by Nan Rossiter
“Almost two months,” Ben said.
The doctor nodded. “You’re very brave to take in a child with such a serious health problem, and I promise you, we will do everything we can to help her get better. The risk of rejection is always a possibility, but if we get a good heart and she takes her antirejection medicine—which is essential—it’s possible she will recover without any issues. Lots of children even go on to play sports. The important thing is, she will feel better . . . better than she’s felt in a very long time.”
“Can we see her?” Macey asked.
He nodded. “She’s sleeping, but you can see her for a few minutes. And then, if you’d like to come back tonight, after she’s been moved to a room in intensive care, that might be best.”
He led them to Harper’s room, and when Macey saw her, the tears she’d been fighting spilled down her cheeks. Harper looked so small and still and pale. She had tubes and wires crisscrossing her body and an oxygen tube in her nose. The monitor beside her bed was humming and beeping quietly. Through the blur of tears, Macey gazed at her. Where was the little girl who’d laughed while teasing Ben, and who’d fallen head over heels in love with Keeper and Big Mac, wrapping her arms around them every chance she got? And what about poor Keep? What would he think when they came home without her? Would his heart break, too? Macey had always thought the ache she’d felt when she lost a baby was too much to bear, but now, the thought of losing Harper was beyond unbearable—she was a living, breathing child with a sweet, funny personality that had just needed a little encouragement to come out. She wiped her eyes and squeezed Ben’s hand.
59
AS SOON AS CORA WALKED OUT OF THE EMERGENCY ROOM—WHERE THERE was no service—her phone started to ring. She looked at the screen and realized she’d missed several calls from Frank, and her worried thoughts raced to her own children.
She picked up, paused to listen, and then answered, “I know I give you a hard time when you don’t answer, but I was in the ER with Harper, and there’s no cell service in there. Is everything okay?” She paused again. “Yes, she’s critical, but stable . . . mm-hmm . . . yes, milk . . . I have to stop at the store anyway, and then I’ll be right along. Oh, right . . . I forgot I had to pick them up! I will go there first. I’m sorry you couldn’t reach me . . . Love you, too.”
She closed the screen and sighed. “There’s too much goin’ on,” she murmured as she unlocked her car.
“I need a new head! And a new body, too, Lord, if you’re taking orders,” she said, looking up at the now slate-gray sky. “How could I forget to pick up my own children?!” She pulled out of the parking lot and headed to the YMCA to pick up Rudy and Joe, who were finally enrolled in an after-school program so Frank could try out for the basketball team. The program wasn’t free, though, and it was going to make it hard for them to make ends meet, but if it helped Frank get a scholarship, it would be worth it, especially after the conversation he’d had with their neighbor. The way Frank told it, Mr. Jefferson had been watching him play basketball at the park and he’d approached him afterward.
“That’s some jump shot you’ve got, Frank.”
“Thanks, Mr. Jefferson. Do you play?”
“Four years at point with the Jaguars.”
“At Augusta?!”
“Yes, and I still keep in touch with the coach.”
“Yeah?”
Mr. Jefferson had nodded. “Yeah. And I reckon you could, too, if you keep playing the way I’ve seen you play these last few weeks. I’ll put in a good word when the time comes . . . as long as you stay on the straight and narrow and keep your grades up.”
“Thanks,” Frank had said, smiling, and when he’d gotten home he’d just about burst with the news.
Yes, indeed, a scholarship would be nice! Cora thought, not to mention the incentive Jamal Jefferson had given Frank to keep his grades up and stay out of trouble. It would be nice to have one less thing to worry about!
She pulled up in front of the building and saw Rudy and Joe sitting on the front stoop with one of the staff members. Cora rolled down her window. “I’m so sorry I’m late,” she called. “I had an emergency. Thank you for waiting.”
The woman nodded and got up to go to her car while Rudy and Joe climbed in. “Mama, all the other kids got picked up a half hour ago,” Rudy scolded. “What emergency did you have?”
“I’m sorry, Rudy. Harper had to go to the hospital.”
“Oh no! Is she okay?!” Rudy asked, her voice suddenly full of concern.
“Yes, she’s okay. But the doctor is moving her up on the transplant list, so it is serious.”
“Oh no,” Rudy whispered again in disbelief. “Can we go see her?”
“No, baby. She’s in intensive care.”
“Is she gonna die?” Joe asked.
Cora looked at her son’s face in the rearview mirror and didn’t know what to say. She didn’t want to mislead her children, but the situation was grave and she didn’t want them to worry, either. “The doctors are taking good care of her, but we need to keep her in our prayers,” she said softly.
“We will,” Joe said.
“Yes, Mama,” Rudy said solemnly, looking out the window.
“How was your day?” she asked, changing the subject.
“Okay,” Rudy said. “Kari goes to the after-school program.”
“Lana’s daughter?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Hmm . . . I wonder if Lana would want to share picking you up.”
“Kayden goes, too.”
“Yeah,” Joe piped, “and he just got a PlayStation Four!”
“Lucky him,” Cora said.
“Can we get one?”
“Joe, you know if we got one, you’d have to get all new games,” Cora said. “What do we do with your old games?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know, but it would be worth it because I could get the new Grand Theft Auto!”
“Even if we did get a PlayStation Four, you are not getting Grand Theft Auto.”
“Why not?” he asked in dismay.
“It’s too violent.”
“Kayden has it.”
“I don’t care what Kayden has. You’re not Kayden.”
Joe huffed and crossed his arms.
“Kari has a new bike, too,” Rudy said.
Cora looked over. “I’m sorry, baby, but we cannot get a new bike, either. We cannot afford anything new right now, especially since we just signed up for this after-school program.”
Rudy looked up at the ceiling in dismay. “I don’t even want to go to the stupid after-school program. The only reason we have to go is so Frank can play stupid basketball,” she said. “If you ask me, it’s a waste of money. I could watch Joe.”
“Child, we have been through this before. You are nine years old and you are not coming home to an empty house!”
“Waste your money, then!” she huffed.
“Lordy, give me patience,” Cora sighed as she pulled into a convenience store to get bread and milk. “Let’s go,” she commanded. “You cannot stay in the car, either.”
“If you won’t leave me in the car, why don’t you let me go in and buy the milk and bread? You can watch me the whole time and you’ll find out how responsible I am.”
“Rudy, let’s just go in together so we can get home. I am making French toast for supper.”
“I love French toast,” Joe said happily, reaching for his door handle.
“I’m not going in,” Rudy said firmly, crossing her arms.
Cora looked over. “I know you’re growing up—much too fast, and you’re becoming more responsible, but I am very tired, and tonight is not a good night.”
Rudy stared straight ahead, her arms firmly in place.
“Fine,” Cora said, reaching into her bag for a ten-dollar bill. “You may go inside and buy the bread and milk. Make sure you check the freshness date on both and be sure the cashier gives you the correct change.”
“Can I go?” Joe
pleaded.
“No, you stay right here.”
“Oooh,” Joe groaned, slumping in his seat.
Rudy’s face beamed as she climbed out, carefully looked both ways, and walked proudly across the parking lot and into the store. Cora watched her daughter as she continued down the first aisle to the coolers to pick out a gallon of milk, and then as she reached into the back of the bread shelf to get the freshest loaf. Lugging the milk and bread to the counter, Rudy glanced out at the car as she waited to pay. Cora smiled and Rudy gave her mom a determined nod. Cora continued to watch as Rudy carefully counted her change and then came back outside, even holding the door for an elderly man who was coming in. Before she stepped off the curb, she looked both ways, and then hurried to the car, barely able to suppress the grin on her face.
“Good job!” Cora said as Rudy climbed in, set the milk on the floor, and put the bread on her lap. “You even remembered to look both ways.”
“Yes, and I even held the door for that old man.”
“You did indeed. You are turning into a very responsible young lady.”
Rudy nodded proudly.
“Next time, I wanna go in,” Joe piped from the back seat.
“You’re too young,” Rudy said. “You have to wait till you’re at least nine.”
“I could do it. I know how.”
Rudy looked over at her mother, and Cora glanced in her rearview mirror. “You can help me make French toast, Joe.”
“Yes!” he shouted, pumping his fist.
Cora looked back at Rudy and smiled conspiratorially, and Rudy grinned. She couldn’t believe how grown up her little girl was getting to be—where did the time go? Before she knew it, Frank would be heading off to college and Rudy would be in middle school. Thank God they were healthy—life was hard enough without having serious health problems!
60
BEN LEANED BACK IN THE CHAIR NEXT TO HARPER’S HOSPITAL BED. HE had stopped by on his way home not only to see Harper but also—because Macey had been staying over at night after working all day—to see Macey.
“How’s the new job going?” she asked.
“Pretty well. It’s going to keep us plenty busy.” He paused. “Henry called last night. I told him about everything that’s been going on and he said to tell you they’re thinking of us.”
Macey smiled, picturing their old friend. “Good old Henry. Did he ever send you that cross-country singlet?”
“No,” Ben said. “It’s no big deal—I don’t need it. Anyway, they’re going to be at his mom’s for Christmas, and he wanted to get together, but I said I didn’t know.”
Macey nodded. “I can’t even think about Christmas.”
“I know,” Ben said.
“Maeve came by this morning.”
“Yeah, Gage told me she was going to.”
“Harper was even awake for most of her visit.”
He nodded and looked over at the little girl whose fragile body was still crisscrossed with wires and tubes. “What did she have to say?”
“She feels bad for everything we’re going through, and she can’t believe how quickly Harper’s condition deteriorated.”
Ben nodded. “I really think the doctor was probably right about Harper trying to hide her symptoms,” he said softly. “I’ll bet anything she is scared about having surgery. I know I would be if I was told my heart was going to be replaced with someone else’s. Can you imagine how that makes her feel?”
“Terrified,” Macey replied. She watched Harper breathing softly and knew she was sound asleep. “My parents are coming tomorrow.”
“Is she allowed to have so many visitors?”
“The nurses haven’t said anything.” She smiled wistfully. “I wish we could bring Keeper—that would really cheer her up.”
“It would cheer him up, too. He is Mr. Gloom and Doom without you guys.”
“Speaking of which,” Macey said, glancing at the clock. “You better go let him out and feed him.”
“Yeah, I’m going. Are you coming home tonight?”
“I am—I need to sleep in my own bed.”
“You also need to let your poor pup know you’re still alive.”
“I know. Maybe I’ll sleep on his bed.”
“No need for that. He’s been sleeping on your side of our bed!”
“He has? How’s he getting up there?”
“I moved the steps I made from Harper’s room.”
“You’re too funny.”
“I know,” he grinned. “Have you eaten?”
“No. Are there still some leftovers in the fridge?”
“There are. Want me to heat some up for you?”
“Sure, I’m just going to stay a little longer in case she wakes up. I’ll text you when I’m leaving.”
Ben nodded, stood up, and leaned over to kiss Harper’s silky hair. “G’night, little girl,” he said softly. She stirred but didn’t wake, and then he turned to Macey and kissed her, too. “Safe drive home, big girl.”
“Yep. You too, kiddo!” she teased.
Ben smiled. “You haven’t called me that in a while.”
She laughed. “I know.” She waved as he walked out, and then looked back at Harper. She was reluctant to leave—she knew she’d just worry more at home and probably not sleep well, but she really wanted to take a shower and get a change of scenery, and the nurses had assured her Harper would be fine.
Macey’s phone buzzed, and she looked at the screen. It was Maeve wanting to know if she was still there. She wrote back that she was but leaving soon, and Maeve responded with a smiley face and said to let her know if she needed anything. Macey sent back a heart, and then tapped the photo icon on her phone and looked at the last picture she’d taken—it was of Harper with Keeper and Big Mac sitting on her lap. It really was perfect—Big Mac was looking up as Keeper licked Harper’s cheek and she was laughing. It was the first time she’d seen Harper look so happy, and as she gazed at it, tears filled her eyes.
61
“WEAR YOUR HELMETS!” CORA CALLED FROM THE KITCHEN AS RUDY AND Joe hurriedly tied their sneakers. It was Saturday morning and Kari and Kayden were outside, waiting on the front step.
“Oh, Mama, Kari doesn’t wear a helmet!” Rudy complained.
“Well, she should, and you most certainly are!” Cora commanded as she appeared, drying her hands on a dish towel.
Joe finished tying his shoes, and before his mom could make any more demands, he was out the door. A moment later, Rudy heard him swearing as he tried to pull his bike out of the pile of folding chairs, rakes, and outside toys in the makeshift storage area next to their apartment. “Hang on, Joe,” she called. “I’ll help you!” She pushed open the door and found Kayden and Joe tugging on Joe’s bike. “You have to move stuff first,” she said in an exasperated voice.
Joe stepped back and folded his arms over his chest. “Fine! You do it!”
Rudy shook her head and surveyed the array of obstacles. “That is why I leave mine out,” she said, gesturing to her bicycle lying on the grass. She moved some chairs and then motioned for her brother to help. “Here, pull the rake out of the spokes when I’m moving the bike.”
Joe knelt down and freed the rake tines while his sister pulled out his bike. “Thanks,” he said, hopping on the seat.
“Don’t forget your helmet!” Rudy reminded, holding it out.
Joe groaned, took it from her, and plopped it on his head. “There . . . happy?”
“Clip the strap,” she commanded. “It won’t do you any good if it falls off.”
He rolled his eyes, but did as she said, and then turned to Kayden. “Let’s go before I have to put on knee and elbow pads, too.”
Kayden nodded and bumped off the curb after him.
Rudy looked over at Kari. “Is Kayden as much a pain in the butt as Joe?”
Kari laughed. “Worse!”
Rudy laughed, too. “Where should we go?”
“Want to go to the big playground?�
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Rudy hesitated. “Sure . . . do you have to ask your mom first?”
“No, she doesn’t care where we go, as long as we’re outta her hair.”
“Okay,” Rudy said, glancing back at her front door to see if her mom was watching. Then she looked around for Joe and saw the boys jumping their bikes over a small pile of dirt with a piece of plywood on it. “C’mon, J . . . ,” she started to call, but Kari stopped her.
“Let them stay here,” she said. “Then we don’t hafta watch ’em.”
Rudy nodded, clicked the strap of her helmet, and followed Kari down the sidewalk toward the street. The playground was only a few blocks away, and they wouldn’t be long—they’d probably be back before anyone even missed them.
They rode slowly, each lost in her own thoughts, simply enjoying the clear, crisp morning. When they got to the playground, they discovered—to their delight—they had the whole place to themselves. “I wonder where everybody is,” Kari mused as she leaned her bike against the jungle gym.
“Probably soccer or something,” Rudy surmised.
“How come you don’t play soccer?” Kari asked, sitting on a swing.
“I don’t know,” Rudy said, sitting on the one next to her. “I guess it’s because my mom’s always working and I can’t get to practice.”
“Yeah, me, too. But when I get to junior high, I’m going to try out for the school team.”
“Even though you never played?”
“Mm-hmm. I think it looks fun. Besides, how hard can it be?”
Rudy laughed. “You’re right. Maybe I’ll try out, too. My brother’s trying out for the high school basketball team—that’s why Joe and I started the after-school program.”
“I saw your brother walking to the bus the other morning. He is cute!”
Rudy looked over and frowned. “Frank?! Are you kidding me?”
“I am not kidding you, but don’t you dare tell him.”
“Don’t worry—I won’t. I don’t need anything else goin’ to his big ole head! He’s already full a himself, bossin’ us around like he’s the man in charge.” As she said this, she backed up, swung forward, and started to pump, and Kari joined her, pumping, too, until they were both swinging high up in the air.
