All About Stephen Odzer

Stephen Odzer could not look at his mother today. She just seemed so frail. He didn’t want to give it away to her that he had noticed. He remembered clearly the day that he had walked into his home to find both parents holding each other and weeping. He found out about his mom’s cancer that day. Somehow, he had in his mind that she would not be with them the following Christmas or on his next birthday, but she was. Miraculously, she had been with them for five years, but today she seemed to be slipping away. Stephen Odzer felt his father’s arm around his shoulders, and he knew it was a hug of comfort and grief. He didn’t know how his dad was ever going to get over this. Carl Odzer was not an emotional man. He held it all in, and he let out his emotion in his work. Today, he was having a hard time doing that. Stephen pulled away from his father and headed up to his room. He could hear the familiar church bells playing in the distance. His mom had always loved the church bells. She would sing the old hymns that they would play at the same times every day. They still played. The light from the window awoke Stephen. He realized he probably had missed the bus, but he didn’t care. He felt an emptiness that he could not put his finger on. There was none of the normal, morning sounds coming from the kitchen. His mother had not made breakfast for several weeks, but usually there was the sound of the coffee pot, because his father could not start the day without it. He did not hear that this morning. His heart sank, and he could not bring himself to go all the way down the stairs. Instead, he chose to sit on the fifth step. It was a step that was well worn from him sitting at night listening to his parents. He loved to listen to them when they didn’t know he was around. They truly did love each other. A knock at the door shook Stephen Odzer from his memories. He hurried to answer it. “Stephen! It’s so nice to see you. How are you?” His Aunt Kathy’s voice seemed even more high-pitched than normal. He could hardly speak. “I’m fine, but…” His voice trailed off as he looked toward the living room. The French doors were closed. “What is it honey?” Her voice was filled with concern and confusion. “I’m afraid to go in.” She took his arm and they walked. The French doors that were rarely closed squeaked with the turn of the knob and opening on the hinges. The site before them was one of love. The hospital bed held them both. The life had left them both, but they had gone together in love. Stephen Odzer could not stop the tears. They just came. When was the last time he had cried at all? He could not even remember, but today nothing was stopping it. The funeral was simple. The memories were all sweet that were shared. It had all ended in a way that he had never expected. It seemed he, Stephen Odzer, was truly alone now. He had always figured that he would be with his father when his mom passed away. Now he had no idea. “Stephen? I’m going to stay here with you for now. Will that be okay?” It was Aunt Kathy. Her voice sounded much calmer now. The pitch was normal. He was going to make it.