Rain
Page 27
“Can’t be any worse than what we’re used to,” said Matthew with a laugh. “I’d even go so far as to say it would probably be superior to anything I’ve eaten in a while.”
“Are you awake?” Kevin asked. “It’s time for your shower, and I don’t have all day.” He disconnected the drip and helped Carl to sit. “He’s as black as the ace of spades, that boyfriend of yours. You two are like the black and white minstrel show, you with your pasty white complexion. He’s quite lovely, isn’t he?”
“Yes, he is,” Carl whispered.
“Is your brother straight?”
“I don’t know for sure. I think so.”
“No harm in asking. Now get up you lazy thing. Look at your greasy hair—that’ll need a wash.”
“I hope I’ll get to fill in a feedback form when I check out,” said Carl catching her breath. “I’ll be giving you a zero.”
“Well my dear, that depends on how you plan to check out. If you’re going via reception then, yes, you’ll get to complain about me, but if you’re still planning to check out via the Pearly Gates, then you’re going to miss your big chance. So what’s it going to be?”
Carl smiled and shifted slowly to stand.
“You have that handsome man who’s come all this way from another country just to see you. It doesn’t make any sense for you to refuse treatment now, does it?”
“I’m still thinking about it.”
“Happiness comes through doors you didn’t realize you left open. Let it in, girlfriend.”
“Maybe I could find out a little more about the surgery…since I’m here anyway.”
“Good decision. Now sit on that stool under the shower while I fix your bed, and don’t move from there.”
Matthew was still ranting when he and Simeon returned from the hospital cafeteria. Carl smiled and remembered the little blue boy in the harness on the clothesline, and how he had scampered away to hide in the Rosella bushes. He scampered no more, but ran at speed into any danger zone. The exterior was steely, but within, there was still a weakness, something lost or broken he could not reveal or share with anyone.
“I love you guys,” Carl whispered.
Simeon smiled. Matthew said nothing, but shifted restlessly in his soles. He did not have to say a word—he was there, in her room when she needed him most, with Simeon.
Kevin reappeared with another doctor whose eyes remained fixed on his clipboard. “Carl Marsh?” he asked, looking up at last.
“I’m Car—” Carl glanced at Simeon, to Matthew then back at Simeon. She loved him, them, more than she realized. There was time perhaps, for a new road, to go back to another time and start again. “I’m Carla Baden, doctor. Please call me Carla,” she said.
Simeon smiled.
In a real sense, the hour is late, the clock of destiny is ticking out, and we must act now before it is too late. (Martin Luther King Jr., 24 March 1963)
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About the author
Leigh K Cunningham is a lawyer with a career as a senior executive for a number of public companies in her home country of Australia. She has master’s degrees in law and commerce, as well as an MBA (International Management).
Her first two children's books, The Glass Table, and its sequel, Shards are recipients of silver medals from the Mom's Choice Awards.
BEING ANTI-SOCIAL, for adult readers, is Leigh’s next title due for release in 2012. The third book in THE GLASS TABLE series is also in progress.
Leigh and her husband, Steve left their hometown (Rockhampton, Australia) in 1994 and lived in Melbourne then Sydney before moving to Singapore in 2004 where they now reside. They have been married 27 years (since 1983).
Leigh is a Member of the Association of Independent Authors, a global community of authors who choose independence.
Connect with the author at:
Website: http://www.leighkcunningham.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/leighcunningham
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Leigh-K-Cunningham
Blog: http://www.leighkcunningham.com/blog/