I shake my head. “I’m sorry, that was uncalled for. Look, can we just go? I want to get to Sylvia as quickly as I can.”
“Abby, don’t regret what you’re about to do.”
“And what do you think I’m about to do that I’ll regret?”
“You’re about to throw away a chance at something great between you and that wonderful man downstairs. Did you or did you not have a great night with him?”
I cram my feet into her sandals as I mutter, “Yes.”
“And while I’d love to hear all the details, did you or did you not have sex with him?”
I stand upright a little too quickly, causing me to sway for a moment before steadying myself. “What has that got to do with anything?”
“It’s everything! You gave yourself to that man! You relinquished your virginity. And I’m sure that’s not something you just decided on a whim. You gave it thought. Your feelings for him were spontaneous yet true. You two…”
“Denise, stop. Don’t start with your ‘you two were meant to be together and your connection is so right’, blah, blah, blah. I need to go.” I check to make sure I have the few things I brought with me, trying not to notice her shocked and hurt expression. Seems I’m becoming quite skilled at hurting those I care about.
I nearly stop in my tracks at my thoughts, knowing I do indeed care about Shaun, and that his concern for me, although sweet, has me guarding myself.
But why? Why am I so reluctant to let him care for me?
Because what if I lean too much, fall too hard, and get hurt in the process? Denise said that’s part of life. Well, I don’t think I want any part of it. So, yes, I’ll spare myself those awful feelings before they become too deep. Before they take hold and I can’t shake them without losing part of myself.
“Abby?”
“Let’s just go, okay?” Suddenly I feel wiped out, and the morning has barely begun.
Denise just purses her lips and nods as she follows me out of the room and back downstairs. I have no choice but to go back through the kitchen. I really don’t want to see Shaun’s hurt or anger, so why am I pitifully disappointed when he’s nowhere in sight? Only Sarah stands near the counter, a paper bag, water bottle, and a tumbler nearby.
“I thought you might need something for the drive, Abby,” she says cautiously.
“Thank you, Sarah. I’m sorry for my behavior. Sorry you had to witness me being a bitch.”
She snorts out a little laugh and waves her hand at me. “Hey, I know all about being independent. But, you know, it’s not a hardship allowing someone like Shaun to help.”
I only manage to squirm, unable to say something intelligible. As I look around, pathetically hoping he might suddenly appear, Sarah continues.
“He, ah, he hopped in the Cruiser and took off. I’m sorry.”
“There’s nothing for you to be sorry for. I’m the idiot. I really didn’t mean to hurt his feelings, but what the hell was all that anger about? I mean, he should be happy I’m sparing him from being around a flake, right?” I try to brush off my hurt with deflection and self-deprecating humor.
“Abby, stop,” Denise says. “You’re not a flake. You’re just a little frazzled about the situation. Once you’re assured Sylvia is fine, then you can see if you two still have a shot at something.”
“Pfft, I don’t think so.”
“Shaun is a very forgiving person, Abby,” Sarah says.
“It doesn’t matter,” I mumble. “Look, I need to go. Nice meeting you, Sarah. You take care.”
“You too.”
I make my way outside, Denise trailing me. Once I get to her car, I grab my bag and search for my socks and shoes, changing, then toss her sandals inside. I spin around to say goodbye, and Denise is there glaring at me.
“What?”
She only shakes her head as her gaze softens and she gives me a hug. “Be safe, Abby. Let me know the minute you’re back, okay?”
“I will.” I pull back to look at her. “We’ll have to plan another get-together, sis.”
“Yes, we will.” She gives me a quick squeeze before releasing me. “Turn on your Google Maps to make your way out to the highway. Now, get going.”
I nod and make my way to the rental. Once settled, I pull away and follow the directions through the curvy roads until I hit Highway 280. Thought after thought regarding Shaun whips through my mind, and my spirits sink a little more every minute.
“Freakin’ idiot,” I mutter to myself. About myself. I really did blow my chance at something great. What the heck is the matter with me? I crank up the music to drown out my thoughts, hoping for a distraction. It barely works, but before I know it, I’m approaching the connection for 101, where I’ll connect with Van Ness Avenue to head up to St. Francis Memorial, where Sylvia’s been admitted.
I navigate the streets and find parking, lock up the car, and enter the hospital. I stop at the information desk to identify myself and inquire about Sylvia. Once given her room number, I make my way there and practically run into Millie as I exit the elevator.
“Abby, dear.” She embraces me and we hold onto one another for a moment. When we pull apart, I can see the fatigue, the worry in her face.
“How is she?”
“She’s resting. The doctor ordered some tests and they’re just waiting for the results.”
“And, how are you? What can I do to help?”
“Just you being here is a big comfort. And I’m fine… just on my way to get some coffee. Your friend offered to sit with Sylvia until I return.”
“My friend? What friend? Who’s sitting with Sylvia?” I start to panic, wondering what the heck is going on. I didn’t call anyone, and I doubt Heather, although she’d be concerned, would come to the hospital. Once again, my mind is whirling until what Millie says breaks through.
“…such a nice young man.”
Huh? “What nice young man?”
“Well, Shaun, of course.” She pats my arm and gives me a smile. “Now you go on and go in there. I’m sure he’s anxious to see you, and Sylvia may even be waking up at any moment.”
Millie steps around me, not waiting for an answer, and I’m just dumbstruck, unable to put one foot in front of the other.
Shaun is here?
Chapter Thirteen
I manage to move slowly toward Sylvia’s room, stopping in front of the door. I lean in as if to hear what could be going on in there, but there’s nothing. Before I begin to overthink the situation, I swallow—mostly my pride, because my mouth has gone dry and there’s no saliva to soothe my suddenly parched throat. Then I turn the knob and enter.
I’m greeted by the beeping and humming of machines. The sight of Sylvia’s form looking so frail against the stark white sheets. Of Shaun’s forgiving blue eyes as he stands and makes his way to me… I try to choke back a sob but it erupts anyway, and Shaun is right there, gathering me in a hug.
As I cry against his chest, he tries to soothe me by rubbing up and down on my back with one hand while the other is caressing my head. “Hush, Abby, it’ll be all right. Everything’s going to be okay,” he says softly.
I clutch his shirt and cry harder, wondering how this man can be so kind after the crap I pulled earlier. And why am I all of a sudden breaking down and embarrassing myself? Why am I leaning so heavily on him when I was so adamant about holding my own and being fine?
“Aw, Abby, please stop crying.”
“I can’t help it. I was such a jerk and I can’t believe you’re here and still trying to comfort me when you should be mad and pushing me away and how did you get here before me and even know where to go?” I ramble on, barely coming up for air.
Shaun chuckles. “Take a breath. I left before you, remember? And I managed several calls while driving… hands-free, mind you. So, after calling Sherri who then called Denise who then called Heather and then Denise called me back, I found out Sylvia was admitted here and decided to surprise you. So, surprise.”
I s
ob even harder, if that’s even possible, and clutch even tighter to Shaun. He’s too good to be true. No one could possibly be this thoughtful and kind and caring. Could they? But he’s here, and he’s holding me and trying to comfort me, so, he must be.
“I’m gonna need a new shirt,” he teases.
“Sorry not sorry,” I tease right back, causing him to laugh.
“Here, let’s get you some tissues, okay?” Shaun guides us to the bathroom, releases me, and unspools tissue, since there’s nothing else available. He starts to wipe my face, and to say I’m beyond embarrassed is an understatement. So, I take over and try to avoid his gaze.
“Shaun, I am sorry.”
“Hey, Abby, I get it.” He places his hand beneath my chin and lifts my face so I have no choice but to look at him. Only I keep my eyes closed because I don’t want to see his gorgeous face and know just how much I screwed up. And it really is embarrassing for him to see me like this. I can just imagine my swollen, red eyes and blotchy face.
“Abby,” he starts softly. “You’re beautiful. Please open your eyes and look at me.”
There I go again, mouthing my thoughts without even realizing. I am so gonna get myself into trouble one of these days.
“Abby,” he coaxes again.
Rather reluctantly, I open my eyes and I’m staring into his. And he’s smiling and cupping my cheek. He then leans forward to place his lips gently on mine. And his kiss is so sweet, so reassuring. And so undeserving.
I pull back and shake my head, breaking contact with him. “I don’t deserve you,” I whisper.
Shaun frames my face and forces me to look at him. “Yeah, you do.” He grins and gives me a quick kiss. “Let’s get you cleaned up and go check on Sylvia. We’ll talk more later.”
I nod my head and he pulls back, unwinding more tissue and handing it to me. After wiping and splashing my face with cold water and wiping again, I’m ready. Well, not really, but I have no choice. I walk with Shaun over to Sylvia’s bedside just as her eyes flutter open.
“Abby, what on earth are you doing here?” Her eyes drift from mine up to Shaun’s. “And who is that behind you?”
I reach her side, taking her hand in mine. “I came to make sure you were all right. And this is Shaun.” I look over my shoulder at him, continuing, “Shaun, Ms. Sylvia Montgomery.”
“Nice to meet you, Ms. Sylvia. Sorry it had to be under these circumstances.”
“Yes, well, it won’t be for long. Where’s Millie? I want out of here. Abby, where are my clothes?” She seems to gather more strength with each passing second.
“Sylvia, you can’t leave just yet, the doctors, they…”
“Yes, well the doctors can go take a flying leap. I want to go home.”
I suppress a laugh, but not Shaun. That brings a smile to Sylvia’s face.
“It was just a silly fall. I’m fine and I want to go home. These doctors make a big deal out of every little thing.” She tries to pull back her covers, stopping short when I ask her a question.
“Do you remember what happened?”
“Of course. I had to get up to go to the bathroom. I guess I just got up a bit too quickly.”
“That’s it? What do you remember next?”
“Abby,” she starts, clearly becoming impatient. “I must’ve gotten dizzy by moving too soon. Really, I’m fine.”
“What do you remember next, Sylvia?” I press her.
She plops back against her pillows, sighing. “I remember Millie looking over me, asking me if I’m okay. I remember waking up in this very uncomfortable bed. I remember thinking this room smells like they tried to wash out the scent of a dead person.”
“Sylvia!”
“Well, that’s what I remember! God, how I hate the smell of hospitals. No matter how much disinfectant they use, it just smells bad. And then they try to cover it up with those automatic freshener dispensers. That just makes it worse!”
Now I have a hard time holding back my giggles while Shaun stifles a cough to cover up his laughter. This must give Sylvia time to size Shaun up, because her eyes light up the more she looks at him.
“Shaun.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“How did you meet Abby?”
“She picked me up off the side of the road.” He grins.
My sharp inhale goes unnoticed as they continue with one another.
“Is that so?” Sylvia says wryly.
“Yes, ma’am. My car overheated, so she and Denise gave me a ride.”
“So helpful, our Abby.”
Although it was really Denise doing the driving, and me just sitting there like a bump on a log.
“That she is,” Shaun replies, clearly enjoying this exchange.
“Now wait a minute…”
“Abby, don’t interrupt,” she says, trying to look sternly at me before returning her attention to Shaun. “And so, you live down there?”
“No, ma’am. I live right here in San Francisco, too.”
“Well, now, you would’ve been coming back home anyway.”
“In a few days, but, uh, Abby and I returned separately, so…”
I decide to break in before he could go into any more detail. “Sylvia, you can’t leave. The doctors need to be sure you’re all right.”
“I’ll say if I’m all right or not, and I am. I want to go home. Now, my clothes.”
Just as she tries to make another move to get out of the bed, the door opens. Millie comes back in, followed by who I assumed to be the doctor. A middle-aged man in the prerequisite white coat, eyeing all of us in the room.
“Oh, Ms. Montgomery, is this your family?”
“Certainly. Now, when can I leave?”
“Well, initial tests show no broken bones, no internal injuries. Mild concussion has been confirmed. I’d like to keep…”
“And what I’d like is to go home, to the comfort of my own surroundings.”
The doctor looks a bit perturbed, but Sylvia is not one to be dissuaded.
“Sylvia,” Millie started. “Maybe it’d be best to keep you overnight. One night for observation.”
“Absolutely not,” Sylvia stated. “This bed is uncomfortable and it smells in here. I want to go home.”
I whisper to Shaun, asking that he go schmooze Sylvia while Millie and I talk to the doctor. He gladly agrees. I motion to Millie that we step back, waving the doctor to follow.
“Doctor… Miller,” I say as I read his name tag. “I’m actually Sylvia’s caregiver, Abigail Carter. You said there were no other injuries other than a mild concussion.”
“That’s correct. We did an MRI and nothing else shows us any concerns. However…”
“However, the risks that any residual concerns may arise are a possibility.” I’m pleased with myself when I see his stunned expression. I’ll show you a caregiver, Mister, I say to myself. “I understand observation is a necessity, and I can assure you Sylvia will have someone with her twenty-four-seven. I can see to her needs. I can also assure you she is a stubborn woman, and you’ll be thanking me that I’m taking her off of your and your staff’s hands.”
“I heard that, young lady. There’s no need for you…”
“Sylvia,” I say, trying to sound stern while holding up my hand to halt any more words from her. Turning my attention back to the doctor, I continue. “Now, Dr. Miller, as you can see, Sylvia seems lucid enough to make up her mind. And believe me, once her mind’s made up, there’s no changing it. Why don’t I sign her release papers, stating my responsibility, and I’ll be sure to have myself, or Millie, checking in with the staff periodically. If there are any changes in her condition, she’ll be brought back in immediately. Let me give you my supervisor’s name and number if you’d like to verify my position.”
I reach into my bag for my wallet, pulling out one of Heather’s cards, and hand it to the doctor.
“Her son will be in from Sacramento this afternoon,” Millie states. “I’m sure he’ll agree with Abby. Af
ter all, she’s been seeing to Sylvia’s needs for some time now and knows her better than most.”
As the doctor mulls that over, looking from me to Millie to Sylvia, I look to Shaun, who smiles and gives me a wink.
“Fine,” the doctor sighs. “I’ll make a call and no doubt have the discharge nurse in shortly with my orders.”
“Thank you, Dr. Miller. We’ll get Sylvia ready and await the nurse.”
Once the doctor exits the room, Millie and I join Shaun and Sylvia at her bedside. Shaun slips an arm around my waist. “Good work there, Caregiver Carter.”
“Thank you, sir.” I can’t help but smile as I start to place an arm around Shaun in return but think better of it, considering the uncertainty of where we stand with one another. “While I have the utmost respect for him as a doctor and his profession, they really should listen more to the patient’s wants.”
“I must say, I like this take-charge Abby,” Sylvia says. “Now, Shaun, tell me all about yourself and what you have planned for my Abigail.”
Oh dear God, let the inquisition begin.
****
After successfully putting off Sylvia’s interrogation of Shaun—for now—Millie helps her change while Shaun and I deal with the discharge nurse. I receive written instructions on her care, and contact numbers should I have any further concerns. Of course, the ED is available day and night should that be necessary.
I pray to high Heaven it’s not.
Millie says her goodbyes, telling Sylvia she’ll check in with her later after giving their church friends an update. Especially one Mr. Jones, who I find out has been giving Sylvia the eye. Seems I’m not the only one with an inquisition in their future. Sylvia’s got some ‘splainin’ to do.
Per hospital regulations, and to Sylvia’s disgust, she’s brought down to the admitting area in a wheelchair. Shaun has gone ahead of us to bring the rental car around, and he meets us at the door. After I get Sylvia comfortable in the passenger side and close the door, we stare at one another, wondering what’s next.
Well, I’m wondering what’s next because I’m not sure if I say thank you and goodbye and let Shaun be on his way, or if I should somehow ask him if he’d like to join us, or if maybe there’s a chance that we could get together later… What are the rules?
Unexpected Adventures (New Adventures Book 1) Page 12
