by J. M. Hill
“I can’t believe you’re eating hospital food.”
Evan stood next to our table with a smug grin on his face.
“Desperate times,” I said with a smile. “Have a seat.”
He pulled up a chair, and folded his hands together on the table with a somber expression. I knew what he was going to say before he said it.
“Nina’s dead. There was too much internal damage. They couldn’t save her.”
Everyone was silent. I looked down at my plate feeling a lump form in my throat, and Garrett pulled me to his side.
“I’m sorry, Grace,” Evan said quietly. “They did everything they could.”
“Was she alone?” I asked.
Garrett squeezed me tightly.
“Her parents were with her,” Evan said. “They’re still here I think.”
I started to stand up, but Garrett held me close.
“I should go see Mr. Sandler,” I told Garrett. “He must be so heartbroken.”
Tears were coming now, and Garrett shook his head sadly.
“Gracie,” he said soothingly. “I know you’re worried about Mr. Sandler, but it’s probably best if they’re alone right now.”
I wiped my eyes and looked around the table, everyone watching me carefully.
“Grace,” Will said. “Garrett’s right. Now probably isn’t the time.”
“Poor Mr. Sandler.” I leaned into Garrett again, and he rested his head on top of mine. Evan reached across the table and held my hand in his.
“I’m really sorry, Grace.”
“Thanks, Evan.” I smiled at him. “I appreciate you letting me know, and I’m glad you were here.”
He nodded as he stood up. “I have to get back,” he said. “Garrett, you guys stop by and see me before you leave okay?”
“You bet,” Garrett said. “Thanks, man.”
Evan waved as he walked out of the cafeteria.
“Gracie,” Kate said. “You should eat.”
I nodded and picked at the bagel, thinking about Michael. And about Mr. Sandler.
The Orthopedic surgeon came into the waiting room and informed us the surgery went well. We all sighed in relief as Kate squeezed my hand tightly.
“Michael is in recovery now,” the doctor said. “I can take one of you back.”
Reflexively I looked over at Ava. As much as I wanted to be with Michael at that moment, she was his mother, and I waited for her. She smiled sweetly as she touched the side of my face.
“I’ll just see him for a minute, then I’ll come and get you,” she promised.
I nodded and watched as she followed the doctor to go see Michael. I sat down, nervously wringing my hands together, wanting to see him. Ava kept her promise and returned to the waiting room rather quickly. She took my hand and I followed her.
“He’s asking for you.” She smiled. “He’s just beginning to come out of the anesthesia, so he’s uncomfortable.”
I nodded as we reached the recovery room. She pushed a large silver button, and the door swung open.
“I’ll see you in the waiting room.” She smiled and patted my hand as I walked through the door.
The long room was quiet except for the beeping of monitors and the low discussions of the nurses. Curtains separated at least ten beds, and I walked slowly toward the nurse’s desk.
“Grace Burke?” I nodded at the red-haired nurse that stood at the end of one of the beds. “He’s been asking for you.”
She smiled kindly and motioned to the bed across from her, and I thanked her quietly before walking over to see Michael. He was asleep, his leg in a full cast, elevated on several pillows. I sat down next to him and took his hand in mine. He didn’t move, but I kissed his fingers and stroked his hair. I didn’t know if he knew I was there or not, but it felt good to touch him. His head rolled to the side and he swallowed hard and winced in pain.
“Grace,” his voice was rough.
“I’m here,” I said quietly. “I’m here with you.”
“I love you.”
“I love you more,” I whispered in his ear.
I kissed by his ear and then along the soft stubble of his jaw, until I met his lips, where I kissed him gently. The machines beeped loudly, and I flinched, worried about what was happening.
The nurse came in, pushed a button, and winked at me. That’s when I realized, his heart reacted the same way mine always did, and I had to smile. All those times he would laugh at my reaction to his kiss. He was just better at hiding it, but now I knew. Maybe both of our hearts weren’t big enough for the love we had for each other. I shrugged at the nurse and she laughed as she walked to the patient next to us.
I leaned to his ear. “Can you hear me?” I asked him.
He nodded weakly and I kissed his neck tenderly.
“You’re in big trouble, mister,” I whispered. “You just think you’re so smart.”
A small smile touched his lips, and his voice was rough.
“I love you, my Grace.”
Nina’s funeral was in Denver at two o’clock, and I was going.
I felt like I had to, not for me, but for Nina’s father. I had no hatred toward Nina. I felt sadness for her father, and though I’d never met her, Nina’s mother. I didn’t mention it to anyone. I didn’t want them to do anything they didn’t want to just because of me. If Michael asked, I would tell him, but I wouldn’t ask him to go with me.
I got dressed in my black pencil skirt and black sweater, curled my hair and applied a small amount of makeup before putting Michael’s necklace around my neck, smiling as I read the words on the small heart. I slipped into my black heels, and made my way out of my room. The house was quiet, and when I came toward the living room, I froze in surprise.
Everyone was there.
Michael, Will, Ava, Kate, Miles, and Garrett. All of them were dressed for the funeral, and they were waiting for me. Michael hobbled on his crutches to where I was standing.
“We knew you’d want to go, Grace,” he said. “Do you really think we’d let you go by yourself?”
“You should know better than that, Gracie-Beth,” Garrett said. “We’re family. We’re together.” He kissed my head as he walked outside, and everyone filed out after him. I turned to look at Michael, and he was watching me carefully, waiting for me to explain myself.
“I just didn’t want to make you feel like you had to go because of me,” I told him. “I didn’t want you to do something you didn’t want to do.”
He sighed and his eyes gazed into mine. “Don’t you understand? Everything I do now is because of you. You’re everything, and I’m not going to waste a single moment.”
His words resonated in my mind as his lips met mine, warm and soft, and I knew with all my heart, I wouldn’t waste a single moment either.
THE END
Acknowledgments
An enormous amount of thanks and love goes to: Mom and Dad for a lifetime of love and sacrifice. My amazing kids, Taylor, Connor, Madison, Hayden and Chase, for constantly saying: “You go, Mom! You can do it!”
My dear friends, Ruth Tesh and Beth Driscoll who became my very own personal cheerleaders. Your energetic support of Grace, Kate and the Andersons, means more than you’ll ever know. I love you both, and your friendship is valued beyond words.
The Bill Bray Writers Group of Winston-Salem, especially Anderson, Sue, Bill, and Dan, who patiently assisted in honing my writing skills with kind words and encouragement. I’ve got a long way to go and hope you’ll all stay with me during the journey.
C.J. Graves, Super-Writing-Ninja. Your wisdom in all things literary has been a gift, and your friendship an unexpected blessing. Thank you for all of your help, even when I whined. I’ll owe you coffees for a very long time.
And finally, my husband, for the nights the light of my laptop woke you while I worked on this project in the wee-hours, but you never complained. Not even once.
Books by J.M. Hill
Saving Grace
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