by Diane Moody
Jimmy leaned his head back and rubbed his face. “What a pal. You think you know someone but you never really do. I can’t believe he’d lie to you like that.”
“And that’s not all. He said you were obviously ‘on’ something. He thinks you’re on some kind of drug. Jimmy, I wanted to smack him upside that handsome face of his. I was so mad! And I still am!”
He stared hard at me, shaking his head. “That’s out of line. I can’t believe he . . . that takes some nerve, dishing up a bunch of lies to you like that. I ought’a go over there and—”
“No, don’t. I don’t want you to say a word about it.”
“Why not? He can’t get away with it, Sis. I don’t know why he’d say something like that to you, but I’m not about to just sit back and let him—”
I sat up and grabbed his hands. “Do not say a word to him. Let’s just let it play out. See what he’s up to. You’ve done nothing wrong, so for now just let it go. Let’s see what other kind of lies he may come up with. Then we can confront him together. Rub his nose in it.”
“I don’t know.”
“Yes, you do. Promise me, Jimmy. This is so out of character for Tucker—or so I thought. There’s got to be some reason he’s done this. Let’s just give it a little time and see what happens.”
Around 9:30, Jimmy took off. He assured me he’d be in town for a while, so I just gave him a quick hug and sent him on his way.
As I closed the door behind him, I let out a long and noisy sigh of relief.
Yes, I was relieved. If Jimmy was some slobbering alcoholic, I would have known it. If he was doing drugs, I would have been able to tell. And after confronting him with Tucker’s lies, he would have told me. We may not have always gotten along, especially when we were kids, but I never knew him to lie to me. He would have come clean if there was something going on. I just knew it.
Still, something kept nagging at my soul.
For the life of me I couldn’t figure out why Tucker would have made up such a thing about his life-long friend. What was the point? What possible motive could he have for doing something so vile?
I had a feeling we would find out. One way or another.
Chapter 33
Rachel and little Cooper checked out on Friday morning. I would miss seeing them every day, but I knew Rachel was anxious to get home and settled again.
Sarah Beth announced that Elvis had also been released. To hear her, you would have thought he’d sought out her permission before leaving the hospital, but I’m sure that’s not quite how it happened. I was disappointed I hadn’t been able to cross paths with the King, but there was always next time. And from what I’d been told, there was always a “next time” with Elvis.
Tucker called a few times at first, leaving messages asking me to call him. But I never returned his calls. Fortunately, I hadn’t run into him at the hospital, but I knew it was just a matter of time. Mrs. Baker had put me down to work the ER waiting room both Saturday and Sunday. It would be my first time doing so. I’d worked the ICU and surgical waiting rooms, but not the ER. I hated the idea of working the weekend, but at least it was first shift. In by seven, out by three. Better than all night long. Still, I knew Tucker often worked weekends, so that had me a bit on edge.
Before I left on Friday, Sandra showed me the ropes about our responsibilities in the ER. She told me we helped inform visitors of their patient’s progress, primarily just letting them know where their friends and loved ones were. The medical information would come from the nurses and doctors, of course.
“Sometimes it’s crazy busy and sometimes you don’t have anything to do. I always bring a book just in case. You just have to stay at the desk here and be available. There’s a little sign here in the drawer that you put on the desk when you take a break or go to lunch. Same as in ICU.”
“That’s it?”
“Oh, I almost forgot. We’re also responsible for keeping the coffee bar stocked and fresh.”
“I think I can handle that. Same as ICU and surgery waiting rooms?”
“Exactly the same.” She unlocked a cabinet beneath the bar and showed me where all the supplies were kept, then showed me where to get the water.
“You wouldn’t believe how nasty all this was before we started helping out down here. I was on duty the first night and those urns were disgusting. Took me a couple of hours to clean them adequately and make this place shine again.”
“All this from the girl who once—”
“Shelby, don’t make me hurt you,” she warned with a smile.
“I’m kidding. You’ve obviously worked a miracle on the whole room. I’ve never seen it look so clean and cheery.”
“It’s nice, isn’t it? Just needed a little TLC, that’s all. The rest of the staff never has the time to keep it up. You’ll like it here. The time goes fast when it’s busy. Plus, you get lots of opportunity to help people when they’re really scared and anxious.”
“Oh, so I can finally use all that magnificent training we’ve had from Chaplain Perkins?”
“Most definitely. Just don’t kill them with boredom. They’ve got enough to worry about.”
“Okay, is that it?”
“That’s it. Let’s go. It’s quitting time, girlfriend!”
It had been a rough week, so I decided to stay in Friday night. Sandra was going to see Star Wars with a bunch of the girls, but I wasn’t in the mood. I was hoping Jimmy might come over. I didn’t have any way to reach him without calling Tucker’s house and wasn’t about to take that risk. Jimmy had stopped by the hospital that morning, and we’d had coffee together during my break. He told me he’d played it cool with Tucker, basically avoiding him when he could.
I finally gave up waiting to hear from him and took a hot bath. I decided to just go to bed early and read. I’d just started a new book called The Thorn Birds and couldn’t put it down. It was after midnight when I turned out the light.
Saturday, my first morning working in the ER, went well though I stayed busy. An early morning accident on I-40 brought in a handful of worried family members. An altercation between parents at a Little League practice game sent half a dozen wounded adults in around eleven. And a string of other patients appeared from time to time, just enough to keep things hopping. I still didn’t like the idea of working on a weekend, but I’d survived. Around 2:30, I started a fresh pot of coffee and gave the area a quick clean up. Rebecca would be in soon for the evening shift.
I’d finished my chores and sat down to wait for Rebecca when Trevor showed up.
“Will wonders never cease? A hostess? Working weekends?”
“Very funny, Dr. Knight.”
“How are you, Shelby? Haven’t seen much of you lately,” he said, pulling up a chair.
“I could say the same for you, but thanks for asking. I’m good. How about you? Saved any brains lately?”
“Every day, m’lady. Every day. I’m glad you all are helping out down here. That’s a nice touch.”
“What can I say? We’re here to help.”
“Any word on those two knuckleheads who tried to blow up the campsite last weekend?”
“Haven’t heard,” I said, realizing I hadn’t bothered to find out.
“Ol’ Tuck and I had a good time driving those boys in. We started discussing their injuries—using lots of medical jargon just to scare them. By the time we got them here, I think they were convinced they’d never come out alive.” He laughed hard. “Oh, I wish you could have been there. It was a beautiful thing to behold, weaving those two geniuses into our wicked spell. Didn’t Tucker tell you about it?”
I blinked a couple of times and tried on a fake smile. “No, but we really haven’t had a chance to talk much lately. He’s been working a lot. You know how that goes.”
“Please. Since we got back from that sad excuse for a camping trip, I haven’t had a minute to myself.” He sat forward in his chair, resting his elbows on his knees. “Shelby, I wanted to ask you something. Is
our Sandra seeing anybody?”
“Sandra? Well, let’s see. What day is it?”
His eyebrows took a northern hike. “Seriously? She dates that much?”
“I’m kidding, Trevor. She goes out a lot, but she’s not seeing anyone steadily, if that’s what you mean.”
“So who’s this guy Pedro? Bobby was telling me something that first night at the bonfire. He said Pedro was her ‘beloved’ and he was really mean. Someone I should be worried about?”
I laughed so hard, imagining all the bull Bobby must have shoved Trevor’s way. “Oh Trevor, I don’t think you need to worry about Pedro. But I’d rather let her tell you about him.”
“So you think she’d go out with me?”
“I think she’d love to go out with you. Give her a call.”
He smiled like a school boy. “I think I will.” He stood up, putting his chair back where he got it. “Thanks, Shelby. And who knows, maybe we can double with you and Tucker sometime.” He winked and disappeared down the hall.
Yeahhh. Like that’s gonna happen . . .
Chapter 34
After I finished my shift in the ER on Sunday, I went home and kicked my feet up for a while. Sandra had made her famous red beans and rice, as only Puerto Ricans can make it. The aroma wafting from the kitchen almost made me drool. We were just about ready to eat when Jimmy showed up.
“Where in the world have you been?”
“What are you, my mother?” he quipped, giving me a hug as he walked in.
“No, but you said you were going to be in town for a while, so I was hoping to see you occasionally.”
“Well, take a look and see me now. I’m here! And just in time for dinner, by the looks of it. What’s that I’m smelling?”
“Arroz blanco con habichuelas. My mama’s recipe for red beans and rice. Come join us,” Sandra said. “You’ll love it. Shelby, pour him a glass of tea.”
“Hey, Chiquita. Nice to see you again.” Jimmy made himself at home, taking a seat at the table as Sandra put a plate and silverware in front of him. I was really disappointed he’d been so out of touch the last few days, but decided not to bug him after his comment. “So where’ve you been keeping yourself?” I asked, placing a napkin in my lap.
“I drove down to Tunica. Some guys in my unit live down there. We checked out the casinos. You ever been down there?”
“You’ll lose your shirt at those places, Jimmy,” Sandra said, serving him a plate filled with the spicy red beans and rice.
“Oh, man, this looks amazing.” He forked a bite.
“Slow down there, hermano! Those are hot off the stove.”
He took a bite anyway then reached for his tea before he barely started to eat. “Whoa! Those are some kind of hot!”
Sandra shot me a look. “He’s your brother.” She served the two of us then took a seat. “So how much did you lose?”
He was still gulping down his tea, then set down his glass and let out a long sigh. “So what makes you think I lost? I’ll have you know I won $1000.”
“You won $1000?” I gasped.
He just nodded, proud as a peacock.
“Okay, hot shot,” Sandra began, “but how much did you invest before winning the thousand?”
“Invest?”
“Surely you didn’t win on your very first try. How much had you lost before you won?”
“Oh.” Jimmy got up to fill himself another glass of tea. “I dunno, around that much. Maybe a little more.”
“Jimmy!” I gasped, for the second time.
Sandra shook her head. “See, no one ever includes that little bit of information. It’s all about how much you win, win, win. Never mind that you lost, lost, lost before you won, won, won.”
“In other words, you pretty much broke even?” I asked.
Jimmy sat down again. “Well, not really. I made more than I lost.”
“Like what—a hundred?”
“Well, no, not that much. What is this, an inquisition?”
We changed the subject and chatted over the rest of dinner. Sandra served her famous flan for dessert. It was amazing. So creamy, with just the right amount of caramel. She was such a good cook. Though how she ate like she did and stayed so tiny, I had no idea.
“Chiquita, thanks for dinner.” Jimmy placed his napkin over his empty plate. “Make your roommate chip in and help occasionally.”
“Hey, I do my share.” I picked up our empty plates and put them in the sink.
“Well, I’m outta here,” he said, heading into the living room. “I need to get some sleep over at Tuck’s. Haven’t seen him in a few days, but just as well. I guess you know he’s been over in Nashville.”
Nashville? Why was Tucker in Nashville? It explained why I hadn’t seen him around the hospital, but—but it really didn’t matter, did it? He certainly didn’t owe me any explanations.
Before I could say anything, my brother continued. “And by the way, I’m leaving in the morning.”
“Again?”
He opened the front door. “Yeah, I’m driving down to New Orleans for a few days. Not sure when I’ll be back, but I’ll let you know.”
“Great. I’ll hold my breath to hear from you.”
“Jimmy, stay away from those casinos down there!” Sandra yelled from the kitchen.
“Wonderful. Now I’ve got three mothers.” He smacked a kiss on my cheek and stepped outside.
“Bye, Jimmy. Be good.”
“Oh, I will.”
And oh, how I hoped he would.
Since I’d worked Saturday and Sunday, I got to take Monday and Tuesday off. It was strange being home on a weekday, but I have to admit I enjoyed it. I slept late, putzed around the house cleaning up a little, then drove over to spend some time with Rachel and sweet baby Cooper. Actually, I spent time with Cooper. He’d been up most of the night and Rachel was exhausted, so I sent her to bed for a long nap.
Have I mentioned how much I love the little guy? I’m fairly sure he already knew that Auntie Shelby was permanently wrapped around his tiny little finger. All he had to do was flash those baby blues, and I was a goner. We had a nice long chat, but as is often the case with the men in my life, I quickly put him to sleep. I gently placed him in the cradle they’d set up in the family room, then stretched out to read one of Rachel’s magazines.
Rachel woke up a couple of hours later and wouldn’t stop thanking me for letting her sleep. “Any chance I could hire you to do this full time?”
“Very funny. I’m sure Baptist would collapse without my presence.”
“Oh, that reminds me. Have you heard the news?”
“What news?”
Just then, Cooper let out a fussy wail. “Dr. Grieve announced his retirement this morning.”
“What? How did you find out?”
“One of the girls in my office called this morning. I can’t believe I forgot to tell you. Then again, I’m surprised you hadn’t already heard.”
“So what does that mean for the hospital?”
“I’m not sure.” She picked up Cooper then took a seat in her rocking chair and nursed her baby. It was such a sweet sight, the two of them. “But there will definitely be some changes,” she continued. “And not the good kind.”
“I don’t like the sound of that.”
“Neither do I. Being on maternity leave puts me in a vulnerable position, to say the least.”
“Oh, they’d never let you go, Rachel. You’re the one who keeps them running.”
“Ha ha.”
“Now, as a fairly new employee myself, that’s a whole different situation.”
“I know. I feel bad, helping you get a job right before this unfolds. Course, I had no idea this was coming. The thing is, we could all be out of jobs. Who knows.”
“Stop. You’re depressing me.”
“So, how’s it going with Tucker?”
I didn’t really want to talk about it, so I made my answer brief. “Came and went. End of story.”
“Rachel, it was such a long shot anyway. Especially with our history. I’m just glad I found out early on that it wasn’t meant to be. He’s a jerk. Can we just leave it at that?”
“No, we can not just leave it at that. I can’t believe this! Tucker is one of the nicest guys I know. Why would you call him a jerk? What happened?”
I told her the short version, ending with Jimmy’s lucid visit last night. “What I can’t figure out is why he would do such a thing, Rachel. But I have to tell you, I’m relieved. Good riddance.”
She stared at me, still gently rocking her son as he nursed. “Why is it I’m having a difficult time believing you really mean that?”
I shrugged and looked away.
“Has he called you?”
“A couple of times. I let the answering machine take the call. I’m not really interested in hearing any more of his analyses of my brother. Did I mention he’s a jerk?”
“Tucker Thompson is not a jerk. You all just need to talk it out. I’m sure there’s just been some sort of misunderstanding. Why won’t you at least give him a chance to explain?”
“Explain what? That he’s such a brilliant doctor he can diagnose someone from across the room? Seriously, Rachel, it’s over. Just let it go.”
She shook her head. “Well, you should at least come to some kind of truce on the subject. You attend the same church, you work in the same building with him—you’ll run into him constantly. Why not make the effort to smooth things over?”
“We’ll manage.”
Rich arrived home, thankfully providing an end to the subject. He brought home a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken and all the trimmings and insisted I stay for dinner. But when I finally made my way home later, I couldn’t shake the dark cloud hovering over me. Everything seemed so out of sorts. Everything. And I wasn’t quite sure what to do about any of it.
By the time I got back to work on Wednesday, I found an office filled with gloom and doom. Mrs. Baker hadn’t said anything, but all the girls seemed to think it was just a matter of time before we all got pink slips. I got so sick hearing all of them talk incessantly about who was hiring, what kind of transfers might be available, and a whole boat load of other options. I grabbed my things and headed upstairs, needing to be away from it all.
