by Beth Rinyu
After a half hour of sitting in silence, going over my thoughts while Faith slept, I went inside to charge my phone, heading down the steps when I heard crying coming from downstairs. I stuck my head into the bathroom to find Joey sitting on the floor, gripping the side of her stomach. My heart broke when she looked up at me with tears rolling down her face.
“Hey, are you okay?” I bent down next to her and pushed her hair from her face. She let out a sob and gasped for air as she hung her head over the toilet bowl and began to vomit, trembling in fear. I rubbed her back while she caught her breath before throwing up again.
“I’m sorry…I’m sorry,” she repeated over and over again.
“Hey, Joey, don’t be sorry. It’s okay.”
I got up and dampened the washcloth on the sink, wiping her face off.
“My tummy hurts so bad.”
“Where does it hurt?” I asked.
She pointed to her right side, right where she had been clenching.
“Does it feel any better since you threw up?”
“No. Please make it stop, Mr. Gabe.”
My heart was aching for her, wishing there was something I could do to take away her discomfort. I picked her up, and she screamed in pain. Heat was radiating from her body, and I knew right away she was burning up with a fever.
I carried her up the stairs and laid her on the couch. “I’m gonna go get your mom.”
She curled up in a ball and continued to sob. Faith sprung from her chair when I walked outside and tapped on her shoulder.
“Faith, Joey’s really sick.”
She rushed inside and took a seat on the couch.
“What’s the matter, sweetie?”
“My tummy,” Joey cried, trying to catch her breath.
“Okay, just calm down.” Faith wrapped her arms around her and kissed her on the head. “There’s a bottle of children’s Tylenol in my purse. Would you grab it for me?” she asked.
I nodded, coming back right away with the medicine.
“Joey, please, you have to take this,” Faith pleaded.
“I don’t want it.” Joey moaned, burying her head in Faith’s shoulder.
I bent down next to her. “Joey, I think Harriet the bear said you need to take this to feel better.”
She batted her moistened eyelashes and reluctantly sipped the medicine from the cup.
“Thank you,” Faith whispered as she continued to hold Joey in her arms while Joey continued to cry in pain.
I couldn’t take seeing her this way anymore. Joey was always so full of life and constantly worried about everyone else’s well-being, so seeing her like this was heart-wrenching. I grabbed my phone and dialed my dad’s number, happy when he answered on the second ring. I explained to him all of Joey’s symptoms. When he told me to have Faith touch her stomach where the aching was located and Joey nearly shot off the couch in pain, he advised getting her to the ER right away.
Joey’s pain had worsened by the time we got to the hospital, and Faith was on the verge of a complete breakdown. I tried to keep them both calm, without much success. Luckily they took Joey back right away when they saw the condition she was in. The orderly came into the triage room to get Faith’s information as we waited for the doctor. Tears streamed down Faith’s face when the orderly asked her for her health insurance information.
“I-I don’t have…I-I’m a horrible mother. I don’t even have health insurance for my daughter,” she cried.
“Yeah, you do, Faith. Do you still have your insurance card from when you worked for me?”
“Well, yeah, but...” Her brown eyes widened, conveying pure gratitude. She pulled it together enough to give the information requested of her. “Why did you do that?” she asked when the orderly exited the room.
“Do what?”
“Keep me on the company’s insurance.”
“Because I knew you didn’t have another job yet.”
She pulled in her bottom lip and looked down at the ground, crying even harder.
Relief washed over her face when the curtain was drawn and the doctor came in. He did a quick exam of Joey and read the results on the ultrasound that was done on her earlier. “She’s going to need her appendix out ASAP.”
“Wha-what?” Faith shook her head in shock.
I didn’t tell her that was what my dad presumed was the problem because I didn’t want to upset her at the time, but seeing her in the state she was in now, I wished I’d given her some warning.
“Well, I want to take her to her pediatrician back home and get a second opinion.”
“Ms. DiNatale, there’s no time for a second opinion. It needs to be done right away before it ruptures. I can assure you the doctors at this hospital are very well trained in appendectomies and the surgery is a lot less evasive than way back when.”
“Faith, you need to pull it together for Joey,” I whispered upon seeing her on the verge of another meltdown. “I know you’re scared, but she has no other choice but to have the surgery. You can cry all you want later, just don’t do it in front of her.”
She stared up at me and wiped away the tears rolling down her cheeks, pulling it together and putting on her game face.
The surgery went well, and Joey was resting comfortably in the hospital. Faith had a hard time leaving her, but the nurse and I both convinced her Joey was in the best place she could be right now, and she’d just be sleeping off the anesthesia for the rest of the night anyway.
“I can’t thank you enough for everything today,” Faith remarked when we returned back to the house sometime after midnight. The stress she’d been feeling all afternoon was all over her face. Dark circles encompassed her swollen eyes and she was still visibly shaken over the whole ordeal.
“You’re welcome. Everything is going to be fine. You really need to get some sleep.”
She nodded, taking me off guard when she threw her arms around me and squeezed me tightly, shedding another round of tears. It felt so good to hug her back. I missed her a lot, but I didn’t truly realize just how much until I had her in my arms again. I kissed her on the top of her head and swiped my thumb along her cheek to catch a tear.
“You’re exhausted. Everything will be better in the morning.”
She stared up at me in a trance-like state before standing on her tippy-toes and planting a gentle kiss on my lips. “Come to bed with me,” she whispered.
I looked away and expelled a sigh. She was an emotional wreck at the moment, and the last thing I wanted was for her to think I was taking advantage of that.
“Faith, I think it would be best—”
“I want you to make love to me.” Her eyes pleaded, and I couldn’t say no.
I reached down and took her hand in mine, skimming my lips to hers before leading her into the bedroom. That night I had finally experienced the act of making love. It wasn’t a made-up word chicks used to dignify sex. It was real and it was like nothing I’d ever experienced before. All of the feelings I’d kept tucked away my entire life came to the surface in a way they never had before. The connection was unbelievable and my feelings for her undeniable. As I held her in my arms afterward, I knew without a doubt I’d fallen completely in love with her.
Chapter 39
Faith
Yesterday had been an emotional whirlwind from start to finish, and I wouldn’t have been able to get through it without Gabe. He remained calm when I couldn’t. He was able to get me under control when I was losing it. And most importantly, he was kind and caring to Joey in a way I’d never forget. Maybe I was wrong for sleeping with him last night, but everything about it felt so right. I needed to feel the security of his arms around me. I needed to feel the emotional connection that took over whenever I was with him. It was so different from all of the other times we had slept together. I always viewed what Gabe and I shared as more than just sex, but I never felt that he did. Last night, for the first time ever, I sensed that he had felt those same feelings I had every time I was w
ith him. I wasn’t expecting anything from it except the comfort he had provided for me when I needed it most.
I was at the hospital bright and early, happy to see a smile on Joey’s adorable little face.
“She had a great night last night, Mom,” the nurse reassured me as she came in to check her IV. “Do you want to try and get up to walk around in a bit, sweetie?” the nurse asked.
“Okay,” Joey replied.
“Finish your breakfast and we’ll get you up and moving.”
I stirred her oatmeal and fed her a spoonful. “Mommy, where’s Mr. Gabe?” Her voice was low and hoarse.
“He had a conference call.”
“Oh.” She let out a deep disappointed breath.
I held another spoonful of oatmeal to her lips, and she declined.
“Mommy, I threw up yesterday, and Mr. Gabe didn’t yell at me like Daddy and mean old Brittany. He was nice to me and took care of me.”
A smile spread across my face just hearing that. “That’s because Mr. Gabe is a good guy.” I meant that sincerely.
“Then why aren’t you still his friend?” Her bottom lip began to tremble. “You’re just like the lady in the food store.”
“What lady?” My eyebrows drew together.
“She used to be friends with Mr. Gabe and now she isn’t. He promised me he would always be your friend…and he lied,” she cried.
“Joey, honey, we’re still friends.”
“Pinky promise?”
“Pinky promise.” I intertwined my pinky with hers.
Joey’s face lit up, and I turned around to see who had her attention to find Gabe standing in the doorway. “Mr. Gabe!” she shouted.
“How’s your belly feeling?” Gabe asked as he entered the room with a bag in his hand.
She shrugged. “Better, I guess.”
“Well, look what I found.” He reached in the bag and pulled out a beautiful princess doll with a crystal tiara and big green eyes. I’d never seen Joey’s smile so wide. “And you’ll never guess what her name is.”
Joey shook her head, still smiling.
“Joey.”
She took the doll from him and squeezed her tight. “Look, Mommy, she’s a princess!” Joey exclaimed. “I love her! Thank you, Mr. Gabe.”
“You’re welcome.”
I couldn’t take my eyes off him. He finally looked my way, and I flashed him a grateful smile. In the time he was there, Joey’s spirits lifted immensely.
“There’s my little angel baby!” My mother’s familiar voice bellowed from the doorway with my father right behind her. She rushed over to Joey’s bed, smothering her in kisses, before turning her attention to me. “Oh, hello!” She smiled at Gabe, and I could tell she was doing her motherly assessment. “I’m Theresa, Faith’s mother. You must be Gabe.”
He nodded. “Nice to meet you.”
“Well, it’s nice to finally meet you too. I was beginning to wonder if you were a figment of Faith’s imagination.”
Shut up! Shut up! Why does she always have to do this?
My father introduced himself to Gabe and immediately began to talk sports with him, breaking up the awkwardness my mother had created.
“Nona, look at the beautiful princess Mr. Gabe got for me. And guess what her name is. It’s Joey!”
“Well, she’s beautiful just like you and she’s a princess just like you.” My mother beamed as my father continued to yammer on about baseball. My mother nudged me on the leg to get my attention. “He’s handsome,” she whispered.
“Who’s handsome, Nona?” Joey shouted, causing both my father and Gabe to stop their conversation and look her way. My mother’s face was beet red. “Mr. Gabe?” Joey continued with her pursuit. “My mommy always says he’s handsome too.” Pure admiration radiated from Joey’s voice.
I giggled and caught Gabe’s gaze. I was pretty certain he was well aware I had found him to be handsome, so I wasn’t going to deny it.
Gabe had gone back to the house for another conference call while I spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out with Joey and my parents. We watched Disney movies, I braided Joey’s hair, and we had lunch together. My mind had time to wander back to last night and what Gabe and I had shared. Every time with Gabe was nothing short of wonderful, but last night was something more. He seemed so open with his emotions for the first time ever. Maybe I was reading into it too much because I was such an emotional wreck, but every time it came to mind my stomach flipped.
The doctor came in to examine Joey and informed me he wanted her to stay in the hospital one more night. I had to run back to the house to get her some clean clothes and her teddy bear. I was also hoping to talk to Gabe and reiterate just how thankful I was to him for the kindness he had shown to both Joey and me. There was no way I could accept money for this past week after everything Gabe had done for me. If anything, that money should go to him. He was Sylvia’s blood.
“I can certainly see what you see in him, Faith. He’s very nice looking,” my mother said as she walked me out of the room and to the elevator. She and my father had planned on staying with Joey until I returned.
“Yeah, well, we’re just friends, Mom.” It pained me to say it when I wanted so much more.
“What?” Her voice wavered.
“Don’t sound so disappointed. You were the one who said our relationship was doomed. Remember? He’s Jewish.”
She frivolously waved her hand. “Since when do you listen to me? He’s good to you and he’s good to Joey.”
“Sorry, Mom...you can write him off as a son-in-law.” I raised my eyebrow and stepped into the elevator. “I’ll be back soon.” I watched her disappear as the doors closed.
Gabe was nowhere to be found when I arrived back at the house. I gathered some clothes and Harriet the bear and threw them in a bag, deciding to take a quick walk on the beach to decompress a bit before heading back to the hospital. I loved the beach in early evening. Most of the afternoon crowd was gone, allowing me one-on-one time with the ocean to help clear my head. Even in the distance, I was able to make out that familiar silhouette standing by the water. I took off my sandals and traipsed through the warm soft sand until I finally reached him.
“Hey,” I shouted over the roaring waves.
He turned around and a slow smile brightened his countenance. “What’s up?”
“Not much. Just came to grab a few things for Joey. I wanted to go for a little walk before going back to the hospital. Care to join me?”
He nodded, and we walked together without saying a word for some time before coming to a stop.
“So, I was thinking…I don’t want the money for this arrangement.”
“What?” He shook in confusion. “Why?”
“Because I don’t deserve it. You’ve gone above and beyond for Joey and me, and I don’t feel right accepting money for something…something I enjoyed so much. These past few days have been so much fun. Well, with the exception of yesterday, but I had a really great time and so did Joey.”
“Faith, don’t be silly. Take that money and use it—”
I shook my head to stop him. “That’s not who I am, Gabe. I don’t care about money. I would rather have all the wonderful memories of this past week than all the money in the world.”
“Faith, will you just think about it?”
I skirted around his request. “I have to get going so my parents can be relieved of their duties. Thank you for everything yesterday. Thank you for being there for Joey. You did really great with her. And one day, if you find the right girl, just remember this: you’ll make a really great father. So please don’t ever doubt yourself.”
The seagulls squawked around us, the waves pummeled into the shore, but silence was the only sound to be heard. I wanted so badly to hug him, but I knew it was wrong. He was there to comfort me when I needed him yesterday. I was a lot stronger today.
“What if I already found the right girl?” he yelled as I began to walk away, causing me to stop dead
in my tracks.
I turned around, standing in place as he approached me.
“And you never answered my question I asked you the other night.”
“And what question was that?” My heart was beating out of my chest.
“If I told you I love you…would you come back to me?”
I sank my teeth into my lip, holding back a smile. “I don’t know...why don’t you try saying it and we’ll see what happens?”
He pushed my windblown hair behind my ear and caressed the side of my face. “I love you, Faith. I really and truly do.”
I tried to blink away the happy tears and just digest his words. Every beautiful one. He. Loves. Me. Me!
“Well, that depends.”
“On?”
“Would you want an unemployed, broke, Catholic girl, who’s sometimes neurotic and battles with Belinda the bad bitch and Gwendolyn the good bitch feeding her thoughts on a daily basis...if she told you she loved you back?”
“I have lots of money. I don’t care about your stupid religion. I find your neurosis absolutely adorable. And as far as the voices go...as long as they don’t make you do something crazy, I’m cool with that.”
I threw my head back and expelled my laughter. “Oh, and I almost forgot the most important thing…I’m a package deal. So, if you don’t think you can handle the baggage that comes along with me—”
He put his finger over my lips to stop me from talking. “Are you kidding me? That little package is an added bonus. I never wanted kids, Faith. Like never. But Joey, she’s made me see things completely differently.”
“In that case…” I moved in closer and looped my arms around his neck. “I love you too…but I think you already knew that.”
He pressed his forehead into mine and our lips met. It wasn’t passionate lovemaking in the sand, but his was my perfect Hollywood ending. We broke from our kiss at the sound of someone clearing their throat, obviously wanting to be noticed. I did a double take at the sight of her just a few feet away, perfectly dressed in her stylish way, her red hair freshly dyed, and a cigarette grasped between her two fingers.
