since her lungs were damaged, perhaps irreparably from the chemo. She had to admit that she had been wrong about Lorraine. She didn’t think Lorraine possessed the fortitude to take care of her and shepherd her through this horrendous ordeal, but from day one she had assumed control of her treatment and catered to her needs. She knew more about her cancer and her medical treatments than she did and if it hadn’t been for her advocacy, she might not have made it this far.

Lorraine couldn’t believe they had built a medical building on the top of a hill. What were they thinking? She was able to get her into the wheelchair but pushing her up the hill was no mean feat. By the time they made it to the office Lorraine was gasping for breath. It briefly crossed her mind that the physician might presume she was the patient. She checked in with the nurse who commiserated with her about the uphill climb referencing Sisyphus and was told the doctor would be with them in a few minutes.

Everything about the office seemed modern which represented a pleasant change from the dowdy offices of their doctor in Cody. Her mother was nodding off when the doctor, a very energetic woman who might not have been forty, popped out of a door to greet them. Lorraine woke her mother and wheeled her into the inner office. A large saltwater fish tank commanded one wall. Lorraine had always wanted one of those as a child but was told they were too expensive. Lorraine thought the doctor, who barely stood five feet, appeared to be of both Asian and Caucasian descent.

“Mrs. Anderson, I’m Dr. Sanders. How are you today?”

“I’ve been better.” Frances replied, coaxing a smile despite her oxygen nose clip.

“I’m sure.”

“I’m her daughter Lorraine. I spoke with your assistant.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“Look, I don’t want to keep you both too long. I’ve reviewed your records Mrs. Anderson and your numbers are just not…they’re not in line with the parameters of the trial. We wouldn’t be able to admit you into the trial. I’m sorry you’ve come all this way.”

“My mother is a strong lady, Dr. Sanders. She has survived multiple rounds of chemo. Certainly, you could have her try this treatment. I’ve read it could prolong her life by two years.”

“Lorraine.”

“Mom. Just let me talk.”

“Lorraine, can I use your first name?”

“Sure”

“All of the chemo has virtually destroyed your mother’s immune system, and we have strict standards ---”

“So, no one dies too quickly, right? That would make you look bad.”

“I know how hard this is and I’m not going to sit here and tell you that life is always fair but we have study protocols we are required to follow.”

“Lorraine, let it go.” Frances insisted.

Lorraine knew what she really meant. Let me go, Lorraine. Let me go. She looked into her mother’s exhausted and pleading eyes and turned to the doctor.

“I understand, doctor. I get it. Thanks for your time.”

“If there is anything I can help you with please call.”

“Sure.”

“Thank you, Doctor.” Frances said warmly.

The doctor came around from behind her desk and kneeled down in front of Frances and said quietly: “I’m sorry I couldn’t help you.” Frances shook her hand and Lorraine got up and wheeled Frances out of the office. Going down the hill with Frances’s wheelchair was almost as treacherous as it was going up. Lorraine was practically running with the wheelchair and Frances started laughing as they careened down the hill. By the time they reached the car it took every ounce of Lorraine’s strength to prevent the wheelchair from banging into the car. Frances’s laughter was contagious, and Lorraine started laughing too as she steadied herself.

“That was fun. Can we do that again?”

“Hah. No thanks.”

“That was a waste of time.”

“The appointment?”

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“For disappointing you.”

“You didn’t disappoint me. On the contrary, I loved the drive.”

“The drive?”

“Wyoming is something, isn’t it?”

“We weren’t on a sightseeing trip, mother.”

“It was for me. I’m looking forward to the trip back. Maybe we’ll see a spectacular sunset.”

“So, this was just to humor me?”

“I know you want to find a needle in a haystack, and I love you for it.”

“So, that’s it?”

“That’s it, honey.”

Lorraine didn’t reply but she helped her out of the chair and into the back seat. Frances was concerned because Lorraine didn’t say anything for nearly an hour. She was afraid Lorraine would bottle up her emotions and drink to quash them. As the sun began to set in the West, Frances decided she wanted Lorraine to stop the car.

“Here? There’s nothing here for miles.”

“Sure, there is. Look at those mountains in the distance. Just wait.”

Lorraine dutifully stopped the car and helped Frances out leaving behind the wheelchair and oxygen. She wanted to breathe in the late summer air that smelled of verbena flowers and feel the ground beneath her feet. They walked to the edge of the prairie and waited for the sun to exert its magic. A pickup truck happened by and stopped and asked them if they needed help. They thanked him and told him they were fine. Finally, the sun began its descent toward the distant mountains and Frances watched as it appeared to sit atop the highest peak. She turned to look at Lorraine who had tears streaming down her face. Frances put her hand in Lorraine’s, and they watched the sun as it drifted below the peaks. Lorraine would never again ask her mother if she needed treatment, but she would remember that sunset whenever she wanted to feel close to her. view abbreviated excerpt only...

Discussion Questions

From the author:

1. How have the healing powers affected the lives of the characters? Positively? Negatively? 

2. How would you utilize the power to heal if you possessed it?
 
3. Do you think Lorraine should have been told by her mother that she had healing powers? 

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