by Natalie Ann
On Tuesday, she visited Quentin for an hour. Fortunately, the parents had left for an important meeting with the insurance company agents. Liberated from his mother’s overwhelming presence and continuous supervision, her little patient chatted freely about his likes and dislikes, and vented about his parents’ suffocating overprotection and his schoolmates’ rudeness.
When she discovered he enjoyed music and had often wished he could play piano, she promised she’d do something about it. She also suggested he join a chatroom for boys his age, kids he’d interacted with online, without anyone physically bullying him. She promised to bring him a couple of links to try.
“If you don’t like them, drop them.”
“Can you send me the links tonight, please?” He was so eager to have friends, she promised she’d email him after work.
“And don’t tell my parents. I don’t want them to check the site for me as if I were a baby.”
“Understood.” She’d gained his trust and would be able to help him.
At home, she filled a bathtub with warm water and allowed Lizzie to enjoy a bubble bath with her bath toys around her.
At eight o’clock, when she and Lizzie were already in their pj’s, their hair still wet, her phone rang.
“Are you in bed?” Daniel asked.
“Almost. In my pj’s.”
“We’re at the door. In our pj’s too. Coming for our goodnight kiss.”
“Do your pj’s cover your whole body?”
He laughed. “Yes, for a change. I won’t offend any sensitive eyes.”
“Lizzie,” she called. “Noah and Uncle Daddy are here to say goodnight.” Meredith unlocked the front door and let them in.
“See, I’m very decent.” He opened his arms to reveal a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt. More decent than her printed shorts and top.
Noah followed his little friend to check on her kitten, and Daniel pulled Meredith into his arms. “Remember, you said I could come anytime for my goodnight kiss.”
He wrapped her in his arms and kissed her, his kisses scorching her with their heat, until she melted in his arms. “I love you, Meredith.” He kept his cheek pressed against hers.
“I love you, Daniel.”
He raised his head and caught her gaze. “Can we have our slumber party on Saturday?”
“We sure can.” They sure needed their slumber party.
Chapter Thirteen
Hector called Daniel around eight o’clock to let him know the ambulance had left Columbus with their patient and the movers had just arrived to pick up furniture and boxes. He’d be heading directly to the hospital.
“The appointment with Dr. Guertz is at eleven. Steve already talked to Meredith. She said she’ll meet him at the hospital to attend the meeting. Can you receive the movers when they arrive at the Cincinnati house and tell them where to put the stuff?”
“I sure will.” He wished Meredith had informed him of her decision to go to the hospital. At that very moment, his phone announced a call from Meredith. “I have to go.” He switched to his new call. “Hi, Meredith.”
“Hi. Steve called me a few minutes ago. He wants me present at his meeting with Dr. Guertz.”
“All right. Do you want me there?”
“No, but I’m worried about the children. Wednesday is the day I pick up Noah. The kids play together the whole afternoon. Can you pick them up at noon, feed them lunch somewhere, and keep them with you until I return home, maybe between twelve and one?”
“Don’t worry about them. See you later.”
Today promised to be a busy day. He dropped Noah at school, went straight to court for a hearing, and managed to pick up Noah and Lizzie at twelve.
“Burgers or chicken nuggets?”
“Chicken nuggets,” they both answered.
He stopped at a fast-food place, ordered their favorite meals, and watched them eat. He hadn’t heard from Meredith. On the spur of the moment, he snapped a picture of the children eating and laughing and sent it to her in a text. She texted back with a smiley emoji, and he understood they were still in the meeting. After lunch, he brought the children to his house and let them play while he worked in his office.
By two o’clock, she called. “I’m leaving now. Steve has been admitted. He’ll stay overnight for observation, and tomorrow the doctor will run a multitude of tests to determine if he can go through surgery.”
A few minutes later, Hector called. “The movers have emptied the house. They’re driving here. I gave them the new address and your phone number. They’ll call you as they enter the neighborhood. Can you meet them at the house and open the door for them? I don’t think I will leave Steve tonight.”
“Do what you have to do, Hector. I’ll call you when the movers arrive and when they’re done.”
Daniel checked on the children, who were playing with Noah’s toys in the backyard. Guessing Meredith would be tired and concerned about Steve, he brewed a new pot of coffee and called to order Chinese food for him and Meredith.
“Sit down and relax,” he said when she arrived. “The children are playing outside. Help yourself, and tell me about Steve and your visit with the doctor.” He poured a cup of coffee for her, and she slipped off her pantsuit jacket.
“Thank you, Daniel.” She took a long sip of her coffee. “I guess it was a good meeting. I like the doctor. He explained things in detail. He’s very thorough and proceeding carefully. Tonight they’ll do blood tests, an MRI, and electrocardiograms. Tomorrow, they’ll run more specific tests. If Dr. Guertz is satisfied with the results of the tests, he’ll schedule the surgery for next Tuesday and use the next three days to fortify Steve and monitor him.”
Daniel had been listening to her report, all the while thinking about the tremendous responsibility she’d assumed. “What type of surgery?”
“Ablation of a good part of the liver. Then he’ll decide if Steve needs more chemo.”
“And what are his chances of survival?”
“The doctor is quite optimistic. He said that if he can reach the point of doing the surgery, he’d give him a seventy percent chance of recovery, unless he runs into unforeseen complications.”
“That’s what they always say.”
She finished her food and poured herself another cup of coffee. “Steve wants to see Lizzie tonight.”
Startled, Daniel snapped, “Are you serious? It’s already three. The movers should arrive any time now. By the time they finish putting the stuff in place, it’ll be too late for the children to—”
“It’s okay, Daniel. I promised I’ll bring her every day until the surgery.”
“Meredith, don’t let him control you because he set up a trust for her.”
“Just until the surgery. For good luck and to keep him in good spirits. Then I’ll make sure my daughter’s wellbeing comes first. I know pretty well that patients can be very selfish.”
His phone rang. He took the call and said, “Let’s go to Steve’s new house. The movers are here. I’m bringing Noah’s scooter and bicycle to keep him and Lizzie occupied on the patio.”
“Bring his pj’s too. We’ll stop by my house first to bring the casserole I cooked last night and Lizzie’s pj’s. They’ll have dinner while the movers work. And I’ll change them into their nightclothes right after the visit to Steve. They’ll start sleeping in the car.”
Daniel packed the pots, pans, toys and clothes in the back of his SUV, sat and buckled the kids in their car seats, and arrived at Steve’s new house as the movers pulled in.
By six o’clock, the movers had finished installing the furniture, opening the boxes, and setting the stuff in place according to Meredith’s instructions and the pictures taken by Daniel in Steve’s Columbus house.
“Meredith, you’re exhausted. You can stay here and I’ll take Lizzie—”
“No, it’s okay. I promised myself I’ll do everything possible to help him before surgery.”
“Knowing your big heart, you may say the s
ame after.”
She snorted. “Whatever. We’re staying exactly ten minutes.”
He parked in the indoor garage, carried Lizzie, and held Noah’s hand. “You two are going to be very quiet and nice. Daddy Steve is so tired.”
Both children nodded, but when they entered the patient’s room, they forgot their promises and asked a hundred questions about the tubes in Steve’s arms, hands and nose, and about the machines and the monitors.
“Can we see cartoons on this?”
“Does it beep if I press this button?”
After five minutes, Steve closed his eyes, and Meredith said goodnight with a wave of her hands. The doctor had strictly forbidden hugs, kisses, or handshakes.
In the underground garage, Meredith changed the children into their pj’s, and Daniel set them in their car seats. Soon silence hovered in the SUV. With Noah and Lizzie deeply asleep, Daniel respected Meredith’s quiet time.
“Daniel,” she started, her voice hushed. “Do you think he’s going to make it?”
“We’ll know more on Friday.”
“He looked so frail, so tired. Two more days of tests will exhaust him.”
“His new doctor seems to know his business.”
Two bleeps notified them of texts on both phones. Meredith checked hers. “It’s from Hector, and you’re on copy. Dr. Guertz just stopped by to examine Steve and found him too tired. No visits allowed till after surgery. The doctor is hiring a private nurse to stay with the patient twenty-four hours.”
“See, his physician is taking all necessary precautions. And you don’t have to worry about driving Lizzie to the hospital every day.”
“Tomorrow, we’re taking a break from social activities. She’ll play quietly with her dollhouse and go to sleep early.”
“Good idea. I have a lot of work at the office and an afternoon hearing at court.”
“And I’ll meet one last time with Quentin, before he’s discharged in the afternoon.”
“I still can’t believe how the hit-and-run guy hasn’t been apprehended.”
Obviously not interested, Meredith turned her head to the window. “Looks like it’s starting to rain.”
At her house, Daniel gathered Lizzie into his arms and brushed her forehead with a paternal kiss. Staying in the car with Noah, Meredith watched them with a smile through the open door.
“She’s in bed.” How he wished he could put her mother in bed too and hold her for hours.
Meredith slid out of the SUV, and Daniel drew her straight into his arms. “Today was a long day, but a productive one. You should be pleased.”
“I am. We did everything we could for Steve. I’ll sleep with a quiet conscience.”
He nodded but didn’t like her answer. Why was her conscience nagging her all the time?
“You’re a beautiful woman, in and out, Meredith.” He captured her lips in a tender kiss that should show her how much he loved her.
***
“Ms. Homer, we met with the insurance agent. Your report helped a lot. We’re going to reach a settlement,” Quentin’s mother explained when Meredith met the Herbs in the hospital room for her consult on Thursday.
“That’s great news. You’ve suffered a lot from this accident, and it’s not over yet. You need compensation for all this hardship. Calculate the money you’ll need, and be firm in your demands. For example, Victor could use a new car to go to work without worrying about car problems, and maybe a pool table to play with Quentin and help the boy readjust to a normal life.”
Victor scratched his beard. “Not a bad idea, Ms. Homer. Not a bad idea at all.”
“And Patricia probably needs new clothes, and maybe a new washing machine.”
“Absolutely. Thank you for reminding me.” Her eyebrows knitted in a frown, Patricia bobbed her head.
“You should calculate the value of all this stuff and put on a price tag. Not including the therapy Quentin will need for a long time, and his private school and new activities.”
“What private school? We can’t afford one.”
“Victor, you can’t leave him in his current school. If he shows a slight limp, his classmates may bully him and make your lives miserable too. Part of the settlement should include private school and piano lessons. I discovered he likes piano. That may speed his readjustment. So don’t be shy about what you ask for.”
“Thank you, Ms. Homer, for detailing all our needs.”
“Yes, your needs and the money to cover them are more important than putting the drunk driver behind bars, as the prosecutor wants.” God help her if Daniel heard a word of her advice to the Herbs. But she couldn’t let him ruin Les forever. “Arresting the offender is a victory for the prosecutor, but what are you gaining out of it? Nothing. You’re better off pocketing your money, and use it to forget your monumental troubles.”
“You’re absolutely right,” Patricia approved with a firm voice. “Come, Victor. Let’s calculate how much we have to ask for while Quentin talks with Ms. Homer.” By now, Patricia trusted her with all her heart, and Meredith was determined to help them.
In the afternoon, Meredith left her office earlier and picked up Lizzie to do some shopping. Now that she was unofficially dating Daniel with their children in tow, she needed some casual but cute outfits instead of the professional dresses and pantsuits she donned at work. And a sexy nightgown wouldn’t hurt if her relationship with Daniel developed in the right direction.
Chapter Fourteen
Daniel picked up Noah later than usual, but the boy didn’t seem to mind. “I’m glad you came late, Daddy. I was very, very busy.”
“Really? Doing what?” He smiled at his son’s enthusiasm.
“Working on the yearbook for my class. Our teacher chose ten of us to do things, write stories about our class, take pictures, and stick them on the pages.”
“A yearbook? Aren’t you too young for that?”
“Our teacher said a yearbook contains important memories for the future.” Talking about memories for the future at five years old, Noah was obviously reciting his teacher’s words.
“Great. I’m glad you’re enjoying your important task.”
“Daddy, do you have a yearbook from when you were young?”
“I think I do. A few of them, actually.”
“Where are they?”
“Huh...” Where on earth could they be? “Oh, somewhere in my boxes of memorabilia in the basement.”
“Can I look through them?”
Daniel shrugged. “What for? There’s only a few pictures and stories from the past. Nothing of...”
Damn it... He froze, staring straight ahead. The yearbooks might contain some stories and pictures of him from his junior and senior years, as well as some of his classmates, Meredith, Jeremy Dodd and others. Maybe nothing of importance, but a lawyer should never neglect a thread of information.
At home, Daniel threw a frozen pizza in the oven, a favorite of Noah and his dad. While Noah greeted and fed Taco and then played with him, Daniel ran upstairs to change into a pair of shorts and a T-shirt.
“Dinner’s ready, buddy. I’m hungry.” And frankly, he was eager to spend time in the basement and sift through the boxes. “We’ll use paper plates.” No time to waste on washing china. “Milk or juice?”
“Both.”
“All right.”
“Auntie Mommy said juice has vitamins, and my teacher said milk makes you grow up.” Noah had smartly decided to follow both advices.
After dinner and an ice cream dessert, Noah brought his scooter. “Can I ride on the sidewalk?”
“No, bring it to the basement. I have stuff to do.”
Daniel’s half-sister Nancy, who had raised him, had packed his childhood boxes and sent them to Daniel when he bought the house, claiming that her husband, Senator Howard Dutton, needed every inch of space in his own house to store his previous campaigns’ files. At least Nancy had been kind enough to label each box with a list of its contents.
&nbs
p; For an hour, Daniel navigated through the shelves, studying the labels, a painstaking task when he lingered over Connie’s boxes of pictures. Sure enough, the boxes shipped by Nancy were stacked in the corner. He lugged them off the shelf and onto to the floor, and opened the one labeled Daniel’s Yearbooks.
The four high school yearbooks were piled in the box. He hauled them out and carried them to the playroom, a vast room furnished with a full bar and adorned with a huge TV and a pool table. Connie had organized two New Year’s celebrations in their playroom and many Saturday evening get-togethers. After she passed, Daniel had rarely stepped into this room that was too full of fun memories.
While Noah played on his scooter all around the basement, Daniel opened the freshman yearbook and flipped through the pages. He found a picture of him and other boys on a basketball court, and another of Meredith chatting with a group of girls on the grass.
The sophomore book showed a special picture of their class. He found himself sitting two rows behind her, and chuckled as the photo had caught him staring at her neck.
The junior book revealed a lovely picture of Meredith dancing with him at Homecoming, and another of them attending a football game next to each other on a bench. They were both laughing, their faces happy and carefree. A couple of teenagers in love, ready to grab life and enjoy it. How he’d missed his Meredith.
There was no picture of him in the senior book, except for the individual class pictures on the first pages. In contrast, he stumbled on a picture of Jeremy Dodd with his head close to Meredith’s. The jerk displayed a smug laugh, but she hardly smiled. In another, he had his arm around her shoulder as she looked the other way.
On one of the last pages, he stumbled on an announcement stating: The valedictorian of the senior class, Meredith Kandel, having achieved the highest rank in the graduating class, will deliver the valedictory address at the commencement exercises. Meredith Kandel had been accepted at Yale with a scholarship for a pre-med program. A small picture of Meredith and a five-line summary of her speech accompanied the note.
