Healing Hearts

by Syndi Powell

  Lynn rushed over to them and gave Page a hug. “What are you doing here? You should be home resting.”

  “If that’s how you greet everyone, no wonder our attendance numbers are down.”

  “Glad to see chemo hasn’t dimmed your sarcasm.”

  Page rolled her eyes and headed for the circle of chairs. Because of April’s insistence that they be early, they were the first to arrive and had their pick of seats. Page chose the comfortable plush armchair and lowered herself into it.

  Lynn pulled April to the registration table to get signed in. “How is she really doing?”

  “She’s taking cancer on for the third time. How would you be doing?” April wrote out name tags for herself and Page and stuck hers to her chest. “But she was determined to come tonight, so I guess there’s that.”

  April took the seat next to Page and handed her the name tag.

  Others started to arrive, including Sherri, who exclaimed when she saw Page and ran over to them. “I’m so happy to see you.”

  Page glanced at April. “That makes at least one who’s glad I’m here.”

  “We’re only concerned about your health. Your immune system...”

  “I’m fine.” Page hugged Sherri, who leaned down to put her arms around her. “Dez could handle being on his own tonight?”

  Sherri claimed the seat on the other side of Page. “He and Marcus are having a guys’ night with my cousin Mateo. I figured I could use some time with my boob squad.”

  Page groaned. “We really need a new name.”

  April laughed along with Sherri as Lynn called for the group’s attention. “Tonight, we’re going to talk about finding a support system. The cancer journey is not a solitary one. We need to surround ourselves with family and friends who will be there for us. Sometimes we need them to physically take care of our needs. Other times, it’s their emotional support that we crave when we have those bad days.”

  April thought back to the weeks that her mom had come to stay with her, taking time off from work and away from her dad to help her through it. Even now, on the other side of treatment, the memory of her mom washing her hair, cooking her meals and driving her to appointments made her eyes misty. She dabbed at the corner of one eye.

  Sherri raised her hand. “My madre was my biggest helper. Still is. But it’s because of Page and April’s support that I’ve discovered what true friendship means.” She reached over and took Page’s hand. “Anything you need, you ask. You were there for me, and I plan on being there for you every step of the way.”

  Page rolled her eyes again, but a hint of a smile made her lips twitch.

  April took Page’s other hand. “One of the lessons I’ve learned through my journey is that we’re stronger together. When I am weak, I lean on you. When you need help, I give you a hand. We’re here to celebrate the good news and cry when it’s not so good. My friend Page is going through a tough time right now, but I know she’ll be there with me to celebrate this weekend at my party.”

  “You’ll make me go whether I want to or not.”

  “But you want to go.”

  “Only because Sherri’s mom is making her tamales.”

  April smiled at her, then turned to the rest of the group. “You’ve all been there with me on this journey, so I hope to see you Saturday night at my house.”

  Page tapped the end of her nose after a half hour, so April made their excuses and they left the meeting early. She drove Page home and got her inside. Page winced as she lowered to the sofa and pulled an afghan over herself. “I’m really considering painting this room when I feel better. I’ve spent so much time staring at these walls that I can tell it needs some sprucing up.”

  April couldn’t contain the snicker. “Starting your own second-chance list?”

  “Don’t laugh. Sometimes the words you say do get past my thick skull.”

  April pressed a kiss to Page’s cheek before leaving. When April got to her car, she didn’t start it right away, but thought back to what they’d talked about at the meeting. Page had been one of her major supporters, but there was another she hadn’t taken the time to thank. She pulled her cell phone out and called her mom.

  “Hi, honey. Is everything okay?”

  April bit her lip to stem the tears that threatened. “I know it’s later than I usually call, but I wanted to thank you for all you did for me when I was sick.”

  “You don’t have to do that. I’m your mother, so of course I was going to help you.”

  “But I never said it.” She took a deep breath. “Those days after my surgery when it was just the two of us meant a lot to me. I knew that I was going to be okay because my mom wouldn’t let anything happen to me. You fed me, bathed me and told me you loved me in a million little ways. Thank you.”

  Her mother sighed on the other end. “You’re welcome, sweetie.”

  “Love you.”

  She could hear her mom’s smile through the phone. “Love you, too. See you Saturday.”

  * * *

  ANOTHER WEEK PASSED, and Zach hadn’t found the time to call the counselor or to do something for himself. He’d divided his days between work and visiting his mother. He had to admit that she seemed happier at Sunny Meadows. She had experienced only one meltdown, but the staff had been there to calm her quickly. The staff had called to let him know, assuring him that everything was okay. Not taking their word, he’d driven to the facility to see for himself. He found his mother chatting with a nurse about Zach’s days as a baby and showing off pictures in an album. She hadn’t needed him. He should have felt relieved.

  That Saturday night, he visited his grandmother’s house. A free night was rare, but he was still taking care of his responsibilities, rather than simply relaxing or doing something fun. At the front door, Nonna greeted him wearing a bright blue dress and heels, her hair coiffed and looking as if she was heading out on the town. “You’re early. Good.” She handed him two pans of what smelled like lasagna. “Put those in your car, and I’ll check on Frank.”

  He obeyed her orders and deposited the food in the trunk. It would leave his car smelling of tomatoes and cheese for days, but he didn’t mind. He returned to the house and found both grandparents looking spiffy in fancy clothes. Pops eyed his outfit. “You can’t go to the party looking like that.”

  Zach checked his button-down shirt and jeans. “Nonna said she only needed a hand with something.”

  Nonna thrust a paper bag at him. “We’re taking food to a friend’s party, and you’re going to drop us off and pick us up at eleven.” Once they were outside, Nonna shut and locked the door.

  “You couldn’t drive yourself?” he asked.

  She dismissed his suggestion. “We can’t drive so well in the dark. And besides, I heard there’s going to be some fabulous wine tonight.”

  Zach shot a look at Pops, who shrugged and moseyed toward the car, opening the front passenger door for Nonna. Zach took a deep breath and followed them. He got into the driver’s seat and turned the key in the ignition. “So, where is this party?”

  “I’ll give you directions,” Nonna replied.

  By the third turn, he’d figured out that it was April’s party. Nonna didn’t have any other friends in his neighborhood. He braked at a stop sign and faced his meddling grandmother. “I’m not going in with you.”

  “You should. You’d be lucky to have that doctor lady.” Nonna glanced in the rear window. “Look. The car behind us is going to honk his horn if you don’t drive.”

  “You should be on my side.”

  “I am. That’s why I’m dragging you to this party.”

  Zach looked at his grandfather in the back seat, who remained silent, but grinned. Zach continued driving to April’s house, muttering under his breath about well-meaning but interfering relatives. “I’m doing just fine.”

  “
Are you? Because that’s not what I see. You’re sleeping at the office. And when you’re not there, you’re visiting your mother.” Nonna shook her head. “Enjoying your life is about finding a balance. It can’t all be work or all about your mom. April held out a chance for you to have real happiness, and you let her sit in the rain.”

  He’d tried to apologize to April, but she hadn’t taken his calls. He hadn’t meant to forget her or their plans. Something had come up. But even he knew that excuse sounded lame. “I didn’t mean to.”

  “Okay. So now you can make it up to her. Prove to her that you can show up. Or better yet, prove it to yourself. Show up for your own life. You take care of everybody else. It’s time you do something for you.”

  Zach pulled in front of April’s house. Cars lined both sides of the street, so he double-parked to let his grandparents out. He grabbed the trays of lasagna from the trunk and carried them up to the house. Nonna knocked on the front door, and Zach’s breath caught when it opened. But it wasn’t April. Instead, Page smiled at his grandparents, but her grin faded when she saw him standing there. “What are you doing here?”

  He held up the food. “Bringing lasagna.”

  She took the trays from him and motioned at his car. “You might want to move your car. And if you plan on staying, let me give you a word of warning. Tonight is about April. And if you so much as cause her to frown, I will make sure that your life is miserable for years to come.”

  “I didn’t mean to hurt her.”

  “Well, you did.” And she shut the door in his face.

  He turned and went to his car. When he got inside, he debated leaving his grandparents there and driving home. He could return later and pick them up when the party was over. He drove to his place and parked in the driveway. The thought of the empty house made his stomach hurt. But that could have been lack of food. He’d eaten breakfast with his mom at the nursing home that morning, but had he eaten lunch?

  He got out of the car and started walking the two blocks back to April’s house. At least she would have food.

  * * *

  APRIL TOOK THE trays of lasagna from Page and placed them among the other platters. Perla had made her chicken tamales, and Page had brought over a huge salad from their favorite restaurant in Greektown. April’s parents arrived with a mouthwatering pot of spicy chili. And another friend from the hospital had samosas. Bags of chips littered the counters along with several dips, and for dessert, April had ordered a cupcake tower from a local bakery as well as a sheet cake in bright pink frosting.

  She’d also decorated her home in pink streamers and balloons. It looked like a four-year-old’s birthday party, but the sight of the helium balloons bouncing and swaying made her smile.

  And that’s what the party was all about: the people and things she loved that made her feel joy. Her mom arranged a plate of chocolate–peanut butter cookies on the table and then gave April a hug. “This looks fabulous, sweetie. You’ve outdone yourself.”

  “It’s not too much?”

  Her mom tapped the end of her nose. “It wouldn’t be your party if it wasn’t.”

  Music played softly, but she planned on turning it up later when the dancing got going. She’d strung up pink twinkling lights around her deck to create a dance floor and hoped she’d get a chance to salsa with Mateo again. Though the way Page watched him as he moved among the other guests meant she might have to wait her turn.

  The doorbell rang, and she walked over to answer it. Her heart stopped for a moment at the sight of Zach standing on the porch. She glanced behind her at Mrs. Rossi, who smiled wickedly before turning back to her conversation with Perla. He had his hands shoved into his front jeans pockets, his head lowered. “My grandmother insisted that I come.”

  She stepped aside so that he could enter, but he stayed on the porch. “There’s food and beverages in the kitchen. You look like you could use something to eat.”

  “April...”

  He raised his head to look at her, and compassion flowed out of her toward him. He might have been dressed nicely, but the dark circles under his eyes and unkempt hair made him look sickly. She put her hand on his shoulder. “What’s wrong? You don’t look so good. Is it your mom? Is she okay?”

  “She’s fine.” He shook his head, staring into her eyes. “There’s something wrong with me, though.”

  That was obvious. She joined him on the porch and shut the door behind her. Several friends from work arrived, and she gave them a nod but kept her focus on Zach. “Are you sick?”

  “No. Yes. I don’t know.” He ran a hand through his dark hair, making it stick up worse than it had been. He looked like he was hurting, as if something had gone horribly wrong since the last time she’d seen him. Someone called her name from inside, and she turned toward the sound.

  Page opened the front door. “I can’t find a serving spoon for one of the pasta salads.” She glanced at Zach. “I need her right now. What do you want?”

  “This is your party. I don’t want to take up your time.” Zach moved past them both and entered her house.

  April worried. “He looked bad, didn’t he? Tired and worn-out like I haven’t seen him before. I wonder what’s going on.”

  “I thought you weren’t going to wait for him.”

  “That doesn’t mean I can’t be concerned about him.”

  “Just don’t go falling for him again. He hurt you once already. He doesn’t get a second chance.”

  April rubbed her best friend’s shoulder. “Have I mentioned how happy I am that you came to my party tonight?”

  Page rolled her eyes and mumbled something about Miss Mary Sunshine gone wild. Inside, April scanned the living room. It was packed with family and friends. The sight of everyone mingling, talking and laughing brought a smile to her heart, and she touched her chest where the warmth spread down her limbs to her fingers and toes. This was what she had wanted all those months she’d been sick. To be surrounded by love and friendship. To know that she wasn’t alone.

  The song changed to one of her favorites, a zippy tune that made her want to snap her fingers and shake her hips. She held up her hands and started to do just that.

  * * *

  ZACH STOOD BY the wall in the living room, shifting from one foot to the other. He watched as April started to dance alone. She closed her eyes and gave her entire body up to the song, mouthing the words, a smile flirting around her lips. She looked magnificent.

  In her absence, he had floundered and lost his direction. He’d gotten caught up in everyone else, anything to keep his mind occupied and not allow thoughts of her to intrude. But here in her house, he felt like he could find his way home. That he could live a life of purpose, yes. But one of passion, too. That he could figure out how to have a career, family and love, too.

  He shook his head. He really needed to get something to eat before he fell to his knees, weeping. He blamed April for making him feel things, to want things that he hadn’t had a chance to pursue before. Page eyed him from the other side of the room, so he nodded to her, but then beat it into the kitchen to get a plate of food.

  A tall man stood with his son at the table laden with a variety of dishes, including his grandmother’s. The man nodded at him, then turned to his son. “Only take what you can eat, Marcus. I’m sure we can get leftovers from Abuela later.”

  Zach reached for a plate and started to move around the table, taking a little bit of each dish. The man snapped his fingers. “I know you, right?”

  Zach looked up at him and shrugged. “Uh, maybe. I’m Zach Harrison.”

  “Ah, the sports agent. That’s right. I’ve heard of you.” He held out a hand. “Dez Jackson. I can’t wait for Johnson to hit the field with the Lions this fall. This is our year. I can feel it.”

  They shook hands and returned to filling their plates. “That’s the plan.”

&n
bsp; “You’re with April, right? You’re one lucky man. She helped my Sherri when she got diagnosed with cancer. I don’t know how we would have made it through without her.” He smiled wider as a woman entered the kitchen. “And there’s the love of my life.”

  The woman put her arms around his waist and kissed his cheek. “Mateo is going to officially start the dancing in a little bit.” She swayed her hips, and Dez mimicked her movements.

  “I’ve been waiting all week to dance with you.” He placed a kiss on her lips.

  She turned to Zach, and her eyes sparkled with amusement. “You’ve got a lot of nerve showing up tonight.” She leaned over and dipped her head close to his. “Personally, I think it was brave. Don’t let us down.”

  She and Marcus left the room, and Dez’s eyes followed his wife. Zach cleared his throat. “I think you’re the lucky man, Dez.”

  “I am.” He winked and left the room to join his wife.

  The music’s volume rose, and April entered the kitchen. Opening the double doors that led to the backyard, she gave him a glance, then crooked her finger at him. He didn’t even think about it, but put his plate of food down and followed her outside.

  April held her arms out to him, and he joined her on the deck. Held her hand and twirled her to the rhythm of the song. They came back together, and she smiled up into his face as they moved in sync. The heat of her body warmed him where he touched her. Other couples soon joined them on the deck, but he didn’t see anyone but her. Just her.

  The song ended. He didn’t let go of her hand. Instead, he stood there, looking down into her eyes. “April...”

  She put her finger to his lips. “Don’t talk. Just dance.”

  A slow romantic ballad started, and she pulled him into her arms. She rested her forehead against his chest, and they swayed to the lyrics of finding love. But he didn’t need the words to know that he’d found it there with her. She’d been next to him during some of the most difficult days of his life. She had encouraged him and supported him. Had loved him through it all. Even waited an hour in the rain because she wanted to be with him.