“What I think, Miss Lane, is that you are the marvel in marvelous.” He pretended to groan at the thought of going back to the office. Darby gave him a shove toward his car. She waved and blew him a kiss.
It was a warm night, and Darby drove home with the car windows open. The radio played softly, allowing her to think as she drove up one street and down the other until she came to the alley leading into the shoe. Even from this distance she could hear Willie’s welcoming bark. She knew he was on the sofa under the front window watching to see which door she would enter through. Seconds later she saw him on one of the kitchen chairs that allowed him a clear view through the top half of the kitchen door.
A four-legged welcoming committee of one.
It was midmorning the following day before Darby took the red folder out of her purse. She wanted to be totally alone with no distractions when she read its contents. She hoped that someday Ben would want to meet the people listed in the red folder. Loving him as she did, she understood now just wasn’t the right time for him.
She was at her worktable, the red folder in her hands. Strangely enough, her hands were steady, her breathing normal. Willie was being cooperative, lying at her feet, his golden head between his paws. He wasn’t even panting. She thought it strange. For some reason or other, she thought the dog would somehow know what she was holding. She took a moment to wonder if she was teetering on the edge of a nervous breakdown. She discarded the idea almost immediately. Thousands of people every day were faced with moral or ethical decisions. Why shouldn’t she have anxiety over what she was about to do.
What was bothering her most at the moment was how she would react and feel after she checked out the contents. Would shereally be able to put it behind her? She would never know if she stopped now.
Darby took a deep breath and yanked at the papers. There were only four sheets of paper, but those four sheets were full of words from top to bottom. Russell’s life reduced to four pages of copy paper.
Darby settled down to read the papers in front of her. She ran her fingers under the words to make sure she didn’t miss a word or a meaning. When she finished all four pages, she looked around. Nothing had changed in her workroom. Willie was still lying at her feet. The sun had come out. That was the only difference. She shivered.
Darby bit down on her bottom lip. Time to move on this. If she left the house now, she could visit a family in Baton Rouge, a family in Lafayette, and a family in Slidell. Tomorrow she could drive to New Orleans and the other places on the list. She needed street maps so she wouldn’t waste time. She called Willie and went into the small room off the library that held her computer. She sat down, typed in MAPQUEST. Fifteen minutes later she had a printout and precise door-to-door instructions on how to get to each of the first three houses on her list. She printed out the instructions and stuck them into her pocket.
These last weeks she’d mentally turned over several different game plans. At last she had to make up her mind which to use. The plan she liked best was the one where she stopped at a florist for a basket of flowers and some brightly colored balloons. She would deliver them personally to the recipient with a card inside that simply saidHave a good life. Of course, there would be no signature or anything else that would lead the recipient and the family to think the flowers and the balloons came from the donor’s family.
Enough time had gone by since the different operations so that most of the recipients should be home or back to work or, at the very least, recovering in the hospital. According to Jason’s report, all the recipients except the liver and heart transplants were at home recovering.
Darby then made two phone calls, the first to a local florist to order the balloons and flowers, saying she would pick them up in an hour. The second call was to Ben, asking if she could trade cars with him. She would need Russ’s Range Rover for the flowers and balloons, and she wanted to take Willie with her. Willie would…she wasn’t sure what Willie would be able to do, but she was taking him with her anyway.
“C’mon boy, time to go out one last time. Then we’re going for a ride.” The golden dog stopped in his tracks, turned to look at her, not quite understanding the catch in her voice. Darby shooed him out the door. He was back inside in five minutes.
Darby stood still, contemplating what she was about to do. From outside the sounds of the heavy equipment assailed her ears. The hammering was almost as loud as the pounding in her head. She popped four aspirin, gathered up her purse and car keys. She checked her wallet to make sure she had enough cash for the flowers and balloons. She decided she didn’t have enough and would have to stop at an ATM machine after she switched cars with Ben.
It was ten forty-five when Darby pulled into the driveway at 2246 Vandemeer Avenue. It was a tidy, sprawling ranch. Two cars sat in the driveway, a dark green Mustang and a white Honda Civic. There was no front porch, but there was a small stoop at the end of the walkway. Beautiful lemon-colored marigolds lined the walkway. In the center of the yard was a huge oak tree, whose lower limbs were lying on braces anchored into the ground. Two wooden chairs and a small table were underneath. Arthur Quinn was the recipient of one of Russ’s kidneys. He was twenty-eight, married, and the father of two little boys. Darby was halfway up the walkway, the balloons in one hand, the flower basket in the other, Willie at her side, when the front door opened. A young woman in jeans and a sleeveless tee shirt smiled a greeting. “Oh, my gosh!” she said. “Those flowers are beautiful!”
Darby took a deep breath. “My delivery is for Arthur Quinn. Is he here?”
“Yes. Yes, he’s out back on the patio. Come in, please. You can bring the dog. My husband loves dogs.”
The house inside was just as neat and tidy as it was outside. Darby followed the young Mrs. Quinn through the living room, whose walls were covered with pictures of two laughing little boys. A fat, gray cat hissed at Willie from his perch on the back of a yellow sofa. Willie ignored him.
They walked into a family room that was littered with bright-colored toys and Tonka trucks. Mrs. Quinn opened the sliding door. “Honey, look,” she said, pointing to the flowers and balloons. The young man named Arthur looked up and smiled. “Somebody sent me flowers and balloons! Who are they from, Tricia?”
Tricia plucked the card from the nest of ferns inside the flower basket. She read it and smiled again. She handed the card to her husband. He read it, his eyes filling.
“My goodness, where are my manners?” Tricia asked. “Would you like a glass of ice tea. I just made it.”
“Tea would be nice,” Darby said, and smiled nervously. “It really is still hot out here, isn’t it?”
“I love it,” Arthur said, when his wife went back into the house with the balloons and the flowers. “For a long time I couldn’t get warm. This is like heaven to me.”
Willie started to whine and Darby watched as the man stroked Willie’s head. “Doesn’t he like strangers?” Arthur asked, as Willie tried to nuzzle his side.
“Actually, he does. He’s a very gentle dog. You said you love the heat—why is that, if you don’t mind my asking?”
“I was on kidney dialysis for three years and on a donor list. I only had one kidney, and my days were numbered. Then an organ became available. I’m feeling really good now and in a few more weeks I can return to work. Because some kind person donated his kidney, I’m going to get a chance to see my kids grow up.”
“That’s…that’s wonderful, Mr. Quinn.”
“I’m not sure about this, but I want to believe those flowers and the balloons…I think they were sent from the donor’s family. I’m going to do just what the card said, ‘have a good life.’ ”
Darby smiled. “That sounds like a great idea.”
“Yes. I really like this dog. As soon as my boys get a little older, we’re going to get a dog. Oh, I hear them now!”
The sliding door slid open and two whooping five-year-olds burst onto the patio. “Hi, Dad!” they said boisterously. Then they whipped ou
t pictures they’d made that morning in kindergarten. They suddenly noticed Willie and the stranger sitting across from their dad. They turned shy and grew quiet.
Darby noticed that they were miniature Arthurs. One of the twins looked at Darby strangely. “Are you going to dothat stuff to my dad again?”
“No, no, Michael. This lady isn’t a nurse. She brought me some flowers and balloons.” He looked at Darby, and said, “This is Michael and Richard. They had a bad time when I was so sick. I’m trying to convince them that the day will come when we can play ball and take hikes again.”
Tricia arrived with the ice tea. Darby took a few sips and stood up. Willie was still whining at Arthur’s side.Is it possible…?
Darby held out her hand. Arthur shook it. “Like the card said, Mr. Quinn, have a good life. Come on, Willie, we have some more deliveries to make. It was nice meeting you both.”
“Look, Dad, he doesn’t want to go with the lady. He likes you. Can we get a dog, huh?”
“Soon,” Arthur said cheerfully.
This time Darby’s command was sharp when she ordered Willie to follow her. He did so, but reluctantly.
“I’m not going to think about that visit until I get home. I know, I know, Willie. I’m going to think about you later, too. Now we’re going to see a Mr. Prentice Carpenter.”
It was two-thirty when Darby parked the Rover in front of Prentice Carpenter’s duplex. Carpenter had been the recipient of a cornea transplant. He was a forty-two-year-old widower with a son in college and a daughter who was a senior in high school. Mr. Carpenter had been unemployed for several years. The family was living on public assistance. Mr. Carpenter opened the door and looked down at Willie through his dark glasses, and smiled. “Don’t blame you for bringing a dog with you, Miss. You can’t be too careful these days when making home deliveries,” he said with a smile. “What have we here?”
“A delivery for Mr. Prentice Carpenter. Are you Mr. Carpenter?”
“I was when I woke up this morning. Come in, please. Are you sure these are for me and not my daughter?”
Look at me, Mr. Carpenter. Really look at me. Russ, do you see me?Darby asked silently.
“No, they’re for you. Where would you like me to put them?”
“Right there on the coffee table,” he directed.
Darby did as he asked and took a minute to look around. Everything was neat and clean but shabby and worn. “I wasn’t sure if you would be home at this time of day. I was worried I would have to leave them with a neighbor.”
Prentice Carpenter plucked the card from the flowers. He held it away from him and laughed, a sound of pure joy. Willie barked at the sound. Darby fidgeted, standing on one foot and then the other.Look at me. Tell me you recognize me. Tell me something. Please.
“There’s no name on the card. Do you know who sent them?” he asked, and Darby held her breath when he stared at her long and hard. “Do I know you?”
Oh, God, oh, God.“I don’t think so.” She wanted to scream, yes, yes, you do know me.Oh, God, Russ, it’s me, Darby. Are you really seeing me?
Carpenter turned the small florist card over and over in his hand. Darby waited to see if he would tell her what it said. He didn’t. “I needed these today,” he said, indicating the flowers and the balloons. “A pick-me-up, if you know what I mean. There’s no way you could know this, but I’ve been blind for some time. On Monday I’m going to be able to go back to work for the first time in years. I’ll be able to drive again and see my children. I’ve never seen such beautiful flowers.”
“I guess you must have had a successful eye operation,” Darby said, moving toward the door, Willie at her side.
“Yes, you could say that. I never thought it would happen. I was reconciled to a life of darkness. I have to wear these sunglasses for a while, but I’m only too happy to wear them.”
Carpenter held the door for her. “Thank you for making my day, miss.”
Darby wanted to cry. She nodded as she made her way to the Rover. Willie hopped in and barked shrilly when the door closed behind Prentice Carpenter.
Darby slipped the Rover into gear and drove off. She turned up the radio as she talked to Willie.One more, today. We’ll talk about this later. Then again, maybe we’ll never talk about it, she thought.
It was after five o’clock when Darby walked into the Ochsner Medical Center. Much to his displeasure, she’d left Willie in the truck. This was going to be the trickiest visit of all. Lionel Williams was still in the intensive care unit, so that meant she wouldn’t be able to see him. Mr. Williams was to be her final test. With Russ’s heart, surely she would sense or feel something. She knew that wasn’t going to happen since Lionel Williams, according to Jason, had suffered a setback because of an infection but was holding his own, with the doctors convinced it was just a temporary setback.
Darby walked over to the volunteer who sat behind the front desk. She smiled. “Can you tell me where I can find the Williams family? These aren’t for the patient but for Mrs. Williams and her children. I’d like to hand them over in person, if that’s possible.”
The volunteer typed into her computer, then frowned. “For the family, not for the patient. Is that what you said?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I don’t see why not. Mr. Williams is in intensive care. The family sees him for a few minutes on the hour. Fourth-floor waiting room, follow the yellow arrows. The children just went up about a half hour ago.”
Darby thanked her and hastened away before she could change her mind. She took the elevator and followed the volunteer’s instructions. She recognized the family because of the three children who sat quietly, their schoolbooks open in their laps. Mrs. Williams was saying a rosary, her eyes glistening with tears. A pile of knitting in a bright-colored bag sat at her feet.
“Mrs. Williams?” Darby asked.
“Yes,” she said dully.
“I have a delivery for you. Actually, it’s for your husband, but I realize they don’t allow flowers or balloons in intensive care. Can I leave them with you?” Darby asked gently.
“Of course. Now who would be sending Lionel flowers and balloons?”
Darby tried to smile and found it hard. “Someone who cares about your husband, would be my guess. There’s a card in the flowers.”
Mrs. Williams wrapped her rosary around her hand as she plucked the card from the flowers. She read it and tried not to cry. Darby fished in her pocket for a tissue and handed it to the little lady with the shining black hair. “Is there anything I can do for you, Mrs. Williams. A cup of coffee, a soft drink?”
The three kids were suddenly surrounding their mother. “Who are they from, Mum?” one asked.
“They’re pretty. Maybe the nurse will let us hold them up to the window,” another one said.
The youngest child, a dark-eyed pretty little girl with cornrows in her hair, started to cry. Her mother handed her the balloons and told her to go back to her homework.
“I have some extra time, Mrs. Williams. Would you like to go with me to the coffee shop for some coffee. I could certainly use some.”
Mrs. Williams looked at her watch. “Yes, I would like some coffee. It’s very nice of you to invite me.” She leaned over her children, and Darby heard her say, “If there’s any change, come and get me right away.”
In the coffee shop Darby held a chair for Mrs. Williams before she walked up to the counter to order two coffees and some brownies. She carried the tray back to the table.
“Thank you. I don’t even know your name.”
For some reason Darby couldn’t lie to this tired, sad woman. “It’s Darby.”
“That’s a pretty name. My name is Lila. I hate this place. Lionel was doing so well, and they were talking about him going home. Then he got an infection. The doctors say he should be okay, but…I try to be positive, and I pray.”
“How…how long has your husband been here, Mrs. Williams?”
“I’ve lost track of tim
e. It’s so hard. I don’t know why the Lord lets these things happen. I try not to question Him. My husband is such a good man. He was good to his parents and my parents, too. All the man ever did was work and work. It’s not easy for a black family here in Baton Rouge. He’s the best husband and the best father. We couldn’t believe it when we found out there was a heart for him. I think we had both given up. We were just plain worn-out. Lionel worked two jobs, and so do I. We want our children to go to college. Lionel didn’t want no handouts. He said if we couldn’t pay for our kids, then they weren’t going. We had a nice little bank account, then his heart gave out. All our money’s gone and…and…now why am I telling you all this? All you did was a nice thing, bringing those flowers and balloons to brighten our day. I’m sorry if I didn’t seem appreciative. I just have so much on my mind. I don’t know what I’ll do if anything happens to my Lionel.”
Darby’s mind raced. There was no way she could go through with her charade where this woman was concerned. No way.
“Mrs. Williams, I want to tell you something.” She told her about her friendship with Russell, about her life, and what had happened. The truth was cathartic. “I believe, and I want you to believe that your husband will be all right.”
“You poor thing. How hard this must be for you. Thank you for telling me. I feel better already.”
“Mrs. Williams, can I just see your husband through the glass? I don’t want to take your turn or anything like that. I want to be able to tell Russ…I know how asinine that sounds but…I…”
“Nothing sounds strange to me anymore, and of course you can see my husband. He’s hooked up to a lot of machines, so be prepared. I’ll tell him everything you told me when he’s well enough. That was a very good brownie, for a hospital coffee shop. My own are better, though.” Mrs. Williams sniffed. “Come along now so you can see my Lionel.”
Hey, Good Looking Page 25
