by Anne B. Cole
Dr. Levi turned to Sam’s father. “Wake him every other hour tonight. If there are no side effects from the concussion, he can sleep through tomorrow night. No physical activities until you’re cleared by the surgeon. No driving while you’re on pain medicine. Any questions?”
Sam had a thousand questions, but not about his broken shoulder. Perhaps he’d be able to get some information from this doctor. “What kind of symptoms would you expect to have from a severe concussion?”
Dr. Levi clicked through Sam’s file before responding. “There are many deficits associated with concussions. Yours was mild, but that does not mean you shouldn’t watch for certain things. We recognize some symptoms right away such as speech, responsiveness, vision, and hearing. Others may not surface for days, even weeks, like irritability, headaches, concentration difficulties, and memory capacity.”
Sam thought about the various scenarios that Gretta may be faced with. “What if you don’t regain consciousness for several hours? What can you expect then?”
Dr. Levi’s stoic face softened. “This is a small hospital, Sam. We don’t know the severity of the girl’s injuries yet.” He paused as if he was about to say something but instead focused on the paperwork in front of him. After several signatures, he handed Sam his discharge papers. “Your shoulder will be quite painful. Take it easy. A nurse will help you get dressed.” Sam rolled his eyes.
“Dr. Levi, is a lack of interest in pretty nurses a side effect?”
Sam glared at his father’s question.
“Is there one in particular you would like to request?” Dr. Levi’s raised an eyebrow.
Sam sighed. “Yes, if you could get Ruby, I’d appreciate it.”
“Ruby?” Dr. Levi cracked his first smile, leaning closer to Sam. “Sometimes I’m a little afraid of her.” He held his hand out, and Sam shook it before he left the room.
It took almost an hour for Ruby to return. “Look who’s waiting for me.” Her blue-gray eyes twinkled. Ruby pulled back the blanket and helped Sam sit up.
“Any news?” Sam questioned.
“She’s on her way downstairs for tests.”
“Is she okay?”
Ruby winked before replying. “Give me your number, and I will call you when she gets released from intensive care.” She handed him a pen and scrap of paper. Sam scratched out his cell number. “I bet I could auction this off in the lounge for a pretty penny.” Ruby tucked the paper safely in her ample bosom. “Where are your pants, young man?”
Pop picked up two sacks from the floor and handed them to her.
Ruby ignored the bag of clothes that he had worn to the hospital and took out stiff, new jeans from the other. “I’m going to have to stand you up to get these on,” she chuckled, tearing off the tags.
Sam touched her arm. “Is Gretta awake?”
“Yes, dear. She’s talking and remembers almost everything.” Ruby bent down, placing Sam’s feet into the legs of the jeans. “Stand up, but go easy.” She helped him slide off the bed. His bare feet landed on the cold floor. “You good?”
Sam grimaced, squeezing Ruby’s shoulder and both of his eyes closed. “I’m good,” he lied through gritted teeth.
“Just remember how much that hurt the next time you want to do something on your own,” Ruby scoffed. “I have some medicine for you to take at four.” She had his jeans up and zipped before the wave of pain ended. Ruby picked a new shirt up off the bed, shaking her head. “Now who brought this in?” Sam smirked, nodding at his father, who remained immersed in the game. “Where’s your mother?”
Sam’s face fell. He wasn’t angry. Ruby reminded him too much of Katarina. He just hoped his father hadn’t heard. “Go easy on Pop. Mom died a year ago yesterday.”
He dug through the bag of dirty clothes. Holding the scraps of his jeans that had been cut off him, he slid a shaky hand into the front right hand pocket. Fingertips rested on the rough edge of his most prized possession. Thankfully, the sigh of relief that escaped him was mistakenly taken for physical pain. Pressing the bottle cap in his palm, he squeezed his eyes shut as Ruby steadied him and guided him back against the pillow.
Opening his eyes, he saw a look of determination on Ruby’s face and not one of pity. “I know just the thing.” She left the room, returning a minute later with a fistful of items, which she placed on the table beside his bed. Ruby began cutting the shirtsleeve with sharp scissors.
“Ruby?”
“Trust me.” She finished and eased the shirt over his head. “Good arm goes in here. Hold still.” Ruby had the entire left side cut open. She slid the shirt under his bent arm and began pinning it back together with safety pins. When she was finished, she gazed into his eyes. “Gretta doesn’t remember talking to you.”
“Not at all?”
“I’m afraid not.” She gently placed Sam’s arm back into the sling. Ruby wrinkled her nose in disgust as she took his socks out of his work boots.
“How’s she feeling? Is she in any pain? Is she—”
Ruby held a boot out, interrupting him. “Slow down. Sally didn’t text much other than the girl is showing all the signs of a favorable recovery. She’s talking, responding, scared to death of blood, but the doctor is pleased with her progress.” Both boots were on and laced.
“Ruby, I could just kiss you.” Sam smiled ear-to-ear.
Ruby grinned, but it was short lived. “I have to free up four beds in the next hour. You’re the first to go.” She placed her reading glasses on her nose and started filling out paperwork.
Sam looked at her thoughtfully. “You know, Ruby, all of a sudden I feel quite ill.”
Ruby glanced over her glasses. “Hospital food will do that to you.” She paused. “Visiting hours are from four to six. I’ll call if she’s allowed guests.”
A knock on the door sounded. “Come in,” Ruby called. Another young nurse entered, pushing an empty wheelchair. Sam glared at Ruby who shrugged. “I have patients to release.” She handed him papers and a pen. He scribbled his signature then handed them back. Ruby continued writing as the other nurse helped Sam into the chair.
Pop stood, clicking off the television. “Mets won six to five.”
Ruby glanced at him. “Pull around to the front. Caroline will take Sam down to you.”
“Thanks. See you outside, Sam.” With a nod to Ruby, Pop left.
Ruby handed Sam a folded paper. “Read this on your way to dinner.” She patted Sam’s hand. “Take care of yourself.” Before he could respond, Ruby had walked out the door.
“Do you have everything?” the nurse asked. Sam nodded, not wanting to talk. Caroline pushed Sam down the hall. When she pressed the button for the elevator, he noticed a gold band on her left hand. The corners of his mouth twitched. Ruby had everything to do with getting Caroline and not one of the many single nurses.
“What do you think of Ruby?” He didn’t know why he asked, but he did.
Caroline pushed him inside the elevator and pressed the main floor button. “I really don’t think she’s your type.”
Sam laughed for the first time all day. “No, seriously.”
“People either love her or hate her. I’ve known her for two months and was in the ‘hate her’ group for a while. She had me doing the worst jobs while other nurses filed their nails. I learned a lot and became a better nurse because of it. Ruby’s the best nurse I know.” When the elevator opened, Caroline pushed Sam into the lobby on the first floor. “Don’t tell her I said that. She doesn’t take compliments well.”
Sam chuckled. “My lips are sealed.”
Caroline approached the main double doors and pressed the square button.
Miserably humid June air swirled around him. For a moment he expected to be swept away into another time, but Caroline pushed him through the doors into t
he sunshine. Sam had been debating whether or not he actually imagined his entire time with Gretta. Two things were certain. Gretta Dobbs was her name, and she never was conscious when they were trapped under the tree. His lie about her being awake and telling him her name was holding. If his experience with Gretta and Anya hadn’t happened, he would still be referring to her as Purple Shorts. Sam smiled at the memory of watching her run in the park. It felt like a year ago, not yesterday.
Caroline wheeled him to Pop’s truck and buckled him in before waving goodbye. Pop put the truck in gear. “You hungry?”
“Starved.” Suddenly, a little gray and white cat mewed from the back seat. It jumped on his left shoulder then landed in his lap. Sam groaned in pain.
“Stupid animal,” Pop muttered, trying to grab the cat. It nestled inside Sam’s sling, safely out of reach.
Sam scrutinized the cat wondering if it was the same one Roxana had entwined with when they first met. Round green eyes glistened before she rubbed her furry cheek against his hand.
“I—I think this cat is . . . maybe it—Where did you find it?”
“Sleeping in the bed of my truck this morning,” Pop grumbled.
“I saw it at the work site yesterday. It must be Gretta’s.” Sam realized how ridiculous it sounded that a girl would take her cat out for a jog.
Pop’s one brow rose. “You want to go back?”
Sam’s gaze shifted from the cat to his father, who read him like a book. “Yeah.”
“Visiting hours are from four to six.” He tapped the dash clock. “We need to kill an hour. How about a burger?”
Sam grinned. He had missed his father terribly during the past year, which felt more like two. They pulled into the nearest drive through and ordered burgers and milkshakes.
The cat didn’t move until Sam finished eating. It then crawled up out of the sling, jumping on the dashboard. She stretched, perched herself on Sam’s discharge papers and then pawed at the folded one Ruby gave him.
“Stupid cat.” Pop crumpled up his burger wrapper and tossed it at her. Sam laughed when she didn’t flinch then realized Ruby told him to read the note on his way to dinner. He grabbed it off the dash and read silently.
Sam,
A visiting nurse will check on you Monday morning. Not to worry, she is sixty-four and quite ornery but makes the best chicken and dumplings you’ll ever eat. Don’t forget to take your medicine.
Ruby
“Ruby will be stopping by tomorrow to check on me.” Sam grinned.
“House calls?” Pop drained his milkshake with a loud slurp.
“I need to take my medicine. Where did I put it?” Sam searched the truck as the cat sat on the dashboard and stared at him with huge emerald eyes.
“Did you check your pockets?”
“Empty.” Sam raked his good hand through his hair. The pain in his shoulder had skyrocketed to the point where it was difficult to concentrate. He suddenly realized he had an excuse to go back. “I must have left my medicine at the hospital.”
“I’ll drop you off, then go to the pharmacy across the street in case you can’t find it in your room. You know that stuff is a controlled substance. They may not give you any more.” Pop took a corner hard. Claws scratched across the dash. The cat landed in Sam’s lap then crawled back into the safety of his sling. She tilted her head proudly then nuzzled her chin against Sam’s hand.
Chapter 30
Remember
Just inside the hospital doors, Sam’s phone beeped. He struggled to get it out of his jeans pocket. The text was from an unknown number.
‘Room 207. Family only. Take the stairs on the west wing. Say you’re her cousin.’
An elderly receptionist gave him a sideways glance then returned to his crossword puzzle after Sam held up his wrist, revealing his hospital band. He wouldn’t be lying if he were caught. Gretta was his cousin, so distant it was hard to comprehend, but they were cousins.
Sam hurried past a group of nurses and up the steps to the second floor. Not seeing Ruby, he sat down in a chair by the nurse’s station to wait. The little cat poked her head up out of his sling. Sam forgot all about her and gently shoved her back down.
Two nurses ogled him from across the hall. One winked.
Sam bent down and peered into the sling at the cat. “It’d be nice to know if you’re entwined within this cat, Roxana.”
“Talk to your arm much?”
Sam snapped to attention. Standing in front of him was Ruby, shaking her head.
“Does it talk back?” she teased.
“Would you believe me if I said, ‘yes?’”
Ruby started down the hall. Despite the pain involved in getting up, Sam followed. She stopped in front of Room 207. “Stay here.” Ruby entered and closed the door.
Sam froze in place. Muffled voices sounded from behind the door. His heart pounded out of control. He didn’t know if she would remember anything, and if she didn’t, what would she think of him? He nearly killed her when he pushed her to the street. Gretta had told him several times that she was very different before they met. The ring’s love curse gave him both confidence and uncertainty. Curse or no curse, he loved Gretta, but would she love him without the ring?
The door latch clicked. Ruby poked her head out.
“She would like to see you, but first,” Ruby slipped into the hall, brushing past him. “She’s fretting over her hair and the bump on her head, so she wants a mirror.” Pulling out a large, orange floral tote bag from under the desk, she rooted through and found an old compact. “Give this to her.”
Stunned to silence, Sam shook his head in refusal.
Ruby laughed. “I suppose a mirror isn’t a very good peace offering.” She rummaged through her bag again, finding a couple of bills. “Down the hall there is a Coke machine in the break room. Get a Sprite and a Diet. The caffeine is for her mother.” Sam took the money, kissing Ruby’s cheek. “Just come on in. I’ll be with her.” Ruby tapped the mirror in her hand as she returned to Gretta’s room.
Sam made his way to the break room. Two nurses stopped their conversation and watched him insert a dollar into the machine. A Sprite rattled, then thumped down. The cat poked her head out when the second can thudded into the first. Sam placed the Sprite in his sling next to the cat. She shifted away from the can with a soft mew.
“Sorry, I’m working with one hand,” Sam replied. The two nurses giggled as he grabbed the Diet Coke and left. At the closed door labeled 207, he took a deep breath.
“Can I help?” a familiar voice asked. Sam turned as Caroline grabbed the door handle.
“Wait,” his voice cracked nervously. “I haven’t knocked.” Caroline reached up, tucking a strap of his sling down. “Thanks. Do I look okay?” She inspected him then lightly pushed a stubborn lock of hair down on the side of his head.
“Not bad.”
“Is it sticking up?” Sam reached back, smoothing his hair.
“Not anymore. You look great.” Caroline knocked on the door. Sam sucked in a breath.
“Come in,” Ruby’s voice bellowed.
Caroline pushed the handle, giving him a little nudge. Sam balked. “Tell her she’s pretty. Girls love that.” She eased Sam into the room, allowing the door to click shut behind him.
Ruby fussed with an extra blanket for Gretta, whose hair was pulled back into a high ponytail. Her face appeared swollen on the left side, but a stranger wouldn’t have noticed. Sam wondered if she was in much pain. Gretta looked at him, then down at her hands. His heart skipped a beat, remembering how Anya had avoided Lorenzo’s eyes.
“Hello, Sam. This is Gretta. Go slow this time.” Gretta giggled at Ruby’s joke.
Sam grinned. “I promise I won’t tackle you.”
A woman stood up from the c
hair by Gretta’s bed. “I’m Claire Dobbs.” She held her hand out and moved toward him.
“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Dobbs.” He offered the soda.
“Thank you. How thoughtful.” Claire accepted the can then shook Sam’s hand.
“I’m Sam, Sam Daggett. I guess you knew that.”
“The sling tipped me off.” He saw the dimples that Gretta inherited when Claire smiled. “Thank you. What you did yesterday—we’re so grateful that Gretta’s okay. That you’re both okay.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t intend to hurt her.” Sam looked beyond Claire to Gretta who was peering around Ruby. When their eyes met, she cast them down.
Claire touched his arm. “You saved Gretta’s life. How’s your shoulder?”
Sam stared at Gretta. She appeared tired but alert, nervous but not scared. A strange sound began to ring in his ears, but no one else appeared to hear it. Ruby caught Sam’s eye, tilting her head as if she expected him to respond.
“His shoulder will mend.” Ruby’s words reminded him of Katarina.
“Shoulder’s fine.” Sam nodded, unable to take his eyes off Gretta.
Claire led him to Gretta. “Honey, this is Sam.”
“Hi.” The single word echoed beautifully. He offered his hand and held hers a bit longer than a normal handshake, searching her face for any sign of recognition. Nothing.
“I’m so sorry.” Sam couldn’t control the emotional waver in his voice. Gretta’s eyes grew wide, even fearful.
“Do I look that bad?” she whispered.
“What?” Sam shook his head. “No. You’re beautiful.”
Gretta’s face turned pink. “They tell me that if you hadn’t pushed me I wouldn’t be here.”
“I didn’t mean to hurt you. When you didn’t wake up—I’m so sorry.”
“No, that’s not what I meant. People are saying that you saved me.”
I almost lost you. I abandoned you. Sam wanted to take her into his arms and beg forgiveness.