Puzzle House

by Duncan, Lillian;

  The moment the door shut, loneliness crept in. “Stop being a baby, Rachel.” Life couldn’t stop for everyone just because her own had. She slumped back in her chair. Her eyes closed as she dozed.

  Sometime later the phone rang.

  The phone was on the far end of the glass coffee table. If it was Cooper and she didn’t answer it, he would panic. She jumped up from the sofa. As she reached down she slammed into the coffee table, which collapsed under her weight. With a moan, she pressed answer. “Hello.”

  “Where were you? What happened? You don’t sound good.”

  Sprawled on the floor and surrounded by pieces of shattered glass, she forced a normal tone. “I wasn’t as close to the phone as I should have been.” There was no way she would tell him she’d just crashed through the coffee table. He’d be on the next flight home. “How was your flight?”

  “Not bad. Just checking in with you.”

  After they hung up she crawled to the couch and managed to climb onto it. Completely exhausted she stared at the mess. Her index cards were scattered amidst the glass. Picking up one, she read the words. Let the weak say they are strong.

  “I am strong.” She glared at the mess. She’d clean it up…later. As the evening progressed, she’d pick up a few pieces of the shattered glass on her way to somewhere else. By bedtime, most of the larger pieces were in the trash. Now to find the energy to get the sweeper. That would have to wait until tomorrow. Maybe she’d feel better. “Yeah right.” A positive attitude only went so far. The next morning Rachel sat on the couch, thinking about vacuuming when the phone rang.

  “Mrs. Summers.”

  “This is she.”

  “This is Raul Mendez. I work with Cooper.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  There was a pause. “I know you haven’t been feeling well, but I thought you should know…”

  Her stomach twisted.

  “Cooper collapsed this morning at a meeting and was rushed to the hospital. I’m here with him now.”

  She couldn’t breathe. Finally, she managed to ask, “What’s wrong with him? What happened?”

  Heart attack? Or stroke?

  “The doctor said he has some sort of blood infection.”

  “Infection? From what?”

  “The doctor said from some cut he had. The problem is the infection went into his blood. He used the word sepsis. He’s very concerned.”

  “Let me talk to Cooper.”

  “I can’t.”

  “But I need—”

  “The last time I saw him, he…wasn’t conscious.”

  Not conscious. Sepsis. This sounded really bad. Very serious. “OK, I…I…I need to think a moment. Can you call me back in a little bit?”

  “Of course.”

  “In the meantime if the doctor tells you anything else, call me.” She took a deep breath. “And thanks for being there with him.”

  She slumped onto the sofa, staring at the tiny shards of glass that still littered the floor. “What should I do?” Of course she had to go to him. She couldn’t let Cooper be there sick and all alone. But she could barely walk. One of her favorite verses floated through her mind. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” She stood up. “Even get to Atlanta. Somehow.”

  *

  “That sounds pretty bad.” Nia said, her puzzle forgotten.

  “Bad doesn’t even come close to what I experienced. It’s been years ago, but I can close my eyes and be right back there. How I felt—physically and emotionally. It truly was one of the most horrible days of my life. But I had to get to Atlanta. To be with Cooper.”

  “So you could heal him, right?”

  “Truthfully, I wasn’t thinking about that. I had to be there with Cooper. He was my husband and I loved him. I didn’t want him to be alone.”

  “So what happened?”

  “It was bad enough to have my mental confusion, my low energy, and the fact I couldn’t walk in a straight line at home. I hadn’t been out of the house in months by myself. And now I had to get to the airport, fly to Atlanta, and then get to the hospital. It was overwhelming.”

  “But you healed him? Right?” Nia said once again. “So did he live? Did you heal him?”

  Rachel pointed at the lamp. “Remember only God heals.”

  “Yeah, Yeah, I remember. So did God heal him?” Even as she asked the question, Nia knew what the answer must be. She’d been here three days and not seen a husband. Hadn’t even heard anyone talk about Cooper. “Never mind. You probably don’t want to talk about it.”

  “Oh, but I do want to talk about it.”

  10

  Rachel stood in the middle of her living room. She had to get to Cooper before…well, she wouldn’t think about that. She started up the steps to pack a suitcase. Half-way up, she stopped. It would be difficult enough to maneuver through airports and hospitals in her physical condition. There was no way she could do it while lugging a suitcase. She’d have to worry about clothes later.

  She called for a cab. While she waited, she called an airline for reservations. By the time she arrived at the airport, she didn’t think she could take another step. “I can do this. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” she whispered.

  And God would help her.

  An airline employee was helping people check in their baggage at the curb. The woman gave Rachel a perfunctory smile. “Would you like to check your baggage here?”

  Rachel shook her head. “I don’t have any…I…I need some help. I’m not feeling well. I have brain tumors and I have to get to Atlanta. My husband is…” To her horror, tears leaked out her eyes. She took a deep breath. “Out of town. Business. Got sick. My husband’s in the hospital. I have to get there.”

  The woman’s eyes widened. “Did you say you have brain tumors? Do you need me to get a doctor? Or an ambulance for you?”

  “Not me. My husband. Very sick in Atlanta. I have to get there.”

  The woman’s smile was replaced with real concern. “How can I help you?”

  “I…I guess I need…I need. I don’t know what I need. I just know I have to get to my husband. He’s very sick.” Rachel handed the woman her flight information. “This is my flight.”

  “Take a deep breath.” The woman patted Rachel’s arm. “Don’t you worry. I got your back on this. Hold on.” She picked up the phone. “I need someone to escort one of our passengers. It’s an emergency.”

  Four hours later, a cab pulled up to the hospital in Atlanta. The cab driver looked back at Rachel. “Are you sure you don’t need help getting in?”

  “Thanks, I can do it.” She handed him two twenties. “Keep the change. Thanks so much for all your help.”

  Using her newly-purchased cane, she hobbled into the hospital. The airport employee had been more than true to her word. Not only had a wheelchair appeared out of nowhere, Rachel had an assistant with her to make sure she got to where she needed to be. When the flight was over, there was another attendant who made sure she got a cab.

  There’d be several thank-you notes sent later. But she needed to get to Cooper. There’d been no change in her husband’s condition the last time she’d talked to Raul. He wasn’t responding to the antibiotics and still wasn’t conscious.

  According to Raul, the doctor was very concerned. That spoke volumes. Doctors didn’t usually voice their worries.

  She’d spent her time on the airplane in deep prayer. She’d never prayed so long and so hard for anything in her life. Cooper was her life. If he died…well, she couldn’t even think about that right now.

  Rachel tottered up to the reception desk. After she explained who she was looking for, the woman told her he was in ICU and the directions to get there.

  Rachel held up the cane. “I need a little help. I’m not feeling so well myself.”

  A few moments later a young man wheeled a wheelchair toward her.

  Rachel collapsed in it. “Thank you so much. I don’t think I could take
another step right now.”

  He patted her arm. “No problem, ma’am.” After several turns, he brought her to an elevator. “Almost there. ICU is on the third floor.”

  She stood up. “I’m feeling stronger now. I think I can get there on my own.”

  “I don’t mind taking you up. It’s not a problem.”

  “Thanks, I can take it from here. And thank you so much.”

  As she stepped off the elevator, she was in a waiting room and near a reception desk. “I’m Mrs. Summers. My husband’s been admitted here. Cooper Summers.”

  The woman nodded as her fingers flew across the keyboard. She looked up. “I’ll notify the doctor that you’re here. I’m not sure how long it will take before she can talk with you. Go ahead and have a seat.”

  Before she could move to a chair, a man in a charcoal gray suit approached her. “Mrs. Summers?”

  She nodded.

  “I’m Raul.”

  “Have you been in to see him?”

  “Not since the emergency room. Only family’s allowed to visit in there, but I didn’t want to leave before you got here. The doctor was out about fifteen minutes ago. Said his condition was stable but not improving. I told her you were on your way.”

  “Thanks so much for being here with him. If you have other things to do, don’t feel bad about leaving. I understand.”

  “Cooper’s a great guy. He’d do the same for me. And I have no other place to be right now. I’ll wait here with you. Are you hungry, do you need something to eat?”

  She held up a bag. “I bought a few things. I’m on steroids and when I need food, I need food.” Her gaze fell on a young girl sitting alone across the room. Rachel couldn’t see her face because her blonde hair covered it as she rocked back and forth, her shoulders heaving with sobs. Rachel leaned over to Raul. “I’ll be back in a minute.” She walked over to the young girl. “Hi.”

  The girl looked up. Her puffy red eyes grew wide. “Hi.”

  “Are you OK? You seem to be alone.”

  “Oh…my mom got hit by a car. She’s really hurt.” Big tears rolled down her cheeks. “I think…I think she’s going to die. There was so much blood. My dad’s on his way.”

  “Oh, I am so sorry, sweetheart.” Rachel sat down. “What happened?”

  “It was awful. We were walking across the street when this car came straight at us. I saw the car coming but I froze. I just stood there. A woman ran up and pushed me out of the way. I fell down. I saw the car hit them. They both got hurt. Really hurt. The woman’s pregnant. I don’t know what’s going to happen to her or her baby.” Tears dripped down her chin.

  “Can I pray for you and your mom?”

  “And the pregnant woman, too? They saved me. They both saved me. Now her baby might die.”

  As Rachel prayed, the girl clung to her hand.

  The girl was sobbing. “I can’t thank you enough.”

  “Lori.” A man ran from the elevator to the young girl. “Are you OK?”

  “I’m fine. But Mom. She’s really hurt, Daddy. The doctor said…” She collapsed in her father’s arms.

  As his arms went around his daughter, Rachel backed away. Before she could leave, the girl grabbed her hand. “This nice woman was praying for Mom and the other woman who saved me. The pregnant woman. She saved me, Daddy.”

  The man looked at Rachel and gave a half-hearted smile. ”Thank you so much.”

  Rachel nodded and walked back to her seat.

  “Cooper told me what an amazing woman you are. I guess he wasn’t exaggerating. You gave that girl hope. I could see the change as you prayed with her.” Raul smiled.

  A doctor walked out from the double doors. She passed Rachel and walked to an older couple holding hands. “I’m sorry. It looks as if the colon cancer’s back. And it’s spread.”

  “But he’s so young. Only twenty-nine.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  The man looked at the doctor. “Treatment?”

  The doctor shook her head. “It’s too late. Now, it’s about making him comfortable.”

  The woman sobbed as she clasped her husband’s arm.

  Rachel looked away, not able to take any more pain in. With closed eyes, she prayed for the young man and his family.

  A woman walked out towards her. “Mrs. Summers?”

  She used the cane to help her to a standing position. “That’s me.”

  “I’m Dr. Zuchak.”

  “How’s my husband?”

  “Let’s go into one of the conference rooms and talk.”

  Rachel’s heart fluttered. That didn’t sound good at all. She looked over at Raul. “If you want to come in that’s fine with me.”

  “I don’t want to intrude.”

  “You aren’t.”

  The three of them walked into a small room.

  “Your husband has an infection in his bloodstream. And it’s serious. Very serious. He’s not responded to the antibiotics at all.”

  “Should he have by now?”

  “In fact, his vitals have worsened in the last half hour. Do you know when he got the cut?”

  “I don’t. I…I’ve been sick. Haven’t been paying too much attention to anything. I should have known about—”

  “No, it’s not your fault. I wasn’t accusing you. I just wanted to know when the infection was introduced into his system.”

  “Does it make a difference?”

  “Not really. Not at this point.”

  “What do you mean? Not at this point?”

  “I’m sorry. He’s just not responding. I think you have to prepare yourself for the worst-case scenario. If there’s anyone else you need to contact…you should do it.”

  Raul’s hand tightened around hers.

  She wasn’t sure she could breathe. “Are you saying he’s going to die?”

  The doctor nodded. “It’s a possibility.”

  “It’s not a possibility. He’s not going to die. He’s not.”

  “I’m sorry to say so, but it’s a very real possibility. We’ll keep him on the antibiotic drip and hope for the best.”

  “Hope for the best? It sounds as if you’ve given up.”

  “It’s not that I’ve given up, there’s nothing else to be done but wait, and see if he starts responding to the medication.”

  “Except pray,” Rachel said.

  “Of course, if you believe in that sort of thing.”

  “I do. I want to be with my husband.”

  “Visits are for family only. Ten minutes every four hours. I’ll take you to him.”

  Ten minutes was unacceptable but this wasn’t the time for Rachel to argue. She had to be with Cooper. She’d find a way to stay in there. As she followed behind the doctor, she whispered to Raul. “If you need to go, that’s fine. I’m not coming out anytime soon. I’m staying with him.”

  He chuckled. “I do believe that. But I’ll be out here. Is there anyone else I can call for you?”

  She shook her head.

  The doctor hit a button that opened double doors. “He’s in bed four. Don’t expect him to respond to you. But feel free to say what you need to say to him.”

  Rachel gasped when she saw Cooper. He seemed to have aged overnight, so pale and frail. He reminded her of Sandy. She closed her eyes, swaying.

  Arms touched her shoulders. “Are you all right?”

  “I’m fine,” She said, opening her eyes and going to her husband.

  *

  “Well, did he make it? Did Cooper die? What happened?”

  “Patience, my sweet girl. You have to let the story unfold, the same way you have to do the puzzle. One piece at a time.”

  “Oh, you and this puzzle. I don’t know how putting together one stupid puzzle could be all that important anyway.”

  “And yet it is.” Rachel smiled. “And I think you know that. You just don’t want to admit it. Yet.”

  “It’s just a puzzle. It don’t mean nothing special.”

  “Are you
sure about that?”

  “Pretty sure. Well…tell me what happened.”

  *

  The sheet was tucked around Cooper and his hands lay at his sides. Helplessness threatened to overtake Rachel. Let the weak say they are strong. “I am not helpless. I am strong.”

  She picked up his hands, hot with fever. How could he be that hot and yet so pale? She leaned in to kiss his cheek. “Cooper. I’m here. I’m with you. I love you.” Still holding his hand, she fell to her knees.

  A nurse walked over to her. “Ma’am? Are you OK?”

  “I’m fine. I’m praying.”

  A shocked look was on her face as she backed away. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

  “You weren’t interrupting. Thanks for checking on me.”

  With her free hand, Rachel opened her purse and pulled out her stack of index cards. She read the first one aloud. “Psalm 94:18. ‘When I said my foot is slipping, your mercy and loving kindness, O Lord, held me up.” Another card. Mark 11: 12. “Therefore, I say to you whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them and you will have them.” She closed her eyes. After a moment, she opened them. “I believe your words, God. I’m asking you for a miracle. I know you will heal my husband today, and I thank you for that.”

  Index card after index card. Bible verse after Bible verse.

  Ten minutes came and went.

  Nobody told her to leave.

  So she didn’t. Instead, she kept reading her cards and praying and thanking God for His goodness, His love, His power, and His mercy. When her knees hurt so bad that she couldn’t stay in that position any longer, she moved to sit, still on the floor, but holding Cooper’s hand.

  Suddenly, the chill of the ICU room was replaced with a warmth. But it wasn’t just warmth, it was peace. It spread throughout her body. From her heart to her arms and legs. Then to her toes and then her fingers. Then the heat intensified. Tears of joy streamed down her face.

  God was here in this place.

  More index cards and more praises. Gradually, she became more aware of what was going on around her.

  People were moving around. Talking. Laughing.

  “Hey, what’s going on? It’s getting hot in here,” a nurse spoke.

  “Is the thermostat broken? Feels like it. Call maintenance. Tell them we need them we need them to get the temperature right. Stat.”