Anna laughed loudly, then slapped her hand over her mouth and looked around to see if she’d disturbed anyone around them. “Oops. I can just see the look on your mom’s face now. She can’t stand Dan.”
“Now that’s an understatement. Apparently, she saw Millie Phipps at the grocery store, who heard from her hairdresser, who heard from her next-door neighbor that we’re getting married again. Dan must have told just the right ones his plan and word is getting around.”
“Doesn’t that make you mad?”
“Yeah, but I can’t worry about it. I can’t stop it. People will see the truth when it doesn’t happen. I have too many other things to worry about to let that get to me too much.” Phoebe shrugged and took another bite.
“Is there something else? Seems like you’re hiding something.” Anna gave her a mischievous grin, and Phoebe felt herself blush. Try as she may, there was no hiding anything from Anna.
“Well, I mean, I don’t know. I’ve seen Alec a lot lately. Obviously since he’s Jacob’s doctor and all... And Dan won’t listen to reason. He told Alec that we’re getting back together.” Phoebe shook her head and Anna’s eyes widened.
“No!” she gasped.
“Yes, he did. I don’t know why he keeps saying that. I’m not sure he even believes it. I’ve told him more than once it isn’t happening, but well…”
“What a jerk.”
Phoebe nodded and frowned. “All I want is for Jacob to be happy and taken care of. All this confusion can’t be good for him. If things do progress with me and Alec, I’m not sure that’ll be good for him. I don’t want him to lose another role model—not that Dan is a good role model, but you know what I mean.”
She sighed as she looked out the window, and Anna reached forward and put her hand on her friend’s arm.
“I just need some time to think about things is all,” she sighed, and Anna nodded.
“You like him, don’t you? I know you’ve fought against a relationship with Alec, but I’m glad to see you’re softening up. He’s a good man.”
“He is, and I do like him. I just hope I don’t fall in love and get hurt all over again. I guess I’m worried about Jacob and me, if I’m honest.”
“Why don’t you go to church and just sit for a while? Spending time with God might be what you need to get some clarity. You might feel closer to Him if you’re in church instead of at your kitchen table.” Anna patted her arm, and Phoebe nodded.
She’d never gone to church to just sit and think or pray before, and she wondered what it would be like. She changed the subject to more lively things, but she couldn’t get the idea out of the back of her mind.
After lunch, Phoebe had intended to go get a few errands done, but instead, she went to the church and sat down in the back pew. She was alone for about twenty minutes. Reflecting on what was going on and praying for guidance helped calm her spirit.
Her attention was drawn to an older couple who came in the back doors. They walked up the aisle holding hands. She watched in awe as they kneeled together at the altar to pray. The sight brought tears to Phoebe’s eyes, and she looked away.
She had blindly expected that kind of relationship with Dan. Seeing this couple still leaning on each other and trusting God together was inspiring. She was reminded again how important it was to choose the right person when making this kind of commitment. She had ignored all the signs and made a grave mistake. That mistake had given her Jacob, though, and for that she was grateful.
She was about to get up to leave when her phone vibrated. She didn’t recognize the number and she felt a pang of apprehension. She rose from her seat and hurried into the back hallway, answering as soon as the sanctuary doors closed behind her.
“Hello?” Her voice was shaky, and she felt like there was a heavy weight on her chest.
“Mrs. Saxon? This is the charge nurse in your son’s section, Janet Patrick. Susan Caldwell asked me to call you.”
“What is it? Is Jacob okay?” She was having to remind herself to breathe.
“Well, there’s been a complication. Jacob’s temperature has spiked and it’s not coming down. It happened fast. They’re working with him now.” Phoebe felt her knees go weak and worried that she was going to faint right on the spot.
“I was only gone for a little while. How did this happen? Oh, gosh. Is Dr. Dawson with him, too?” She was asking the questions faster than the nurse could answer them, and the ringing she felt inside her head was making it impossible for her to understand what the nurse was saying anyway.
“The team is with him and we’re doing all we can. Can you get here soon?”
“Yes, I’m on my way. I’m not too far, so I’ll be there soon. Thank you for calling.”
Phoebe ended the call and started digging in her purse for her keys. She glanced around quickly, but no one was in the hall with her. She felt a lump forming in her throat but did her best to keep herself in control. She ran out to her car as fast as she could.
Barely thinking about what she was doing, she put her foot down heavy on the accelerator leaving marks on the pavement as she screeched into the street. Something inside her snapped and she realized she was being negligent. The last thing she needed to do was get in an accident or get a ticket. Either would delay her and an accident could be devastating. She slowed down to the speed limit and prayed as she drove.
Jacob was the most important person in her life. At this moment, nothing else mattered. She had to get to him as soon as possible.
He had to be all right. “Oh, dear God… Please let him be all right.”
18
“Dan, there’s been a complication with Jacob. His fever has spiked. I thought you should know. Not sure when you’ll get this message, but you might need to come to the hospital. Just thought you should know.”
Phoebe hadn’t expected to actually talk to Dan. He rarely answered his phone when she called. She’d tried to keep her voice steady in her message, but she figured he’d hear her panic. She had no idea how he’d react to that.
Dropping her phone back into her purse, she decided she’d call her mother when she had a report to give her. She rushed toward the elevator to get to Jacob as quickly as she could.
She hurried toward Jacob’s room as she got off the elevator and she was stopped by Susan Caldwell.
“Wait a minute, Phoebe. They’re doing another assessment now. Please wait in the family area until someone comes to get you.”
Phoebe felt the fear rising in her chest. “I can’t see him?” Her voice was small, and she felt tears spring into her eyes.
“Not yet, but soon. This is standard procedure. You’ll have to put on a mask and a gown to go in, so don’t let that frighten you. It doesn’t mean anything other than we’re being cautious. Okay?”
Phoebe nodded and went to sit in the waiting area. She took a seat and stood back up almost immediately. She couldn’t sit. She had to pace to get rid of the nervous energy.
“What’s going on then, Phoebe? What have these people done to my son?”
She spun around to see Dan standing in the doorway. He looked annoyed, but not worried.
“His fever spiked. Nobody did anything to him, Dan. You know there are risks with heart conditions like his.” She shook her head. “Why did you even come here if you’re only going to be difficult?”
“Who’s being difficult? I just want to know what’s going on with my son. I won’t have him mistreated by substandard care.” He came into the room and stretched out on a chair in the corner, legs crossed, and head resting on the wall behind him.
“Oh, please. I don’t have time for this.”
“Why’d you call me then? If you don’t have time for me, why bother?”
“Because you’re his father. Because you have a right to know what’s going on. Because I don’t want to have to hear you howl about being cut out of the loop. That enough reasons for you?” Phoebe turned her back on him and stared out at the hallway.
They
stayed in the small waiting room for about ten minutes in total silence until Alec came in. When she saw him walk in, Phoebe felt her heart begin to race. She hadn’t had any updates since arriving at the hospital, and she feared the worst.
Dr. Dawson looked haggard, but he still managed to smile when he walked through the door.
“Mrs. Saxon. Mr. Saxon.” Alec looked at each of them and nodded as he said their names. He looked back at Phoebe and took a deep breath. “Jacob’s temperature spiked unexpectedly. That means that the pneumonia has worsened. We’ve added a new antibiotic that should start helping. We’ve gotten his temperature started back down.”
Phoebe looked confused. “The pneumonia is worse? I thought he was getting better.”
“He was. This happens sometimes. The infection can have a resurgence. Now I need to warn you. His breathing has been extremely labored. That’s because of the worsened infection in his lungs. Oxygen wasn’t enough, so I tried a mask. He didn’t tolerate that well. I intubated him so he won’t have trouble breathing.”
Phoebe gasped. “He has a tube down his throat?” She sank into a chair and dropped her head into her hands.
“Yes, but it won’t be there long. It’s very likely I’ll be able to take it out tomorrow. He’s sedated, so he doesn’t realize it’s there. There’s also a tube in his nose, going to his stomach. That won’t be there long, either. When you see him, it’s probably going to be a shock.”
Phoebe looked back up with tears streaming down her cheeks.
“I can’t believe you put my son on life support without asking what I want.” Dan stuck his chest out and glared at Alec.
“We didn’t need your permission. If you didn’t expressly state that he isn’t to receive this sort of treatment, then our job is to do it.” Alec looked at him and didn’t back down. “And let me be clear. Intubation for pneumonia isn’t life support. Jacob wasn’t in a life or death situation, though he is critical at the moment. This just helps him breathe while the new medicine works to clear his lungs.”
Dan scuffed his shoe on the shiny tile floor. “Well, I’m not happy with this.”
“You might as well be happy with it, Dan. If he doesn’t have these tubes, he could die. You’ve been absent for almost all the health issues he’s struggled through, so your opinion doesn’t matter. I trust Dr. Dawson and the rest of the staff here. You may as well do the same or shut up.” Phoebe looked at him with blazing eyes. Her look dared him to argue.
“I guess making a living to put a roof over your head isn’t important? I couldn’t take as much time off as you since you don’t even have a job.” Dan stuck his chin out and glared back at Phoebe.
“Look, none of that matters right now. I just want to go see Jacob.” Phoebe stepped back and looked at Alec. “Can I go in?”
Before Alec could respond, Dan shook his head with a laugh. “Wow, Phoebe, you really do surprise me, but okay. I’ll hand it to you. We’re divorced, and you are able to do what you want. However, let me remind you that you live in my house right now. But that gravy train is pulling out of the station. You have until the end of next week to be out of there or you’re going to see what the law can really do.”
“Why, Dan? Why now?” Phoebe was shocked. She couldn’t believe even Dan was this cold.
“It’s clear the two of you have something going on.” He pointed back and forth between the two of them. “Sure, we’re divorced, but I don’t see why I have to keep making life so easy for you. My job is done.”
Phoebe opened her mouth to respond, but a look from Alec told her not to. She crossed her arms and looked away, and Alec pointed toward the door.
“I think it’s best you be on your way. I’ll have someone call you if something changes with Jacob. Don’t even think of coming back in here to cause more trouble. If you do, I’ll make sure you see what the law can do,” he muttered to Dan.
Dan gave him a sour look but said nothing. He turned and walked out the door, leaving Phoebe alone with Alec.
She burst into tears. “I can’t believe him. What am I going to do? And Jacob! I don’t know—”
“Don’t worry about any of that now, Phoebe. Just come with me and let’s see your son. Okay?”
She nodded and wiped a tear away.
He put a finger under her chin and made her look at him. “Everything’s gonna be fine. I promise.”
She couldn’t do anything but nod and follow him down the hall to Jacob’s room in pediatric ICU.
19
Even though Jacob was in the ICU unit where visits were limited, they allowed Phoebe to stay with Jacob as long as she wanted. He was stable, and they were waiting on the stronger antibiotics to do their job. She was shaken and needed to be near him.
Sitting there, quietly holding his hand while he slept in drug-induced sedation, she prayed. In just over a week, she’d have no place to live but her prayers were only for her son’s recovery.
Though she had many hurdles to get over, she couldn’t worry about any of that right now. If Jacob didn’t recover… Well, she couldn’t even allow her thoughts to go in that direction. When she wasn’t praying, she was focusing on how she’d be a better mother to him.
After she’d been with Jacob for a while, Alec stopped back in to check on him. “He’s resting well, Phoebe. We have to wait on the medication now. Why don’t you come downstairs with me for a coffee?”
She looked back at her son. She still couldn’t get used to the tubes and monitors that had been added. “I don’t know…” her voice trailed off.
“Come on. Just a few minutes. They’ll call us if they need us.”
She nodded and picked up her purse to follow him. They walked side by side to the elevator without talking and rode the elevator to the first floor in silence.
When they each had a coffee, they took a seat next to a large window looking out on an outdoor area. Tables with bright colored umbrellas and planters with flowers almost made her forget she was in a hospital cafeteria.
He looked over at her with a grim half-smile. “Well, a lot has happened since last night. Want to talk about any of it?”
She never looked up and didn’t respond.
“I know you’re probably in shock. But I’m here for you. Always.”
She nodded. “I appreciate that.”
“I know things got scary with Jacob. As his mom, I’m sure you’re still afraid. It’s a setback, for sure, but he’s going to get through this. When he does, he’ll need you to be strong.”
She finally looked up at him. “I thought I was. I’ve done everything I knew to do for him.”
“I’m not saying you haven’t been. I just think you’ve just been faced with challenges that are new. I want to help you find a new place to live. I can help with deposits, rent, whatever. Call it a gift, a loan. You decide about that.”
“Thank you, but I can’t accept that. You’re wonderful to offer, but I just can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Well, because you’ve already done so much. I do have family and I know they’ll be happy to help.”
“Why haven’t you gotten help from your parents before now?”
“Oh, they’ve offered. Over and over. I feel like I made the decisions that landed me here, though, and I’m responsible to get myself out of it. I chose to marry Dan when more than one person told me I shouldn’t. My parents always disliked him.”
“But why cut your nose off to spite your face? Everybody makes mistakes. Surely you know that.”
She smiled weakly and looked away. “I’ll talk to my mom. She’ll be here soon and I’m sure there’ll be plenty of time for us to talk. We can move in with her and Dad for a while.”
“Do you think Dan might change his mind about making you move out? Surely he was just lashing out in anger.”
“Maybe. But I probably still need to get out of that house. I don’t know. I can’t really think straight right now.”
“I’m sorry for pushing the subject. It’
s just important that you two are taken care of.” He reached into his coat pocket and pulled something out. “Here. Take this and use it for whatever you need to use it for.”
She looked down. “Your credit card?”
“Yes. You may need it. I don’t want you to have to worry about money.” He pushed the card to her again.
“No. I’m not taking this. It was more than generous for you to help out with the cash. That was hard enough for me to accept. I won’t take this.”
“What if you—”
She cut him off. “Look, Alec. You’re wonderful to offer this. But I need to figure this out myself. I was oblivious to Dan’s plans to ditch me and I ended up putting me and my son in a bad place because of it. Now, I’m responsible for getting on track. I don’t know how I’m going to do it. And I can’t think about that right now, but I’ll figure it out.”
He nodded, frowning.
“I don’t know what the future holds. I promise to let you know if I need help, though. How’s that?” She smiled, though her eyes were still dull with worry and uncertainty.
“I guess that’ll have to be okay. I admire you for taking responsibility for getting on track. I can’t pretend to understand because I haven’t been where you are. You’re an inspiration, Phoebe.” He reached for her hand and smiled when she responded by reaching to him, too.
Phoebe didn’t hesitate after taking his hand. She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his and was surprised when he didn’t pull back. She didn’t care that they were in the middle of the hospital cafeteria. Apparently, he didn’t care either.
She wasn’t going to let her fear of what Dan might do stop her any longer. She deserved a better life and so did Jacob.
They lingered over their kiss until Alec’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen quickly. “Gotta go.”
Phoebe looked concerned, her eyes wide with question.
“It’s not Jacob. And it’s not an emergency call.” Pushing his chair back he stood.
She relaxed. “I’ll see you later, then.”
He nodded and turned to go. After a step, he stopped and turned back around. He came back to her and knelt by her side. “If you aren’t aware, Phoebe, I love you. This isn’t the most romantic place to tell you, but it’s important you know. It may seem soon to you, but to me it seems like I’ve loved you forever. So, yes, I’ll see you later.”
A Doctor's Patience (Hero Hearts; Medical Romance) Page 7
