Southern Belles, a Novel About Love, Purpose & Second Chances (9781310340970)

by Anderson, Sarah

  “No, I’ll try later. Thank you.”

  “No answer?” My mother probed.

  “No, they’re already gone for his dad’s appointments.” I said looking around for any nurses or doctors or someone to tell me something.

  “Come sit by dad and I.”

  “Why is it taking so long?”

  “They’ll tell us something as soon as they can honey.” My dad reassured me.

  “They only had coffee Char. So I got you a coffee with cream and sugar.” Richie said, balancing four coffee cups.

  “Thanks Richie.”

  We sat there sipping our coffees, on the edge of our seats, for the next 45 minutes. Finally, a man dressed in green scrubs appearing to be in his fifties, with thinning hair, came out of one of the double doors. He looked in our direction and walked quickly.

  “Hi, I’m Dr. Greenfield. Which one of you is Lucy Buchanan’s mother?”

  “I am. Is she okay?” I asked, frightened for a response.

  “She is stable now. But her oxygen levels were really low and she had a lot of carbon dioxide in her lungs from hyperventilating. We needed to get more oxygen to the lungs quickly, so we intubated her.”

  “What does that mean?” I asked somewhat relieved and cautious about the intubation.

  “It’s a tube that’s placed down her throat to get oxygen to her lungs and rest of her body faster. It also helps to regulate her blood oxygen levels by getting enough oxygen to the parts that were high in carbon dioxide.”

  “How long does she have to have that in?” I asked.

  “For as long as it takes to regulate her blood oxygen levels.”

  “Okay. Can I see her please?”

  “Yes, she’s sleeping right now. We gave her something to help her rest. We believe she may have had an asthma attack. We received the report from the paramedics that she had been fine with no allergies or illnesses previous to this morning?” He questioned.

  “Yeah, she was fine. Nothing unusual—we played outside but we always play outside in the evenings before bed, if it’s nice out.”

  “Okay. We’re still running a few tests but I’m recommending that she start using a nebulizer daily to help keep her lungs open and from constricting. At least for now, she’ll need to keep an inhaler with her at all times. That will help if she starts to wheeze and has difficulty breathing. The inhaler helps to open her airway and prevent lung spasms which makes her cough—which repeatedly causes her to start wheezing and then gasp for air in panic.”

  “Thank you so much doctor.” I said, wanting to run back to see Lucy, as fast as I could to kiss her and wrap my arms around her tiny body.

  “You are welcome. Follow me.” He said turning towards the double doors.

  “Our Lucy’s okay.” My mother said, walking next to me, with her arm around my shoulder.

  “Mom, I was so worried.”

  “I know sweetie. I was too.”

  “Okay, you’ll need to wash your hands before you go in. She’s stable but we need to be careful. Probably just a few minutes for all of you to visit should be fine. Mom—you’re allowed to stay for as long as Lucy is here with no restrictions.” Dr. Greenfield said.

  I washed my hands quickly and thoroughly to make sure I wasn’t bringing any extra germs in. I walked into the room and saw her small body in a hospital crib. A tube was coming out of her mouth just like the doctor said. It was taped to her face. There was a nurse reading her vitals and writing them down. Beeps and humming equipment surrounded Lucy as she slept peacefully. My baby was safe in the midst of the storm that shook us from our beds this morning. I thanked God as I touched her slender arms and stroked her bronzed blonde hair that fell just below her shoulders.

  “I’m Jenny. I’ll be Lucy’s nurse until the next shift.”

  “Thank you. I’m Char, her mom.” I said quietly as I kept my hands and eyes on Lucy.

  “Honey, we won’t stay too long. I know the doctor doesn’t want too many people in here. We just want to peek at her and tell her we love her—even though she’s sleeping.” My mother said slipping her hand into the crib to rub Lucy’s cheek.

  I stood towards the front of Lucy’s bed as my mother, father, and brother, Richie, gathered around her. The nurse finished up documenting data and hung up Lucy’s chart, in the slot by the door, before stepping out. My mom and dad or as Lucy calls them, nana and papa, kissed her cheeks and forehead and spoke softly to her that they loved her. Richie rubbed her tiny hand in his. After a few moments, my dad grabbed my hand and nudged my mom and Richie to hold hands. My dad placed his other hand on Lucy’s head and began to pray for her continued healing and health. He prayed for comfort for Lucy and strength for me. He thanked God for the love and joy that she brings into our lives and finished praying.

  “Is there anything I can get you before we leave? How about some lunch? You didn’t even have breakfast.” My mother commented.

  “Um, okay. If you want; I’m not that hungry right now, though.” I said still focusing on Lucy.

  “She’s going to be fine.” My dad said putting his arm around me before kissing the top of my head.

  “I know.” I said starting to tear up.

  “Oh honey. Your dad’s right, she’s going to be fine.” My mother said hugging the other side of me.

  “I know. It just scared me so bad. Her lips were dark blue. What if I hadn’t woken up in time?” I said starting to cry as I watched her underneath the tape, breathing tube, and wires taped all along her arm.

  “We can’t focus on those things. She’s going to be okay.” My mom said.

  “What if it happens again?” I said pulling my sleeve up to my face to wipe away the puddle of tears on my cheek and neck.

  “The doctor said that he’s going to have her use a nebulizer to prevent that from happening again.” My dad said in a matter-of-fact.

  “She’s safe and she’s going to remain safe.” My mom added as she hugged me closer.

  “She’s got to—she’s my whole world.”

  “Richard, I’m going to get some food from the cafeteria for Char and see if the doctor will let me stay a little while with Char—so she’s not alone right now. I’ll be back in a bit if you will stay with her until I return.” My mother said squeezing my hand before heading out the door.

  “Okay dear.” He called back.

  My father pulled up a chair for me to sit in and another for himself. Richie stood back keeping a watchful eye on Lucy. We talked some but my father knew that right now I just needed to be with Lucy, with little distraction or noise. We all waited for my mother to return. The nurse came in again to read the computer monitors and jot down some more information. She asked if she could get us something to drink. I kindly declined the offer and she persisted, noting that she had the time to get us drinks and stated that the hospital rooms get very dry. I recanted, and asked for grape juice as my father and Richie requested for water. Several minutes later, she came back into the room with our beverages. She handed me my grape juice as I sat tensely, beside Lucy’s bed. I removed the paper off the top of the straw and flashed back to almost two years earlier, in the same hospital. I was tired and had just given birth to Lucy. Exhausted, I held this tiny, perfect, little beauty all bundled up on my chest. I looked at her in awe as I had never felt or could have imagined the love I would feel for my child. I kissed her small forehead as her cries became quieted by the closeness of her body to mine. As the midwife finished up with me I looked over at Lucy and watched the nurses take her vitals. I remember the midwife saying I lost a lot of blood. The nurse offered to get me grape juice to help with my fatigue.

  “Okay, so I spoke with Dr. Greenfield and he said that I could stay a few hours with you Char. I also brought you a bacon cheeseburger and fries from the cafeteria.” My mother said pulling up the bedside table to my chair.

  “I think we’re going to leave then dear.” My dad said, standing up abruptly.

  “Thank you dad for coming and praying.
Please keep praying.”

  “You know I will honey.” My dad said, hugging me tightly.

  “Thank you.” I said as he kissed my forehead before letting go to kiss Lucy.

  “I love you Char.” Richie said hugging me next. “She’s going to be fine and home by tomorrow.”

  “Thanks Rich.”

  “Honey, I’ll pick you up around five PM.” My dad said, kissing my mother goodbye.

  “Thank you; can you tell Rose that I said thank you and that Lucy is stable?” She said, holding his embrace.

  “Yes, I’ll let her know babe.”

  “Thank you guys,” My mother told them as she hugged Richie goodbye next.

  “No problem mom.”

  “Thanks dad, thank you Richie.” I said, before they disappeared out the door. “Mom, thank you for staying with me and getting me food,” I added.

  “You’re welcome sweetie. Eat it before it gets cold. Here—I’ll help you with the fries.” She smiled, grabbing a small handful of fries.

  I ate the burger like I was famished. I hadn’t even given food a thought with Lucy’s life hanging in the balance. I scarfed down the burger in mere minutes and moved onto the fries before reaching out to grab my grape juice to wash it all down. My mother snacked on an apple that she pulled out of her purse.

  We sat close together beside Lucy’s bed. My mother was always my biggest comfort when things got overwhelming. She talked about things to take my mind off the present stressors. Known for her kindness and humor, she knew how to make me laugh and ease my stress. She brushed my long brown hair and braided it into a fish tail down the side of my head as she told me stories of her and Aunt Juanita when they were younger. She also shared some of the events that me and my brothers did to scare her when we were youngsters and reassured me that Lucy would be fine. My mother told me how proud she was of me and of all my accomplishments. She got a bit tearful as she expressed how rewarding it was for her to watch me parent Lucy and told me that I was a wonderful, kind, and fun mother. She was good at giving people compliments and did so at every opportunity. I was so relieved to have my mother with me; she knew just what to do and say.

  “If you want to take a little rest, I’ll be right here with you and Lucy. Since, you’re spending the night, you might get tired later. That way too—when she wakes up you’ll be able to spend time with her if you’re more rested now.” My mom tried coaxing me.

  “I don’t know that I can sleep but thank you mom.”

  “If you change your mind—there’s a recliner over there you can curl up in.” She pointed.

  “Thanks.” I yawned.

  “See, you’re tired and could use some rest. I’ll be right here honey if she wakes up before you. If she does, I promise to wake you right away.” She said looking in the cabinet for something.

  “Okay, I guess. I’m tired but I just want to make sure she sees my face first because she won’t know where she is or why the tube is in her mouth.” I said, bending down to kiss her forehead.

  “I found you a pillow and a blanket dear.” My mother turned around with both.

  “Thanks mom.” I said before I whispered “I love you sugar face” into Lucy’s ear.

  “Come get comfy and I’ll cover you up.”

  “Mommy loves you baby.” I said, stroking Lucy’s cheek again as I kissed her another few times.

  “I’ll close the shades too—that should help block some of the light out.”

  “Thanks mom. I’m not sure that I’m going to fall asleep though.”

  “Okay, sit down already so I can cover you up. Your dad will be back in a few hours and you should get some rest now dear.”

  “Okay, okay.”

  She turned the lights down low and only a few streams of light peeked in from the blinds. She reclined the chair and placed the soft pillow to the left of my head to lean against. Next, she laid the hospital blanket on top of me and tucked in the corners around my arms and sides and under my feet.

  “I love you Char. Get some rest. I will be right here with Lucy. She is fine.” She reassured. “I’ll wake you up when dad comes unless Lucy wakes up before then.”

  “Okay, thanks mom.” I said yawning before I closed my eyes and tried to stop the many thoughts running through my mind.

  I laid there with my eyes closed thinking about the day. I turned to peek at Lucy.

  “She’s fine honey.” My mom said, without looking up.

  I turned towards the windows again catching a glare from the sun peering through the cracks in between the shades. I was comfortable and tired but still wanted to be there when Lucy awoke from her sleep. I closed my eyes again. I wondered about Skylar, randomly, before I felt a small sense of guilt for not thinking about Eric first. After all, he had been there for me and Lucy and would be here now if he weren’t taking care of his father, in Savannah. He was so good to me and I felt bad for letting my mind drift towards Skylar before him. After I stopped the argument amongst myself and my thoughts I thought about CeCe. A pang of anger sprang up—she should have cared enough to try and come to the hospital, if not at least call, to see how Lucy was doing. This was important; she should have been here. I wondered what I’d done to push her so far away. She was the only best friend I had ever known, other than maybe Richie or my mother. She was there for everything big and small, scary and funny. There was nothing she did not know about me. She was the only person I ever truly felt comfortable bearing my soul to, other than Skylar. I missed her so much and at the same time felt resentment towards her for disappearing out of my life just like Skylar. CeCe didn’t have an excuse though. I couldn’t think of anything so bad that I would’ve done to hurt her or make her that mad at me. We’d been joined to the hip since third grade. The last six months CeCe had been nothing more than a stranger or at most an acquaintance in my life. I grappled with the swirling, tangled, thoughts of CeCe, Eric and Skylar. I just needed to turn off my mind. I silently prayed for rest and for Lucy to continue to get better before drifting off to sleep for what seemed only a moment.

  “Charlotte, honey, wake up. Your dad’s here and I’m leaving in just a few minutes.” I heard my mother say as I jolted awake.

  “Is she up?” I looked over at Lucy with glazed eyes.

  “No honey, she’s still sleeping. But she’s fine. The nurses are coming in and checking on her every half hour.” My mom said, straightening out my braid.

  “Okay. Thank you for waking me up mom.” I yawned, scratching my head

  “You’re welcome sweetie. Do you want to sit in this chair?”

  “Yeah, give me a minute to wake up. I didn’t realize I was that tired.”

  “That’s okay babe. You’ve had a long day.”

  “Yeah, it has been a long day.”

  “You know you can call anytime of the day if you need to honey.” My mother insisted as I slept-walked to her chair.

  “Okay mom. I’ll call you when she wakes up unless it’s in the middle of the night.” I said, bringing the covers with me to cuddle up in.

  “Alright, I love you Char. I love you too sugar bug.” She said to Lucy kissing her nose, gently, before turning around to lean my head into her arms. “You can call me whenever.”

  “Thanks mom. I will if I need to.”

  “Okay sweetie. Bye girls.” She waved as she stepped away.

  “Bye mom. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  She left and it was Lucy and I again. I looked over at Lucy and she remained still. Her color had gotten better and I watched as her chest raised and lowered in a relaxed manner. I picked up her hand closest to me and held it in my right hand. Her other hand had an oximeter on her index finger with tape all over it to keep it in place. She hadn’t moved but appeared to be comfortable enough. The humming continued which I had barely noticed at this point other than the deafening silence that filled the room. On occasion, the sound of nurses talking as they passed by the door echoed in.

  I held tight to Lucy’s slightly warm finger
s and put my feet up on the side of her bed. I wrapped the covers around my midsection and sipped the last of my lukewarm grape juice before tossing it in the trash can beside the table. I leaned close to her bed and quietly hummed you are my sunshine. I was still sleepy and could barely control myself from yawning. I jerked uncomfortably as I had begun to fall asleep again.

  I put my feet down and looked around for the television remote control. Unlucky in my search, I opened up the drawers in the table behind my chair. The first drawer had a pad of paper and a box of tissue. I closed the drawer and opened the next one. I found a maroon-colored book titled Gideon’s Bible. I pulled it out and closed the drawer.

  I flipped it open and the pages flipped to the book of Jeremiah. My mother had read most all of the bible to me growing up. She would read to me as I fell asleep. I never knew when she stopped as her reading usually lulled me to sleep. I remembered having to memorize various scriptures in my confirmation classes. It had been awhile since I read the bible. I started reading, silently, until I began to get sleepy again. I decided to try reading aloud to Lucy and I. While skipping around verses, I came upon a familiar scripture in Jeremiah 29:11. It read, for I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. I felt a warm tingling sensation run over my body, leaving goose bumps on my arms and neck. I looked over at Lucy again and smiled as I felt my body relax. I continued reading; yawning every few words. I leaned against the crib-type bed Lucy laid in and continued reading a short while until dozing off.

  Sometime later I awoke to knocking followed by a hello. It was dark in the room as I rubbed my eyes open to see the shape of a female standing in the doorway. Squinting to see who was at the door in the dim-lit room, I suddenly saw CeCe standing there. I rubbed my eyes again to make sure I was actually seeing her.

  “Can I come in?”

  “Yes.” I yawned.

  I was so tired. I had a myriad of feelings going through my body. I was happy to see her and angry that it had taken Lucy ending up in the hospital for her to come back to see her best friend. She slowly made her way over to the bed as she looked over at Lucy.