Patchwork Family

by Bonnie Tharp

  “When I woke up it was tucked under my arm.”

  The clock read nine-thirty.

  “It’s a very nice bear.” Regina went into the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face again.

  Who left the teddy bear? Sam? No, he’s at work. Joe? No, he probably would have stayed.

  Dabbing the water with a paper towel, she wondered if the nurses had gifted Megan for being such a good patient.

  No, I don’t think so. Get a grip, Regina Louise, and ask the nurse.

  Like a roller coaster, her feelings were barely attached to the track. Why didn’t she wake up when someone came in the room? Thoughts of the nightly news ran through her head and all the bad things that happened every day in any town, at any time.

  “I’ll be right back.”

  “Okay.” Megan hugged her bear and watched cartoons.

  Regina took note of the few people in sight. She approached a young man and woman in colorful scrubs who were standing by the nurse’s station.

  “Excuse me, but did you see anyone going in or out of Room 304?” Her eyes kept scanning the halls and doorways.

  “Just food service,” the male nurse said. A dour expression covered his baby face; his shaved head reflected the overhead lights.

  The tropical flowers on the red headed nurse’s top were wild, but much more friendly than the old white uniforms Regina had associated with health care workers.

  “I didn’t see anyone. Is something wrong?”

  “Someone came in while the child and I were napping and left a stuffed animal. Does the hospital do that for young patients?”

  “Not on this floor. I think they do on pediatric oncology, though.” He looked at her without smiling.

  “Oh. Well. Thank you.” Regina went back down the hall. As she entered Megan’s room the male nurse’s voice carried to her ears. “What’s wrong with giving a sick kid a present?”

  By the time they discharged Megan, it was almost one o’clock. Sam sat with them for an hour watching cartoons. Annabelle had called twice and they were both anxious to be back together. When the paperwork was finally completed, they wheeled Megan to his SUV and drove straight home.

  Sam pulled into the drive, Megan chattering with excitement.

  “I’m home! I can’t wait to show Tad my cast. Peggy will love my new bear. Do you think Nurse Maris will remember me? I hope Tillie makes dinner. I didn’t really like hospital food. Or maybe we can get Chinese? Will Gram be able to eat Chinese? Is it good for her heart?”

  “Slow down, munchkin,” Sam said. “How about I give you a ride up to the porch then you can show off your new crutches.”

  “Oh, yes. Hurry, Sam.” Megan bounced on the car seat.

  “I’ll get the crutches,” Regina said.

  “Thank you, Regina, for staying with me and everything.”

  “You’re welcome, sweetie.”

  Sam scooped Megan up in his arms and carried her up the stairs, setting her down in front of the door. She wiggled and giggled. Her enthusiasm was contagious. Regina handed her each crutch with a smile then held the door open so Megan could go ahead of them.

  “Welcome Home!” shouted Tillie, Annabelle and her siblings, their arms in the air. Smiles split their faces as they met her in the entryway.

  “Hi!” Megan hobbled in. Balloons of every primary color were tied from the first floor to the second with only inches in between. “What pretty balloons! Look at my purple cast. Isn’t it cool? You all have to sign it.”

  Her brother and sister rushed to give her the first hug. Tillie and Annabelle stood back, grinning. Tad nabbed her first, giving Megan a big squeeze.

  “Am I the first one to get crutches?”

  “Nah, I sprained my ankle when you were a baby,” Tad said.

  “Oh. Well. I’m the first to have a purple cast, right?”

  Peggy hugged her little sister. “Yes, you are.”

  The exuberant clan moved their reunion into the parlor where Annabelle and Megan took up most of the couch. They huddled together, Megan leaning against her grandmother’s side.

  “Do you remember what happened?” Tad plopped down on the floor with Ms. Pickles in his lap.

  “Not really. I was anxious to get home, so I jumped off the bus without looking. Then I remember waking up in the hospital. Regina was there and Nurse Maris.”

  “That’s not a very good story,” Tad said. “At least you could make something up like you felt yourself flying and crashing on the street like a raw chicken.”

  Peggy punched him in the arm.

  “Gross,” Megan said. “I prefer stories with happy endings. Chicken guts on the street isn’t my kind of story.”

  “I like your new bear. Did you give it to her, Regina?” Peggy asked.

  “No. It just appeared when she was sleeping.”

  And I still haven’t figured out who snuck into her room to deliver it.

  Shifting in the rocker, Regina looked at Sam and shook her head.

  “Kinda like Santa Claus,” Megan said.

  “Awesome.” Tillie rubbed her hands together. “You can never have too many teddy bears.”

  Regina wasn’t so sure. She took in her cousin’s high color and hoped the strain hadn’t been too much. “How are you feeling, Annabelle?”

  “Much better now that we’re all together again. But I am a little bit tired.”

  Megan slipped her fingers into her grandmother’s. “Me, too. Could I take a nap in your room?”

  “Sure, you can be my life sized teddy bear.” Annabelle smiled at her granddaughter.

  “How about I give you a ride up those stairs.” Sam looked at the little girl but put his hand on Regina’s shoulder to give her comfort. He scooped up Megan and turned toward the stairs.

  “Thanks. You’re my hero. My under arms are kinda sore.” Megan put her arms around his strong neck.

  They all laughed and followed them up the stairs, Peggy carrying the crutches.

  “You might want to go up and down the stairs on your butt, like you did when you were learning to walk,” Peggy said.

  “Good idea, but won’t my butt get sore?” She yawned.

  Tad laughed. “Probably. You don’t have a diaper for padding this time. Maybe I could tie a pillow on your seat?”

  “That might work.” Megan closed her eyes and leaned on Sam’s broad chest, snuggling into his warm neck.

  He laid her on Annabelle’s bed, pulling an afghan over her legs.

  The teens tucked their grandmother in beside her. Ms. Pickles crouched under the bed until the group moved away. Curling in a ball between the already snoozing forms, Ms. Pickles’ green eyes kept watch over her two precious people.

  Closing the door softly behind her, Regina followed Sam and Tillie downstairs into the kitchen.

  “Why don’t you take a nap, too,” Tillie said. “You look wiped.”

  “I didn’t get much sleep last night. Maybe I’ll get a snack first.”

  “I’ll get it, honey,” Tillie said. “Have a seat.”

  Sam pulled out a chair, and Regina eased down. Now that she could relax, she felt every aching muscle, compliments of a lumpy vinyl recliner. No matter how many blankets she’d piled on, the cold vinyl still penetrated. Warm hands kneaded her tight shoulder muscles, and she sighed.

  “You have great hands, Mister.”

  He kissed the top of her head.

  “Here you go. I’m so proud of you.” Tillie sat a glass of milk and a saucer of oatmeal cookies in front of her.

  Sam stopped his ministrations so Regina could concentrate on the snack.

  “Would you like me to carry you up the stairs, too?” he whispered into her ear.

  She blushed. “I would not. I can still walk .
. .”

  “Oh stuff it, Regina Louise,” Tillie said, waving her arm in dismissal. “Let the man get you into bed. I’ll hang out down here. I’ve got some heart healthy recipes I want to make and freeze for you guys before I go home.”

  Giving her best friend an exhausted hug, Regina took Sam’s hand and went upstairs.

  “Do you want me to stay awhile?” he asked.

  “Don’t you need to get back to work?”

  “It can wait.”

  “I’ll be fine once I’ve had some sleep. You go on. After you take care of Sugar, would you call me?” She stroked his hand. “I’m hoping things will feel more normal after a little rest.”

  “Talk to you later.” He pressed his warm lips on each of her closed eyes before leaving.

  The last thing Regina heard was the click of the door shutting. Her thoughts returned to the teddy bear. Could Tom have been the one to deliver it? How would he know Megan was in the hospital unless he called or something.

  Does he think a teddy bear makes up for being missing for ten years? Between that and their mother’s abuse those kids have had enough heartache. Annabelle and I won’t let them get hurt again . . .

  Chapter 12

  FRIDAY MORNING was like any other morning, with someone already occupying the upstairs bathroom. Regina took her towel and washed in the half bath just off the parlor. Neither the sounds nor smells were familiar anymore. This was no longer her home. She missed Sugar’s cold nose and Sam’s warm embrace. While Regina hadn’t thought that she would be able to nap for long, she had slept the night through, waking marginally refreshed.

  Smoothing her clothing, she decided to check on Annabelle before going to start the coffee. The bed was empty. She heard giggling behind the bathroom door. Happy sounds were a welcome start to the day, so Regina continued downstairs.

  When she entered the kitchen, Peggy stood at the stove stirring eggs, a dishtowel wrapped around her narrow waist, while Tad made coffee. The table was already set for five.

  “Something smells good,” Regina said.

  “That’s the coffee. Peg’s burning the eggs,” Tad said with a smirk.

  “They aren’t burnt, you moron.”

  “Yet,” Tad replied.

  “No doubt Tad will eat the lion’s portion.” Regina grinned at the teenagers.

  “He may not get any if he doesn’t chill.” Peggy shook the spatula at him, oblivious to the tiny pieces of yellow dropping on the floor.

  The cat kindly disposed of the evidence.

  “Are Gram and Megan up?” Tad asked.

  “They were in the bathroom. I’m not sure who was helping whom.”

  “Maybe I should see if they’re okay.” Peggy untied her impromptu apron.

  “They’re fine.”

  Tad placed a pile of napkins on the scarred wooden table. “Why do girls always have to go to the bathroom in pairs? That’s just gross.”

  Regina chuckled, pouring herself a cup of coffee. She could hear a soft thumping on the stairs and assumed the girls were descending with care.

  Megan and Annabelle joined them at the table. They both had color in their cheeks again. Peggy served eggs to everyone while Regina sliced one of Tillie’s coffee cakes. She’d left it in the middle of the table with a note that read, “This is much better than donuts. Enjoy. We’ll catch up later. Tillie.” Tad poured coffee for Annabelle, and they all sat down.

  “Can we say grace, please?” Annabelle said.

  “Why?” Tad asked.

  “Because we have a lot to be thankful for.”

  He poked at his breakfast with his fork, grimacing. “Prayer is probably a good idea from the look of these eggs.”

  Keeping her lips firmly shut, Peggy glared at her brother before bowing her head.

  “Shhh.” Annabelle closed her eyes. “Thank you, Lord, for bringing us all back together.”

  “And bless this food,” Tad added. “It needs it.”

  Peggy stuck her nose in the air and proceeded to cut a piece of the cake.

  Regina patted her hand. “Good girl. He doesn’t deserve a response.”

  “Hey, Peg.” Tad spoke around a mouthful of yellow eggs. “These aren’t half-bad.”

  The young woman sat down at the table without looking at her brother while Megan giggled.

  When the eggs were eaten and the coffee cake sufficiently devoured, Regina refilled her and Annabelle’s coffee cups. She looked at Megan’s angelic face and smiled.

  “Do you think you’re up for school today? I can take you.” Regina turned to her cousin. “If you think you’ll be all right alone for a short time.”

  Annabelle nodded. “I’ll be fine. I have some reading I’d like to do.”

  “Well?” Regina turned to Megan. “Your doctor gave me a note so you can go back to school anytime.”

  “I don’t know. School will be out soon, so I don’t want to miss any more. But, I won’t be able to keep up on crutches. Everyone will leave me behind.”

  Giving her little sister a hug, Peggy said, “Your friends will slow down for you, I promise. That’s what friends do.”

  “I don’t have many friends. Just Becky and Sherry.”

  “Two good friends is a lot. Most people only have one really good friend,” Peggy said.

  “Hey, I have an idea,” Tad said. “I’ll get a marker and you can have everyone in your class sign your cast.” He rummaged around in the junk drawer. Holding a marker triumphantly above his head, Tad skidded across the floor to his little sister’s chair. Bowing at the waist, he handed it to her.

  “Okay.”

  Shaking her head, Regina smiled. His gallant antics surprised and charmed her.

  “Come on, I’ll fix your hair,” Peggy said.

  Standing awkwardly, Megan put one crutch under her arm and flinched.

  “Want a ride?” Tad turned around, so she climbed onto his back.

  Grabbing the crutches, Peggy followed, leaving her grandmother and Regina in the kitchen with their coffee.

  “Looks like they’re going to pitch in just fine. Want a hand getting upstairs, Cousin?”

  Chuckling, Annabelle said, “No. I can manage, I’m just a little slow.”

  Chapter 13

  REGINA SAT IN the long line of mothers picking up their children, her red Cadillac out of place amongst the mini vans and SUVs. Several of the women leaned out of their vehicles talking, but she couldn’t hear them clearly through the half-open window. The exhaust fumes nearly cancelled out the smell of the white leather seats she loved. She’d gotten there early so Megan wouldn’t have far to walk with her crutches. After reading a few pages of her paperback, Regina heard the bell and placed the dog-eared romance on the seat beside her. When the rush of kids slowed to a trickle, Megan made her way slowly across the sidewalk. Leaning over to open the door, Regina waved and smiled. Fatigue lined the ten-year-old face as she dropped into the passenger seat and buckled her seat belt.

  “Hello. How are you feeling?”

  “I’m tired, sore and thirsty,” Megan said.

  “Let’s get you home then for a snack and a nap before dinner.”

  “Are there any more cookies?”

  “Probably.” With a laugh, she patted the little girl’s leg. “If we run out, Tillie will make more.”

  When they got home, Annabelle was waiting at the kitchen table with Peggy and Tad, a chocolate sheet cake sat center stage.

  “We left you some.” Tad pointed at the uncut pan.

  “Whose ‘we,’ you pig?” Peggy growled at her brother.

  “Ice cold milk and chocolate cake. It doesn’t get any better than that, does it, little sister?” The preteen dug into the gooey dessert, taking a huge portion for himself, then serving his little sister.


  “Mmm,” Megan replied, her mouth already full.

  The phone rang.

  “I’ll get it.” Regina crossed to the wall phone, picking it up on the second ring. “Hello.”

  “Hi Regina, this is Tom.”

  “Yes.”

  “How’s my little girl?” he asked.

  “How did you . . . ?” Regina stepped into the formal dining room pulling the cord on the relic as far as it would reach.

  Annabelle really needs to get a cordless.

  “What do you want?” She hissed.

  “Did Megan like her bear?”

  “That was from you? What do you think you’re doing? What do you want?” Regina struggled to keep her voice from rising.

  “I want to see my kids.”

  “Oh, really? That’s all?”

  “Yes.”

  “What about money? Isn’t that really why you called after all this time?”

  “I have a job at Jenny’s Diner. I’m doing okay.”

  “Good. Why don’t you leave the kids alone? They don’t even know you.”

  “I’m their father.”

  Her eyes closed and her empty fist clenched.

  “Then why haven’t you acted like one the past ten years?” She jabbed the disconnect button. “Merde,” she whispered.

  Regina turned to find the rest of the family filling the doorway, watching her in grim silence.

  “You heard?” She already knew the answer by the looks on their faces.

  “Who was that?” Peggy asked.

  “Your dad. Let’s go back in the kitchen and sit down. Annabelle, I think it’s time we had a family talk. Do you want to start this conversation or should I?”

  “I will,” Annabelle said. Once they were all seated, she began.

  “What do you kids remember about your dad? Megan?”

  “His picture and some stories. That’s all,” Megan said.

  Tad looked at the ceiling. “I remember this tall guy with a big scary voice. He was always yelling. I was four when he left.”

  “Peg?” Annabelle asked.

  Peggy sat with her eyes cast down. “I remember some good times and some not so good. I always sat by the window, waiting for him to come home. He used to give me rides on his shoulders and tickle me until I nearly wet myself from laughing so hard.”