* * *
An hour later, the nurse checked again on Libby’s vitals, “you’re doing great! Looks like you’re gonna be leavin’ me soon,” she feigned sadness. “I’ll be back in a few minutes, let me make sure they have your room ready. Libby nodded. Joe sat back on the stool and took Libby’s hand again.
Sometime later, an orderly and the nurse came into the room and prepared the bed for transport. They all walked to an elevator and rode up one floor. Joe stood beside Libby all the way, touching her shoulder or holding her hand.
When they arrived in the room, the cardiac care nurse entered and relieved the critical care nurse to finish setting up the bed. As the critical care nurse was leaving, she whispered to Joe, I’ll let your folks know we’ve moved her up here. So long as it doesn’t tire her too much, they can take turns visiting, but try to keep it down to two in the room,” she patted his arm and walked out the door.
“How are you feeling?” Joe asked Libby as he pulled the chair up to the side of the bed.
“Tired, mostly.”
Joe nodded. “Get some rest. I’ll make sure they let you rest,” he tried to offer his most confident smile. She saw the worry in his eyes, but appreciated his attempts at bravery.
Moments later, Will and Megan appeared in the doorway. “Can we come in?” Will asked softly. Libby nodded. “How ya doin’, girlie?” Will asked as he approached the bed.
“Tired,” she replied. Will nodded.
A few minutes into their visit, the doctor appeared at the doorway. “Mr. King, a word?” Megan stood pensively to follow. Joe held his hand out for her to join him, and the two walked into the hallway with the doctor.
“We finally received the test results I was waiting for--they confirmed my thinking...when did Libby have a heart attack, prior to this episode?”
Joe and Megan looked at each other for an answer, both shook their heads without producing one.
“Well, clearly there was one...I thought that was the case previously, but I wanted confirmation. Had she received treatment, we probably wouldn’t be here today. The damage is now, unfortunately, irreversible. I’ve put her at the top of the transplant list, but we have no way of knowing if...or when...a donor heart that will be a match might become available. Without a transplant, I’m sorry to say, there’s nothing we can do.”
Megan fell against Joe’s arm. He steadied and hugged her close to him.
“Normally I’d suggest drug therapy to buy us time, but the heart attack last night caused extensive damage. While I don’t hold out any hope that she’ll improve with them, we’ll start her on the meds—doing something always beats out doing nothing. I wish I had better news. I always say, never give up. If you’re folks who pray, now’s the time.
“Heart attacks can appear differently in women. She may have seemed tired, weak, maybe a pain in her back or arm. There might have been vomiting, or even fainting. She may have thought it was indigestion,” the doctor looked concerned as he waited for a reply.
Joe stepped back in horror, “Oh God...the attack! I begged her to see somebody! She kept saying she was okay...man, that was almost two months ago!” The doctor nodded, “Yeah? It’s amazing she’s made it this far without incident.”
“Grandma died of a heart attack,” Megan’s weak voice offered. “Please, Doctor, tell me Libby’s going to be okay. I can’t lose her too!”
* * *
In the room, Will moved over to sit on Libby’s bed. “Libby, I know you’re not feeling well; and I hate to bring this up, but we have unfinished business. Now, I know you’re gonna be just fine, but I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that...”
Libby held her hand up to stop him. She smiled, “It’s okay Will...I know you’re just looking out for my best interest.”
Will appeared relieved. “Well, your will is in place, it’s the other thing.” Libby nodded. “Louie is here...you want me to get him?”
Libby smiled, “Yes, please!” “I’ll get the paperwork from my briefcase.”
Will stepped quickly and quietly past the doctor, Joe and Megan to the waiting room. He motioned for Louie, who quickly joined him with the box, as Will withdrew papers from his briefcase. “She wants to see you...” Will quietly mentioned to Louie as they returned to her room. Noticing the intense conversation the doctor was having, Will didn’t think anyone would mind.
Louie walked in and placed the box on the end of the bed. He took Libby’s hand in his and kissed it. “How you doing, princess?” Libby smiled at him and nodded her head. “Well, I have your things, just as you requested,” he smiled at her.
“Thank you so much, Louie, I’m sorry you missed the wedding.”
Louie beamed, “Oh no! Well, now I know about it, so am I! I had no idea! I bet it was beautiful!”
Will stepped up with forms in his hand.
“That was the idea, I think, no one knew.” Will whispered. A nurse stepped into the room to check Libby’s vitals and IVs. “Excuse me, I wonder if you would be willing to serve as a witness to the execution of a document?” Will asked her. She looked blankly at him. Laughing, “I’m William Dixon, Mrs. King’s attorney. We have a little business matter; your signature simply means you attest that she signed it.
“Shouldn’t her family do that?” the nurse asked.
Libby softly explained, “It’s a surprise...don’t worry, it’s a good thing,” she managed her most charming smile.
“Well, okay,” the nurse reluctantly agreed.
Will handed Libby the papers and a pen, pointing all the places her signature was required. As soon as she completed her autograph session, the nurse and Louie signed as witnesses. Will reviewed the document, “Thank you both...kinda feels like a birth, doesn’t it?” he laughed.
Louie kissed Libby’s cheek, “I’ll let you rest. If there’s anything I can do...you just let me know!”
Libby replied, “Thank you so much, Louie...and thank you for bringing it here.”
Joe and Megan appeared in the doorway just as Louie was leaving. Megan looked curiously after Louie, then at the box on the bed. She walked over to Libby and took her hand. “How ya doin?”
Libby smiled, “I’m okay, Muggs. I’m good.” Libby could see the worry and evidence of tears.
Megan looked back at Joe, trying hard not to cry. “I need to go tell everyone the latest news, but I’ll be back.” As she spoke, she fought tears. She so wanted to be brave for Libby.
Joe stepped up and hugged her as he took her and Libby’s hand in his. Will was standing in the doorway, his face etched with worry. Megan released Libby’s hand and walked out the door with her arm around Will. She stood just outside the doorway, telling him the news.
Will hugged Megan closely and began walking her to the waiting room, “We’re all praying Meg. I can’t believe today ends this way…I have to believe she’ll pull through. You know, of course, you’ll always have Jane and me…always. We’re family till the end. We just need to keep the faith, babe. Just keep the faith.”
Megan nodded and wiped the tears. With great determination, she released Will and began the walk into the waiting area. He turned to go back to Libby’s room. Just before the doors, Megan’s resolve failed her. She leaned against the wall, then dropped to the floor. She couldn’t bear to walk through those doors and tell everyone her news. As someone pushed the button to enter the ward, Rick saw Megan in the floor of the hallway and darted to her before the doors closed. She collapsed into his arms and sobbed. He helped her up and into the waiting room as the group gathered around her.
* * *
Libby smiled at Joe, “We have something for you.” She looked at Will, standing in the doorway, her voice was getting weak. She struggled to sit up, thinking it would help her say what she needed so desperately to say. Joe lifted her shoulders and rearranged the pillows to raise her head.
“Joe, while you made your movie, I had the chance to chat often with Louie.” Her breath became labored with each word. As a tear made its way down Libby’s cheek, she looked at Will. “Will, can you?”
Will nodded.
Joe’s attentive concern turned from Libby to Will.
“Joe, Libby called and asked me to develop a company, for you. She wanted you to have your own production company, for whatever enterprises you wanted to pursue, movies, music...whatever you wanted. I have here the Articles of Incorporation, and if you don’t like the name, I can have it changed, but she picked ‘Vortex Productions,’ I hope that’s okay...I liked it, considering your whirlwind romance and all.” Will passed Joe the papers. Joe was feeling shell-shocked and sat on the bed as he took them. Libby stated weakly, “Fresh start, no more bad managers,” she smiled at him with tears in her eyes, “Own it, Joe. It’s yours.”
Joe’s lip quivered as the gravity of her actions hit him. He couldn’t hold back the tears. Will put his hand on Joe’s shoulder. He knew Libby was in trouble. After a few minutes, Will added, “Joe, this box contains a manuscript Louie made of the hard drive contents in Libby’s computer. She had him prepare a script based on the story of how you two met...she wanted all this to be a wedding gift to you.”
Hitting overload, Joe lay his head on Libby’s shoulder...he couldn’t control it anymore. Will looked at Libby and nodded toward the door. She nodded her understanding. Will slipped out, closing the door behind him as Libby put her hand in Joe’s hair and stroked it.
* * *
Will waited in the hallway for a few minutes, composing himself. He walked to the waiting room and saw the crowd gathered around Megan. She was desperately trying to explain to them what the doctor had told them. Will walked up and put his hand on her shoulder; she turned into his chest and sobbed again. “Heart transplant!” was all Megan managed to get out. Will tightened his arms around her and walked her to the chairs. He looked at Jane as tears filled his eyes. The crowd sat close to Megan as they waited for her composure to get the rest of the story. Will tried to fill in as best he could from what she shared with him earlier.
Grace went back to the ward in search of the doctor. A few minutes later, she returned with the story, “Libby was attacked, how did we not know this?” she asked. Chuck looked stricken. He stumbled down the hall into the bathroom. The gravity of it all was too much, on top of his excess alcohol the night before and lack of food today.
Rick followed him into the men’s room, “Chuck, you alright?”
Chuck washed his face, “Ah...man, I was there. I should’a done something!” Chuck hit the countertop with his hands. After a few tortured minutes, he collected himself and washed his face. He and Rick returned to the group.
“Libby was in this singin’ competition in New Mexico, and this jerk she was up against tried to kidnap her. He was gonna hold her for ransom. He accused her and Joe of rigging the contest. We all tried hard to get her to go to the hospital, but she kept refusing. We should’a made her...I’m so sorry! I should’a been with her! Man! I watched the whole thing happen from across the parking lot! This whole thing is all my fault!” Tears welled in Chuck’s eyes.
Rick put his hand on his brother’s shoulder to try to console him. “You couldn’t help it.”
“No!” Chuck shouted, forgetting where he was. “I watched this massive guy come up behind her...she threw coffee in his face and kicked to get away...she put that huge dude down on the ground. She was just over by her RV...she couldn’t move. Then...I had to go and grab her at the pool...same move as that Neanderthal! I’m so STUPID!”
Rick again tried to console Chuck, “Chuck, she didn’t look that...good...when she came out. Remember, she was gone all evening? She looked exhausted when she came out. I thought something was wrong then...I should’a said something too.”
The elevator doors opened as a couple stepped into the hallway. Chuck quickly walked into the elevator.
* * *
Joe opened the box and pulled out the script. He flipped open a few pages and looked at Libby with complete adoration. “I can’t believe you did this,” he said as he tried hard to compose himself. He picked up the bagged hard drive from the box, then a couple of the DVDs--each with a single digit written on them. “Libby, this is all too much. I don’t know what to say.”
“Joe, I remember how you suffered with the incompetence of management. I can’t possibly find any better use for the money than to give you something that will make you happy, give us a future and make life better. I want you to make this everything you ever wanted. Will has money in escrow, thirty million, to be exact. That money is to be used to establish Vortex in any way you see fit. Will can help you with any legal issues, and any accounting issues, too. You’ve got a lot goin’ for you mister...I believe in you! And so does Megan. She’s invested in the business as well—some of that is her money.” Libby managed a weak smile again. Talking was consuming all of her energy.
“Libby, thank you...so much. Somehow words seem so lame compared to this...it’s amazing.” Joe smiled and leaned forward to kiss Libby.
“Joe, there’s something else...Megan and I hold 49% ownership of the company. If anything happens to me,” Joe opened his mouth to protest, but she held up her hand and touched his lips. “If anything happens to me, I want Megan to have it. It’s an investment into her future. I met with Will weeks ago, and we worked on a new will. You’ll be well cared for, as will she. It all became effective yesterday. Maybe I jinxed myself by doing that,” Libby tried to laugh.
Joe dropped his head to hide his tears. As he tried to compose himself, Libby added weakly, “We both know, this isn’t looking good.”
Joe looked up at her as the tears ran down his cheek. “Libby, don’t talk like that! They said a heart transplant would...”
She smiled at him, “Yeah...we’ll see. Promise me though, if anything does happen to me, you’ll look after Megan. She’ll be alone: it’s really unfair, you know. She’s managed to lose her entire family by the age of 18.”
“Not her entire family,” Joe smiled. “She has us,” he squeezed her hand.
Libby nodded and sighed. “I’m very tired, Joe. I’m gonna sleep a while.”
Joe nodded and moved the box to a bookshelf. He sat in the chair next to Libby’s bed and waited for her to fall asleep.
“I love you,” she whispered. “You know, I have this image of my calendar in the RV.”
Joe nodded, “I remember.”
“I was just thinking…that it’s the hearts and stars that I wanted the most. The details of how they came to me…just don’t matter,” Libby managed a smile for Joe. “I found the hearts and the stars when I found you.”
Joe reached for her cheek, stood and kissed her. “I love you too, Lily,” Joe smiled. “Get some rest. I’ll be right here. I’ll always be right here, next to you.”
* * *
An hour later, the doorway opened to the waiting room as those outside saw bustling at the end of the hallway. A blue light flashed above Libby’s door as person after person ran into the room.
Thirty minutes later, Joe appeared in the doorway. The youthful man who smiled, sang and laughed with his new bride, family and friends just hours earlier appeared to have aged ten years in the hours since. His pale face and swollen, red eyes were just the beginning of his broken spirit. He tried to look into their eyes, but he couldn’t manage it. To do so, he would’ve collapsed on the floor.
He made his way past the group and over to the elevator, pressing the down button. He glanced sideways at the group, leaning his hand against the wall for support. His head hung low, he shook his head as the doors opened. He drug himself into the elevator, turning as he reached the back wall and sliding down in the corner. His hands covered his face as the doors closed.
Island off the coast of South Carolina, Day 68 - Saturday
A sailboat slowly passed in the distance as the waves lapped onto the shore. The firepit was long cold: the guests were gone. The tiki poles on the beach were still in the ground, but the roses were wilted and falling off the poles. The sun was beginning to set as Joe sat, facing the ocean. His white shirt was dirty and many empty whiskey bottles lay on the sand by his feet. Joe held Maggie’s guitar in his lap, like a child. He was half leaning onto it, half holding on for dear life. His gaze never left the ocean. The wind blew his hair, as he sighed. Beside one of the empty whiskey bottles was an urn, lying on its side. The lid was lapping in the ocean waves. The ashes from the urn scattered across the beach with the breeze.
Suddenly the wind grew still. Joe listened; he thought he heard a whisper. The wind picked up quickly and a whirlwind appeared from the ashes. Joe looked sadly at the small funnel for a long moment. His gaze turned back to the ocean as soon as the ashes and sand settled to the ground.
* * *
Dark clouds lined the horizon beyond the Atlantic as the crashing waves grew angrier. The fleeting sun cast a dark glow on Joe’s burnt skin. His bloodshot eyes followed a heron as it swooped into the beach nearby.
I’m gonna have to go... Joe thought, as he struggled to focus on the bird running from the surf.
“Soon,” he sighed aloud shifting the guitar in his lap; the graveled voice passing through his chapped lips was almost unrecognizable, even to himself. The crashing waves echoed through Joe’s empty soul.
As the storm rolled in, the sun set on another day.
###
Thank you, dear reader, for selecting Whirlwind Love: Libby’s Journey--I hope you have enjoyed it and will consider reading the sequels that are to come (and will share with friends). I would ask a few favors, if I may: If you would be so kind--leave a review (Goodreads, Amazon, Shelfari, WhirlwindLove.com, or any book review site) when you have a moment. New authors-more than anyone-depend on reviews. I also would ask that you not share the secrets from the story (aka would-be spoilers that would keep someone from making their way through the story in their own journey). It’s very tempting, I know. I’ve listened to beta readers...and some couldn’t resist the temptation, which cost me readers--mainly because the listener felt “why bother? I know how it ends.” It really kills (pardon the pun) the idea of reading the book for some when they don’t get to discover the characters’ plight themselves. Then there are those who would read the last chapter first. So, for those special folks, I’m going to repeat the wedding scene below--to try to keep some of my secrets intact through the read. Hopefully they won’t start this far back and find my note to you. Ultimately, I hope you enjoyed the story and will join me again for the next release. I still have surprises in store! DH
Whirlwind Love: Libby's Journey Page 29