More Than a Soldier

by Irene Onorato

  “Sounds good to me.” Better than good. A face-to-face meeting was what he really needed.

  “Why don’t you plan on shooting down to Virginia tomorrow? Major Greco said he’d turn us loose early in the day, like he often does on Fridays. Tells us to go pull surveillance on the highways outside the base.” Marcus laughed. “My parents live a few blocks from my house. I’ll ask my dad to go hide a key in case you get there before I do. I’ll text when I know where the key is hidden. You’ve got my address, don’t you?”

  “I do. Thanks, Marcus. I really appreciate this.”

  “I look forward to getting together and spending time with you, my friend. Godspeed.”

  * * * *

  Hank parked the Jeep, let himself into his parents’ house and followed the sound of running water to the kitchen. “Hi, Mom.”

  “Well hello there, sweetheart.” His mother shook suds off her hands, grabbed a dishtowel, and turned from the kitchen sink. “I didn’t even hear you come—” She froze. “Oh my goodness, you don’t look so good. Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine.”

  “You’re no better liar now than when you were a kid. Do you have a fever? Let me see.” The towel flew onto the counter, and Mom’s palm landed on his forehead before he could protest. “You don’t feel warm. Are your glands swollen?” Clammy, dishwater hands probed his neck.

  “Ma.” He captured her wrists in a gentle hold then let her go. “I’m okay. I’m not sick.”

  “Something’s wrong. I can tell. Beard, eyepatch, rumpled clothes. You look like you’ve been living in the woods for weeks.” She leaned in and sniffed. “Your shirt smells like a campfire. What is it, son? Tell me.”

  “Nothing’s wrong. I came to ask if Cricket could stay with you for a while.”

  “Of course she can. You know we’re always willing to take care of her when you’re out of town.” Mom craned her neck and looked past him. “Where is she?”

  “She saw Dad down by the lake and headed that way as soon as I let her out of the Jeep.”

  “Figures. She adores your father.” Mom pulled two mugs from the cabinet and smiled. “Have a cup of coffee with me?”

  “Sure, why not.” Hank straddled a kitchen stool. It wouldn’t be polite to dump his dog and leave without a short social visit.

  “Your father and I took a ride through the hills yesterday afternoon to see the leaves. The way the wind was blowing, the woods looked like a rolling sea of yellow, orange and red. It was absolutely beautiful. When I closed my eyes, I couldn’t decide whether it sounded more like applause, a waterfall, or a raging fire.”

  The sights and sounds of autumn usually brought Hank pleasure. This time around, they meant nothing to him. Between the dreams that kept him up half the night and the overwhelming emptiness without Cindy, the whole world may as well have been painted gray for all he cared.

  “Hank?”

  “Huh?” Steam rose from a cup of coffee in front of him. He hadn’t even noticed his mother had poured it.

  “You zoned out on me for a few seconds. I just asked, how’s Cindy?”

  “I dunno. Haven’t seen her in a couple of weeks.” Weeks that seemed like months.

  “Oh, no, Hank.” Mom came around the bar and stood beside him. “You and Cindy didn’t break up, did you?”

  “I’m not sure she ever wanted a relationship with me in the first place, so I wouldn’t exactly call what happened between us a breakup.”

  Mom would likely interrogate him for more information, but he couldn’t bring himself to say anymore on the subject. He sipped his brew and got up. Shortest social visit ever. “Thanks for the coffee. I’ve got to go.”

  Mom latched on to his arm. “It breaks my heart to see you so sullen. Do you want to talk about it?”

  “I don’t think I can. I love you, Mom.”

  He kissed her cheek and left the house.

  * * * *

  Casey Mailing Solutions looked much better in the rearview mirror at the end of the day than through the windshield first thing in the morning. Cindy couldn’t wait to get home, slip into some comfy clothes and disengage her brain from the constant drone of machinery at work.

  She parked outside the duplex, killed the engine, and took her phone from her purse. Chances were slim that Hank would answer her call. But if she didn’t at least try, she’d never know. Maybe this was her lucky day. She thumbed his number.

  “Come on, big guy. Pick up this time.” One ring, then bam, voicemail again. Cindy tossed the phone onto the passenger seat.

  The ache in her heart grew with every passing day. There had to be a way to get through to Hank, beg his forgiveness, and salvage the relationship that meant the world to her.

  Edward’s ringtone jingled beside her. If only it could have been Hank’s instead.

  “Hi, Edward. What’s up?” Her attempt at sounding cheerful fell flat.

  “You tell me.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “My mom called a few minutes ago and told me Hank came over early this morning looking like a troll who’d just clawed his way out of a cave. Said she’d never seen him so depressed.”

  Her breath caught. “Is he alright? Please tell me he’s okay.”

  “At first she thought he was sick, but that wasn’t the case. Any chance you might be willing to tell me what happened between you two? Mom was pretty tight-lipped. Wouldn’t tell me anything except that you and Hank weren’t seeing each other anymore, and that Hank was bummed out about it.”

  The urge to cry hit hard, but she’d have to save it for later. “It’s all my fault, and I can’t believe I let myself hurt him the way I did. I never wanted to—”

  “Did you cheat on him? Is that what happened?”

  “Absolutely not. Even though I’d made it clear I wasn’t ready for a romantic relationship, I would never have stepped out on him. Ever.”

  Boop, boop, boop.

  “Edward, I’ve got another call beeping in. Let me get it in case it’s Hank, okay?”

  “Sure. I’ll hold.”

  She switched over. “Hello?”

  “Hello. This is Alice Matthews, a nurse at Pinnacle Medical Center. May I please speak to Cindy Giordano?”

  “This is Cindy.”

  “I’m calling because a patient of ours, Belinda Rossmann, listed you as next of kin. I’m afraid Belinda’s been in an automobile accident, and—”

  “Accident? Oh, no.” Her stomach rose to her throat. “Please, tell me my sister’s not—”

  “Calm down, Miss Giordano, and listen carefully. Belinda went into surgery a few minutes ago. The doctors are giving her the very best care. Will you be coming to the hospital to wait for updates?”

  “Yes, of course. I’m on my way.” Cindy started the car. A barrage of gravel pummeled the undercarriage as she peeled away from the porch. “How serious are her injuries? And what about the baby? Will it be okay?”

  “We haven’t gotten any reports from the OR yet. Perhaps by the time you arrive, we’ll know more. Drive slowly, and keep a level head. You won’t be of any help to your sister if you have an accident and get hurt too. Come to the nurses’ station on the fourth floor, east wing. We’ll talk then.”

  “Okay, bye.” She clicked back to her brother’s call. “Edward, I just got terrible news. My sister’s been in a wreck. They said she’s in surgery but wouldn’t say how badly hurt she is. I’m on my way to the hospital now.”

  “Oh, man, that is bad news. I hope she’ll be okay.”

  “Me too.” A sob kicked off a deluge of tears. “I’m so afraid. What if—”

  “Forget the what-ifs. Stay calm, drive carefully, and get to the hospital in one piece. One thing at a time. That’s how you handle a crisis. I’ll let you go so you can concentrate on driving. Keep me posted. And Cindy?”

  “Yes?”

  “I love you, sis.”

  * * * *

  Cindy da
shed off the elevator on the fourth floor of Pinnacle Medical Center as soon as the doors cracked open a few inches. Down the hallway to her left, a sign hung above a semicircular desk. East Wing Nurses’ Station. She half walked, half jogged to it.

  “Hi, I’m Cindy Giordano. I was told to ask for Nurse Matthews.”

  Three nurses swiveled in their chairs and looked up at her. The one closest to her rose and came around the counter. Short and stout with ash blond hair, she looked up at Cindy with kind, brown eyes. “I’m Alice Matthews.”

  “Any news? Is Belinda still in surgery?”

  “Yes, in fact, I got off the phone with the surgical nurse just seconds ago. They’re closing her up now. She’ll go to recovery until she comes out of anesthesia, then we’ll move her to her room. You’ll be able to see her then.”

  “Wh-what kind of surgery are you talking about? She’s going to make it, isn’t she? I-I couldn’t bear to lose my sister.” Uncontrollable sobs came from the core of her stomach.

  “Come, let’s go sit over there where it’s quiet.” The nurse thrust a few tissues into Cindy’s hand and led her to a windowed alcove that overlooked a grassy courtyard.

  Cindy sank onto a bench beside the nurse and dried her eyes. “I’m sorry. You were saying?”

  “When Belinda arrived in the ER, her only concern was for her unborn child. The baby was in dire distress, and Belinda consented to an emergency C-section. It was the only hope for the baby’s survival.”

  “So, were they able to save him? Her?” How callous she’d been, not caring either way until now.

  “It’s a boy, and he’s fighting for his life.”

  “Belinda had to have been at least seven months along. Babies survive younger than that on a regular basis, don’t they?”

  The nurse nodded, but with sadness. “Yes, but remember, this one was in a catastrophic crash. The fire department used the jaws of life on your sister’s car to get her out.”

  She wept again. “And Belinda? How badly is she hurt?”

  “Miraculously, it appears she has no internal injuries, only broken bones; her left tibia, and a couple of broken fingers on her left hand. If she hadn’t been wearing her seatbelt, this could have been much, much worse.”

  “What about her driver’s side airbag? Did it deploy?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  “Her car isn’t equipped with airbags.” Detective Vargas stepped into their nook and sat next to Cindy. “I came as soon as I heard. How’re you holding up?”

  “I’m trying not to fall apart.” Pete’s friendly, familiar face infused a measure of comfort to her soul. “Thanks for coming, Pete. But, how did you know?”

  “I’m set up to get notifications if any name associated with Eric pops up on our radar.”

  “Oh. Nurse Matthews was just telling me all about—”

  “I know. I heard.” Pete showed the nurse his badge and ID. “Detective Vargas, police department.”

  Another nurse approached. “Pardon me. Alice, may I have a word with you?”

  “Certainly.” Nurse Matthews excused herself and left with her coworker.

  Pete stroked Cindy’s shoulder. “Can I get you anything? Water, Coke, coffee?”

  “No, but thanks anyway. Where did the accident happen?”

  “J-Hook road, at the hairpin turn.”

  “What caused it? Another vehicle? Mechanical failure? Was she going too fast for the curve? What?”

  “I’m afraid what happened to Belinda wasn’t—”

  Nurse Matthews came back with a man wearing blue scrubs and matching surgical cap. “Miss Giordano, this is Doctor Keesler, the baby’s attending pediatrician.”

  Cindy rose, and Pete stood alongside her.

  The doctor’s solemn face foretold bad news.

  “I’m so sorry to have to tell you this, Miss Giordano,” the doctor said. “But we weren’t able to save your sister’s baby. Again, I’m terribly sorry for your loss.”

  “Oh, God, no, no, no. Nooo!” Sobs shook her, not only for the helpless innocent baby, but for the sister Cindy knew would be devastated over the loss.

  Pete’s arms flew around her and held tight.

  The doctor backed away, head bowed in respect, then turned and left.

  Nurse Matthews rubbed Cindy’s back. “Belinda should be coming around shortly. I’m sure she’ll need you to be there when we break the news to her. I know it’s hard, but you’ll have to be strong for your sister.” The nurse’s shoes pitter-pattered away.

  Tears spent, Cindy brushed her wet cheeks and stepped back from Pete. “Thanks, Pete.”

  “I’m glad I was able to be here for you.” He steadied her with gentle hands to her arms.

  “Belinda’s going to be devastated.” Another sob bubbled from her throat. “As angry as I was, I never would have wished this on my sister. Not ever.”

  “I know.”

  She wept more.

  Pete pulled her in to his arms again. “Just let it all out, Cindy. Let it all out.”

  Chapter 31

  Mingling scents of antiseptic and Pine Sol wafted past Cindy as she entered Belinda’s hospital room. Without making a sound, she closed the door and moved aside the edge of the privacy curtain near the foot of the bed. Belinda stared vacantly toward the window, no doubt oblivious to Cindy’s presence. “Hi. Can I come in?”

  Belinda rolled her head on the pillow and looked at Cindy. Her face contorted with anguish, and an ocean of tears brimmed and spilled down her cheeks. “I prayed you would come.” She stretched out her arm.

  Cindy rushed over, sat on the bed, and wept for a minute with her arms around her sister. She straightened her back and stroked tear-dampened hair from Belinda’s face. “You’re going to be okay, sis.”

  “And my baby? How is he? Do you know? The nurses won’t tell me anything.”

  “I—” The news would be a knife to Belinda’s heart, and Cindy refused to be the one to thrust the blade. Where on earth was the doctor who’d said he’d be in right behind her?

  Curtain hooks whirred in their ceiling track and Dr. Keesler approached Belinda’s bedside opposite Cindy. “Miss Rossmann, I’m Dr. Keesler, and I was the attending pediatrician during your delivery.”

  Belinda’s chin quivered. “My baby?”

  “I’m sorry.” The doctor coiled both hands around the bedrail. “We did all we could, but—”

  “Nooo!” Belinda’s scream filled the room. “I want my baby! Bring him to me. Please, please, please, let me hold my baby!” Convulsive gasps wracked her shoulders.

  Cindy wrapped her arms around Belinda and couldn’t hold back her own well of tears.

  Compassion radiated from the doctor’s soft brown eyes. He patted Belinda’s arm. “I’m truly sorry for your loss. I’ll arrange for someone to bring him to you right away.”

  * * * *

  A young nurse came in carrying a bundle wrapped in a blue receiving blanket. Neither smiling nor frowning, her apparent attempt at emotional neutrality was thwarted by spates of rapid blinks. Cindy’s heart went out to her. Delivering a deceased baby to a grieving mother’s arms had to be the absolute worst task in the world for a pediatric nurse.

  Belinda cradled her son and stared into his sweet little face. Tears dripped from the tip of her nose onto the infant’s forehead. She tenderly kissed them away. “I love you, David. Mommy will always, always love you.”

  Belinda’s raw, innate love for her child was deeper than Cindy could have ever imagined. Words couldn’t possibly describe the overwhelming pain of her loss. Head bowed, Cindy closed her eyes and cried silently. To disturb the sanctity of the moment would be a sin.

  A disturbance in the air current and accompanying click of the door latch signaled the nurse’s departure from the room.

  “Cindy?” Belinda’s voice seemed to come from another realm.

  “Yes? What can I do for you? Are you comfortable? Here, let me fix
that pill—”

  Belinda grabbed her hand as she reached for the pillow. “I-I have no right to ask anything of you, but—”

  “You have every right.” Cindy held Belinda’s sorrowful gaze. “This may not be the appropriate time or place, but I need to say something to you, and I need to say it now.”

  Belinda lowered her eyes in deference and choked out a weak, “Okay.”

  Time seemed to freeze in place as if all of heaven stopped to listen.

  Once said, there’d be no taking back the words, no throwing the past in Belinda’s face, or withholding love because of hidden animosity. Mrs. Baker and Hank had been right. Cindy needed this as much as Belinda. Maybe even more.

  She squeezed her sister’s hand tightly. “I forgive you, Belinda. From now until forever, I forgive you.”

  * * * *

  “Is everything all right, dear?”

  Cindy flinched. Her house key missed the lock and pecked the door. “Oh, Mrs. B, you startled me. I thought you’d be in bed by now. It’s got to be close to ten.”

  “More like ten-thirty. I stayed up watching a movie. Didn’t mean to scare you.” Mrs. Baker met her halfway on the porch. “I heard you peel out earlier, and by the time I looked through the blinds, you were speeding down the street. Truth be told, I was worried and figured something terrible must have happened for you to zoom away like that.”

  “Something terrible did happen.” If she had any tears left, she wouldn’t be able to hold them back, but the well had run dry at the hospital.

  “Would you like to come in and talk about it? I’m a good listener, you know.”

  “Thanks. I think I would like to talk. But, only for a few minutes because I’ve got to get back to the hospital.”

  “Hospital? Who—”

  “My sister. Belinda.” Cindy entered Mrs. B’s apartment and took a seat on the sofa. “I’m going back to spend the night with her. I just came home to get a few things.”

  Mrs. Baker sat on the overstuffed chair and wrung her hands. “What happened?”

  Cindy composed herself and told Mrs. Baker about Belinda’s tragedy.

  “Good heavens. How awful.” Mrs. B sprang from her chair, sat beside Cindy and mothered her with a rub to the back and a kiss to her temple. “I’m so sorry, dearest.”