BROWNIE: An Angel's Visit

by Linda Stanley Dalton

  Despite Doctor Parmenter’s unexpected presence, she felt relaxed, calm and rested after a day off. This was her turf and she held the home court advantage.

  “Good morning, sir. Can I help you with something?” Kenni asked as she looked up at the formidable physician. “We rarely see people of your stature in these parts. I’m afraid you’re going to have everyone fearing they’re in trouble.”

  “This will only take a moment.” He followed the nurse to her office and felt conspicuous and clumsy—and rightly so—as he stood there, much aware that he was under heavy scrutiny from Kenni’s staff. The nurses looked on curiously, exchanging wondering expressions with one another as Kenni unlocked the door. He stepped in behind her, grateful to be away from their prying eyes.

  “None of them know about our meeting.” Kenni took off her long red coat and hung it up. She slipped her hands into the slash pockets of her bright pink “ABC” print scrubs, then turned and silently met Doctor Parmenter’s gaze. She raised a curious eyebrow; he reminded her of a guilty, squirming little boy who was either in trouble or about to be.

  “Mrs. Hastings, please accept my apologies for the way I treated you yesterday.” He was quiet, contrite, and doing his best to hide his considerable discomfort. He always found apologies difficult, and this one was made harder still because of the motivation behind its cause: the pursuit of his own lusts. Something he could not name or define had gnawed at his conscience all night long. He was finally able to fall asleep, but only after he had decided to restore Kenni to her leadership position on Angela’s team.

  Kenni shrugged. “Even though I disagree with what you did, I’m sure you felt you were doing the right thing at the time. If it’s all the same to you, I’d like to just forget it ever happened.”

  His eyes widened in surprise; she was letting him off easy. Doctor Parmenter shook his head. “No, Kenni, I owe you an apology because I made a decision that was not based on what was best for a patient or this hospital. I am not at all proud of that.” He cleared his throat, his saliva felt thick enough to choke on, and he understood for perhaps the first time in his adult life, what it meant, literally, to swallow one’s pride. “You are officially the primary on Angela Cole’s care team, which is exactly as it should be. In fact, there is nothing on record that indicates you were ever removed. I’m man enough to admit that what I did was wrong, and ask you to not hold it against me in the future.”

  “Thank you,” Kenni replied in a congenial voice. Had it not been for Brownie, she might have been surprised, even shocked by the turn of events. “For whatever the reason, I’m grateful.”

  “You’re being amazingly gracious; I’m not sure I could be conciliatory, had I been placed in such a position. It’s a sign of tremendous character. You’ve made an ally of me. If I can ever help you, I hope you’ll feel free to come and see me. My door will always be open to you.”

  Kenni smiled. Doctor Parmenter was not known for his humility. No, he was better known for his political savvy and reputation as a never-ending source of seemingly inexhaustible resources that always managed to be uncovered and allocated for hospital projects. He was an excellent physician, or had been while in practice, and an honored administrator respected around the state for his work. He had headed up at least one committee for former Ohio Governor Bob Taft.

  She was now able to see him in a more human light; not so much because he had made an error in judgment, but because he had enough of a conscience to admit he was wrong.

  Kenni extended her hand. “Angela is my only concern in this matter. I care only about the welfare of our young patients.” She exhaled softly, relieved. “Let’s never speak of the matter again. Do we have a deal?”

  Doctor Parmenter took her hand and grasped it warmly. He noticed for perhaps the very first time just how soft, how blue her eyes were; how lovely a smile she had. “You’re an asset to this hospital, Kenni. Keep up the good work.”

  “Thank you, Doctor.”

  “You’re very welcome.” He turned toward the door, put his hand on the knob and then looked back at her. Even when he wasn’t angry, his eyes still appeared to be harsh and unforgiving. “Please give my best to Jeb. He’s an awesome doctor, one of our best. I don’t see him very often, so would you let him know I asked about him?” He wondered how much Jeb knew of what had happened, and felt certain it was more than he would have liked.

  “I will. I’m sure he will be pleased.”

  “Merry Christmas,” the doctor said before he left to return to his own corner of the hospital, to the land of the upper echelon.

  When Kenni emerged from her office a few minutes later, a barrage of questions from the nurses met her.

  “What did he want?” asked Edie.

  “What have we done wrong now?” Adam demanded defensively.

  “Are there going to be cutbacks?” Kim wanted to know. “I can’t afford to have my shifts cut back!”

  “Are you finally the Employee of the Month? Have they thought about adding a cash bonus to go along with the title?” were Nancy’s questions about the Chief’s unusual presence.

  Kenni reassured them that everything was fine, that the matter had pertained to a patient, and left them staring after her as she headed off for morning rounds.

  Angela, of course, was happy to see her and chatted non-stop about her Uncle Jack. “It sounds like you have a special uncle, Angela,” Kenni told her as she sat beside her while the child tried to finish her breakfast. Bits of brightly colored cereal fell now and then from the spoon onto the tray, not quite making it into her talkative little mouth.

  “Oh, he is!” Angela beamed from ear-to-ear. Her whole face lit up as if an invisible spotlight shone on the child. “And I’m going home for Christmas, Nurse Kenni!”

  If only Angela truly could go home for Christmas, how wonderful that would be! “That would be terrific, wouldn’t it?” Kenni offered lightly, trying not to build up Angela’s hopes. She was not aware of any change as far as her parents were concerned. “I hope it happens, Sweetie; I really do.”

  Angela’s determination was evident in her resolute expression as little pink lips pursed and brows arched above glistening blue eyes. “My friend Brownie said that I could go….” She stopped abruptly, dropping her spoon with a clatter as it hit the tray on its way to the floor where it landed with an unsettling clatter. She covered her mouth with her hand, mortified that she had broken her promise as tears of shame filled her eyes.

  “No, don’t cry, Angela.” Kenni placed her finger to her own lips. “Shush now. We don’t need to talk about our friend, okay? He’s a secret we share.”

  Angela’s blue eyes grew wider as tears spilled down her flushed little cheeks. “Do you know about…him?”

  Kenni nodded. “He asked us to keep this to ourselves, and we must always honor our promises.”

  Angela smiled, relieved. “Yes, Nurse Kenni.”

  “Good girl.”

  A few moments later, Kenni left Angela and walked in the direction of Michael Donahue’s room. She heard the sounds of happy laughter ringing in the air as it spilled from the room into the corridor. Kenni smiled and wished Angela’s parents were as cheerful and good-natured as Lauren Donahue.

  “Bye-bye, Brownie!”

  Kenni stopped. A second or so later, a tall blond man she had never seen before dressed in pale blue scrubs emerged from Michael’s room. Her eyes immediately went to his hospital ID where she read the name “Kevin Browne.”

  “Good morning, Kenni!” he said cheerfully as their eyes met. He smiled at her. “You look wonderful! You must be feeling better today. We’ll talk again very soon.”

  Kenni’s mouth dropped. “Brownie?” she managed in utter surprise. She had no idea that he could take on a human form, and the sight of him as a male nurse took her by surprise.

  Kevin nodded, put one finger to his lips the same way she had done with Angela, and literally faded into a sparkly, gold mist before her very eyes. Kenni gasped as he
r hand went to her mouth.

  “Good morning!” Lauren Donahue greeted as she exited Michael’s room. She wore her dark hair pulled back in a loose ponytail, her violet eyes clear and bright, and her smile lit up her entire face. “I must admit that Brownie is the first male nurse I’ve ever really talked to, and he is wonderful with Michael,” she gushed. “You’d think they’ve known each other forever!”

  “Yes, he’s rather special,” Kenni managed as she recovered from the shock of Brownie’s transformation. “I’m glad you like him.”

  “I do, and Michael loves him.” Lauren held some coins in her hand. “I’ll be right back; I’m just going to get a pop from the machine.”

  “I’ll be here when you get back and we can talk about what’s on the agenda for Michael today,” Kenni replied, and then entered her new patient’s room.

  Michael was sitting up in bed, his attention fixed on the cartoon images on the TV. He was scheduled for a battery of tests later in the afternoon, and Kenni wanted to make sure he suffered as little anxiety as possible.

  “Good morning, Michael! I take it you’ve met Brownie,” she greeted him cheerfully and with a smile. She was curious which form of Brownie the boy knew.

  Michael looked up at her with large, navy blue eyes, the darkest shade Kenni had ever seen. “Do you like him?” She sat down beside the bed. She picked up his wrist and checked his pulse. “He certainly seems to turn up unexpectedly.”

  Michael nodded. “He was here last night, but he, uh, looks a little different today.”

  Kenni smiled. “Yes, he certainly does.”

  ***

  Jeb stared across his desk at Marcus Cole, aware, perhaps as only another man could be of the expensive cut of the other man’s dark-gray, pinstriped suit, presumably Italian, and listened intently to what Angela’s father had to say about her. They were not exactly friends, and it was unusual for Marcus to simply drop by.

  “I know that Angela seems well enough to come home. I’ve heard it from my daughter as well as the nursing staff,” Marcus said. He leaned forward in his chair, his eyes holding Jeb’s attention. He was exceptionally animated, completely engaged in the conversation, eyes twinkling, and his face flushed warmly in contrast with his white linen shirt. “I don’t think we’ll need one, but just in case, I’ve inquired about a private duty nurse who could live in. Actually, she’s a combination nurse and nanny, and comes highly recommended by Dottie Quill of our Ladies Auxiliary. I’m sure your mother knows her.”

  Jeb leaned back in his chair, his hands slightly together. So far, the only thing Marcus had not said was that his wife agreed with his plans, and that made him a bit wary. Morgan’s absence reinforced Jeb’s suspicions. He was definitely in favor of Angela being at home and had felt that way for months.

  “What do you think, Jeb?” Marcus asked in a boyish manner, as if anxiously awaiting a positive affirmation from a parent or other person of importance. He was more alive than he had been in months, excited about the possibility of making his little girl’s Christmas wish come true. “Angela told my brother last night that her wish is to be home for Christmas. You have no idea how much I want to make that wish come true for my daughter.”

  Jeb couldn’t help but smile. “I couldn’t be happier about that, and I’ll sign her release this afternoon! She’s told my wife many times that she wants to go home…and something about a cat she misses?”

  Marcus chuckled softly. “That would be Lovebug. Morgan exiled him to my mother’s house in Cincinnati when Angela fell ill, but I’ve sprung him and brought him back to where he belongs. I know how much my daughter loves him, and he’s a pretty cool cat.”

  The question of the day was on Jeb’s lips. “And what does your wife think about this? I can’t help but notice that she isn’t with you.”

  “I’ve made the decision to bring my daughter home; I haven’t discussed it with her yet. There will be no discussion, Angela’s coming home, and that’s that.”

  Jeb admired his resolve, but also knew how formidable Morgan could be. “And what if she reacts badly to your plan? She has made it clear on numerous occasions, to both Kenni and I that she believes Angela is terminally ill, and belongs here. That’s going to be a tough attitude to overcome. I wish I knew why she feels so adamant about it, maybe I could help if I understood Mrs. Cole better. In all honesty, Marcus, it doesn’t make sense to me.”

  Marcus nodded. “I wish you’d known Morgan before Angela’s illness. She’s not only beautiful, but she has a dynamic personality, she’s as smart as she is gorgeous, and there is so much more to her than the world sees. That, unfortunately, is her doing; she’s easily misunderstood.” His eyes shone as he spoke of his wife. “When she wants to, no one else can make things happen quite like my wife!” He frowned and shrugged his broad shoulders. “All of that ended like the flick of a switch when she heard the words ‘leukemia’ and ‘Angela’ uttered in the same sentence. I haven’t seen that side of Morgan since; I’ve missed her.”

  Jeb was used to dealing with parents who suddenly face the prospect of losing their child. Within a few days they usually arrive at that point of acceptance and rally to support the child. Jeb regularly referred parents for counseling with positive results. When he had suggested it to Morgan, she had regarded him as if he had spinach in his teeth, or had uttered an obscenity directed at her before she quickly turned on her heel and hurried off as if all the demons in hell were after her. Something made Morgan Cole act the way she did and Jeb could not imagine what it was. “She’s never given you any clue as to what caused the change in her personality? I don’t mean to pry, but I can’t help being curious.”

  Marcus shook his head and frowned. “She won’t talk about her feelings—we barely talk at all. To be frank, I’m not certain that our relationship will survive.”

  “I’m very sorry to hear that,” Jeb replied sincerely. “I hope it doesn’t come to divorce. I’m sure Angela would be devastated as it’s obvious that she loves you both very much.”

  “No, that won’t happen. While our relationship may disintegrate, we’ll remain legally married,” Marcus explained, sounding to Jeb like a condemned man, resigned to his fate. “There are too many complications with Angela, with Morgan Cole Cosmetics. Despite it looking much to the contrary, I love my wife deeply and I’m quite sure she feels the same way about me. I don’t know how to bring down these walls between us, or if it’s even within my power to do so, but I don’t have any doubt about the love. It’s just sort of lost somewhere—stuck in limbo, you might say.”

  Jeb shook his head. “I wish I could do something to help you with all of this. I’m truly sorry about what you and your wife are going through. I could recommend a counselor. I know some excellent ones who have had amazing results.”

  Marcus shook his head. “I suggested that already. No go.”

  “Then I’ll happily sign Angela’s release papers without hesitation and pray that her being home where your wife can tell she’s better will help Mrs. Cole feel more secure about the future and things will improve for all of you. When do you want to take her home? I’ll have Kenni set up her follow-up care schedule.”

  “My little girl has waited too long as it is. Let’s set it up for tomorrow. I’ll deal with my wife tonight, but regardless, I want Angela home tomorrow. Christmas is only days away and I’m going to make sure this one is as special as I can.”

  ***

  While Michael underwent a battery of diagnostic tests, Lauren decided to leave the hospital for awhile, to see something else besides walls, privacy curtains, beds and medical equipment wherever she looked. She could not be present during most of Michael’s tests anyway and her cell phone number was on file if they needed her. At times it felt as if the walls were closing in. Hospital environment—the constant paging of code blue, code red over the PA system, the soft squishing sounds of sneakers and Crocs as the staff traveled the corridors, the smells of medications and food during mealtimes, and the haggard
looks of beleaguered parents—it overwhelmed her after awhile and caused her stomach to react with an uneasy queasiness. Besides, she was only going to Saint Charles Toy Shoppe and could be back at the hospital in a few minutes if necessary.

  Downtown Brannan’s Point was a charmingly quaint city on the Great Miami River. It had been founded in 1814 and grew rapidly with five churches, a train station, a foundry and mill, a grocery store, shoemaker, and farms with picturesque grain silos that rivaled the winter snow scenes painted by Currier and Ives. By the 1860’s, its population was nearly three-thousand people. Brannan’s Point remained meticulously maintained and well-preserved throughout the years, its structures appearing decades younger than their actual age. Its streets were swept daily, and the city enforced strict ordinances regarding permissible businesses and signage allowed.

  The roundabout in the center of the town was known to the locals as the Circle, and drivers often found it confusing their first time navigating through it. During Christmas it was especially charming with an enormous decorated tree in the center island. The entire downtown sparkled festively with multi-colored Christmas lights that twinkled, and shimmering garland looped around the old-style black lampposts. The city’s picturesque charm enticed visitors from the larger cities to experience, at least for a little while, the simpler life Brannan’s Point had offered.

  Lauren liked the inviting sound of the bells as she opened the ornately carved wooden door and stepped inside. The aroma of fragrant cinnamon found her nostrils and she breathed deeply. As soon as she stepped inside the shop, it was as if she had been transported back in time to an era before shopping centers and malls effectively crippled the traditional downtown America once enjoyed.

  “It smells so nice in here, like cinnamon rolls,” Lauren complimented after being greeted by the dark-haired man behind the old-fashioned glass counter.

  Charlie Petersen smiled in welcome. “Lots of folks tell me that. Of course, sometimes I feel like a dinosaur with this old shop, but I won’t let those big box stores put me out of business without a fight.”