by ADAMS, J.
She sighs as fresh tears come. “I don’t feel very brave. Right now I’m more afraid than I have ever been in my life.” She tries not to cry, but it is no use. “I pray that they find him soon,” she says as she turns to her side and lets the tears come. “I just don’t know what I’ll do if anything happens to him.”
Peter wants so much to hold her and offer comfort, but he can’t. She is his patient and such actions aren’t permitted. Instead he presses his free hand against her cheek, caressing it softly. Even this action is crossing the line, but at the moment he doesn’t care. “Everything will be okay,” he says softly.
Sadie covers his hand with hers, pressing it against her face, trying to draw strength from him. “I hope you’re right.
Seventy-four
Cisely and Jessica’s hands are submerged in pastry dough when the phone rings.
“I’ll get it,” Adagio says, wiping his wet hands on his apron.
“Hello.”
“Yes, Mr. St. John, this is Officer Ed Payne. I have some news about your son.”
Adagio reaches for a chair, suddenly feeling a little weak. Cisely has just finished washing her hands and is about to put a new batch of rolls in the oven when she sees Adagio’s face go pale. “What is it?” she asks moving to his side.
He takes her hand. “It's about Phillip.”
She sucks in a breath and pulls a chair close to his. He puts an arm around her. Jessica quickly retrieves the other cordless phone from the living room and hands it to Cisely, then stands with her hand pressed to her chest, waiting to hear about Phillip.
“Go on, officer,” Adagio says.
“It looks like Ms. Baker has been holed up in Dublin, Georgia with Phillip. She turned up on this young woman’s door step and told her Phillip was her grandson, only his name was Michael. Then she fed the woman some sob story about losing everything and having nowhere else to go. The woman believed her and took her in. Her house is a good ways from town and I’m guessing that’s why Gladys picked her in the first place.”
Adagio closes his eyes as tears fall down his face, and tightens his arm around Cisely. Their son is alive. They have waited so long to hear those words, to know for sure.
When Cisely is finally able to get hold of her emotions she asks, “Is Phillip all right?”
“Well, truthfully right now we don’t know.”
“What do you mean, you do not know?” Adagio says, his heart dropping a little. “Does Gladys still have him?”
“Yes, she does, but they are no longer in Dublin. It appears that Miss Roberts, the woman Gladys was staying with, was finally able to get Phillip to talk last night after two months of silence and managed to get him to open up about who he really is and what happened to him. Gladys walked in on them and immediately became suspicious. Last night Miss Roberts tried to get Phillip out of the house. She was about to take him to the police when Gladys attacked her from behind and knocked her unconscious.”
“Good heavens,” Cisely says, her voice full of compassion for the woman. “Is she all right?”
“She’s in the hospital. She has a concussion and a fair amount of stitches, but she will be fine. She was pretty brave, though. Because Gladys took her car, Miss Roberts had no choice but to try and walk to town. She had barely made it two miles when someone saw her sitting at a bus stop. She couldn’t make it any farther with the shape she was in. She asked the woman to bring her in to the police station and collapsed right after walking in.”
Adagio sighs. While he feels terrible about what Sadie has gone through, he is grateful for what she tried to do. “So, now what?” he asks the officer.
“We are keeping a lookout for Miss Roberts’ car, and we’ve begun a search of Dublin and surrounding areas. We’re doing everything we can to find your son. We will keep you posted and notify you the minute we find out anything else.”
“Officer, is there any way we can contact Miss Roberts?” Cisely asks. “I would like to tell her how much we appreciate her efforts to help Phillip.”
“I think that would be a good thing. She is worried sick over him. She’s feeling pretty down right now and believes this is all her fault.”
“Nothing could be further from the truth,” Adagio says.
“I agree, and I’m sure hearing it from you two will make all the difference in the world right now.” He gives Cisely Sadie’s full name and the hospital and room number she can be reached at. Before hanging up, he again assures them the department will do everything they can to track Gladys down and get Phillip back to them.
Adagio continues to hold Cisely as he fills Jessica in on what happened. Jessica sheds tears of her own, for both Phillip and Sadie. A little while later when their emotions are under control, Adagio and Cisely sit with Ingo, and without going into too much detail, tell him about Phillip. He cries a little, but they do what they can to assure him everything will be okay.
Cisely tells Adagio she feels a need to talk with Sadie. Adagio agrees and sits with her as she dials Sadie’s hospital room number. He gets on the other extension.
Seventy-five
The ringing of the phone startles Sadie. She hesitantly picks it up, wondering who would know she is there.
Maybe it’s a wrong number.
“Hello.”
“Hello, is this Sadie Roberts?”
“Yes,” she answers, taken off guard by the silky voice on the other end.
I somehow manage to steady the emotion in my voice. Adagio squeezes my hand in support. “My name is Cisely St. John. I’m Phillip’s mother.”
When I am answered with silence, I know Sadie is probably struggling with her emotions just as much. “My husband is here as well. We just wanted to tell you how much we appreciate what you tried to do for our son, and how grateful we are that you were there for him.” When I am unable to speak anymore. Adagio holds me close and takes over.
“Our children mean the world to us, and we have been in constant agony over Phillip. We are truly grateful you were there to watch out for him.”
“I didn’t do too good a job. Gladys managed to get away with him anyway. I should have known she was lying about everything.”
“Oh, Sadie,” I say softly, “how could you have known? Gladys is my aunt and I know her well. She can make anybody believe anything to get her way. She’s evil and vindictive and you did what you could. You are not responsible for any of this. It’s not your fault. I know in my heart Phillip is okay and will be found soon. I know it as surely as I know God used you to look out for him.”
Sadie begins to cry. We listen quietly, shedding more tears of our own. When she is finally quiet, I ask, “Would you tell us about Phillip?”
“I would be happy to.” For the next half hour Sadie answers our questions, then she tells us how Phillip had been, starting with the day Gladys brought him to her house.
I cry silently as I listen to Sadie describing how Gladys treated Phillip. And when she tells us about finding Phillip on his knees the previous day praying, Adagio has to move the phone away from his ear as emotion overtakes him. He had been there the day I talked to the children about praying when they were afraid. As he cries silently, I hold him close, pressing my lips into his hair, and continue to listen to Sadie. After a few minutes, he is able to pull himself together.
When Sadie has told us everything she can, I begin asking her questions about herself and her life. She tells us about her mother dying of cancer and her father being shot years ago while robbing a liquor store.
Sadie is about to say more, but stops as a sudden realization dawns on her.
“I can’t believe it,” she says softly.
“You can’t believe what?” Cisely asks.
“You said that Gladys is your aunt?”
“Yes, I did, though we’ve never been even remotely close. Her hatred of me is the reason she took Phillip in the first place. She wanted to get back at me for reasons that don’t make sense to anyone but her. She wanted to hurt me in
the worse way, and she did. Why do you ask?”
“Well, you’re not going to believe this. I’m having a hard time believing it myself.” Sadie laughs, then figures she had better explain.
“I’m sorry, but this is pretty amazing. You see, Gladys’ husband had an affair a little over nineteen years ago.”
“I’m not surprised,” Cisely said. “But how do you know?”
Sadie smiles sadly. “I know because it was with my mother. I’m the product of that affair.”
When I look at Adagio, I'm not surprised to see him wearing one of his, 'God moves in mysterious ways' smiles. “Well, I guess that means we are cousins in a way.” My mind is reeling.
“And that means I was looking out for a member of my family and didn’t know it.” There is fresh emotion in Sadie's voice.
After a moment of contemplative silence between us, a whole new conversation begins. We talk about our family ties, each of us asking the other questions. I tell her about her half sister, Velma, and Sadie eagerly looks forward to meeting her.
Though there is a ten year difference between us, it seems Sadie and I have a great deal in common, and I want to meet her more than I can say.
Adagio breaks in. “Ladies, excuse me for interrupting, but I was just wondering how long Sadie had to stay in the hospital.”
“My doctor said I could be released in the morning.”
He smiles at me and I grin in return, knowing exactly what he is thinking and loving him for it. “Sadie, I think my husband just had another of his many genius moments.” He makes a face and I laugh.
“Sadie,” he continues, “I know you are recuperating, but how would you feel about coming and spending Thanksgiving with us?” I squeeze his hand, grateful he’d thought of it.
“I . . . I don’t know what to say. To actually have family to spend the holidays with would be a dream come true for me. And being with you would also help me feel closer to Phillip somehow. I would love to spend Thanksgiving with you. But I don’t know if I can get arrangements made in time.”
“Just let us worry about that,” Adagio says. “We will take care of everything. And we will call you back as soon as everything is arranged.”
“I can’t believe how kind you are being to me.” Sadie’s voice cracks. “Thank you.”
I wipe a tear away. “There’s no need to thank us. You’re family and we are excited to have you come.”
“I’m excited, too.”
After talking a few more moments, I ask Sadie if there is anything else we can do for her. She tells us no and thanks us again for inviting her to come up.
After hanging up, Adagio quickly makes the arrangements while I fill Jessica in on everything. I count Sadie as another blessing that has come to us through this trial.
Seventy-six
Charleston, South Carolina Tom watches Gladys as she downs the last of the vodka, amazed that one woman can put away so much liquor. Then again, that is how she earned the nickname 'Glad Gladys.' She can down a fifth of booze within minutes, and if there is more to be had, the grin never leaves her face.
He disappears for a moment and returns from the back room with another bottle, and just like clockwork, the woman’s face breaks into a wide grin.
“You’re right on the ball, Tom,” she says, immediately opening the bottle.
“I aim to please.” He reaches across the table and pulls an old flannel shirt from the back of one of the chairs. “I gotta go help a man across the way fix a wire fence, so you’re on your own for a little while.” He looks at her and grins. “I gotta earn a little money to keep us swimming in drink.”
Gladys raises her glass. “I’ll drink to that.” Then they both laugh.
Tom heads back to the bedroom to get his coat, casually glancing back at Gladys. Her eyes are closed, but her hand is still cradling the glass.
That’s a good sign.
Entering the bedroom, he turns the volume on the television up slightly. Then he quickly squats down in front of Phillip, catching the little boy off guard. He keeps his voice low as he speaks.
“I want you to listen to me. Now I know you ain’t got no reason to trust me, but you have to do exactly as I say. I’m going out the front door in just a minute. You see that door right there?” he asks him, pointing to the side door in the hall.
Phillip nods, warily.
“I’m gonna leave it open a little. While I’m going out the front, I want you to slip out that door. My truck is parked out back. Run to it, understand me?”
Phillip only hesitates a moment before nodding. Tom has been nice to him so far, despite his rough appearance, and Phillip sees no reason not to trust him, especially if it means getting away from Gladys.
Tom grabs his coat and motions for Phillip to do exactly as he'd told him. He walks into the hallway and opens the side door slightly before heading to the front door.
“I’ll be back in a couple of hours,” he calls to Gladys. “I guess I don’t have to tell you to make yourself at home.”
Gladys smiles, raising the glass to her discolored lips. “That’s already been done.”
That’s what I’m counting on. He glances at Phillip as the boy quietly slips out the side door unnoticed. Tom casually opens the front door and leaves. When he reaches his truck, Phillip is already there, hiding on the outside of the driver’s side. Tom opens the door.
“Get in,” he whispers, “and stay down until I tell you it’s safe.”
Phillip immediately obeys. And it isn’t until they have pulled onto the paved road and he is able to sit up on the seat that he asks, “Where are we going?”
Tom glances over at him and gives him a half smile, ruffling his hair. “We’re gonna get you home.”
Heaving a contented sigh, Sadie mentally goes over her conversation with Cisely and Adagio. Her mind is still reeling over the fact that she and Cisely are related. Even though it's not a total blood relation, they are still family, and Phillip is her cousin. This only intensifies her love for the little boy. Her thoughts go to him again and she continues to pray for his safety. It is about all she can do.
Peter enters and Sadie smiles, her heart lightening even more. When he approaches and again takes her hand in his, she ponders the emotions stirring inside her.
How can this be happening to me?
This is something she thought only happened in movies, and she briefly wonders if it could be a Florence Nightingale effect, or in this case, a 'Peter Nightingale' effect. How can she actually be falling for her doctor? If she didn’t know any better, she would swear this is a sign that she needs to get out more. But then, what is Peter’s excuse? She is sure he sees female patients every day, yet for some reason he seems to connect with her. The thought makes her feel warm inside. She continues to smile, remembering his earlier visit.
When Peter had come back earlier in the afternoon to visit Sadie, he told her more about himself and his life, and now it's as if she has known him for years instead of just a day. She had been relieved beyond words that he wasn’t attached to anyone. Peter told her he is thirty-three years old and has been a doctor for five years. After his father died, Peter convinced his mother to move in with him so she wouldn’t be alone. His parents had worked hard to help put him through medical school and he will always be grateful to them for their sacrifices. He has two sisters. One is an attorney, the other a model, and it isn’t hard for Sadie to imagine the good looks running in the family. She can't help staring at him every time he is near.
His straight blond hair is neatly cut and his chiseled face is adorably-handsome. And every time his blue eyes looked into hers, she has to fight to calm her racing heart.
“Are you okay?” Peter asks.
Sadie pulls her thoughts back to the present. Smiling again, she squeezes his hand. “I’m actually doing okay now.”
Peter notices a sparkle in her brown eyes that wasn’t there before and silently hopes he has something to do with it. He marvels at the raw emotion she
brings out in him. Smiling inwardly, he remembers their conversation earlier and the warmth that grew in his heart as they got to know each other more. He'd learned more about her in that small amount of time than he has about most of the friends he’s known for years.
Sadie told him about her life, her dreams and the aspirations she once had of being a youth counselor. But with everything that has happened in her life recently, she now thinks she is the last person that should be counseling teens. Peter assured her nothing is further from the truth. He can see her doing great things with her life.
When Sadie continues to smile, Peter asks, “Did something happen?”
“Yes, actually. Something truly amazing.” Sadie tells him all about the phone call from Cisely and Adagio. When she is done, he shakes his head in wonder.
“That really is amazing! To think something so tragic could produce such wonderful blessings.”
“I know. I would never have imagined such a thing. And that they actually want me to spend Thanksgiving with them just leaves me in awe.”
“I’m very happy for you, Sadie. You deserve all the happiness in the world.”
Noticing the subtle sadness in Peter's eyes, Sadie lifts her hand to his face. “Peter, what is it?”
Peter closes his eyes at the gentle touch of her hand. Placing his hand over hers, he holds it against his face. This too, is inappropriate, but his heart is already too far across that line to care anymore. “Please tell me I can still see you when you come back.”
Sadie is touched by the emotion in his eyes. “I would like that very much.” More than you know.
He sighs, relieved. He continues to stare into her eyes, his yearning to kiss her growing steadily with each passing second. He caresses her smooth skin, brushing back the short hair peeking from under the bandage on the sides of her head. He remembers how her hair looked before the bandages. Sadie’s hair is styled in a chic layered cut that flips at the ends, and it is easy to see she is a woman who cares about her appearance. Peter longs for the day that he can run his fingers through the soft tresses.
