I shrugged my shoulder, not sure what to think of the proposal. “Yeah, I’ll let you know when the search officially kicks into high gear.”
She stood up and picked up the butcher knife cutting a piece for everyone. While Naomi set the plates down in front of us. “It certainly helps that your real estate agent has an in with your boss and may be able to get you a raise.” Winking at her son.
“Woah there, no promises,” he said throwing up his hands. “Dog walking isn’t exactly a lucrative business, but you can stock away a pretty penny as my assistant.”
“Either way its been great. I can’t imagine, what it would be like not being able to share your biggest joy with your wife.”
He drank the rest of his coffee and poured himself another cup. “We got along fine.
“I suppose it was an opposites attract type of deal,” Ms. Traugott commented sliding a piece of cheesecake onto my plate.
She did the same before handing a slice to Naomi. Boaz declined. “She was a perfectly lovely daughter-in-law and she made him happy during the short time she was here. That’s all that matters at the end of the day. I can’t remember the last time I saw your boys. Maybe the funeral. I do remember Opal, I think was her name, the other daughter-in-law.”
My spine stiffened. “She was the best wife she could be under the circumstances. She was the reason he enjoyed his last few years the way he did.” Her heart raced at the thought of anyone making fun of her.
“Oh for sure,” she nodded. “I just remember thinking how poor with money I thought she was to take all those expensive trips and run through his inheritance like that.”
“But they weren’t,” I snapped.
“Yeah, but everyone thought so at the time. That they were being reckless and showing their age of maturity. Unfortunately even I shared some of those same thoughts. A wife should be willing to steer a wayward husband, and not off a cliff either. But boy was Mailer hurting something awful.”
I bolted from my chair as it screeched across the tiled floor.
“Now Ruthie, just behave yourself,” Naomi said crossing her arms across her chest.
“I’m sorry. I know this is your house, but I’m not going to allow you to talk about either of them like that when they aren’t here to defend themselves. That was a difficult time for everyone and there is no manual on grief.” I eyed Ms. Traugott wearily, ready for her to pounce.
She looked concerned. “I think you’ve misunderstood what I’m saying, but I’ll agree that the conversation is not worth bringing up again. And I’m sorry if I upset you.”
I shook my head and sat down slowly. “I’m sorry too. I overreacted. Opal was like a sister to me, a sister in sadness and strife.”
Ms. Traugott looked at me somberly. “And now it’s my understanding that she is still in Chicago with her parents, but don’t you worry. If you’ll accept me. I’m here if you need me as well.”
Pushing the strawberries around on my plate. Several minutes pass of us talking about meaningless things in town and I began to feel like I had ruined our get together with my outburst. Barely able to eat another bite.
“You know what, Emma, I think will both take these cheesecakes to go. It is getting pretty late.” Naomi said on our behalf.
“I’ll drive you home,” Boaz offered. “There’s no reason for you to spend all that money taking a taxi back.”
“Well, thank you,” Naomi said. A few minutes later Ms. Traugott gave the aluminum foil wrapped cheesecake to me to carry. Walking us to the door as Boaz trailed behind letting the women talk as he liked to say.
The constant gentleman as he made sure that we were tucked nicely into the car. Even untwisting my seat belt so that I could buckle in despite the fact that I was sitting in the back. It wasn’t until we were well on the way that I even built up the courage to bring up my outburst at dinner. “Listen. I hope you weren’t offended by what I said to your mother. I want you to know that I’m sorry.”
“Stop, we don’t even have to discuss it any further. I know how sorry you are,” he said turning around in his seat to address me; a car coming out of nowhere and hitting him on the driver side.
15
Boaz
“Is everyone alright? Auntie Naomi?” My chest tightened. “Anyone need an ambulance?” I turned to see if she was alright, but a sharp shooting pain shot down my spine like a jackhammer.
“My name is Mara and don’t you forget it.”
Ruthie laughed and turned her eyes on me. That sound was music to my ears just to know that she was still breathing. Her flowing black curls matted to her face. I unbuckled my seat and did the same for Ruthie. My back in pain every time I moved.
“Ruthie, can you reach your phone to call an ambulance?” The door on the driver side was completely caved in. Leaving me pressed against the steering wheel awkwardly. The only thing I could do was hope that there wasn’t anything seriously wrong.
“Maybe I should just call the police. Everyone here seems fine and the driver in the other car is getting out,” she commented, bringing her phone up to her ear.
“I’m the one that needs the ambulance, my back is killing me right now.”
She gasped and placed her hands on my shoulder trying to see if there was anything visually causing it.
“Don’t worry about me. Just get Auntie Mara out of this car before something bad happens.”
“Hi, my names Ruthie. I’m on S. Washington Avenue and Deshler. There’s been a car accident and at least one person needs an ambulance.” Pushing herself out of the car and to the backseat.
The only reason the car didn’t flip, injuring us all was because we were stopped by a lighting pole that was now bent over the front of the hood. Sparks emanating from it. Suddenly, I was filled with dread. “You gotta get her out of here,” I screamed.
Naomi swung her feet out and paused on the sidewalk. Pressing her wrinkly hands to both sides of Ruthie’s face. “You better make that two ambulances, because you got a nasty bruise across your forehead.”
I took a deep breath, even though it hurt me to do so and screamed. “Get away from the car. It might blow up.”
“Make that a bunch of ambulances and a lot of cops. There were two cars involved in the accident and at least 5 people that I can see right now. But one of the cars hit a pole and were scared that with the sparks and oil that it’s about to get a whole lot more dangerous.” She put her hand over the receiver and yelled. “Get away from the cars. They might blow.” I turned my head to what appeared to be two teenagers stepping away from the cars.
My stomach churned. The only downside to dying this way is that I would leave my mother on this earth alone, but at least I would get to see my wife again.
“Okay, Boaz they should be here any minute now.”
I looked back over tot he side and could no longer see Naomi or the teenagers. “Get away from here,” I managed to croak out.
She leaned down so that I could see her clearly. “It’s my job to make sure that you not only stay conscious but that you have hope. Don’t let this pole scare you. You’re not dying today.” She pointed to the pole and made a face at it like it was a human being.
I wanted to laugh, but I knew it would only hurt to do so. “I don’t want you getting hurt for me.” My hands found there way around the steering wheel. Using it to rest my head on. I don’t think I could even move to hop over the middle if I wanted too.
“I still have use of my two legs. If things get bad I’m going to take off running, but guess what you’re going to be by my side. She stood up and folded her hands around herself.
“Ruthie.”
It sounded like Naomi’s voice, but I couldn’t be sure.
“I’m going to be right back. Just hang in there.”
She was right about one thing. I couldn’t just sit back and accept my fate. I had to try to get out through Ruthie’s side of the car. So I worked on moving my legs that were cramped up, but otherwise fine and in good working
condition. But when I moved to sit back that’s when the pain returned. Causing me to cry out and slump back over. My energy spent, as my legs and arms felt like they weighed a ton, dragging across the floor like a caveman.
Returning to the passenger side window, Ruthie leaned down and seemed to be keeping an eye on something on the ground. A huge crack in the window where her forehead hit the glass. Blood dripping down it. “So there’s been a change in plans. The guy here thinks the car is going to blow at any minute and the cops still aren’t here. So together we’re going to get you out.”
“That’s crazy.” Please Lord keep Ruthie safe. “You’re going to get hurt or worse you and that boy both will. Just stay far away from me and this car.”
“The only choice I’m going to give you for the rest of this incident is, do you want to come through the door or the window? Speak now or I’ll choose for you.”
I closed my eyes and took shallow breaths. “I told you I can’t move over the seat.”
“Window it is then.”
She nodded to who I assumed was the boy and bent back down to talk to me. “He’s going to break your window on that side. So don’t look at him. Just look at me. Remember that your mind is going to tell you that you can’t do a lot of things right now. You can’t move. You cant save yourself. You’re going to die. It’s your job to reply back that I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me, and give Matt here everything you can.”
“The boy who hit us was named Matt?” I could hear him take a swing and the glass exploded, shards raining down my neck and arms like acupuncture pinpricks.
“Yeah and he’s really shaken up about what he did, but that’s a story for another time. You’re going to take his arms and lift yourself onto the hood of that other car. And you’re going to do it real fast,” she said her voice already sounding far away as she backed up.
I grasped a hold of the young man’s forearms as he sat atop the truck bracing his feet against the frame. Despite the rather large window, maneuvering my sturdy frame, with all my aches and pains was not going to be an easy task. But I remembered Ruthie’s words and called upon the Lord to send me strength.
Suddenly Ruthie appeared her hands sticking through the window. “On three. 1, 2, 3.”
Moving as one they both had me onto the hood of the black jeep, and out of the car.
“There’s no time. Let’s get out of here.” Grabbing my pants leg and sliding me across the hood. Matt right behind me as he helped me down onto my feet. All my weight falling down on top of her, before Matt got my arm around my shoulder and grabbed me around my back. I cried out in pain but tried to ignore it as we both ran for the grassy safety of a random woman’s yard. Who appeared to be watching the whole thing from the safety of her window. A cordless phone pressed against her ear. I collapsed on the grass my back flush to the ground.
“See you didn’t think you could do it, but you did,” she said to me. Hope in her voice as she looked down at me, with one hand on my chest and the other propped up on the ground.
I scanned her face and pushed her sweat soaked hair out of her face, revealing the nasty gash across her forehead that seemed to soak through her bangs. “Thank you. Thank you both.” I replied looking up to see the boy visibly shaking in his grey sweatpants.
The car suddenly exploded. I gripped Ruthie’s arm, “Where’s Auntie Naomi?”
She grimaced and put her hands on top of mine. “Don’t worry she’s safe on the other side. Sitting on someone’s porch, out of danger, right along with his girlfriend.”
I released my grip on her and silently kicked myself for the little bruise I had left on her arm. “I’m so sorry.”
She shook her head. “I’d take you over there, but I don’t think we should risk moving you again.” She looked up. “Matt. Matt?” She called the boy before he answered her, looking like he was indeed battling his own demons. “Can you go and check on them both for us? Make sure they know everything’s fine and so is our patient here?”
After a few seconds, he heard the sounds of police cars nearing. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you take charge.”
“I have many skills that might surprise you.”
He gulped in a deep breath. “And one day I’d love to hear about them, but I feel like God himself has just torn me in half.”
Ruthie got up as the ambulance came towards me.
“What seems to be the problem?”
“There’s something wrong with his back,” she replied. “He’s practically immobile.”
A cop came up beside her and put his hands out in front of her. Blocking her from going back to me. “You’ve got to let them work ma’am. In the meantime, we have some questions for you while everything’s still fresh in your mind.”
“Since we don’t know how bad the damage is. We’re going to put this neck brace around you and strap you down to the board. We don’t want to make it any worse. Can you still feel your arms and legs?” The first responder asked.
“Yes, I can,” I replied looking up at the dark sky as they put the neck brace on.
Rolling me onto an orange board. “Can we get some extra hands over here?” Two or three officers made there way over. “We’ve got to lift him onto the gurney. 1, 2, 3.” Hoisting me into the air and onto this rolling bed before strapping me down. Sending me flying towards the ambulance.
“I’m coming with?” Ruthie barked before lifting herself into the seat beside the responder. “What hospital are you taking him too?”
“Mount Carmel West.”
“Mount Carmel West,” she repeated to someone I could not see.
Being this vulnerable was only infuriating. Letting others make the decisions instead of being apart of the conversation. I didn’t know how much of this I could take. Ignoring the pinprick in my arm as the responder started a line. I took a deep breath. “What are you doing? Go take care of Auntie Mara. She’s got to be pretty shaken up by now.”
She took my hand. “She’s calling your mom and letting her know what happened. They’ll both meet us at the hospital.” Her chest expanded as she rubbed the skin over my knuckles. “I’m here now and I’m going to take care of you.” She looked around at the beeping heart monitor and the tubes that they had already managed to hook me up too. “All this looks scary, but its nothing to what you just faced.”
I closed my eyes and said a little prayer. Thank you, Lord, for getting me out of there safe.
16
Ruthie
I rushed past the nurse at the reception desk. Who would have ever imagined that I would be following behind another man trying to figure out if he was going to live or die? Naomi would be the only one who knows how hard this is for me being here, with another man. But there was no other choice. I wasn’t going to allow Boaz to go through any of this alone.
“I’m sorry ma’am, but this is as far as you can go.” The nurse stood in front of me blocking me from going into the green double doors.
“I just want him to be okay,” my pulse racing. “How soon will I know if he’s going to be okay?”
“You’ve got to give the doctor’s time.” She showed me to a waiting area with over 15 green vinyl chairs all of which were empty. “You have some paperwork to sign. That’s the most important thing that you can do for Boaz right now. Give the doctors and the nurses here as much information as you can so they can help him.”
Before I knew what was happening, the nurse returned to her desk and gathered up some forms and attached them to a clipboard. “I’m sorry to hear about Boaz. Are you his wife?” she handed me the documents. “Boaz treats my cockatoo. He’s really got a way with animals. Maybe because they sense the alpha in him. He’s a fighter. He’ll survive whatever this accident brings.”
My breath froze in my chest. I wasn’t anyone’s wife. “His mom should be on her way any minute now.” There was something about the nurse’s implications that nagged at me, but I had to play it safe, keep my distance.
The smell of disinfectant wafted up from her hands.
“No, sorry. I’m just an employee.”
“Whoever you are, thank you for getting him here and in one piece. I heard that you were a hero today?”
“I did what I had to.”
She nodded. “I know what that like too. Please let Ms. Traugott know that there’s some paperwork here for her to fill out. Hopefully, by then the doctor will have some news to share.”
I handed her back the papers and forced to smile.
“It certainly helps that we already have his insurance information in our system.”
I watched her as she went back to her desk, answering calls and directing guests. My mind drifting off to the moment I had to say goodbye to Kohen. The devastation at seeing that blue line go flat on the machine. Crying so hard that I couldn’t even see him anymore through my blurred vision. I looked down at the phone in my hand as if it were a life raft.
I had to remind myself that Boaz wasn’t Kohen. Otherwise, the grip of fear threatened to take hold. Sure, he was kind, and thoughtful when it came to others, but he wasn’t my husband. Besides, he was nothing but a stepping stone to achieve my real goals. Still, when he was in that car looking up at me there was nothing but fear in his eyes, and I wanted to do everything in my power to ease that pain.
Moments later, Naomi and Ms. Traugott entered. But it was Naomi who spoke, “you go sit by Ruthie. While I’ll go see about getting you a doctor to tell you what’s going on with your son.”
Ms. Traugott’s smile faded, and she jutted her chin out. “What happened out there?” she sat down slowly in the chair next to me as if every bone in her body hurt.
“I can’t tell you how he’s doing now. But I can tell you that he came in here, with a clear mind, able to think and reason with his doctors. This is not going to beat him. It’s just a bump in the road.”
Miracle Walk (The Designed Love Series Book 2) Page 10
