Healing Hearts

by Syndi Powell

  “What’s that?” Back in the ballroom, she finished placing the flowers at the remaining empty tables before scanning the room.

  “How has no guy snatched you up? You’re smart. Pretty. You’re a doctor, for Pete’s sake.” He walked up to her and put his hands on her shoulders. “You’re the whole package.”

  She stepped away from him and wandered over to the head table, where she straightened the engraved champagne flutes. “Can you drop the subject? I don’t want to talk about that.”

  “Do you date?”

  She held out her hands. “What did I just say?”

  “We don’t have to talk about marriage. I want to know why you’re not dating.”

  “Why? Are you planning on changing that?”

  He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t date either. Like you, my career takes up a lot of my time. And besides, my plate is already full.”

  “Then you’ll understand that I have the same reasons.”

  “A woman like you should have someone.”

  “I have friends. And that’s enough for me.”

  He took a few steps toward her and raised one eyebrow. “Is it? Or was reentering the dating world on that second-chance list of yours?”

  She blushed and he knew he had her on that point. His cell phone buzzed, and he tapped out a response to Dalvin’s question. “My assistant is here with the rest of the supplies. I need to go let him in.”

  When he’d taken a few steps, she called his name. He stopped and turned to face her. “A man like you should have someone, too.”

  He gave a nod at this, then left the reception hall to meet his assistant in the parking lot. Maybe he did, but there was no room in his life for anyone else.

  * * *

  THE WEDDING CEREMONY took less than twenty minutes, but April considered it one of the most touching and heartfelt she’d been blessed enough to witness. The way the bride and groom looked at each other as if they had the room alone to themselves. Or how the groom touched the bride’s cheek before kissing her and making her his wife. She’d had to dab the corners of her eyes at that one.

  And she’d looked away to find Zach watching her with a smirk. Okay, so she was a sentimental fool. She got teary at weddings and loved reading romance novels. Zach’s earlier insistence that she needed someone had hit her hard. When she had turned thirty, she told herself she’d give herself five years to figure out balance in her life. She had let her career consume her, losing time with family and friends, even canceling holiday plans and dates. Her life in the hospital had been everything.

  Then, almost two years ago, due to a cancer diagnosis, things had started to shift. If she couldn’t find balance, her body would quit on her. She couldn’t put in the long hours that she was used to as the side effects of chemo and radiation took their toll. But even now, as she stood with a champagne flute of sparkling grape juice in her hand, she could admit that she still hadn’t found balance. That’s why she’d needed the second-chance list. It was her reminder to live life, rather than work it.

  She had some of the juice, then spotted Zach when he called her name. “You look deep in thought,” he said.

  “Weddings and funerals tend to do that to me.” She noted the beautiful room again and all the happy guests. “You really pulled off a beautiful wedding.”

  “Thank you.” The familiar buzzing sounded in his pocket. He pulled out his phone and frowned at the screen before shoving it back. He stared at the bride and groom, laughing as they swayed on the dance floor. “They’re a great couple and they deserved a magical night.”

  “You certainly gave it to them.”

  She thought about asking him to join her on the dance floor when he got out his phone and walked away. Okay, so that was a little rude. What was it with him and his love affair with that phone?

  At the lavish buffet, she found Mrs. Rossi surveying the choices and filling a plate. The older lady looked up and smiled at April. “Zach told me he was inviting you tonight. You’re looking lovely.”

  April put a hand on her belly and shuffled from one foot to the other. She’d never been good at taking compliments, so she shrugged it off and took a plate from the stack. “Maybe. If anyone looks good tonight, it’s you. Deep purple is your color.”

  Mrs. Rossi wrinkled her nose. “It’s the color of old ladies. But since this was last-minute...” She gave a wave of her hand and then spooned pasta onto her plate, adding a giant scoop to April’s. “You have to try this baked ziti. It’s one of Silvio’s specialties. I told Zach he had to include it on the menu.”

  “You know the chef?”

  “Chef. Manager. Owner. Silvio does it all.”

  Mrs. Rossi continued down the buffet table, April following her and putting on her plate what the older woman recommended. They took a pair of seats at one of the emptier tables and tucked into their meals. Another slow song with violins started and April glanced at the dance floor, where more couples had joined the bride and groom. Mrs. Rossi dabbed at her mouth, putting the cloth napkin back on her lap. “You should go out there and join them.”

  “Dancing alone isn’t much fun.” April glanced around the room for Zach and saw him standing near the exit, phone glued to his ear. “Is he always like that?”

  Mrs. Rossi turned and looked at her grandson. “Zach has a lot going on. Maybe too much. I’m sure whatever is pulling him away from you is important.”

  “We’re not dating.”

  The older woman raised one eyebrow and took a long sip of water. She winked and focused again on her meal. “If you say so.”

  “I know so. Zach needed an escort for this evening and I owed him a favor.” She pushed a fork through the ziti. “That’s all this is.”

  Mrs. Rossi didn’t look as if she’d bought April’s answer. She pointed at April’s still-full plate. “Not hungry, dear?”

  She took a bite of the ziti. It practically melted in her mouth. “Mmm. What does he put in this to make it so heavenly?”

  “Come to my next class and maybe you’ll find out. Have you been keeping up with the homework?”

  “You mean making my own pasta?” April winced. “I’m afraid my job doesn’t allow me much time to cook, as fun as it was.”

  “I could teach you some quick meals you can throw together in minutes.” Mrs. Rossi reached for her handbag and pulled out a small, rectangular calendar. “When’s your next day off? You can come to my house and we’ll make a few things.”

  “Oh, I couldn’t do that.” It shocked her to think that this woman who had met her three times would invite her, a practical stranger, into her home.

  Mrs. Rossi looked up at her, confusion in her eyes. “I wouldn’t offer if I didn’t want to do this. Now, when is your day off?”

  “Thursday.”

  The older woman wrote it down and circled it. “Seven o’clock. Ask Zach for the address. Or better yet, a ride.”

  Just then, Zach appeared at the table and put a hand on the back of April’s chair. He leaned down between the two women. “I have to go.”

  Mrs. Rossi nodded and started to gather her things. “I’ll go with you.”

  “No. You know how she gets when she’s really sick.” He gestured to April. “Can you take her home, Nonna?”

  “Who’s sick? Maybe I can help. I’m a doctor.” April dropped her fork on her plate and pulled the wrap over her shoulders.

  “No, I’m going alone. Nonna can get you home. I’m sorry for running out like this, but it’s an emergency.”

  April jumped to her feet. “If someone is ill, it’s my sworn duty to take care of her. And you will take me with you.”

  Mrs. Rossi shrugged. “She couldn’t hurt, Zach. And maybe she can help.”

  “I don’t need anyone’s help, Nonna. And, April, I am not taking you anywhere.” He backed away and strode a
cross the room. He whispered in the groom’s ear, then the two men shook hands and Zach left the banquet hall.

  Mrs. Rossi thrust April’s purse at her. “If you run, you can catch him. Despite what he says, he needs all the help he can get with his mother.”

  April nodded and ran toward the exit. She gave the heavy glass door a huge push and sprinted into the parking lot. Spotting Zach’s sleek SUV, she darted in its direction and just managed to put her hands on the hood before he could put his foot on the gas. He beeped the horn, but she wouldn’t move. He rolled down the window and stuck his head outside. “Move it, Sprader. I don’t have time for this.”

  “Take me with you.”

  She could see the tight set of his jaw even in the dark, but knew she’d won when he waved her to the passenger door. She got in the car and put her seat belt on before looking at him. “What do I need to know?”

  “You’re staying in the kitchen and out of my way.” He checked the mirrors and pulled out of the lot and onto the street. “I don’t know what I’m going to be walking into. Just that it’s a bad night.”

  “Bad night? Meaning what?” She put a hand on Zach’s shoulder. “What are you talking about?”

  “Just sit back and let me drive.” He kept his gaze on the road ahead of them and didn’t say a word until they got to a house a few blocks from her own. “Stay in the kitchen. Please.”

  He got out of the car and hustled up to the back door. April followed him inside and heard the shrieks right away. Zach disappeared down the hallway. A woman in scrubs sat at the dining room table, holding a bloody dish towel to her brow. April walked up to her. “Can I take a look?”

  “Who are you?”

  “Dr. Sprader. I work in the emergency room at the hospital.” She removed the towel and dabbed at the wound that grazed just above the woman’s eyebrow. “Looks superficial, so you won’t need stitches. A bandage should be sufficient.”

  A loud scream from the other end of the house snapped April’s head in that direction. “You’ll be fine,” she told the woman.

  Then she ran down the hallway to stand at the open door and stare in at Zach, who held up his hands to his mom dressed in a bathrobe. She clutched a shard of a china plate in one hand as she hung on to the bedpost with the other. “Where is my husband? You’ve taken him away from me!”

  “He’ll be home soon. I promise.”

  “Always you promise.” Her face crumpled and she lowered the broken piece of plate. “I miss him so much. I just want to see him.”

  Zach took a few steps toward her and removed the jagged piece of china from her hand. “Let’s get you to bed.” He removed the bathrobe and laid it on the recliner by the window.

  “I’m so tired.”

  “I’ll read you a story.”

  He helped his mom into the bed, then pulled the covers to her chin. “What story do you want tonight?” he asked. “Little Women?”

  She nodded, so he sat next to her and opened to a page near the beginning. Before starting to read, he glanced up and saw April standing in the doorway. “I heard her scream.”

  “She’s okay now.” He looked over at his mother. “Aren’t you?”

  “I’m so tired.” There was no mistaking the exhaustion in the woman’s voice.

  He leaned in and kissed her forehead. “I know. Why don’t you close your eyes while I read this chapter?”

  April waited a moment as he read out loud, then she returned down the hallway to the bathroom where she found bandages and hydrogen peroxide. She took the items with her to the dining room. The night nurse, presumably, still held the towel to her head. April dabbed the wound with the peroxide and waited for the bubbles to stop fizzing before placing a bandage over the cut. “Is she like this most of the time?”

  “I don’t know. I just started a few days ago. But I’m not sure how much longer I’ll last if it’s going to be like this.”

  April took a seat across from her. “Alzheimer’s?”

  “That’s what the son says.” The nurse looked up at someone standing behind April. “I’m sorry I had to call you.”

  April peered over her shoulder and found Zach with his hands on his hips, his tie loosened and his shirt hanging out of his trousers. “You were right to call. This was bad.” He glanced up at the nurse’s bandaged brow and winced. “I’m sorry.”

  “Mr. Harrison, I don’t know if...”

  “She’s not always like this.”

  The nurse stood and Zach took a step toward her. She held up a hand to him. “Please. I need to go home.” She grabbed her coat and purse, and said, “I’ll see you tomorrow at five.”

  He let out a sigh and nodded. Once the back door had clicked shut, Zach took a seat at the table and put his head in his hands.

  “How long has your mom been like this?”

  He kept his head down and gave a soft groan. “This aggressive behavior? About a month or so. It’s been getting worse the last little while, though.”

  “I think we should take her in to the ER.”

  Zach shook his head. “No. She’s sleeping now. It’s fine.”

  “But it could be a sign that something else is going on. Zach, I’ll go with you. They can check her out and get you some answers.”

  “I said no.”

  April took a seat next to him. “Who’s her doctor?”

  “Winsley. But he’s not helping, as you can see.”

  “What about Dr. Gregory? He’s really good. He’s helped a lot of my patients and their families. I could give you his number.”

  Zach rose and went to stand at the window that overlooked the front yard. “I don’t need any more numbers. I don’t want any more doctors and their advice. I just want my mom back.”

  April had never felt so feeble, so inadequate. Emergency medicine was her specialty, and she knew only the basics when it came to Alzheimer’s. Not nearly enough to help Zach.

  “The doctors can help you manage the behavior, the progression of the disease. But they can’t bring her back.”

  “I know.” His voice cracked, and the sound of it splintered her heart. “But I wish they could.”

  They stayed silent for a moment, then he faced her, but didn’t meet her eyes. “I need to stay here with my mom, so I’ll call you an Uber.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  ZACH CHECKED HIS mother’s room to make sure she still slept, then walked into the living room and lay down on the sofa. He put an arm behind his head and stared at the ceiling. Still in his suit, he contemplated going to his room to change. Better to get the thing hung up before any more wrinkles set in. But just the thought of moving anywhere made him tired.

  All of this made him tired. He couldn’t keep doing this, but what choice did he have? Nonna had mentioned a nearby nursing home that specialized in cases like his mom’s. That felt like he was giving up on her, and he wasn’t ready to admit defeat. Better to keep her here where things were familiar to her. Though what was familiar and what was foreign were starting to blur in her mind. He could see that.

  He heard the squeak of bedsprings and held his breath, straining to hear if it meant she’d rolled over or gotten out of bed. No footsteps down the hall. She’d just turned over in her sleep.

  One night, he’d gone to his bedroom and fallen asleep without checking the doors to make sure they’d been locked. He’d woken up a few hours later to a loud knocking sound. He answered the front door to discover that a neighbor had found his mom wandering the neighborhood in her nightgown, searching for the cat that had died five years before. He’d made sure to double-check the doors every night since, as well as install an alarm.

  Thinking of it, he groaned and got to his feet. The front door, check. He padded through the dining room and kitchen, down the few stairs to the back door. Check. He returned to the living room and armed the alarm. If she woke up an
d tried to get out, he’d know.

  The worst part about the evening, besides having to leave the wedding early, had been the look on April’s face when she’d seen him with his mom. He could handle disapproval or disappointment, but the pity written in the pinched eyebrows and straight line of her mouth left him hollow. He should have insisted she stay at the wedding. Never should have brought her here. And then for her to offer advice on what doctor his mom should see?

  He yanked off his tie and shrugged out of his suit coat, dropping them over the back of a dining room chair. He unbuttoned the cuffs on his shirt and rolled up the sleeves. Rubbed a hand over his face, before returning to the sofa and lying back down. He couldn’t deal with anything else. This day was over.

  And it had had such a great start. Seeing April in that dress. Watching his newly signed client get married to the love of his life. And then enjoying the fruits of his labors. Well, his and Dalvin’s labors. They’d really pulled it off.

  More bedsprings. He paused his thoughts and waited for footsteps. This time, she did appear in the dining room and found him on the sofa. “Zach, have you seen the dog? I thought I heard him whining to get out.”

  “I already let him outside, Ma.” He stood and walked toward her. Lucky had been gone longer than the cat. “I told you I’d take care of him.”

  She put a hand on his cheek. “You take such good care of all of us.”

  “Why don’t we get you back to bed? You must be sleepy.”

  He started to put his arm around her shoulders when she slapped him. “Don’t touch me! Don’t you put your hands on me.”

  He took a few steps back from her. “I’m just trying to help you.”

  “I can go to bed myself. You don’t have to keep putting your nose in my business.” She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. “You’re always telling me what to do.”

  “I’m sorry, Ma. Won’t happen again.”

  Her frown softened and she gave him a nod. “Good.”

  He couldn’t get a handle on her mercurial moods. Maybe April had been right. Maybe there was something else going on with her. He should call Dr. Winsley in the morning. See if they needed to readjust her medications or something. This behavior, the violence and the mood swings, couldn’t continue. It would kill him if it did.