His Holiday Family

by Margaret Daley

  She tried pulling away, everything in her screaming for her to be down in the hole created by the ground giving way, but the man clasped her to him. Zane, along with a crowd of people, arrived. He ducked around the firefighter and Kathleen and started down into the hole.

  “I need to be there,” Kathleen said, watching Zane disappear with the shovels. “Kip needs me.”

  “They need to get him out first.”

  The firefighter’s calm voice didn’t appease the terror building up in Kathleen. The man handed her off to her mother and Sally then corralled everyone back from the edge.

  “Get back. The ground has been undermined, probably by the hurricane.”

  “Mom. Mom. What’s wrong with Kip?” Jared clasped her around the waist, fear on his face that matched what she was feeling.

  She had to hold it together for both her sons. They would get Kip out, and he would need her then. Please, Lord, save him.

  Gideon tore at the dirt with both his hands as Pete and his captain joined him. “He’s under here and the water’s coming in.” His tennis shoes sank into the mud at the bottom of the cliff.

  As the water rose, the dirt turned to mud, making their digging more difficult. Zane slid down the incline with two shovels and a spade.

  Gideon grabbed the smaller tool. “We’d better not use the shovels. We could hit Kip.”

  “I’ll work from the edge inward, carefully.” Zane propped one shovel against the bank of dirt behind him while grasping the other one to use.

  “I found something!” Pete shouted and scooped up another handful of mud. “A leg.”

  Gideon and the others concentrated in that area. Kneeling in the water coming in, Gideon estimated where the boy’s torso and head would be. Soon he felt Kip’s shoulder and increased his speed, working to uncover the child’s face while his captain removed the pressure from Kip’s chest.

  Gideon removed the last layer of muck from around the boy’s mouth and nose, then his eyes. Finding his thready pulse at the side of Kip’s neck, Gideon released his bottled-up breath. “He’s alive.” As more of the child was unearthed, Gideon looked up. “Call 911.”

  “Taken care of!” someone shouted from above.

  Wound tight, Kathleen paced in the hallway outside the waiting room. She couldn’t sit still while waiting for Kip to come out of surgery. “A collapsed lung, internal injuries. He was standing on the cliff looking out into the water and the next moment he is being swallowed by the ground. Why didn’t anyone check the stability of the cliff after the hurricane? Children play in that park. The town is having the Lights On Celebration tonight.”

  “Not anymore. The mayor has called off the celebration until the park can be checked.” Gideon leaned against the wall.

  “If you hadn’t seen him going over there, he might have disappeared. He could have died before we found him. He could…” She couldn’t get the rest of the sentence pass the lump in her throat. She swallowed several times, but it was still too painful to speak.

  Gideon pushed himself away from the wall and stepped forward. Drawing her into his embrace, he whispered against the top of her head, “He’s all right. They will patch him up and in no time he will be back playing with his friends and Rocky.”

  “I know the things that can go wrong. What if—”

  He pressed his forefinger over her lips. “Have faith he will be all right. Believe it, Kathleen.”

  “I wish I could. When are things going to stop going wrong?”

  He backed up slightly and looked down at her. “Want the truth?”

  She nodded. Her throat burned, her stomach roiled.

  “Things will never stop going wrong. That’s part of life. Problems and complications happen.”

  “To me,” she said. “But why Kip? He’s a little boy.”

  Her mother appeared in the waiting room doorway. “Jared is awake and needs you.”

  She’d left her younger son on the couch when he’d nodded off a while ago. Before that, he’d been so quiet she’d known he was trying to process what had happened to his big brother. He had rebuked her attempts to talk with him. Now Kathleen hurried to the couch where Jared sat, his shoulders slumped, his hands twisting together. When he lifted his head, a bleakness seized her heart and squeezed.

  “Hon, Kip is going to be all right.” She had to have faith, as Gideon had said. The alternative was not acceptable.

  “He was mad at me for hogging the tire swing. He stomped off. That’s why he was at the cliff. He wouldn’t have been there—” Her son burst into tears and flung himself into her arms. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

  “Jared, you did not cause what happened to your brother. It was an accident.”

  “But it’s got to be bad. They’re operating on him.”

  “To fix him up.” She placed her finger under his chin and raised it toward her. “He’ll be fine. Good as new. You two will be back to arguing in no time.”

  “Nope. I’ll never argue with him again.” Tears continued to leak out of Jared’s eyes. “Dad had an operation and died a few days later.” He clasped himself against her. “What if the same thing happens to Kip?”

  His question stole her breath. She gasped for air and tightened her arms around her son. Kathleen closed her eyes, and when she opened them a few seconds later, Gideon stood in front of her, the concern etched into his expression threatening her composure. Jared needed her to be strong, and she didn’t feel very strong at the moment.

  Gideon knelt and laid his hand on Jared’s back. “We can pray for Kip.”

  Jared’s sobs quieted. He pulled back and peered at Gideon. “You think it will help?”

  “Yes. God can always help.”

  Jared shifted toward her. “Mom, can we?”

  “Of course, honey. Gideon has an excellent idea.”

  Gideon reached out and took both Kathleen and Jared’s hands, then bowed his head. “Father, we place Kip’s care and recovery in Your capable hands. Be with him during this time and surround him with a protective shield. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.”

  The surgeon appeared in the doorway, spied her and crossed the room. “Mrs. Hart, Kip is in recovery. The surgery went well. We were able to stop the internal bleeding, remove his spleen and repair the lung that was punctured.”

  “Can I see him?” Kathleen rose.

  “Yes, you can stay with him in recovery, then we’ll move him to his own room.”

  “Can I see him, too?” Jared hopped up.

  “Just your mom right now, but it won’t be long before you’ll be able to see him,” the doctor replied.

  Gideon interjected, “While your mom is with Kip, why don’t you, me and your grandmother go get something to eat? We didn’t get a chance to eat our Thanksgiving feast so let’s check out what they have in the hospital cafeteria.”

  As Kathleen walked toward the exit right behind the doctor, Jared called out, “Promise me you’ll come get me the second I can see Kip.”

  She turned and smiled. “You will be the first one.”

  “Kathleen, I’ll let everyone know about Kip.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  When she found her son in the recovery room, his eyes closed, his breathing even, she collapsed in a chair near the bed and finally cried. Thank you, Lord.

  “When can I go home? Rocky has to be missing me.” Kip lay in the hospital bed with his IV still in him, his face pale, his eyes dull.

  But for a few seconds Kathleen glimpsed a sparkle in his gaze. After five days, Kathleen saw an end to his hospital stay. His chest tube had been removed after the lung re-expanded. He wasn’t on as much pain medication from the abdominal surgery and he was complaining. Always a good sign with Kip. “Tomorrow. This will be your last night in here.” And mine. She could certainly understand Kip’s impatience to be out of the hospital. She’d spent most of her time here with him except when her mother or Gideon relieved her to go home to see Jared and shower.

  The door opened, and
Jared charged into Kip’s room. “I’ve got more get well cards from your class. After school Amanda gave this one to me and made me promise you’d read it first.” He plopped the stack on Kip’s bed. “I think she likes you.”

  “We’re friends. That’s all.”

  “What about Ginny? She follows you around on the playground.” Jared positioned himself next to Kip as close as he could get.

  “Who brought you?” Kathleen asked before her sons got into a fight over girls. “Gideon.”

  “Where is he?” She smoothed her hair, hooking it behind her ears.

  “I got on the elevator before him and the door closed. He’ll be here. He’s way too slow.”

  At that moment Gideon entered the room, carrying a duffel bag that was partially unzipped. A yelp sounded from it.

  “What do you have?” As tired as she was, it was so good to see him.

  “A surprise.” Gideon placed the bag on the empty chair near the bed and lifted Rocky out.

  The grin that spread across Kip’s face endeared her even more to Gideon. But still… “Dogs aren’t supposed to be in here.”

  “Shh. Don’t tell anyone.” Gideon passed the wiggling pet to Kip but kept one hand on the animal. “We can’t stay long, but he has been missing you.”

  Kip buried his face in Rocky’s fur. “I’ve missed him, too.”

  Jared puffed out his chest. “I didn’t say a word about the dog to them.”

  Gideon ruffled the child’s hair. “I appreciate that.” He stepped back, allowing Jared to pet Rocky, too.

  The dullness in Kip’s eyes was replaced with a twinkle. Two patches of red colored his cheeks. The sight of Rocky had done more to lift his spirits than anything else.

  “Thanks for doing this, although I should report you to hospital security,” Kathleen said.

  “I talked with Kip’s doctor to make sure it was all right. I’d never do anything to hurt him.”

  She looked into his gaze. “I know. That’s one of the things I like about you.” Although Derek had never harmed his sons, those last few years he had been emotionally distant. He stopped doing things with Jared and Kip, and they hadn’t understood why. She hadn’t either—until she’d discovered her husband’s money troubles.

  “I gave him a bath so he would be as clean as possible. I figured with Kip coming home tomorrow, Rocky would be all over him then. I didn’t think one day would make much difference.”

  “One day has made a difference. He has been moping around here all day. Even complained there was nothing on TV to watch.” She nodded toward the bed where the two brothers were talking civilly and loving on Rocky. Both the boys grinned from ear to ear. “That’s a big difference.”

  “Miss Alice and your mom are planning a small homecoming celebration tomorrow. People have been asking about Kip in the neighborhood. The mayor told Ruth this morning he’s waiting to have the Lights On Celebration so Kip can throw the switch on the lights.”

  “Usually it’s a town dignitary. I’ll talk with the doctor and find out how restricted Kip’s activity will be over the next couple of weeks. So they have reopened the park?”

  “Yes and different groups are decorating the whole area. Before it’s over with, it’s going to look like a Winter Wonderland without the snow. The fire department is taking care of the lighthouse, and we’re not sparing anything. It’s going to be the best Christmas lighthouse this town has ever seen.”

  “That’s nice,” she said while watching Jared open the cards for Kip to read since her older son was hugging Rocky against his side.

  “Nice? It’s going to be spectacular. I’m in charge—a desk duty I don’t mind.”

  Kathleen chuckled. “Jared gets his cast off at the end of next week. What about you?”

  “The fifteenth of December and I’m counting down the days.”

  “That evening let me make you that dinner I owe you from way back before the hurricane.”

  “Sure, I can come to your mom’s.”

  “No, I’m coming to your house. The dinner isn’t a family affair.”

  “Oh, then you’ve got yourself a date.”

  “Yes, a date.” Ever since that kiss on Dog Island, they had been dancing around each other—friends and yet more.

  “That’s the best news I’ve heard all day.” Gideon winked then made his way to the bed. “I hate to break up this reunion, but I promised the doc I wouldn’t tire you out. Rocky will be waiting for you at your house tomorrow. Jared, can you get Rocky?”

  As her son scooped up the dog, Gideon opened the duffel bag. When the animal was inside, he zipped it partway. “I don’t want others to get the idea that they can break hospital rules so mum’s the word.”

  Jared paused at the side of his brother’s bed, then suddenly he bent down and gave Kip a hug. “See you tomorrow. I’ve been taking good care of Rocky for you.”

  “Is something wrong with Jared?” Kip asked, staring at the door as it closed behind his brother leaving.

  “I think he blames himself for what happened to you.”

  “Why?”

  “He said something about a fight you two had over the swing.”

  “Oh, that. That had nothing to do with the cliff giving way.”

  “You left the playground and went over to the edge. He thought it was because you were mad at him.”

  “Not really. I was tired of playing. I like watching the water. One day I’m gonna get myself a boat. I saw one I liked and went over to look at it as it passed by.”

  “You might say something to Jared about that.”

  “Why? I think I’ll let him suffer a little more. It’s kinda nice not arguing all the time.”

  Kathleen stuck her finger in her ear and wiggled it. “Say that again. I don’t think I heard you correctly.”

  “Oh, Mom. I’m growing up. Fighting is for babies.”

  “I see. I’ll remind you of that when you fight with Jared again.” Because as the sun rose each day, she was sure they would fight again.

  The next afternoon, before taking Kip home from the hospital, Kathleen had gone down to the office on the first floor to make arrangements about the bill. With the length of stay and the surgery, even with the insurance she had, her part would be thousands of dollars she didn’t have. She still hadn’t paid for Jared’s broken arm. The woman she’d met with had given her a rough figure—worse than she had thought—but had said not to worry about it just yet until the insurance company settled their part of the bill.

  Pulling into her mom’s driveway, she switched off the engine and tried to paste a cheerful expression on her face as she turned toward the backseat where Kip was. “Ready? I understand Miss Alice baked you a welcome-home cake. Your favorite—chocolate fudge.”

  “Really. How did she know? Nana?”

  “Yep. There are a few people here to see you, but the second you’re tired let me know. I’ll clear them out. I don’t want you overdoing it.”

  “Mooom, quit babying me. I’m almost ten.”

  She climbed from her car and opened the back door. “I’ve got news for you. I’ll always be concerned about you even when you are a grown-up and living on your own.”

  Jared slammed open the front door and ran down the steps, barely managing to stop before barreling Kip over. “You’re home. I’m starved, and Nana said I can’t have any cake until you’re here.”

  Kip rolled his eyes. “You’ll survive.”

  “C’mon. You get the first slice. Miss Alice said so.” Jared pulled on Kip’s arm.

  “Jared Taylor Hart, let go of your brother’s arm. He will be inside in a second. How about you come over here and help me take our stuff inside.” Kathleen swung the small suitcase out of the back and handed it to Jared, then faced the house. “When did you all put up the Christmas decorations?”

  “Yesterday afternoon. Gideon helped me and Nana. We’ve got the tree up but no decorations on it yet. We were waiting for you to come home. Maybe we can do that later today.” />
  “Slow down, Jared.” Kathleen grabbed the sack of items she’d been given at the hospital for Kip. “I doubt we will tonight. Maybe tomorrow.”

  “Do you know Miss Alice doesn’t put up any decorations? She told me it was too much effort for just her.” Jared walked ahead of her and Kip toward the porch, jabbering and not caring they weren’t keeping up.

  At the front door, he finally stopped and waited for them. “So what do you think?”

  Kip scrunched his forehead. “What about?”

  “Decorating Miss Alice’s house for her. Our gift to her. Wanna help me?”

  “Before you go planning your brother’s life, I think you need to realize he will be restricted for the next several weeks while he continues to heal. He won’t be able to do a lot of what he used to. Recovery from surgery takes time.”

  “Sure, Mom.” Jared opened the screen door then the main one. “But he can help me with Miss Alice. That shouldn’t be a lot of work.”

  When Kathleen, Kip and Jared entered the living room, she came to a halt, taking in the sea of people crowded into the small area. This was not her definition of a small celebration.

  Gideon moved to her side. “Glad you’re here. I didn’t know what we were going to do with Jared.”

  “We need to use the same dictionary. In mine, this wouldn’t be defined as small.”

  “Well, it started out that way, just a few friends and family. Then the firefighters who helped rescue Kip wanted to come. After that, one neighbor after another asked if they could drop by and see how he was doing. They all dropped by at the same time.”

  Stunned, Kip scanned the people in front of him, his gaze pausing on several of his classmates, especially a pretty young girl with long brown hair and blue eyes. Amanda? Ginny? Kathleen peered at her son. His cheeks reddened, and he looked down at the floor by his feet.

  She turned and whispered into Gideon’s ear. “It looks like my son doesn’t care who is here so long as that pretty brunette is.”