The Woman Behind the Glass Wall

by DB Jones

  “I’ve been trying to think, but nothing comes to mind other than him moving a little slower, but I passed that off because of his age.”

  “Any stress related issues?”

  “No. Honestly, he’s been rather excited about his retirement and planning some things with Sal. He’s the one that encouraged me to pull together the party last night. Dad seemed okay until I brought my girlfriend to meet him. The moment I introduced him to her, he went down. Maybe it was too much excitement, do you suppose?”

  “That certainly can cause stress, but with no symptoms before this, it’s hard to say what brought it on. Just keep an eye on him. I’d like to keep him here for a few days.”

  “Franklin, I did notice something while he was sleeping this morning. He seemed agitated and his BP and pulse shot up. I wonder if there’s something he’s not telling us.”

  “Maybe you can pry without agitating him. However, if there is something he’s holding back, that certainly could be a stress factor.”

  Jacob shook Franklin’s hand and went back into the room. “Dad, you haven’t eaten anything.”

  “Son, would you eat this crap?”

  “You have to eat something. Are you craving anything that I can get for you?”

  “Yes.”

  “What?”

  “French toast with lots of butter and syrup.”

  Jacob tilted his head. “I think you know better than that, Doctor Thornhill, Cardiologist.”

  “What did I tell you growing up? Do as I say, not as I do.”

  “That doesn’t count with health issues. We’re going to have to change your diet when you get home. Dad, I’m so sorry you didn’t get a chance to meet Sydney. I know you’re going to love her.”

  Senior turned his head, closed his eyes and pushed his food away. “I’m tired right now, Son. We’ll talk later.”

  Jacob furrowed his brow, put his hands on his hips and watched as his father closed his eyes. “Okay, I’ll let you rest now. I’ll be back later. I love you, Dad.”

  His father remained silent. Jacob walked to the door, hesitated, turned toward his father and then left the room.

  He walked down the hall to the elevator and then out to the car. “I guess Dad’s not as ready for me to have a woman in my life as he claims. He’s going to have to get over it. Sydney is in my life, and if I have anything to say about it, it’s going to stay that way.”

  Sydney paced the living room. “I wish I could call, but it’s too early.”

  Teddy stepped out of his room about the same time Anna exited hers.

  “You two are up early.”

  Teddy scratched his head. I could say the same to you. How many cups of coffee have you had this morning, Sis?”

  “A couple.”

  Anna wrapped the tie on her robe around her waist. “It’s cold in here. Did you leave the doors open all night?”

  “No. I just wanted a little fresh air. Besides, it was nice out there this morning.”

  “Well, are you the adventurous one now?”

  “Not that adventurous knowing how I’ve spent many years without knowing the beauty of nature. I don’t want to miss a thing.”

  Teddy handed Anna a cup of coffee then she turned to Sydney. “I understand, and I don’t blame you. I’m just happy you’ve come out from behind your glass wall. It may have been your window to what’s going on out there, but nothing is better than experiencing the real thing for yourself. Have you heard from Jacob this morning?”

  “No. I want to call, but he might be at the hospital with his father. He’ll call when he can.”

  Her cell phone rang, and it was Jacob.

  “Good morning, how’s your dad?”

  “He’s fine. He’s a little grumpy, but fine. Have you had coffee yet?”

  She looked over at Teddy who was sitting reading the morning newspaper. “Teddy was just about to make some, why don’t you stop by?”

  “I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

  Teddy leaned across the kitchen counter. “I’m just making coffee, huh?”

  “Will you make a fresh pot, he’s on his way.”

  “Sure, but if I were you, I’d hold off drinking any more until he gets here or you’re going to be climbing the walls.”

  Sydney snarled at him as she went to her room to change.

  Before Sydney changed, there was a knock at the front door. Teddy answered, and it was Jacob. “Hey, that was quick. Come on in. Sydney went to change. Coffee?”

  “Sure. I was right around the corner. Is Syd okay?”

  “Yeah. Why?”

  “After what happened last night, I was afraid she’d feel responsible since Dad went down the moment she reached for his hand. I just want to make sure she knows that she had nothing to do with my dad’s stroke.”

  “How is he doing?”

  “Much better. We got him to the hospital in good time, and that made the difference.”

  Sydney heard Jacob’s voice and rushed out to greet him. “I’m so sorry.”

  He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her on the forehead. “You have nothing to be sorry for. Dad’s been overdoing it lately, and it finally caught up with him. He just has to slow down and change his diet. Something that won’t be easy.”

  “So he’s going to be okay?”

  “Completely. The doctor wants to keep Dad in the hospital for a few days to monitor his vitals and then I’ll bring him home. I want my father to meet you, but maybe in a more intimate surrounding. We could have dinner at my place or go out, whichever you feel more comfortable with.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Of course. Dad should be back on his feet in a week or so.”

  “I’m so glad that he’s going to be okay.”

  “Thank you.” He put his arm around her shoulder and smiled. “I sure could use that coffee now.”

  Jacob returned to the hospital that afternoon to find his father wasn’t in bed. He called out thinking he might be in the bathroom. “Dad.” He pulled the bathroom door slightly ajar, but his dad wasn’t there. He rushed toward the nurse's station, but just as he turned the corner, he saw his father walking down the hall with the therapist.

  “Dad,” he shouted.

  Senior looked up and grinned. “You didn’t think I was going to lounge around all day, did you?”

  Jacob shook his head as he joined his father down the hall. “How’s he doing?”

  “He’s doing great. If I didn’t know better, I wouldn't have known he had a stroke.”

  “That’s great, Dad.”

  “Did you put fresh sheets on my bed, Son? I’m coming home soon.”

  “Not yet, Dad. I think you’ll be in here a few more days, but I promise to have your room ready.”

  Senior chuckled as he independently walked the entire length of the hall with only the therapist holding onto the gait belt for precaution. She left the room once he was back in the bed. He turned to her. “Thank you, but I don’t think I’m going to need you anymore.”

  She raised her eyebrow. “We’ll see. Have a nice day, Doctor Thornhill.”

  “You, too.”

  Senior waited until she closed the door. “I’m not going to go to any rehab center for therapy, so don’t start on me.”

  Jacob spread his arms. “Who said anything about that? I was just admiring how well you did.”

  “Okay then.”

  Senior pulled his bed table over to the edge of his bed and took a sip of water then looked up Jacob. “Son, I’m sorry.”

  “Sorry? You couldn’t help what happened.”

  He dropped his face and tightened his lips. “I mean about Sydney.”

  “Oh, she understood. We’ll do something, just the three of us when you’re feeling better.”

  Senior’s eyes began to well up as he reached out for Jacob’s hand. “Jacob. There’s something I need to tell you.”

  “What is it? You’re scaring me, Dad. Are you okay?”

  “I should have to
ld you after your mother passed away, but I didn’t know how. Now with what’s happened and my health deteriorating, I must tell you.”

  Jacob leaned in closer to his father as Senior whispered through his tears what he needed to tell his son.

  CHAPTER 12

  Jacob drove home with tears streaming down his face. He poured a glass of scotch and fell against the leather couch in the den. He sat on the same couch he had for the past few years; the one directly across from where his father drank the same drink. “How could he not tell me this? How could he have kept this from my mother, from me?”

  His father’s words echoed in his head, and no amount of liquor was going to make it better. He finished one glass and poured another, praying the sting, the pain would subside, but all it did was intensify the image in his head.

  Jacob finally passed out on the couch and didn’t wake up until late the next day. He prayed it was all a dream, but it wasn’t. Everything he thought was real was a lie, and now all the happiness he felt only two days ago has crumbled around him.

  He staggered outside and down to the lake, still feeling the effects of the liquor he consumed the night before and the realization of his father’s words.

  Jacob leaned over the rail of the boathouse and the sudden urge to purge overcame him. He heaved into the water, not once but several times before he collapsed to the deck. “This can’t be true,” he repeated over and over. He lay on his back facing the beating sun on his face.

  The vibration of his cell phone in his pant’s pocket startled him. He reached in and saw Sydney’s icon. “I can’t. I can’t talk to her. What would I say? How can I explain to her now, or ever?” He sat up and glared at his phone waiting for the ring to stop. Tears filled his eyes again.

  He walked back to the house, grabbed a beer and went upstairs, slamming the door behind him. He set the beer bottle on the nightstand as he plopped down on the bed.

  The phone rang again. Jacob turned expecting it was Sydney again, but it was the hospital. He grabbed the phone and answered.

  “Hello.”

  “Jacob, it’s Franklin. It’s your father.”

  Jacob ran out the door, jumped in his car and sped off down the street. He pulled into the doctor’s parking spot at the hospital and ran upstairs, not wanting to wait for the elevator.

  Franklin was standing over Jacob’s father. Nurses surrounded the bed working on the equipment and watching the monitors. Franklin quickly escorted Jacob out into a side room.

  “Franklin, how bad is it?”

  “Jacob, I’m not going to lie to you. It’s not good. He just had a massive stroke. You can go in and see him, but he won’t be able to respond to you. I’m not sure he’ll even know you’re here.”

  “Thank you, Franklin. I know you’re doing all you can.”

  Franklin placed his hand on Jacob’s shoulder and walked with him back into the room.

  He approached the bed to see his father looking helpless. The night before he was talking, but now his father’s frail frame lay motionless. His face was drawn and pale.

  Jacob leaned over and kissed his dad on the cheek and whispered, “I love you, Dad. We’ll get through this.”

  Senior opened his eyes but was unable to speak or move. A tear trickled down the corner of his eye onto the pillow case. Jacob wiped his father’s tears as they continued to flow and he could see the anguish his father was feeling. “It’s okay. We’ll figure this out, together. Just don’t give up, Dad.” He took his father’s hand in his and sat quietly until his father gasped a big breath of air. It was his last.

  The nurse called Franklin to the side of the bed. Jacob stood by his father’s side as the doctor checked Senior’s vitals then turned to Jacob and shook his head. Jacob struggled to fight back his tears as Franklin called the time of death and then motioned the nurses out of the room. “Jacob, you take all the time you need. I’m so very sorry.” Then he left as Jacob sat on the edge of the bed and hugged his father goodbye.

  It was nearly noon, and Sydney still had not heard from Jacob. Anna had gone out, and Teddy was sitting on the balcony reading. “Teddy, something’s wrong, I can feel it. Jacob was going to call me this morning.”

  “Syd, he’s probably with his father. He’ll call when he’s finished there.”

  “No, something is terribly wrong. Even if he is with his dad, he would have texted me to let me know something.” She started pacing the room. “Should I call him again?”

  “He’ll call. Please go work on your book or something. You’re making me nervous.”

  Sydney stood by the window in her room looking at the people in the park. With every passing car below, she’d move in closer to see if it was Jacob’s.

  The day was half over, and still no call from him. She stormed into the living room. “I’m going to call him.”

  Anna came from behind the counter. “Then call him. You’re making us a nervous wreck.”

  Sydney clicked on Jacob’s number, and it went directly to voice mail. “His phone is off.”

  Teddy walked over to her. “Sydney, don’t go where I think you’re trying to go. I’m sure he’s just busy with his dad.”

  “I know you’re trying to make me feel better, Teddy, but I can tell something has happened. I’m going to call the hospital.”

  Anna raced around the counter. “You can’t do that. Besides, they won’t tell you anything unless you’re family.”

  “I’ll lie then and tell them that I am.”

  “Syd, you will not.”

  Teddy pulled out his cell phone. “I’ll call his office. Maybe he’s there working.”

  “Doctor Thornhill’s office.”

  “Yes, this is Ted Parker. Is Doctor Thornhill in?”

  “No. I’m afraid not. He called last night and left a message for me to reschedule his appointments. Would you like to talk to Doctor Payne?”

  “Oh, no thanks. I’ll call him next week. Thank you.” Teddy turned to Sydney. “See, he’s taking a few days off. I would too if my father was in the hospital. Why don’t I run out and get us something to eat? I expect he’ll be calling you anytime now. Anna, want to take a ride?”

  Anna looked at Sydney. “Go ahead, Anna. I’ll be fine.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Sydney twitched her mouth. “Of course.”

  They left, and Sydney walked out to the balcony. “I don’t care what either of them says; I know something’s wrong. I hope Mr. Thornhill didn’t take a turn for the worse, but why hasn’t Jacob called me. I wish I were with him.”

  Her cell phone rang. It was Jacob.

  “Jacob. Are you all right?”

  There was silence on the other end for a moment. “Sydney, Dad’s gone.”

  She gasped for breath. “You mean…Oh, Jacob, I’m sorry. What can I do?”

  “There’s nothing anyone can do. Are you alone?”

  “I am.”

  “Would you mind if I came over?”

  “I’ll be waiting.”

  He said nothing else before he hung up. Sydney immediately called Teddy.

  “Syd, did you want something else?”

  “Teddy, Jacob just called. He asked if I was alone. He’s on his way over right now. Would you mind…”

  “Say no more. Anna and I can find things to do. You call me when you want us to come back.”

  “Thank you.”

  Teddy turned to Anna. “Jacob finally called, and I’m afraid Sydney was right.”

  “Oh, no. I hope his father is going to be okay.”

  “She’ll call us when she can. In the meantime, we need to keep ourselves occupied.”

  “We can do that, but let’s not go too far in case they need us.”

  “We won’t.”

  Sydney twisted her hands and bit down on her lower lip so hard she could feel the warmth of blood in her mouth.

  There was a knock on the door. Sydney flung open the door and grabbed Jacob. He wept, then they walked out on the balcony. “J
acob, let me fix you some tea.”

  “Not right now.”

  “What happened? Last night you sounded like everything was fine with him.”

  Jacob dropped his head in his hands. “I know, but after I talked to you, I went back to the hospital to say goodnight, and he wanted to talk to me.”

  “How was he after your talk?”

  “I’m not sure. I was in shock, and I guess I just left. I don’t remember.”

  Sydney knelt down beside his chair looking up at him. “Jacob, what happened?”

  He stood up, took her hand and walked her to the couch. Tears began to well up again. He looked at her as the tears flooded his eyes. “Dad told me something last night. I couldn’t believe what he was telling me. I still find it hard to comprehend. How could he hold a secret like that from his family, from everyone all these years.”

  “Jacob, tell me. It can’t be that bad. He was your father.”

  He took her hands in his and held them tightly. “Sydney, I don’t know where to begin or how to explain this.”

  “Okay, you’re scaring me now. Just say it. Whatever it was, we’ll get past it.”

  “I’m not sure we will. Sydney, I love you. I think I fell in love with you the moment I met you, but sometimes loving someone isn’t enough.”

  She leaned over and kissed his salty lips. “I love you, too. But you’re wrong. We’ll get through whatever it is.”

  “I wish that were true.”

  “Just tell me, Jacob. I can take it.”

  “Dad told me last night that…” He swallowed hard and held his head down. “That he was the one who ran over you that night.”

  Sydney shook her head in disbelief. “What are you saying?”

  “He told me that he thought he hit an animal and got out of the car to look for it, but the rain was coming down so hard it blinded him. He never saw you.”

  She grabbed her forehead, stood and turned to him. “Then how did he know he hit me?”

  “He read in the paper several days later that a young girl was run over by a hit-and-run driver and left for dead in the mud.”

  Sydney paced around in circles. “Why didn’t he come forward then?”

  “He told me he wanted to, but who would believe that he thought he hit an animal.”