Jason: Lynda do U have time 2 talk?
I wouldn’t normally contact U so late.
I received a troubling text from Ellie.
He waited for several seconds, then when he was ready to close the message app, the three dots appeared.
Lynda: Certainly. I’d be happy to talk.
Give me five minutes.
What was it with five minutes? That’s what Jefferson had told him last night. It was highly unusual for him to send late night texts, and two within a twenty-four-hour period was like never. Going to the kitchen, he grabbed a soda and rummaged through the pantry until he found a small bag of Kelly’s almonds he kept for her school lunches.
He returned to his study and checked the time. That had killed a few minutes. Popping the top on the can, he swallowed a gulp, then tore open the bag of almonds and emptied it into the palm of his hand. He tossed them in his mouth and crunched, then guzzled more of the soda.
He touched his watch. Yes, five minutes had passed. He selected Lynda’s name and waited as the phone rang.
After several rings, she answered. “Hi, Jason. So, what has you concerned about Ellie?”
He picked up a pen from his desk and flipped it as he said, “She told me she would be out of town for maybe a week, but that seemed vague. Do you know why she had to go to New York in the first place? She never mentioned anything the other day. Did Zach go with her?”
“No, Zach’s with us,” she replied. “Oh, and by the way, where were you tonight? Zach was disappointed when Brian didn’t come.”
He didn’t want to talk about anything but Ellie, but this could help him obtain the information he desperately needed. “I ended up working late. I should have called and had one of you pick up the kids. They were disappointed, but then I reminded them they’d see everyone tomorrow when we come to your house for Thanksgiving.”
“Sorry you had to work late,” she commiserated. “Oh…and come over any time after eleven tomorrow morning. The guys are planning on watching football.”
While that was good to know, he needed answers. “Getting back to Ellie. Why did she go? She texted she didn’t have time to talk and would try to contact me in the evening. Why would she be tied up all day on Thanksgiving?” He waited for her to respond, but silence greeted him. “Lynda, are you still there?”
“Yes. Yes. I was thinking. Give me a minute.” He looked at his phone. What did she need to think about? It was a simple question. “Jason.” Another pause. “Why do you want to know? From what I understand the two of you had a falling out the other night.”
So, Ellie had shared that with Lynda. “That’s why I want to talk to her. She told me something, and I didn’t handle it well, okay? I need to apologize for leaving her alone in the restaurant. Please…tell me what’s going on.”
“I’m not sure she would want me to. If she said she’d contact you tomorrow, I’m sure she will as soon as she’s up to it¬¬—” She attempted to stifle a groan. “Uh, she’ll call once she’s able to.”
“Lynda. Now, you have me even more concerned. Why wouldn’t she be up to it?” Oh, good Lord is she sick? “What’s wrong with Ellie? I have to know.” He could hear his tone growing agitated, but what if she had cancer? Oh, Lord, he couldn’t lose her too. “Please, I have to know. Is Ellie sick?”
“Umm, she’s not sick exactly,” she reluctantly replied.
He waited for her to add something else. When she didn’t, he pleaded, “Lynda, I have to know…what’s wrong with Ellie?”
Again, dead air. He heard her breathing, but just not talking. At last she said, “I don’t feel I can tell you. It’s very involved, and I don’t break confidences.”
“Lynda.” Unable to stop, he blurted out, “I love her. I have to know. Does she have cancer?”
She gasped. “Oh, no, it’s not her.” She hesitated, then she sighed. “It’s her sister. She has kidney disease. Ellie went there to help her.”
Lead settled in his gut. “Just how is Ellie going to help her sister?”
Then it all came pouring out. Her sister needed a kidney. How Ellie found out about it on Facebook. That she’d gotten tested to see if she could be a donor. “Are you telling me…?” He had to breathe. His heart was beating double time in his chest. “Ellie went to New York because she’s going to be her sister’s donor? When? When is the surgery?”
He heard a sniffle. Was she crying? Surely, not. If Russ found out he’d made her cry, he’d hang him out to dry. “Tomorrow morning at eight o’clock.”
“On Thanksgiving? They only perform emergency surgery on a holiday if it can’t be delayed. Oh, Lord. Is her sister’s life in danger?”
Then Lynda told him the rest. While she talked, his chest tightened, and his pulse pounded in his veins. His sweet Ellie would go under the knife in the hopes of saving her sister. “Where. Where is the surgery? What hospital?”
“Why do you want to know? I’ll not have you bothering her. You just need to wait for her to contact you. I should never have told you anything,” she bemoaned.
“Lynda. I love her.” He had to rein in his fear. He’d almost yelled at this dear woman. He lowered his voice. “I need to be the first person she sees when she wakes up tomorrow after the surgery. Please…tell me…now.”
Lynda exhaled slowly, then at last, she said, “Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn.”
How would he work it out? He had to get there right away. “Do you think Cam and Emily would be willing to watch Kelly for me? I don’t feel right leaving Brian in charge. Not because he couldn’t handle it, but I don’t want to place that level of responsibility on him. He’s not eighteen yet.”
“No need. Bring her here. Samantha would love to have Kelly spend the night.” She sniffled again. “Bring Brian too. Zach could use his company. He hasn’t said anything, but he’s terribly worried for his mom.”
“Of course. Thank you, Lynda. I promise Ellie won’t be mad at you. She’ll thank you for telling me because I firmly believe she loves me too. I’ll book an early flight, then bring the kids over. See you in an hour.” Then he disconnected the call.
Opening his laptop, he searched for flights to JFK. The earliest flight that had a seat open was on Delta at 5:35AM. He grabbed it, not caring what it cost. He didn’t even bother to book a return flight. He just wanted to get there as fast as possible.
He shut his laptop and ran upstairs. Brian’s door was closed, but his light was still on. He knocked and heard a muffled, come in. He quickly told Brian what was going on, then left him to throw a few clothes in his duffle.
Striding across the hall, he tapped on Kelly’s door, then slowly opened it. She was curled in a ball around Oscar. He hated to wake her up, but it couldn’t be helped. He gently shook her shoulder. She blinked. “Daddy?”
“Hey sweet pea.” He smiled. “How would you like to spend the night with Samantha?”
She stretched and yawned. “Isn’t it already night, Daddy?”
He chuckled. “Yep, but Daddy has to go out of town for a few days. Lynda offered to watch you while I’m away.”
She blinked several times. “But, Daddy,” she whined. “Tomorrow is Thanksgiving.”
“I know.” Then he told her about Ellie, and that he needed to go to her because she was all alone. That he didn’t want her to wake up by herself.
She smiled. “Okay, Daddy. I don’t want her to be alone either.” Then his darling daughter jumped out of bed and ran to her chest. He left her packing her little rolling princess suitcase.
Dashing to his room, he grabbed his duffle and crammed several pairs of jeans and t-shirts, along with underwear inside, then tossed his shower bag in and zipped it up. By the time he entered the kitchen, Brian was already there. “Kelly’s coming. I helped her pack, so she should have everything she’ll need.”
He blinked to clear his eyes. God truly blessed him with his children. Kelly called from the stairs, and he ran to her. Grabbing her little bag, he carried it out to the c
ar. In a matter of minutes, they were on their way.
It would be tight, but he prayed he’d make it before she went into surgery. He wanted her to know he loved her before she had the operation. When he arrived at Lynda’s, Zach met him at the door. “May I have a word, sir?”
“Of course. Just let me make sure Kelly is settled.” He turned and found his daughter chattering with Samantha, then returned his attention to Zach. “What do you need, son?”
The young man’s worried brow had him wanting to pull him into a hug, but that could embarrass him. Zach asked, “Why are you going to New York? I need to know.”
Her son deserved the truth. “I don’t want your mom to wake up after her surgery alone. I want to be the first face she sees.”
He straightened to his full height, which put them at the same level. “But why? Why do you want that?”
He looked him straight in the eye. “Because, I’m in love with her. I hope you approve?”
The boy’s face broke into a wide grin. He turned to Brian, and they fist bumped. “I told you they loved each other.”
Brian laughed. “Yes, you did. Hey, bruh. If they get married, we’ll be brothers in truth. That is sooo lit.”
Jason grinned. “Okay, guys. I’m out of here. New York. Here I come.”
Zach caught him before he walked out the door. “You’ll need my mom’s patient number. Without it, they won’t give you any information.” He pulled out his phone and Jason typed it into his device. Thanks. How’d you get so smart?”
Zach’s ears turned red. “I guess it’s from my mom. She’s the smartest person I know.”
Jason beamed. “You got that right. Let’s just pray she thinks I’m smart enough for her.” Then he turned around and jogged out the door.
Lynda called after him, “Go get your girl.”
After throwing her a salute, he slid behind the wheel and turned toward the airport, thanking God for the best friends, and family, a guy could have.
* * *
The nurse woke Ellie and her sister way earlier than she was ready for. She touched her watch, and it sprang to life; it read 5:00 AM. She groaned. She glanced at Connie. She tried to hide her alarm. Her sister’s face was deathly pale, her blue eyes dull and filled with what could only be pain.
Connie sat up and slowly lowered her legs to the floor. Ellie had to draw in a quick breath. Her sister’s ankles were swollen double, and so were her hands. She appeared to be having difficulty breathing.
After Connie slowly stood and went into the bathroom, Ellie looked at the nurse. “Is she okay?”
The nurse sighed. “Her doctor was afraid this would happen. Her kidneys are shutting down. It’s a true blessing you came forward. She couldn’t have held out much longer.”
“I’m so grateful I found out she needed a kidney transplant in time.” She sighed. “We were estranged until yesterday. She had no idea why she’d just told the nurse that, but something told her she needed to.
The nurse asked, “How long has it been since you had your falling out?”
She met the woman’s gaze. “A few days before 9/11. Then I disappeared, letting her believe I’d died.” She cringed. Why had she told her that? “You see, I worked on the floor above where the plane hit. Everyone in my office perished. Other things had happened, so I took the chance to break all ties.”
The nurse’s eyes filled with tears. “I don’t judge you for decisions made at that horrific time. The entire world was changed that day.” Her expression changed; the sorrow plainly written there. “I lost my husband on 9/11. He too, worked in the towers. He was an intern for Shuster and Shuster.”
Chills ran down her spine. Could this be Donnie’s wife? He’d been such a great guy. He was always bragging about his beautiful Ginny. Ellie looked at the woman’s badge and gasped. “You’re Donnie’s Ginny. Oh, I’m so sorry. You know, he loved you so much. He told us you were studying to be a nurse.”
The nurse searched her face closely. “You’re Ellie Branson, aren’t you? He showed me a picture of you, him and another woman. Amy?”
Ellie’s lip trembled. “Yes, and Amy was my best friend. Do you still have that picture?”
“I do. Would you like a copy?” she asked.
“Oh, yes, please. That would be wonderful.” She smiled recalling the day the picture was taken. “Donnie had just gotten a new digital camera. He had one of our co-workers take our picture.”
“Yes, that’s right, I’d given it to him for his birthday.” She smiled, blinking tears away. “Thank you for telling me a bit of your story. It’s nice to meet someone who knew my Donnie.” She dapped her eyes and patted Ellie’s hand. “I’ll bring you a copy tomorrow.”
A knock echoed through the room and the door swung open, bringing their conversation to an end. But it was a conversation that would stay with Ellie for the rest of her life. Donnie had been such a fun guy, always cracking jokes. She’d never forgotten his big smile. He’d be so proud to know his Ginny had indeed become a nurse.
Brad entered and looked around, returning her to the moment. The muscles in his jaw tightened as he saw her sister’s empty bed. “Where’s Connie?” Fear colored his tone.
“She’s in the bathroom.” Relief swept across his ruggedly handsome, tanned face. “How is she this morning?”
“Not too good. Her ankles and hands are swollen.” Then she brightened. “But, by this afternoon, she’ll be a lot better, once she has one of my very healthy kidneys.”
He wiped at the corner of one of his dark brown eyes. “You’re the answer to prayers. We’d almost given up. Then Dr. Simmons called and told us a donor had come forward.” He smiled. “When I arrived last night…well let’s just say…I’ve never seen her happier, but not because she was getting a new kidney. No, it was because her long-lost sister had returned. I’m so grateful my ad on Facebook found you.”
She went to him and looked into his dark eyes filled with concern and worry. “I’m so glad I saw it too. Thank you for organizing that for her and setting up the GoFundMe account. You’ve saved her life, not once, but twice now. I’m indebted to you.”
“I could do no less.” His voice turned husky. “I fell for your sister the first time I saw her open her gorgeous blue eyes. You have her eyes, you know.”
“I do, and my son has them as well, along with our blonde hair. He’s a handsome young man, and I’m very proud of him. You know what he said when I told him about Connie, and that she needed a kidney transplant?”
“No, what did he say?” he asked.
She smiled through her tears. “He immediately offered to be tested to see if he could be her donor. That’s the kind of guy he is.”
The bathroom door opened, and Connie saw Brad. Her entire face lit up and color returned to her cheeks. “Brad, you made it.”
“You bet I did. I told the chief that I had to leave early. He sent me with his blessing. You’ve stolen every one of the guys’ hearts.” He moved to her and wrapped her in his arms. “How are you feeling, gorgeous? Are you ready to get that new kidney?” He stared into her eyes and kissed her. “I love you, babe.”
Ellie stepped into the bathroom, not wanting to intrude on their tender moment. With her heart overflowing with love, she silently prayed. Thank you, God for sending my sister her own personal angel. Please, please, let my kidney restore Connie’s health, so she can live the life she deserves with this amazing man. You have blessed me beyond measure by bringing us together after so long. I can’t lose her. Be with us and guide the surgical team. In Your Son’s name. Amen.
When she returned, the nurse handed each of them special gowns, socks and a cap to cover their hair. Once they donned the attire, she had them get in bed. Two orderlies came through the door. One of them threw them a cocky grin. “Okay, ladies. Let’s go for a ride.”
As the orderlies wheeled them through the corridor, Brad walked beside her sister, refusing to let go of her hand. When they reached the final doors, he kissed Connie the
n said, “See you in a few hours. I expect you to be ready to go dancing, all right, baby cakes?”
She giggled. “You know it, my dashing hero. You promised you’d learn to waltz.”
He chuckled as he blinked several times. “I’ve been practicing. I do believe I’ll make you proud.” Then with a final wave, Ellie rolled through the doors with her sister right behind her.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Jason’s plane arrived at JFK on time. Racing through the busy airport dodging throngs of people, he touched the app for Uber. There were lots of them ready and waiting outside, so he engaged one and received confirmation with the person’s name and identification number.
He burst through the doors, located his driver and climbed in the back seat. The man pulled away from the curb and merged with the traffic. His brow broke out with sweat. If it was this backed up leaving the airport, he might not make it in time to see Ellie before she went into surgery.
The minutes kept ticking by as the car crawled. The man was an excellent driver and wove through the traffic every chance that opened up, but it was still taking too long. At last they made it to the Brooklyn Bridge, and once they were clear of it, the traffic thinned.
When they pulled in front of the hospital entrance, he concluded his transaction on the app, including a sizable tip, then rushed through the double glass doors. The information desk was clear of other people, so he quickly asked where he could find Ellie after giving the woman her name and patient number.
His heart fell when the nurse told him she was being taken to surgery already. He ran to the elevator and jammed the up button. Stepping into the full compartment, he pushed the correct floor. It seemed to stop at every level. His heart thundered. His palms grew sweaty as he waited for the elevator doors to open.
At last, they opened on the correct floor, and he dashed to the nurses’ station. “Ellie Branson. I have her patient number.” Then he rattled it off.
After Shock- Ellie's Chance Page 19
