Promises of the Heart

by Nan Rossiter

  Ben smiled. “I reminded her about Keeper having surgery right before she went in—I was hoping it would help her feel less worried . . . I said if he could do it, she could, too.”

  “That was a good idea,” the doctor said with a tired smile.

  “How did it go?” Macey asked anxiously.

  “Very well—we had a good strong heart, and it started beating right away. Even so”—he paused—“I can’t impress on you enough how important her antirejection meds are. There are always risks—but in Harper’s case, I think she’s going to come through with flying colors. She’s a fighter and I think we found the perfect heart.”

  “Can we see her?” Ben asked.

  “Soon,” the doctor said, running his hand through his hair. “We’re wrapping things up, and she’s still going to be out of it for a while, but you’ll be able to see her after we’ve moved her back to her room in ICU. She’s going to look a little swollen, but that’s completely normal.”

  Macey nodded. “Thank you so much.”

  He smiled. “You’re welcome.”

  “Do you know anything about the donor?” Ben ventured.

  The doctor shook his head. “The mother wants to remain anonymous, at least for now. Down the road, she may want to meet the children her child saved, but she’s still grieving.”

  “Did they donate other organs?”

  He nodded. “All they could.”

  Macey took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Wow,” she whispered.

  The doctor nodded. “It can be a difficult decision, but usually families that decide to donate look back and say knowing their loved one’s organs—especially a heart—saved someone else’s life helps to ease their loss. We try to encourage people to consider organ donation when they renew their driver’s licenses. It makes it easier on families if an individual has already made that decision—then the family doesn’t have to guess what they would have wanted.”

  Macey looked up at Ben. “We should do that.”

  Ben nodded. “Definitely.”

  “Okay,” the doctor said. “I’m going back. I just wanted to give you an update so you can grab some breakfast or a cup of coffee. A nurse will come find you as soon as we get Harper settled in her room.”

  They both nodded. “We can’t thank you enough,” Ben said, shaking his hand.

  “Yes,” Macey agreed, reaching out to take both of his hands. “Thank you.”

  He smiled. “You’re very welcome.”

  As he walked away, Ben turned to her. “Coffee?”

  Macey nodded. “Just let me text my mom and Maeve.” She pulled her phone out of her pocket, but when she looked at the screen, she could barely make out the letters.

  “Maybe you should wait till you can see,” Ben said gently, putting his arm around her.

  “Okay,” she agreed, sobbing into his shoulder.

  66

  “IS THERE A CHAPEL IN THIS HOSPITAL?” CORA ASKED, WIPING HER EYES.

  The nurse at the desk looked up and smiled sadly. “Yes, it’s on the first floor, across from the cafeteria.”

  “Thank you,” Cora replied. She turned and walked slowly down the hall to the elevator, pushed the button, and waited. Finally, the doors yawned open, and when she stepped inside, she just stood there, waiting. When nothing happened, she realized she hadn’t pushed the button for her floor. She hit L, and as the elevator began its descent, she tried to wrap her mind around everything that happened, but she couldn’t come close to comprehending the lost life of a sweet, innocent child. “Why?” she whispered. “She had her whole life ahead of her.”

  The doors opened and Cora moved, as if on autopilot, in the direction of the cafeteria. When she reached it, she glanced in and saw people getting cups of coffee and trays of breakfast food, their silverware and dishes clinking . . . their lives going on. She turned, looked across the hall, and saw a small sign on a heavy oak door that simply said, Chapel.

  The sanctuary was quiet and cool, a stark contrast to the busy cafeteria across the hall. As her weary red-rimmed eyes adjusted to the dim light, she noticed a small table filled with votive candles. She paused, remembering how her mother—a devout Catholic—had always lit a candle when she entered her church. Cora reached for an unlit match, held it in the flame of another candle until it sparked, and then lit the candle next to it. She stared solemnly at the tiny flame. Then she made her way slowly up the aisle to the altar and knelt down, brokenhearted.

  She had no idea how long she had been kneeling there, praying for comfort and understanding, when the doors swung open.

  Cora turned to see who had come into the sanctuary.

  “Cora?” Macey said in surprise. “What are you doing here?”

  67

  ONE WEEK LATER, MACEY PEEKED AROUND THE DOOR INTO HARPER’S hospital room. “Hey, Harp, there’s someone here to see you,” she said cheerfully.

  Harper opened her eyes, and her face—which had taken on a healthy rosy hue—lit up with a hopeful grin. “Did you sneak Keeper in?”

  Macey laughed. “No, it’s not Keeper . . . but it’s almost as good. Maybe better.”

  “Who?”

  Macey stepped back and a familiar face peered around the door.

  “Miss Cora!” Harper cried happily.

  Cora smiled and reached through the tubes and wires to give her a gentle hug. “We wanted to come see you right after your surgery, but we thought we’d better give you a week or so to recover. How’re you doin’?”

  “I’m doin’ great,” Harper replied, beaming. “I had PT this morning and Laurie—she’s my physical therapist—said I’m her star patient! She said if I keep it up, they’re gonna hafta send me home!”

  “That is such wonderful news,” Cora said, smiling at Macey.

  Harper looked around her. “Did Rudy come, too?”

  Cora raised her eyebrows. “See for yourself,” she said, looking back at the door.

  Harper followed her gaze and saw Rudy peek around the door, grinning.

  “Rudy!” Harper exclaimed.

  “Hi, Harper,” Rudy said, keeping her hands behind her back.

  Harper eyed her suspiciously. “What’s behind your back?”

  “A present,” Rudy teased, but then, she couldn’t wait any longer, and she held out a large blue gift bag with a picture of Dory and Nemo on it. “We know how much you love Dory!”

  “What is it?”

  “You have to open it and see, silly!”

  Harper reached through the tissue paper and pulled out a large stuffed dog. “Oh, wow! He’s so cute,” she said, pulling him close. “Thank you!”

  Harper slowly turned the dog around to see the front of him and then her eyes grew wide. Not only did the dog have a pink heart sewn on his chest, but he was also missing a front leg. “Oh, wow!” she cried. “Where did you find him?”

  Rudy grinned and Cora laughed. “We’ll never tell,” they said in unison.

  “That is so cool!” Harper said, showing Macey.

  “That is very cool,” Macey agreed.

  “Sooo . . . how are you feeling?” Rudy asked.

  “A lot better. I’m so glad you came. I’ve been so bored.”

  “You look a lot better—your cheeks are so rosy,” Cora said, smiling, even though her eyes glistened.

  “What’s wrong?” Harper asked, seeing her tears. “Why are you crying?”

  Cora quickly brushed them away. “I’m not.” As she said this, she inadvertently looked at Rudy and caught her eye. Harper watched the silent exchange and frowned—it seemed as if they were keeping a secret.

  “Yes, you are.”

  “Well, if my eyes are a little damp it’s because I’m happy you finally got your new heart.”

  Just then, a nurse came into the room to check on Harper, but when she saw she had company, she offered to come back.

  “No, no,” Cora said, smiling. “We can’t stay,” she explained. “We have to get home so Frank can go to basketball practice.�
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  “Did he make the team?” Macey asked.

  “Sure did!” Rudy said proudly. “He made varsity, and he’s only a freshman!”

  “Wow, that’s so great,” Macey said. “Please tell him congratulations for us . . . and if you let me know when he has a game, maybe we can come.”

  Harper’s face lit up. “That would be fun . . . and then Rudy and I can have a sleepover.”

  “Ooh, yeah!” Rudy agreed, bumping fists with Harper.

  “We can do that,” Cora said, nodding as she sat on the edge of Harper’s bed and reached for her hands. “I’m so happy for you, baby. You got yourself a good strong heart.”

  “Thanks, Cora,” Harper said, beaming.

  “God has blessed you, child.”

  “Just like you said.”

  She nodded. “Mm-hmm . . . just like I said. May he continue to bless you,” she whispered, brushing the wisps of red hair out of Harper’s eyes. “Almost time for another haircut,” she added with a smile.

  “Mm-hmm, I’m gonna wait till it’s really long . . . so I can donate it again.” She looked at Macey. “We’re both going to!”

  “You are?” Cora said, eyeing Macey.

  Macey nodded. “We are, indeed,” she said, winking at Harper.

  Just then, there was another quiet knock on the door, and they all looked up. “Mrs. Holland!” Harper said, a smile lighting her face. “How did you know I was here?”

  “Oh, I’ve been keeping tabs on you,” she said, winking at Macey. “Do you really think I could forget after the scare you gave us on the beach?”

  Harper’s teacher smiled at Cora and Rudy, and Macey quickly introduced them.

  “It’s nice to meet you,” Mrs. Holland said.

  “It’s nice to meet you, too,” Cora replied. Then she looked at Macey. “I’m sorry we can’t stay.”

  “That’s okay,” Macey said, giving them both a hug. “Just don’t forget to let us know when Frank has a game . . . and then Rudy can come home with us and sleep over.”

  Rudy grinned. “Okay!”

  “Bye, Rudy! Bye, Cora! Thanks for my present!” Harper called, smiling and sinking back onto her pillow.

  “You’re a popular young lady,” Mrs. Holland said.

  “I know,” Harper said, laughing.

  “How’re you feeling?”

  “Really good,” Harper said, nodding. She wasn’t used to so many people caring about her.

  “The kids and I have been worried about you.”

  Harper smiled. “You don’t hafta worry anymore—I have a new heart!”

  “We know! That’s such wonderful news!”

  “And I made sure all of the medicine they gave me with needles was tested with horseshoe crab blood, just like you said.”

  Mrs. Holland laughed, tears filling her eyes. “Oh my goodness, Harper, you are truly a gift to this old teacher.”

  “Why?” Harper asked, frowning.

  “Because you just showed you were listening in class . . . and that warms my heart.”

  Harper nodded. “I just thought it was really cool, that’s all.”

  “Maybe you will be a research scientist or a doctor someday,” Mrs. Holland offered.

  “Maybe,” Harper agreed thoughtfully. “Although I think I might like to help sea turtles.”

  “That would be wonderful, too,” Mrs. Holland said. “I think you’ll be great at whatever you decide to do.”

  “Thanks,” Harper said, nodding shyly.

  Mrs. Holland picked up the canvas bag she’d brought with her. “Anyway, I have some presents for you, too. The kids and I were going to wait till you came back to school, but then we decided you might like to have them while you’re recuperating.”

  Harper nodded again.

  “First, since you’re such a talented artist, Harper, we put our heads together and decided that, instead of a boring old journal, you should have a real artist’s sketchbook.” As she said this, she pulled a black leather-bound sketchbook out of her bag and handed it to her.

  Harper’s eyes grew wide in surprise. “Wow!” she said softly, looking at Macey.

  “And,” Mrs. Holland continued, “we also thought you’d enjoy a book about drawing from nature.” She handed the second book to Harper, and Harper began to glance through it. “I hope you don’t mind, but the kids drew pictures in the beginning of your sketchbook—they didn’t want you to forget all the things we saw on the beach. Sam even drew a wonderful picture of the horseshoe crab molt . . . although he said it’s probably not as good as what you would draw.”

  Harper continued to leaf through the nature book, pausing on a page of birds, and then opened the leather sketchbook to look at her classmates’ drawings and notes. “Thank you,” she said. “This is one of the nicest presents I’ve ever gotten.”

  “You’re welcome,” Mrs. Holland said. “We also made some get-well cards, and I know Sam worked especially hard on his.” She handed Harper a stack of cards tied together with a red ribbon. “You don’t have to open them now,” she added. “You can open them when you’re bored and don’t have any company.” Harper nodded, lightly running her finger over the ribbon. “We are looking forward to having you back in class, though.”

  Harper nodded. “I am, too.”

  “Do you know when you might be back?”

  Harper looked questioningly at Macey, and Macey—who was still misty-eyed by the class’s kind gesture—regained her composure and nodded. “We’re not sure yet. It all depends on how Harper feels. Hopefully, soon.”

  Mrs. Holland nodded. “Take all the time you need to heal, Harper, and don’t come back too soon. You’ve just had major surgery and there is no rush.” She paused. “Well, I know you need to rest, but the kids have been after me to come by and bring you their cards and gifts, and they are very anxious to know how you’re doing.”

  “Please tell them thank you for me,” Harper said, smiling, “and I’m doing fine.”

  “I certainly will . . . and we will see you soon!”

  Harper nodded, and then Macey walked out with Mrs. Holland to talk for a few minutes.

  Harper looked at the stack of cards on her lap, untied the ribbon, and pulled out the card on top. It was a drawing of a heart with the words “I miss you!” written in the middle of it. She opened it up and read the neatly written words inside: Dear Harper, Get well SOON! Love, Sam.

  68

  “I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE KEEP,” HARPER SAID AS BEN PULLED INTO THEIR driveway. “I haven’t seen him in a month!”

  Macey nodded—it had actually been more than a month. Fortunately, her parents and Maeve had all taken shifts staying with Harper so she and Ben hadn’t completely missed work. “He can’t wait to see you, either,” she said. “He’s been so gloomy, and every time we’ve come home without you, he’s looked all over and then laid down on his bed with his head between his paws.”

  Harper smiled. “I know how he feels.” She looked eagerly out the window as they pulled up to the house, but when she saw Maeve and Gage and Macey’s parents all standing on the porch with Keeper and Gus, and a huge banner above them that read, WELCOME HOME, HARPER!, her mouth dropped open. “Holy cow!” she whispered.

  Macey turned and smiled. “Everyone is looking forward to welcoming you home, not just Keeper.”

  Before they’d even parked, Keeper was hopping down the steps—it was as if he knew! He stood outside the car, his whole hind end wagging, and as soon as Harper opened the door, he tried to climb in, but Harper laughed and knelt in front of him, and the big dog, making a sweet moaning sound, gently pushed his head into her chest. “Oh, Keep, I missed you so much,” Harper whispered into his soft fur. Finally, she looked up, tears in her eyes, and saw everyone watching them.

  “That’s okay,” Maeve teased. “We can wait for our hugs.”

  Harper laughed, stood up, wiping her eyes, and gave them each a hug, including Gus—who Gage had been holding back. “Welcome home, Harper,” they each said in
turn, smiling warmly, but Harper felt so overwhelmed, she didn’t know what to say.

  “Okay, everyone,” Ruth directed, “inside, or the pizza will be stone-cold!”

  Harper’s eyes lit up. “We’re having pizza?”

  “We are . . . and it’s homemade,” Maeve confirmed, putting her arm around her. “Are you hungry?”

  “Starving,” Harper answered.

  The women all headed inside while the men paused to inspect the porch steps. “I can’t believe that bottom step is rotting already,” Ben complained, pointing to the exposed wood.

  “That’s what happens when you live near the ocean,” Gage said, slapping him on the shoulder. “Salty air and hurricanes.”

  “Did you prime before you painted?” Hal asked, frowning.

  “I did,” Ben confirmed, “and it’s only been nine years.”

  Macey came out onto the porch. “It’ll be ten years next month.”

  “Nine . . . ten, it should’ve lasted,” he countered.

  “Well, c’mon in before Mom puts the pizza back in the oven.” They all laughed, knowing how true her warning was.

  “Whoa!” Ben exclaimed, walking into the dining room. “You’d think someone special had just come home,” he teased, eyeing Harper. The table was set with a pink linen tablecloth edged with white hearts and a bouquet of beautiful pink roses and baby’s breath. There was also a huge bouquet of red heart-shaped balloons tied to Harper’s chair.

  Gage frowned. “Is it Valentine’s Day?”

  “It will be pretty soon,” Maeve said. “That’s why it was so easy to find all these great decorations.”

  “Duly noted,” Gage said with a nod as Ben handed him a beer.

  “What kind of pizza are we having?” Harper asked.

  “Pepperoni,” Maeve replied as she made her way around the table pouring sweet tea.