“I’m sorry to hear that, Daddy. Do you want me to meet you at the hospital?” Sarah asked anxiously as well.
“Would you?” Daniel pulled into the hospital’s parking lot.
“Sure, Brian and I are off work today. We’ll pick up Damon and David and bring them to our house. Joshua and Maggie can watch them. Then we’ll be there as soon as we can,” Sarah promised.
Daniel hurriedly exited the car. He walked briskly toward the emergency room entrance. His heart thudded deeply inside his chest as the door to the hospital automatically opened. He stepped across the threshold and raced as fast as his legs would take him to the nursing station, not having a clue as to what was awaiting him.
Chapter Thirty-two
Ruth sat with Alice for a while after she returned home. She filled her friend in on the festivities from Naomi’s graduation. She showed Alice the pictures Brian had taken, and played the DVD, which she had created, on the television.
“I plan to take this picture to Walgreens this week and have it enlarged for you.” Ruth pointed to what she considered the best photograph of Naomi, clad in her cap and gown. “Naomi also told me to thank you for her gift. She was quite pleased. I personally think you could have given her less money,” she proclaimed.
“She called and thanked me last night,” Alice told Ruth. “One thing is for sure, you can’t take your money with you after you’re gone,” she remarked sagely. She looked older and drawn, and had lost weight. The disease had taken a toll on her physically, but not mentally.
“I guess I’ve made that same statement so many times over the years.” Ruth laughed. Then her mood became somber; she hated to hear any reference to death or dying.
“Yes, you have, and I’ll do the same for Maggie when she graduates next month. Isn’t D3 graduating this year too?”
“No, he comes out in two years,” Ruth replied. “Sarah and I are planning to go to his graduation. I was hoping DJ would make it home for Naomi’s graduation. When I talked to him last week, he said he had put in for leave for late this summer. So he, Chelsea, and D3 should be here then.”
“It will be good to see them,” Alice said wistfully. “They haven’t been home in a while. You’ve gone there, but they haven’t come here.”
“You know DJ, he’s full of pride, like his father. He wanted to make sure he could walk properly before he took any trips. Speaking of Daniel, he came by my apartment this morning,” Ruth said.
Alice’s eyebrows rose questioningly. “What did Mr. Wilcox want?”
“You won’t believe this; he actually wants to move into our building.”
“Has he lost his mind? I know you told him no.”
“Well, not quite,” Ruth hedged as she clasped her hands together nervously.
“What do you mean by that?” Alice seemed infused with a burst of energy.
“I kind of told him I would discuss it with you. In my defense, I told him that his moving into the building wasn’t a good idea.”
“Let me guess”—Alice’s lips twisted cynically—“he gave you a sob story, and you fell for it. You know that you’re more than welcome to rent the apartment to whomever you choose. But I don’t think it’s a good idea for Daniel to move in here.”
“I agree with you. But he laid it on thick about how he and his boys were going to be put out of his house, and how he didn’t have anyplace else to go.”
Alice made a motion with her hands, as if playing a violin. “I knew his sob story had to be good for you to even bring this up. Poor Daniel and his boys.” She shook her head. “That is not your problem. Don’t let Daniel suck you in. What’s wrong with his finding another place to move to?”
“He claims his credit isn’t good, and that if I would bypass the credit process, he’d be good for the money.”
“I don’t doubt that he would be able to pay us, because he has some form of income, but I just don’t trust his motives. You’ve had a good relationship with Aron and I don’t think you should jeopardize it, because of some scheme Daniel is trying to pull. Did you talk to Aron about Daniel’s request?”
“Um, well, not yet.”
“Why didn’t you?” Alice probed.
“I don’t know.... I guess I wanted to sort out the request in my head before I talked to anyone about it, except for you.”
“You’re grown, and then some. You’re free to make your own decisions. All I’m going to say, and then I’ll leave it alone, is don’t let Daniel back into your life. At the very least, you need to give it more time to make sure that he has changed.”
“Alice, we know that people can change, if they’re inclined. I wouldn’t say a person’s character is etched in stone. You know, all things are possible with God.”
“I will give you that, but I just have a feeling that is not the case with Daniel. Do what you want to do,” Alice said.
Ruth sighed; then she changed the subject. “Aron wants to go with me to Courtney’s book signing and I told him no. I think his feelings were hurt.”
“As they should be. You’ve got to stop riding the fence regarding your feelings for him. I personally think you’re entitled to your life, minister or not. You need to ask yourself why you would even entertain the thought of letting Daniel move in here and not accept Aron for who he is. If your members find out you’re dating him—oh, well. He’s a good man.”
Ruth looked down at the floor, then back up at Alice. “You’re right. I’m going to head home and get ready for the signing, if you don’t need me to do anything else.”
“I’m good for now. Fred will be by later this evening; he’s off work tonight. He’s been taking good care of me. He’s another man who has turned his life around, and you know I give less than a darn what people say about me. I will ask him what Daniel is up to.”
“Thanks, girl, that would be a great help. And I’m going to think about where things are going with Aron. It’s not fair to string him along.”
“Go on, Ruth, have a good time at the signing and with Aron. Tell him I said hello.”
“Will do.” Ruth stood up and departed to her apartment. Forty minutes later, she had bathed and changed clothes. She was standing in front of her dresser, brushing her hair, when her telephone rang. Goodness gracious, sometimes it’s like Union Station here, very busy.
“Hi, June,” she said to her secretary after peeping at the caller ID and picking up the phone. “What’s up?”
Ruth’s face became ashen as she listened to her secretary. Her legs felt weak, and she sat down on the side of the bed. Her hand shook as she held the receiver to her ear.
She was in shock that some of her members had called June to complain about her relationship with Aron. She thought, at the very least, they would talk to her first.
“Okay, June. Thanks for giving me a heads-up about this. I’ll address the matter as soon as possible.” Ruth clicked off the telephone.
Panic invaded her body. What she had feared most had happened. The church members had found out about her dating Aron and disapproved. According to June, several congregants had requested she talk to the church about what was really going on in her personal life. She rubbed her temples and nibbled on her lower lip as she contemplated her next move.
After sitting indecisively on the side of her bed for a few minutes, Ruth called Aron. When he answered the telephone, she told him that she had to cancel their date. “Is everything okay, Ruth?” Aron asked her worriedly. “You sound upset.”
She tried to interject an upbeat mood into her voice. “I’m fine. Something’s come up that requires my attention. I’ll try to call you later.”
“If you need me for something, you know how to find me. I’m sure that whatever came up, you can resolve it. Take care.”
They ended the call on a somber note. Ruth couldn’t believe she was involved in a scandal at the church. She shook her head sadly, thinking, How did it come to this? What did I do to deserve this? I’ve been found guilty without anyone hearing my sid
e of the story. What a nightmare.
Chapter Thirty-three
When Sarah and Brian arrived at the hospital, Felicia and Reggie were there. The couples exchanged greetings.
“How’s Darnell? Where is Daddy?” Sarah asked Felicia. She and Brian sat down.
Felicia flung out her hand. “He’s with Darnell, who is still unconscious. They want to perform surgery. Apparently, there’s swelling in his brain. The doctor is talking to Daniel now.”
“Lord, take care of that child.” Sarah shook her head. “Do you know what happened?”
“He had fallen during recess, but the school monitor didn’t think it was serious. Later he complained of a headache and then just fell out.”
“Oh, my God,” Sarah murmured. “I know Daddy must be beside himself with worry.”
“He is upset. I don’t think Darnell’s life is in jeopardy, but brain surgery is always serious. I called Lenora and asked her to come home,” Felicia added. “She’s on her way here from Nevada now. Lenora called me a month ago. I’m thankful that I was able get ahold of her. I’ve tried to talk to her about the mess she left here, but Lenora kept changing the subject. I plan to read her the riot act when I see her today.”
“I’m glad she’s coming. She should be here during this time. I’m going to see Daddy and find out what else is going on,” Sarah said.
Felicia nodded. Sarah stood up and walked to the nursing station. She explained that Darnell Wilcox was her brother, and asked if she could see him.
The nurse pointed to the double doors and informed Sarah that Darnell was in examination room three. She could go in there, but she cautioned Sarah not to stay long.
Daniel was sitting by his son’s side. He looked like he had aged ten years. All the life had drained from him.
Sarah walked over and put her hand on his shoulder. “Daddy, I got here as quickly as I could. How is Darnell doing?”
Darnell looked like an infant in the large bed. IVs and tubes were connected to his small body.
“Darnell has swelling in his brain. The doctor wants to schedule surgery soon. I hope the boy isn’t permanently damaged by this. I would hate for that to happen to him.” Daniel looked at Sarah with anguish in his eyes.
“He’s going to pull through this, Daddy. Felicia told me what happened. We’re going to pray for Darnell, and I know everything will be fine.” Sarah tried to console her father, although she felt devastated by what had happened to her young half brother. She rubbed her father’s arm.
“He’s just a little boy. He doesn’t deserve this,” Daniel commented, gulping helplessly.
“Now, don’t assume the worst. Medicine has come a long way from a technological standpoint. Darnell is a strong little boy.”
“Sarah, would you do something for me?”
“Sure, Daddy. What do you need?” Sarah was glad to do anything she could to help out during the crisis.
“Would you call your mother and ask her to come to the hospital?” Daniel looked at his daughter pleadingly.
“Yes, but whatever for? I don’t know if that’s a good idea. Felicia told me she called Lenora and she’s on her way here. You know Lenora doesn’t like Momma. I think we should just leave Momma out of this for now,” Sarah said.
“I don’t give a rat’s ... I don’t care who Lenora likes or dislikes. She lost all privileges and her right to be called a mother when she walked out on me and the boys. Please, Sarah, call Ruth. I need her.”
Sarah hadn’t ever seen her father that vulnerable. Against her better judgment, she told him that she would call Ruth, and she left the room to do just that. Daniel knew that Ruth, being a minister, would never refuse to help anyone in need. Even her ex-husband.
Chapter Thirty-four
Daniel returned to the waiting room nearly an hour later. He strode over to the family. “They’re taking Darnell to the pediatric wing to prep him for surgery. I just came from the lab, donating blood just in case. We need to go to the second floor and wait.” He looked at Ruth, who looked at him uncomfortably. “Thank you for coming,” he said gratefully.
“No problem. That’s part of my job,” she said. She hadn’t missed the look Felicia had given her when she walked inside the waiting room. Felicia’s arched eyebrows looked like question marks that seem to inquire, “Why are you here?”
Felicia looked at Ruth confrontationally, like she was an intruder. Reggie quickly led his wife away from the waiting room for coffee before the situation got out of hand.
“I don’t understand why she’s here,” Felicia complained as they walked to the elevator. “I hope Sarah told Ruth that Lenora was coming here. It could get ugly. The lady minister should have stayed home.”
“Now, Fee, Reverend Wilcox is correct. Ministers do come to hospitals to support people during emergencies, and this situation definitely qualifies as an emergency. Try to behave,” he chided his wife.
“I can’t make any promises,” Felicia said. After she purchased cups of coffee for herself and Reggie, they returned to the waiting room.
Ruth was starting to feel uneasier by the moment. She wished she had followed her better judgment and gone to Courtney’s book signing, and had kept her date with Aron. Sarah had to beg her to come to the hospital; Ruth’s temples pounded from the onset of a stress headache.
The group was now gathered together in a private waiting room on the second floor. A nurse entered and told Daniel the doctor would be in, momentarily, to talk to him. Daniel’s expression was bleak, and he held his head down as he waited for the doctor. Sarah sat on one side of him and was talking to him quietly, while Ruth sat on his other side.
When Felicia wasn’t sipping from her coffee, she kept a permanent smirk on her face as she took in the scene.
The doctor entered the room and walked over to Daniel. “Mr. Wilcox, I see that Mrs. Wilcox has made it.” He looked at Ruth. “My name is Dr. McManus. I’m a neurosurgeon and I will be operating on Darnell.”
“No, we’re not married,” Ruth quickly corrected the doctor. “I’m a family friend and a minister.” She and the doctor shook hands.
“Thank you for coming to be with the family, Reverend.” The doctor turned his attention back to Daniel. “Mr. Wilcox, we’ll be taking Darnell into surgery in about twenty minutes. The staff has nearly completed the prep phase. I wanted to reassure you that I have performed this surgery many times in the past, so your son is in good hands. He seems to be a tough little fellow. I will have one of the nurses update you as to the status of the surgery throughout the evening.”
“How long will the surgery take?” Sarah asked.
“Usually three to four hours, but timing is not a perfect science. I’ll have a better idea once the surgery commences. And I’ll be out to talk to you when the surgery is completed.”
“Thank you,” Sarah said before the doctor departed.
“I think this would be a good time to pray,” Ruth suggested. The group, with the exception of Felicia, who felt that Ruth as Daniel’s ex-wife had no business at the hospital, stood and held hands.
“Father, God, we come before you tonight asking that you keep Darnell in your healing hands. We can take comfort in knowing that you are the one who can make a way out of no way. Father above, guide the surgeon’s hands as he works to fix whatever ails Darnell.”
“Amen,” Sarah murmured, with her eyes closed tightly. Brian squeezed her hand.
“Father, give us strength and patience as we wait for the surgeon to come out and tell us that all is well, and your will has been done. These blessings I ask in your son’s name. Amen.”
Felicia’s mouth dropped open as she looked at the doorway.
“Well, isn’t this a cozy scene,” Lenora remarked scathingly as she walked into the room, with her tall, imposing, dreadlocked boyfriend beside her. She stood a few feet from Ruth and Daniel, with her arms folded across her chest.
Ruth’s eyes traveled from Daniel and then back to Lenora.
“I see
Daniel didn’t waste any time calling you,” Lenora spat at Ruth. “That’s really ironic, because he didn’t even bother to call me, and I’m Darnell’s mother. I had to depend on my sister to call me. What’s really been going on since I’ve been gone? You’re not a blood relative to my son, so I don’t understand why you’re here,” she said to Ruth.
Ruth had to admit her former nemesis still looked good. Lenora’s features had become a little harder; there were lines forming around her mouth. But she still retained her trim, lithe figure. Her hair was coiffed stylishly. She wore a black sable jacket over a rose-colored silk pantsuit.
“Hello, Lenora. I’m here merely to support Sarah, Brian, and Daniel. There is nothing going on between me and your husband,” Ruth said piously. She truly wished she were anywhere but at St. James Hospital. She flinched slightly when she saw Lenora walking her way.
Daniel walked to Lenora and grabbed his ex-wife’s arm. “We need to talk,” he said curtly as he steered her out the door and down the hallway.
Trevor stood indecisively near the door, debating if he should follow Lenora. Felicia quickly walked over to him. She introduced herself and invited Trevor to sit with her and Reggie until Lenora returned. The young man did.
Outside the waiting room, Lenora pulled away from Daniel. “Hmm, it didn’t take long for your ex to come running back to you. Some women will use any excuse they can to get their claws into a man. Everyone knows that she still loves you.”
Daniel gave Lenora a disgusted look and shook his head. “You should know, those are your tactics. How about asking how your son is doing? That’s what any normal mother would be concerned about.”
“Pardon me, I talked to the doctor. I saw him as he was leaving the waiting room. I took care of my mommy business,” Lenora retorted haughtily. She folded her arms across her chest.
“Why don’t you act like it, then? This is not the time or place for you to bait Ruth. She came here, as she said, to support our family. She didn’t have to come at all.”
Letting Misery Go Page 27