by Aliyah Burke
With one final pep talk, she headed for the door to begin her day. It was a busy one and she didn’t have time to think about the man she’d met in Mexico. There were children to focus on and save.
Her nurse, Michela, met her at the door, clipboard in hand.
“Morning, Michela.”
“Doc,” she greeted with a smile, white teeth sticking out against her darker skin, courtesy of her Latin heritage. “Surgery in twenty minutes. Here’s the chart on Jacob. They’re prepping him now.”
“Thanks.” Eva took the offered chart and read over the stats of the five-year-old she was about to put under her knife. They were operating to remove a tumorous mass on his lung. This was the child’s third surgery in his young life and the first she’d done for him. “I want his most recent X-rays up, so I can take a look at them. Where are his parents?”
“Last I saw, they were in the chapel.”
“I’ll go talk to them, then I’ll be in. Make sure those films are there.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Eva handed back the chart and strode off in the opposite direction Michela headed. She checked her watch, pushed into the chapel and looked around the quiet room.
On the left side, a couple sat, holding hands and praying.
Hands in her scrubs, she walked to the end of the pew and waited for them to notice her.
“Dr. Monroe,” the father said.
“Don’t get up,” she said, holding out her hand. “I just wanted to stop by and talk to you before the surgery. We’re prepping your son now. I want you to know, I’m going to do everything I can for him to get this tumor off his lung. The surgery will take a few hours, but I will have a nurse come by with updates for you. I know you’re going to worry, you’re parents, I just didn’t want you to not hear anything during the time we’re operating.”
“The others didn’t do that,” Mr. Phillips said, sliding closer to Eva.
“I’m not other surgeons, Mr. Phillips. I can only do what I can do. I understand that this is an extremely scary and stressful time. Please, be assured your son will be looked after as if he were my own.”
“I heard you were the one to see. They said you are the best.”
She just smiled softly. “I have to go now, but after the surgery is finished, I will come talk to you personally, okay?”
He reached for her hand and squeezed. “Thank you. Please, please help our boy.”
“I will do everything in my power to do just that. I’ll talk to you in a few hours.” She rose and left them alone in the chapel.
As she scrubbed, she looked in the room, pleased to see her team there, ready for her. Jacob lay there, being monitored. She backed in, arms up and was gowned and gloved right away.
Then she stopped to study the films hanging, just to make sure her previous thoughts would continue to work. Content everything still looked the same, she turned to the table. “Morning, everyone.”
Replies came from behind the masks of her people.
“Music today, Doc?”
She stepped up to the table and took a moment to stare at the small child lying there. “I think today we need something uplifting.”
“I have just the music for that,” he said.
The first notes piped into the room and she smiled, loving John Dreamer’s music as True Strength was one of her favorite pieces by him. “Good selection, Ron. Let’s get this boy fixed up, shall we?” She reached for the scalpel and leaned over him, taking a breath then making the first incision, the red blood starkly visible against his pale skin.
* * * *
Five consultations and her rounds finished, Eva sat at her desk and groaned, leaning back.
“You okay, Doc?”
“Know what the worst thing about a vacation is, Michela? Coming back to work. I need a vacation from my vacation, just to recover.”
The nurse laughed.
Eva slanted her gaze to her. “I’m telling you the truth. I am still exhausted.”
“I’m sure you are. It was all that sex you were having.”
Her body flushed at the mention of sex. Cripes, she had to get a grip. “Something like that,” she hedged.
Michela snorted. “Oh, please. You came back looking all relaxed and sated. You can play it off if you want, but we all know the truth. You had your clock cleaned. Your world rocked. Tires rotated.”
She sat forward, hands out. “Please, stop. I get it. You think I had wild, crazy, amazing sex.”
Her friend crossed her arms and arched a finely plucked black eyebrow. “Tell me I’m wrong.”
She couldn’t, not even a little bit.
Michela knew it and laughed harder this time around. “May want to work on that before the others catch up to you. They’re going to want all the details.”
“And you don’t?”
“I plan on having them tonight at dinner. We’re still on, right?”
“Yes, I’m not saying no to one of your meals.”
“You just love me for my cooking skills.”
“At least I’m honest about it.” Eva shrugged with as much innocence as she could muster. To tell the truth, it wasn’t all that much.
“You’ve got it bad for him. I can’t wait to hear all about it. But not now. We have a party to get to.”
This time her smile was wide and full of happiness. Eva pushed to her feet. “Yes, we do.”
One of their patients had a birthday today and the staff today was celebrating it with her. There was cake and ice cream for those who could have it and fruit for the ones who couldn’t.
Straightening her cap, she beckoned to her friend. “Let’s go.” She pocketed her phone without looking at the screen. Eva would think about Grant later, once she made it to her apartment.
* * * *
Grant stared off at the wall, seeing nothing. His heart was broken and he didn’t know how to fix it.
The house was quiet, his mother and sister finally having fallen asleep. He pushed up from the sofa and paced before the large bay window. Outside clouds rolled in, starting to hide the stars and the moon. The occasional flash of lightning forewarned of an impending storm.
However strong it was, there wouldn’t be any way for it to erase the pain flooding him.
He reached for his phone and dialed Eva, not paying attention to the time.
She answered on the second ring. “Dr. Monroe.”
“Eva?”
“Who is this?”
He blinked, suddenly understanding, it was three in the morning for her. “I’m sorry, this is Grant. Grant Harrison, from Puerto Vallarta.”
He heard her shifting on the bed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t recognize your voice. You sound horrible. Is everything okay? I tried calling you a few times but you never got back to me.”
Pinching the bridge of his nose, he willed back the tears burning in the corners of his eyes. “I know, and I’m sorry. I was called to Italy when my father had a massive heart attack.” Her sharp intake was the only sound she made and he continued, “He didn’t make it out of bypass surgery.” His voice trembled and he didn’t give a damn. “My father is gone. I never even got to tell him goodbye.”
“Sweet Jesus. I’m so sorry, Grant. How are your mom and sister? Are you with them now?”
“They finally went to sleep. I gave Mom a sleeping pill and my sister just finally crashed.” He moved outside to the patio and sat in the chair his father had used as long as Grant could remember. If he closed his eyes, he could still smell the hint of tobacco from his old man’s pipe. “I’m sorry for calling you. I know you probably have—”
“Don’t you dare apologize for that. You needed me, I’m here. What can I do?”
“Talk to me. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I give the message to people all the time when a patient is lost on the table. That is different. It shouldn’t be, but it is.”
“Of course, it is,” she chimed in, her voice soft but lined with steel. “This is your father who is gone. You
don’t have to be the one who’s strong and delivering the news. You’re the son. You’re allowed to grieve.”
“No, I have to be strong for my mom and my sister.”
“They’re sleeping right now, Grant. This is time for you.”
The first of the tears leaked free and he allowed it to fall. His throat hurt and he longed to run out into the desert and scream into the night sky. “Eva.” Her name ripped from his throat on a tortured moan.
“Tell me about him. Tell me about your father.”
“Are you sure I’m not disturbing you?”
“Grant. Enough. You called me, I’m here for you. Talk to me. This isn’t something you can keep bottled up. Or shouldn’t.”
He stretched out his legs and leaned back in the chair as he began to talk. Earliest memories, things his father had taught him. Memories he’d held dear that would be even more cherished now. When the sun rose, he realized he’d been on the phone with her for four hours and never once had she told him she had to go. Never once had she tried to rush him along.
Eva allowed him to speak and talk, as he wanted. However, once he began, it all flew free from his mouth to her ears. “I’m sorry I kept you up all night.”
“I’d do it again in a heartbeat, Grant. Are you feeling any better?”
“A little, thank you, Eva. I should let you go. There are a few final touches we have to put on the funeral that’s a day off.”
“If you need me, call, Grant. I’ll have my phone with me all day. Take care of yourself.” She hung up.
He remained in the chair as the door behind him opened, allowing his sister to step up beside him. Lucy sank to the arm of the chair and rested against him. Together, they sat there as the sun finished cresting the horizon, bringing in a new day to the lovely state of Arizona.
“Did you get any sleep?” she asked.
“No. I’ll sleep later. I’m going to go take a shower, grab some breakfast then tend to the last things that have to be done for tomorrow.”
“I can help.”
“I know you can, Lucy, but I think Mom needs you more right now. Don’t worry, I’ve got it handled.”
“You always have it all handled.” She kissed his cheek. “I love you, Grant.”
“Right back atcha, little sister.” He squeezed her leg then rose and went inside.
After eating, he went to his pearl Laredo and slid behind the wheel. He drove from his parents’ house to the funeral home to set up final arrangements for tomorrow. Nothing could go wrong or he’d never forgive himself.
On his way back, he called Daniel.
“Hey, man, how are you doing?” Daniel asked immediately.
“I’ll be okay, thanks. Just checking in to make sure everything is fine.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered both today and for most of tomorrow. I’ll be at the funeral and for the time I’m there, we have Jenna to cover. So don’t worry about it. Sarah is also taking the day off and will be around to help Lucy and your mother with anything they may need after.”
“Thanks, man.”
“He was a father to me, as well, and you’re my brother. I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”
“I appreciate it. Thank you.”
“You never have to thank me, man, but you’re welcome. Call if there’s anything else I can do.”
“Will do.” He ended the call and pulled into a restaurant that he’d called ahead to have curbside service for, checking his phone. There was one missed text from Eva.
Thinking of you. Just wanted you to know that. No need to call but I’m here if you want to talk some more.
That was it. Nothing else and he saved the message as he climbed from the Jeep. After paying for dinner, he got back in his SUV and headed back home. The closer he got, the tighter the knot in his chest became, breathing grew more difficult, and he pulled over to the side of the road.
Get it together. You have to be strong for Mom and Lucy. He rubbed his scruff, stared at his expression in the rearview and shook his head.
Back on the road, he turned on the radio, trying to drown out the memories that wouldn’t let him alone.
His mom sat in her chair knitting when he walked through the door with their food.
“Hi, Mom,” he said, bending down to kiss her cheek.
“Hey, baby. You sister is taking a nap, so we can eat when she wakes.”
“Can I get you anything now? Tea? Water?”
She shook her head, looking older than he’d ever seen her. In just a few days, she’d gone from youthful and energetic to old and exhausted. “No, thank you, baby. I thought I’d just sit here and knit your father some socks. You know his feet get cold so easily.”
Grant nodded and walked away, dropping the food off in the kitchen. Is she losing it? Does she think Dad is still alive?
After a moment or two, he went back to the living room and sat on the coffee table, facing her. “Mom,” he began. “About what you said, the knitting socks for Dad.”
“I know he’s gone, baby. It doesn’t matter. He will have them with him in the casket. A pair of warm socks.”
Tears streamed down her face and he blinked back his own. “Yes, ma’am.”
Dinner was a somber affair and he went to bed with a heavy heart. When he woke in the morning, it didn’t matter that the clouds were nonexistent and the sky as blue as you could wish for, his heart was black and full of sorrowful pain.
Grant smoothed his hand down his suit coat and left his room. Gathering his mother and sister in his vehicle, he then drove them to the funeral home. They were going to have a final private viewing before the funeral actually started.
As his mother and sister cried by the casket, he walked around looking at all the flowers and plants that had been sent. His father was a well-loved man and it showed. He paused beside a standing spray basket in blue and white. Simple, elegant and beautiful.
He reached for the card and smiled.
The angels in heaven have welcomed home your loved one so he can stand watch over you with a new army. He is never gone, will never be forgotten, and will always love you.
Our sincerest condolences on your loss.
The Monroe Family
Eva. He closed his eyes and took several breaths. Her thoughtfulness touched him.
The director approached him. “We’re about to open to everyone, is that okay?”
Replacing the card, he nodded. “Yes, thank you.”
With his mom and sister, they began welcoming and thanking people as they entered. Family, friends, the place filled swiftly. As people mingled and said their farewells, as he turned to the door in time to see a town car pull up. Grant moved to greet whomever had arrived and his heart stuttered to a stop.
Eva stepped out from the darkened interior, a black dress hugging her curves. The heels put her higher than her five-three frame. The rounded neckline was modest, giving her attire a timeless look. The three-quarter sleeves made it not overly sexy. Or so he thought until she walked, showing him the slit on the left side. His heart thundered in his ears and he gulped, desperately trying to put moisture back into his mouth.
A simple gold pendant hung around her neck, the cross shone in the sun. In one hand, she carried a black clutch. She thanked the driver then approached him.
“Eva,” he said, striding to meet her partway. “What are you doing here?”
“You said you needed me, Grant.” She touched his face, fingers sliding along the shadowed growth on his jaw. “So here I am.”
Chapter Six
Eva hoped she hadn’t overstepped, but the anguish lining his voice had ripped through her, tearing her apart in ways she didn’t think could happen for a man she’d just met. But it had. She’d called her sisters and spoken to them about it.
Tara and Shai had both agreed right away for her to fly out to Arizona and be there for the man who’d claimed a part of her heart. They hadn’t even paused when she said the guy from her vacation had called her to say his fath
er had passed. Her sisters ruled, and bless them, family came first, and they felt she should be with him. Because they supported her instantaneously, she’d boarded a plane. They sent the flowers, so she didn’t have to worry about it and she came to be with Grant, offering whatever support she could.
He leaned into her touch, briefly closing his eyes as if memorizing the feel of her hand against his skin. Grant’s eyes still pierced through her when he locked onto hers. She gulped, wanting to lean in close and press to him, allow his arms to close about her, make her feel as if nothing in the world could touch her.
This isn’t about me, it’s about being there for him during this time, so he can help out with whatever his family needs and be the grieving son.
Turning his head so his lips connected to her palm, he kissed her. “Thank you,” he whispered. He took her hand and led her back inside the funeral home. As expected, based on the number of vehicles in the parking lot, there was a big group there to say their farewells.
As they walked into the main room, he laced their fingers together and walked up to a woman who could be none other than his mother. Her eyes were red rimmed from her crying but she dabbed the corners and put on a fake smile.
“Mom, I’d like you to meet my friend Eva.”
She released his hand and took his mom’s. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you for coming. How do you know my son?”
A question she’d been expecting. I mean, really it was a funeral and there I am showing up, never having met any of the family previously. “I’m a doctor, as well.”
“Oh,” she said with a nod. “Thank you again.”
She moved away and Eva looked to Grant. “I thought that may be the easiest explanation.”
He kissed the top of her hand, his eyes speaking more than words ever could.
She met others in his family, their friends and former colleagues. Eva stayed in the back during the service.
As they began leaving to head for the cemetery, Grant had her beside him once more. “I want you with me.”
“Are you sure I should be in the family limo?”