“What happened to the one-month stress-free vacation you were going to take?”
“The only things causing me stress right now are you and Genna. Now please, go see to your patients and let me work in peace.”
“Fine, but it’ll be rest in peace if you keep pushing yourself.” Anabelle backed out and closed the door. It was time to talk to the others about her ideas and do some brainstorming. There had to be a way of breaking through that stubborn veneer of his.
Anabelle closed herself in her office after report, intent on making some phone calls to James, Candace, Elena and Genna for starters.
To each she mentioned Drew’s refusal to listen to reason and asked them to meet her at noon in the cafeteria.
The morning went quickly as Anabelle visited with her patients and assisted in patient care. Seri took her aside about fifteen minutes before noon.
“Can I talk to you about something, Mrs. Scott?” She seemed worried.
“Sure, let’s go to my office.”
Once they were seated Anabelle asked, “What’s troubling you?”
She swallowed and cleared her throat. “I don’t want to be ratting anybody out, but yesterday you told me to help the others when I finished my work. I won’t tell you which one said it, but she told me I was working too fast and making everyone look bad.”
“And she’s afraid we’ll give them a heavier load?”
“Yeah, she said that too.”
Anabelle nodded. “Thank you for coming to me, Seri. I know what everyone on my staff is capable of doing. From now on, I’d like you to go to your charge nurse or team leader and volunteer to assist them. Let your friend work at her speed. Look around for where you can help and answer call lights. Just don’t take her advice to work slower.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
When Seri had gone back to the floor, Anabelle grabbed the lunch she’d made that morning from her desk drawer. Upon reaching the cafeteria, she headed for the table where James was already seated.
“What’s going on with Dr. Hamilton?” James asked as she sat down beside him.
“I think the heart attack has affected his common sense.” She told him about the doctor’s determination to plant rose bushes and how she had brought Cameron in to rescue him.
James nodded. “He was up on the Med/Surg floor this morning talking to Dr. Clark.”
“I’m not surprised. I saw him at his office when I got to work.” Anabelle opened her napkin. “He has me worried.”
“You and me both,” James said. “Though, he does have a good point. A little consulting might not be a bad thing.”
Anabelle shook her head. “It doesn’t work that way with Dr. Hamilton. He’d start with a little consulting; before you know it, he’d be seeing patients and work up to the kind of work schedule that most likely brought on the heart problems.”
James raised his eyebrows. “You’re right.”
When Candace and Elena arrived, Anabelle told them that she’d invited Genna to join them. Anabelle opened her bag and pulled out a plastic container. She’d packed a chicken sandwich with meat left over from last night’s dinner.
Genna approached the table and greeted each of them.
After a few minutes, Anabelle interrupted the small talk. “It would be fun to chat more, but we don’t have a lot of time; I’m hoping we can develop a solid plan to get Dr. Hamilton to take it easy.”
“Let’s hear it.” James leaned forward.
Anabelle nodded. “I’d like to share my idea and then have you add to it or make changes. Genna and I haven’t been very successful in getting him to stay at home and rest. I don’t know why he’s so resistant. I was thinking that if Dr. Hamilton could see how many people he’s helped and how much they mean to him, he might be convinced to slow down and let his heart heal. I know you’ll all agree that we want him around for a very long time.”
Elena opened a bottle of tomato juice. “You mean contact people and have them send cards or come by to see him?”
Anabelle nodded. “Something like that.”
“That’s a great idea, Anabelle.” Genna jotted a note on the pad she’d brought along. “Drew has gotten hundreds of letters from grateful patients. We could start there.”
“Kirstie would come in.” Anabelle smiled. “And I’ll bet she’d help us with our project as well.”
“We could have people take turns stopping by his house,” Elena suggested. “Like a parade.”
“Yes,” Candace exclaimed. “A Parade of Patients.”
“Oh.” Elena waved her hand. “I like that.”
“James?” Anabelle touched his arm. “What do you think?”
“It might work; but right now, he’s stressed out about losing Tucker and having the heart attack during Mr. Blake’s operation. He’s blaming himself. I think it’s a good idea to remind him of the patients who are still alive, thanks to him. I’m just not sure he’ll take it to heart.”
Genna set her water glass down. “It can’t hurt, and I’ll try anything. I think it’s a good plan. We’ll have to do it soon—maybe this weekend. I can supply snacks and drinks for everyone who comes. We can set up the patio. Make a party out of it.”
“Perfect, but we can all bring goodies,” Anabelle added.
“I can contact the guild, Anabelle.” Genna sipped her water. “I know they’ll all be willing to help wherever we need them.”
“Good. We’ll see who wants to participate. I know several guild members who have been Doctor Drew’s patients.” Anabelle thought for a moment about any confidentiality issues they might run into. Since they weren’t mentioning specific illnesses or personal concerns, they should be fine. Each person on their list could participate or not.
They spent several minutes writing down names of possible patients for their parade.
Anabelle counted at least a hundred. “We can split up the names between us, and we’ll call everyone on the list.”
When they were ready to leave, Genna gave them all hugs. “Thank you all so much. I don’t think Drew realizes what he means to so many people.” She sighed. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going into the chapel to pray that God leads this parade and uses it to bring health and healing to my husband.”
“We’ll be praying too,” James said.
Elena managed to leave work at her regular time. Before leaving the hospital, she stopped by CCU to see if Anabelle had a list of people for the Parade of Patients for her to call. As she entered the unit, an idea started to form. She greeted several nurses and spotted Anabelle coming out of her office.
“I’m glad I caught you.” Elena grinned at her friend. “I have an idea about the phone calls. I think it would be more efficient and organized if we all met at someone’s house and made a party of it. It would be fun too.”
Anabelle clapped her hands. “I love it. I was thinking of asking Kirstie and Ainslee to help make the calls with me. Let’s plan to meet at my house at, say, six thirty?”
“That’s good for me. Cesar will be working, but Rafael should be home then to take care of Isabel.” Elena frowned. “I wonder if Candace will be able to come. I know she doesn’t like to leave her kids in the evening.”
“You and Candace can bring the kids to my place. Cameron would love it. I’ll call and make sure he doesn’t have any other plans.”
Elena waited until Anabelle had talked with Cameron. When she hung up Anabelle’s face shone with success. “He’s more than happy to take care of the kids.”
“Great.”
Candace came out of her unit just then. She had no plans for the evening and agreed to come. “I’ll bring my mom if she’s free. I’m sure she’d like to participate. Dr. Hamilton did her surgery five years ago. She’s still cancer free, and I know he’s one of her heroes.”
Elena nodded, remembering Janet’s bout with breast cancer.
“We’d love to have her join us.” Anabelle glanced at her watch. “We’ll need to make sure everyone brings their
cell phones.”
“Is there anything we can bring?” Candace asked. “Since it’s close to dinner, we could do a potluck.” Candace adjusted her purse strap and the three stepped into the elevator together.
“Actually that sounds good.” Anabelle tucked her cell phone into her purse. “That way we won’t all have to cook a big meal. I’ll stop by the store to pick up some salads and maybe a couple of baked chickens. I need to run downtown to the bank and stop to see Ainslee too. Maybe she’ll join us.”
The elevator dinged and the doors slid open and they headed for the employee parking lot. Elena waved to the other two. “See you all at 6:30.”
She headed for her dark green Jeep Liberty and, within minutes, had turned right off Cahokia on to Whittington Street. Elena sang a familiar praise song as she drove to the preschool to pick up Isabel, who was going to love visiting her Auntie Amabelle. Elena smiled as she imagined Isabel’s excitement when she discovered what her Abuela had planned for them.
She parked in the church parking lot and went inside. First United Methodist had a wonderful preschool program, and Isabel looked forward to going. Elena hurried into the school and made a beeline for Isabel’s room.
Isabel sat at her desk holding a pink backpack; but when she spotted Elena, she tore across the room. “Buela! Buela!”
Her teacher, Mrs. Dove, chuckled. “I think she’s happy to see you.”
Elena hugged her girl. “I’m happy to see her too.” She paused to look at the papers Isabel handed to her. “Oh, very nice. These look like balloons.”
“They are.” Her dimples deepened. “I drawed my party.”
“Oh, I see. And lots of people.”
Isabel began naming all of her stick figures until Elena said, “You can tell me the rest at home, okay? We’re going to make cookies for your party, and then we get to go see Anabelle.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really.” Elena was beaming at her granddaughter when an unbidden thought pushed its way into her mind. Elena tried to block it out but it was too late. A vision of Sarah holding Isabel lingered.
They said their good-byes to Mrs. Dove and headed for the car. All the way home, Elena prayed that Sarah would not try to assert her parental rights. Though some of her anger toward Sarah had abated and she found herself praying for Sarah’s well-being and sobriety, she just couldn’t shake a certain feeling—the feeling that Sarah posed a threat.
Chapter Fourteen
ANABELLE ROLLED THE WINDOW DOWN AND LET the cool, fresh air blow into her face. She admired Deerford’s wide tree-lined streets. The sun shone, and Anabelle couldn’t imagine a more beautiful place in the world.
Deerford had pretty much all one could want in a town, including a bed-and-breakfast, a small park, seven schools, and even a country club with a nine-hole golf course. She entered the small downtown area, intent on finding a parking place. So many downtown areas in the smaller communities like Deerford lost business to the megastores and strip malls.
While they did have a shopping center just outside of town and a Walmart, the downtown area still had a lot of businesses. Here, they had two great restaurants, a new and used bookstore, a couple of gift stores, a drug store, jewelry store and a copy shop. And there was the decadent Chocolate Garden, located right next door to Once Upon a Time, the adorable and popular antiquities shop where Ainslee worked. Thanks to Ainslee, the hospital gift shop carried many of the items from the unique antique store.
Anabelle parked a block away from Once Upon a Time, then doubled back down the sidewalk to the store. A bell tinkled as she opened the door. Ainslee looked up from the counter where she was showing a customer some jewelry. She smiled in Anabelle’s direction. Anabelle browsed, looking at the newly acquired items. She loved the store with its large pink chandelier and vintage clothing.
“I’ll take this brooch,” a customer said. “It’ll be a perfect gift for my grandmother.”
“I’m sure she’ll love it.” Ainslee rang up the sale, wrapped the jeweled brooch in tissue, and placed it in the shop’s logo-imprinted gift bag. When the woman had gone, Ainslee came out from behind the counter. “Hi, Mother, what a surprise.”
They hugged, and Anabelle’s gaze went straight to Ainslee’s tummy. “How’s our little one?”
Ainslee laughed. “We’re doing fine—except for the morning sickness. I’m glad I don’t have to be here until ten every morning.”
Anabelle couldn’t help but admire her beautiful daughter. Was it her imagination or did she already have that special glow? The girls in the shop often wore retro clothing that went with the décor. Today Ainslee wore a long, cream and beige high-collar, laced dress that looked as if it had belonged to a debutante. “The dress is beautiful.”
“Thanks. It won’t be long until I’ll need to shop for some maternity clothes. Maybe you and Kirstie can come to Peoria with me to pick some out. We could make a weekend of it.”
“Like we used to do every year before school started.” Anabelle thrilled to the idea. “Kirstie mentioned wanting some new clothes for the school year.”
Ainslee smiled. “I kind of miss our shopping parties.”
“I do too.” Anabelle mused. “When are you thinking?”
“Not this weekend, but the next? I’ll talk to Kirstie and call the hotel to book a room for us.”
With that settled, Anabelle told her daughter about the Parade of Patients. “We’re having a calling party and potluck at our house at six thirty. Would you like to come?”
“That’s a great idea. I’ll have to call Doug. Maybe we can both help.”
Anabelle hugged her again and left. Before going to the car, she stopped at the Chocolate Garden to snag a small dark-chocolate bar. She ended up getting an entire box, thinking she might put them out this evening. Or maybe not.
While she’d been in the store, the air had grown more humid and clouds were doing their best to cover the sun. Anabelle had seen enough rain and stormy weather this week. She hoped the weather would behave itself at least through the weekend for the Parade of Patients. A wind gust pushed her forward a step or two as if to mock her.
Before heading home, James stopped at the chapel. He’d stopped before work as well, to pray and gather his thoughts before going to the floor.
He’d needed heavy doses of God’s perspective to see him through the trauma of this past week. Dr. Hamilton’s heart attack, Gideon’s desire to join ROTC, Tucker’s passing and his patient load. Plus, he was letting things pile up at home.
The chaplain came in through the side door that led to his office. “Oh, James. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize anyone was here.”
James sighed. “I’ve had a rough week, and now feel like I should stop and pay my respects to Tucker’s family.”
He nodded. “Not an easy task.” He knelt at the railing beside James. “I was there when he passed, as were both of his parents.”
“So he wasn’t alone?”
“Not by any means. There were moments when I felt the Lord’s presence. There are times when you just know. This was one of those times. There was a certain peace. We all felt it.”
Tears clouded James’s vision. He brushed them away. “Thank you. I appreciate hearing that.”
“I had a feeling you might. We all struggle with senseless deaths like this. Tucker was so young.”
James nodded. The men prayed together, and James left with a much lightened load.
When James stopped to see the Blairs, Tucker’s father thanked him for coming and invited him in. He introduced him to Tucker’s grandparents and some aunts and uncles. James lost track of the names. He was surprised to find Gideon seated next to Tucker’s mom on the sofa. At the hospital and now here. Gideon had always been thoughtful and caring with Fern, but to see him with others, even people he didn’t know well, triggered a new understanding.
“Dad.” Gideon stood. “I thought you might stop by.”
He was surprised at how comfortable Gideon seeme
d. It occurred to him that Gideon might be more suited to nursing or ministry than soldiering. He’d make it a point to talk with Gideon about those options.
James spent several minutes talking to the Blairs and primarily listening as they spoke about Tucker and how grateful they were for the care he had received. “We know the doctors and the nursing staff—especially you, James, did everything possible for him.” Tucker’s father pinched the bridge of his nose. “It’s all so crazy. I keep wondering if this is all a nightmare and I’ll wake up…. It’s wishful thinking, I know. Still it’s hard to imagine.”
“I understand. I’m still trying to process it myself.” James sighed. “I’d like to stay, but I really need to get home to Fern. If there’s anything you need, just call.”
“Thanks. Your being here means a lot. And Gideon has been amazing. I’ve asked him to be a pallbearer and an usher at the funeral, if that’s okay.”
“Of course.” He turned to Gideon. “Will you be home for dinner?”
“I’m not sure. I need to take Nelson to the music store in Princeton. He has a lesson and needs some music.”
James nodded. “Just don’t be too late.”
His cell phone rang just as James reached his car. It was Anabelle. “Hello?”
“Hi James. Elena and I decided to have a phone party to contact Dr. Hamilton’s patients. My house, six thirty. Can you come?”
James sighed. “I don’t know. I haven’t been home yet. And I really can’t leave Fern—”
“Bring her. That is if she feels up to an outing. With all of us working it shouldn’t take us very long, and we’ll do a potluck.”
“Okay. I’ll see how she feels and call you.”
Fern was in the kitchen when James came in. “There you are.” She hobbled toward him, using her cane. “I thought I’d better see about dinner. Gideon told me about Tucker and asked if I’d be okay by myself for a while. I’m so proud of him.”
Sapphire flicked her tail and meowed a greeting from her mat near her half empty food dish.
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