"That was the hospital. Andrew is out of the coma and asking for me. I've got to go back right now."
"Man you had me worried for a minute there when you started crying like that. I thought for sure that it was bad news. Well, let's go."
"You two go ahead. I think I'll stay here and straighten up the kitchen," replied Maureen.
Christina hurried out the door with Rusty one step behind her. Maureen knew how much Christina cared for Andrew and was relieved that he was out of the coma. She knew that Christina would have been devastated if anything happened to him. She'd probably lose her mind if it had.
Christina hurried off the elevator and walked swiftly to the ICU door. She knocked and waited impatiently for someone to answer. Finally a few minutes later a nurse let her in.
"Oh Andrew you scared us all half to death," she began as she leaned down and kissed his cheek gently. "I don't know what I'd do without you. I love you," she whispered softly as a tear slid down across her pale cheek. Andrew squeezed her hand tightly and looked deep into her eyes.
"I love you too," he replied weakly. His eyes flickered a little and she could tell he was exhausted. She rubbed her hand over his forehead gently as his eyes closed. She sat on the edge of the bed and watched him as he slept until the nurse came in and told her visiting hours were over.
"You can come back in the morning but he really needs his rest tonight," she replied sympathetically.
Christina left feeling much better. There was almost a smile on her face as she left the ICU.
"Well he must be better cause you look relieved," Rusty remarked, feeling as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulder. He never would of forgiven himself in anything had happened to Andrew.
"He's still weak, but at least he's out of the coma and the nurse said they changed his status from critical to serious now."
"Well we better get home so you can get some rest too," Rusty said as they rode the elevator to the first floor. The hospital was busy tonight with people going in every direction, some with smiles on their faces, and others with tears rolling down their cheeks. Christina hated hospitals since she was a little girl. She never knew why, but she always felt like she would die one day in a hospital.
"Yes I am a little tired," she replied as they walked briskly towards the car.
"I know it's none of my business, but do you think you two will get married or something?" Rusty asked. "I know that Andrew's crazy about you. In addition, when you think about it there are no guarantees in life or how long any of us will live. Why not be happy while you can?" he continued hastily, glancing over to see Christina's reaction.
Christina didn't answer; she just smiled as he opened the car door. Better not push it he thought as he headed down the road. At least she didn't out and out say no this time. Maybe that was a good sign. He put some country music on the radio and they listened as they drove home.
The roads were still slick and full of ice, but there wasn’t much traffic out at this time of night.
"Well, how is he?" Maureen asked as they entered the living room.
"Better. But he still needs plenty of rest."
"And so do you," she replied in a firm but loving way.
"I know. I'm going to bed right now and get some sleep. Want to get up early and be at the hospital when he wakes up. There is so much I want to say to him….well, good night you two, see you in the morning."
"Good night sis, get a good sleep and we’ll go to the hospital with you in the morning. Rusty would you like a drink?" Maureen asked, her face glowing with a softness he hadn't seen in while.
"Don't mind if I do," he answered as he sat down on the sofa and pulled his shoes off. "Hope you don't mind but my feet are killing me."
"I don't mind. Make yourself comfortable," she sighed as she fixed them both a drink.
"Did you build the fire?" he asked curiously.
"Yeah, why?"
"Oh nothing. It's just that I never pictured you as domesticated," he blurted out without thinking.
"I'm not helpless you know," she laughed. There are some things that I do very well. Cooking isn’t one of them though as you probably know by now. However, lighting a fire I can do. We used to have a fireplace when I was married before….” Her face paled at the memories of the fire that almost killed her son, and she quickly turned so Rusty would not see.
"I didn't mean it like that," he stammered trying to smooth things over. Sometimes he spoke without thinking how it would sound. "I’m sorry about what happened to you. I know you don’t like to talk about it, but Christina told me about the fire and what happened. You have to try and put it behind you. The past is the past and go on from there. Anyway, thanks for the drink," he replied trying to change the subject.
"I have tried to forget it, but it haunts me. I dream about that night and when I think I almost killed my own son, I just hate myself. I tried to excuse it because I was on drugs, but I know that was just an excuse. I knew what I was doing when I took them, but I thought I had it in control. I thought I could stop anytime I wanted to, but I couldn’t." Maureen began to cry softly and Rusty put his arms around her.
“Maureen, you have got to forgive yourself and go on with life. You have to really try hard to get off the drugs, it will only kill you.”
“I am off the drugs,” she demanded. “Who told you I was still doing them. It isn’t any of your business what I do.” She raised her tearstained face to him and he could see the anger. Rusty knew she was not ready to admit that she was still hooked on the drugs and he kicked himself for bringing it up.
"I’m sorry Maureen, and you’re right. It isn’t any of my business, but I care for you. I want you to be happy and I know that you will never be happy as long as you do them. To change the subject now, you look beautiful tonight," he whispered softly. She was so hard to figure out. One minute she could be cold as ice, the next she was almost human. He was intrigued by this woman. "You've been such a comfort to Christina these past few days."
"Well, she's my sister and even if we fight sometimes, I really do care about her. She needs someone to take care of her. I really do hope that Andrew and her get married. They're perfect for each other. I’m sorry about snapping at you, it's just that everyone tells me what to do with my life and no one believes that I’m really off drugs. I really am."
"I won’t mention it again Maureen. After all, you’re old enough to make your own decisions in life. I just care so much that I don’t want to see anything happen to you. As for Christina, I think they are right for each other. I just wish Christina felt that way about Andrew."
"I think she does, it's hard for her to admit it. But after this maybe it won't be."
"I hope you're right," Rusty set his glass down on the table and looked over at Maureen. "And what do you want out of life, besides money?" he asked sincerely. "A home, kids maybe?" he continued trying to get her to open up honestly. She couldn't be as heartless as she sometimes seemed. He just felt it in his heart.
"Well to be honest, money's not everything although I talk a lot about it. I just want someone to love and accept me the way I am. As far as kids go, I'm not sure. I haven't done so good at being a mother to my son and I admit it. But I do love him." There was a tear in her eye. Of course it would help if the man I fell in love with had money. Plenty of money. What’s wrong with dreaming about that?”
Rusty leaned over and put his arm around her gently. He didn't quite know what to say. "There is nothing wrong with wanting a lot out of life. A big home, plenty of money to spend, but it should not be the only thing in life. Love is what makes the world go round you know. As for your son, I'm sure he loves you very much."
"He probably thinks I've deserted him. It's been about six months since I've seen him and then it was only for a weekend. Since his dad remarried and moved to California I don't get to see him as often as I'd like, only a couple times a year. I don't see how he could still love me. He has a stepmother now who dotes on him. She's the perfect
little mother." She started to sob openly as Rusty held her close.
"But she can never take your place, no one can," Rusty continued tenderly. He felt the pain she was carrying around inside her for the very first time and began to understand her a little bit more.
"And as you probably already know, I've been in and out of rehabs for drugs so people don't think I'm a very good mother. But I've tried Rusty, honest I've tried. Sometimes I can go days without anything then there are times when I need something just to get me through the day. But I don't use it as often as I used to. I swear I don't." Maureen paused a moment. She felt she could tell Rusty anything and he would not condemn her. "I'm really going to quit you know. It's just really hard. No one seems to understand how hard it is."
"I'm sure there's a lot of people that would help you through the rough times if you'd just let them," Rusty said softly.
"Like who?" Maureen retorted haughtily.
"Christina and myself," he began.
"Why would you want to help me?" she asked abruptly. "I've not been exactly nice to you. I mean ever since you came here I've been rude and ah..." she stopped in mid sentence, unable to find appropriate words to describe her behavior.
"Obnoxious," he continued for her with a teasing smile.
"Well kind of," she murmured looking away from his gentle face, and for the first time in her life she felt truly embarrassed with herself. It never bothered her before if her words hurt others. But she didn't like hurting Rusty. "So why would you even want to help me?" she continued.
"Haven't you figured that out yet? I care about you very much. Underneath that tough exterior you seem to hide beneath, I see a frightened little girl who has feelings just like anyone else. And I know that drugs like any other addiction is really tough to get off of. Especially alone. I just want you to know that I would be here for you if you wanted me to. I'll give you my beeper number and that way you can reach me twenty-four hours a day after I leave here. And if you need to just get away you could come up and stay with me for a while. We can beat this thing together."
Maureen looked up at Rusty and studied his stern face realizing how sincere he was about this. He talked as if he'd been down the same road before and knew what she was going through and gave her a glimmer of hope.
Rusty realized that underneath that harsh exterior was a warm and loving person.
His arms held her tightly as the glow of the fireplace placed shadows that seemed to dance on the walls. He gently tilted her face towards his and looked long and hard into her crystal blue eyes. If only she would let him get close to her and help. He was content to hold her close like this all night. Maureen exhausted drifted off to sleep in Rusty's arms as he held her tight. A warm sense of contentment came over him as he to drifted off to sleep.
Chapter Seven
Lauren hit the snooze button on the alarm clock. Just fifteen more minutes she whispered sleepily. She hadn't been sleeping well lately and was really tired. Now with her mom getting worse she was feeling desperate. She wanted so make life easier for her mom but that took money. If only she had gotten her share of the inheritance from Tyler when he died. No one would believe that she was his daughter, his name wasn't anywhere on the birth certificate. His lawyers made sure that she wouldn't get a penny. She wondered what Christina would think if she told her. Would she believe her or fire her. She couldn't take the chance, as she needed the job desperately.
The alarm sounded again. Lauren threw back the covers and headed towards the kitchen. On the way she stopped by her mother's door and peaked in. She seemed to be sleeping peacefully. She stood and watched her for a moment then headed towards the kitchen for some much needed coffee. She'd taken the past week off to stay with her mom who had taken a turn for the worst. Now that she was doing better she had to get back to work.
She sat at the kitchen table and watched the sun slowly rise over the treetops. She wished summer would hurry up and get here. She didn't like the cold and snow and it sure was hard on her mom. She had to be really careful during the winters not to get a cold or pneumonia.
That could be fatal for her. She leaned back in the chair and sipped her steaming coffee. Beginning to daydream of waking up to a warm Hawaiian sunrise, waiters bringing in hot coffee and croissants while she and her mother sat on the veranda enjoying the beautiful view. She'd always wanted to take her mom to Hawaii on vacation but it cost more than she could ever save. A soft voice brought her back to reality.
"Morning Lauren," Lisa said cheerfully. "I just checked in on your mom and she seems a lot better today."
"She had a pretty good night. We sat and watched movies together. Mom asked me to forgive my father for not wanting me I told her I would never forgive him and now that he’s dead I want to just spit on his grave for how he’s done us.”
"Lauren honey, it isn't good to hold on to such hatred as you have. You have your whole life ahead of you and you shouldn't spend it carrying that much hatred against the father that deserted you. I agree with your mother this time. She did the best she could for you, you know that."
"And look where it got her, she’s old and sick before her time. She deserved so much better. It wasn't as if he was poor you know. Hell he had everything. He could have helped her more so she wouldn't have had to work her fingers to the bone just to survive. Now he's dead. Momma should have been the one living in that fancy mansion not Christina," Lauren blurted out harshly. "It's just not fair."
"Nobody ever said life was fair child. But all that hate in your heart is poison, pure poison."
Lauren got up and poured herself one more cup of coffee. Why didn't they understand how she felt? She knew it was useless to continue the conversation any further.
"Well guess I better get going. I'll see you at five," Lauren said as she put on her coat and headed for the door. She shivered as she stepped out into the brisk morning air. Damn I should have let the car warm up, she thought bitterly as she opened the car door. But that last cup of coffee put her a few minutes behind so she hurried on down the road.
She let herself in and went straight to the kitchen to put the coffee on. It probably wouldn't be long till Maureen came waltzing in demanding breakfast in her arrogant fashion, she thought as she took the sausage out of the refrigerator and began fixing the patties. While the sausage was frying she fixed some homemade biscuits and scrambled eggs.
"Morning Lauren," Maureen said cheerfully. "Um it sure smells good in here."
Lauren couldn't believe her ears. "Good morning Maureen," she murmured sourly.
"How's your mom?" she asked seeming genuinely concerned.
"She's doing better, thank you." Lauren looked over at Maureen out of the corner of her eye in disbelief. What was with her, she wondered. She never treated her like a human being before now. Must be high on something today. She fixed Maureen's plate and set it down in front of her.
Maureen took a bite and smiled. "This is great Lauren. Thank you. Why don't you fix yourself a cup of coffee and join me?"
Lauren was in awe at the change in Maureen as she curtly declined the offer. Surely it wouldn't last, she thought as she finished loading the dishwasher and took a roast from the freezer to fix for supper that evening.
"How has Christina been feeling this past week?" Lauren asked eagerly. "She looked so pale when I left."
"She's much better, still a little tired though. Whatever kind of bug it was really took a hold on her. But she'll probably be up soon so she can go to the hospital and visit Andrew."
"Oh. I thought he and Rusty had left already?"
"They did but they were in a car accident and Andrew was in pretty serious condition for a while. But now he's doing better."
Lauren was amazed that she was carrying on this conversation with Maureen. She'd disliked Maureen from the very start. Why was she trying to be so nice now she wondered as she left the kitchen to start on the laundry which she was sure would have piled up tremendously since she'd been off. But to her surprise the
re were only two small loads instead of the ten or more she thought she'd have. Maybe they're planning on getting rid of me and doing it themselves. Now she was beginning to worry. She needed this job desperately to take care of her mother. They better not even try it if they know what's good for them she thought angrily.
She could just see Christina's face if she told her the truth that she was her stepdaughter and that Tyler was her dad. Why, she'd probably have a heart attack if she knew. Lauren had debated many times whether or not to tell Christina the truth but she figured she wouldn't believe her. Tyler would have denied it when he was alive. He did right up until the very end. Even though Christina had always treated Lauren kindly she just didn't think she would accept or understand it since she worshipped Tyler and wouldn't want to blemish his "spotless" reputation.
"Morning Lauren," Christina said interrupting her thoughts.
"Good morning Christina. I'll have your breakfast ready in just a few minutes after I put these clothes in the washer."
"No hurry, I'll go ahead and get a cup of coffee first," Christina said as she headed towards the kitchen.
Lauren hurried and threw the clothes in the washer. She didn't want Christina to have to wait to long for her breakfast. Maybe I'll fix her favorite desert tonight. It wouldn't hurt to butter her up a little.
"Do you need any errands run while I'm out getting the groceries?" Lauren asked, setting the plate down in front of Christina.
"I don't think so, but thanks anyway."
"Okay. Well I'll be back in little while," Lauren muttered as she headed out the door.
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