“I’m making no promises but I’ll think about it.” I said, wiping a tear from leaving my eyelid quickly.
As much as I didn’t want to admit it, Richie was right. This chapter of my life was quickly ending. My friendship, if you could call it that, with CeCe was questionable. I virtually ran Tru-Rox when Trudy was off. Trudy had been a great friend and a huge blessing when I needed a job but I had to consider what I could do with my writing. I needed to get back to writing my book again and see what I was capable of. My mother’s words ‘you have the power to change your fate’ swirled around in my head again and again. There was something bubbling inside me that needed to be birthed—something that was deep and needed life. I took up running in the evenings, just before dusk, to clear my head. While I ran, thoughts exploded for book ideas, again about best friends but with real-life circumstances—the good and the ugly. I began writing and found refuge in memories of CeCe and I—some that made me laugh and others that made me hurt—but all life-inspiring. About two weeks after I received my degree, a posting for a part-time columnist, in the local newspaper, Marys Reporter, appeared. Although I had no experience, the newspaper editor knew my father and was a good friend of his. He decided to give me a three-month trial-basis to see if it were a good fit. I quit my job at the dinner after I received the job offer. I was responsible for writing a weekly column on local social happenings and community issues. When I wasn’t busy gathering information for the column, I worked with the marketing department to sell ads in the newspaper. I was on a learning curve, being the youngest at the newspaper by at least ten years. In the evenings Eric and I took Lucy and Aiden to the park while I read and researched topics for my column. My first column had a total of seven revisions before it was approved. The next week, I had five revisions before it went to print. I was writing about tax increases on the elderly, the Lions Club fundraisers for college scholarships and anything else I could get a response from the public on. I enjoyed the search for topics even though it was not my first choice for writing; it gave me good experience. I worked on my book on my days off.
I contemplated Richie’s words about Eric in the back of my head. I hadn’t made any decisions yet, but as time passed and CeCe was still missing, my fondness for Eric grew as did his. Lucy became closer with Eric and he, also, with her. He had a gentle spirit. I enjoyed watching him swing her around as she giggled and yelled ‘more, more’. There were times that he caught me gazing at him and smiled back.
I wondered back to his statement of what might have been if I had been the one to show him around the first day in fifth grade instead of CeCe. I wondered if that would have made a difference in how I controlled my feelings for him now. There were things about Eric that reminded me of Skylar. They were both incredibly handsome and of good character—or at least Skylar had seemed to be of good character before he failed to ever show up again. Eric didn’t seem to care that I had a life before his friendship or that I was a single-mother. He never got mad at me when I had to work and break plans with him. He even brought me cappuccinos to my work when I was under tight deadlines and needed a pick-me-up. Eric was all over my life yet Skylar remained in the back of my mind especially as I watched Lucy grow and speculated where some of her mannerisms and features came from.
It was mid-May and Eric’s dad had one more appointment left in Savannah. The doctors reported that he was doing very well and just needed one follow up to confirm they were able to eradicate all of the cancer. Eric surprised me at work, before he left, with an early Birthday present. From a small wrapped box, I opened a coffee pot that made single-servings. He smiled and noted that I needed this since I was turning 21 and might want a drink. He said it should help fill in for him bringing the usual cappuccino to work for me while he was gone. I gladly accepted the gift and gave him a dancing hula girl, with long brown hair, so he could see it on his dashboard for the drive to Savannah. I figured a few laughs would be good for him and, that maybe, he’d think of me when he watched the hula dancer. Upon saying goodbye, he hugged me and kissed my forehead. I grabbed his hand as he turned to leave, stood up on my tip-toes, leaned into him and pressed my lips to his. With his eyes open, I caught his glimpse and felt his lips open to smile. He wrapped his arms around me and a jittery feeling shot up my stomach as he held me tightly in his embrace. He lifted me up and swung me around.
“Wow.” He said looking into my eyes as he lowered me to the ground. “So, all it took was buying you a coffee maker—I should have done that a long time ago?”
“I’ve wanted to do that for a long time.” I said, fixing my eyes on his.
“I’ve waited for you to want that for a long time.” He said, breaking into a smile.
“Thank you for being a good man.”
“You make me happy Charlotte.”
“You make us happy.” I said grabbing his hands into mine.
“I’ll be thinking about you two while I’m gone.”
“I hope so.”
“I’ll see you soon. May I have one more kiss to take with me? I’m still in shock from the first one.”
“You’re asking?” I titled me head.
“Just making sure I’m not dreaming.”
I leaned into him once more and felt the warmth of his lips kiss me. He slipped back into the shy Eric I knew as a kid. He opened his eyes again as we caught each other’s glance before breaking into laughter.
“I think I’m gonna miss you.” I said.
“Yeah? I’ll be back before you know it.”
“Okay, bye, I guess.” I bit my lip as he gave me one quick peck on the lips before he let go of my hands and walked towards the door. I stood there as he turned around several times on his way out, smiling back at me.
I wasn’t sure what I’d just done but it felt so nice to have a good guy care for me and Lucy. There was an innocence about Eric. He was handsome, kind, funny, and great with kids—my kid. He was almost perfect. I had started to really care about him, and pushed my thoughts of CeCe and Skylar aside. For now, I tried my best to forget about Skylar and hoped that CeCe would come around.
Chapter 18: I Need You
Eric called me later that night to let me know they had gotten to Savannah safely. He told me they were booked with appointments the next few days but would try to call me in the evenings. He left me the name of the hotel and phone number in case I wanted to catch him up on what he was missing while he was gone. I was sure it was mostly because he wanted to hear my voice.
The next day, I woke up to the singing of birds through the window. It was strange—usually the birds and Lucy were competing in song. I looked over at Lucy and saw her lying still. Her eyes were open and she was wheezing, with rapid short breaths. Her lips were bluish and her eyes looked glazed over.
“Lucy? Lucy—honey it’s mommy. Honey what’s wrong baby?” I picked her up and she made no attempt to move.
“Mom, Mom, Mom—something’s wrong with Lucy. Call 911. Her lips are blue.” I screamed for the whole house to hear me. Lucy stayed still in my arms, despite my elevated voice.
“What’s wrong?” She came running into our room.
“She’s acting really strange. I don’t think she’s getting enough oxygen. Her lips are blue.” I said trying to not panic.
“Richard, call 911 now! Lucy’s hyperventilating.” My mother ordered. “We need to get her downstairs right away.”
“Is she okay mom?” I saw the panic in my mother’s eyes as I tried to remain calm.
“She’ll be okay Char. We just need to get her to the hospital.”
Lucy’s breaths were becoming fainter and her face was the color of a pale moon.
“Lucy, honey. It’s nana sweetie. Look at nana.” My mom said trying to get her to look at her as she gazed past us.
“Mom, what’s happening?” I started feeling sick with knots tying up my stomach.
“I’m not sure. Did she put anything in her mouth? Did she get a hold of anything poisonous?” My mother asked
as we rushed downstairs.
“I just woke up. She was lying there not making any noise when I called you.” I said feeling sheer terror building up.
“Lucy, nana’s going to check your mouth while we wait for the ambulance. Richard did you call 911 yet?” She yelled into the kitchen as she headed for the living room floor.
“I’m on the phone with them now. They’re on their way.” He yelled back.
She propped open Lucy’s mouth without any hesitation from Lucy. She just lied there not moving. Her small arms and legs, which were usually busy running and getting into things, were motionless.
“I don’t see anything in her mouth.” My mother said. “She looks like she’s barely breathing.”
“What does that mean mom? Is she okay?”
“The ambulance will be here any minute. They will know what’s happening.” She said, trying to be reassuring.
“Lucy sweetie; it’s mommy—it’s going to be okay honey.” I said picking her up in my arms and rocking her as the tears started to stream down my face.
“They’re here.” My mother said as she ran to the door to let the EMT’s and paramedics in.
“I’ve got her here.” I said as I kissed her head fearing the worst as she lay still in my arms.
“Mam, we need you to lay her down here.” One of the EMT’s said.
“Is she going to be okay? She’s not moving. She was just fine, yesterday, before we went to bed. She was fine.” I said, crying as I got out the last few words.
“I checked her mouth and I didn’t see in anything in there.” My mother said.
“Mam, how long ago did this start?”
“We just woke up and she was lying there—her lips were bluish and she wasn’t making any noise. She’s breathing really fast.” I said moving out of the way so they could get to her tiny body.
“Okay, mam. Did she eat anything unusual before you went to bed? Does she have any allergies?”
“No, nothing unusual and I don’t know of any allergies.” I said watching Lucy helplessly.
“Okay, right now she’s not getting enough oxygen. Does she have Asthma?”
“No; not that I know of.”
“Is there any family history of asthma?” He asked taking her vitals.
“No; not that I know of. Oh well, I don’t know about her dad’s side—maybe?”
“Her oxygen level is very low and she needs oxygen now.” He said pulling a small mask out of his bag.
“Will that help her?”
“Her oxygen level was 86 and it needs to be 95 percent or better. This will help but we need to get her to the hospital immediately.”
“Okay, can I come with her? I can’t leave her. She’ll be scared.” I said touching her foot.
“Yes mam. You can ride in the back.”
“Thank you. Mom, please pack a bag for Lucy and call Father John. Have him pray for her—please!” I asked as the EMT and paramedics strapped Lucy’s tiny body onto the gurney and headed towards the door.
“I will honey. Dad and I will be right behind you as soon as I can get Grandma Rose to come watch Evi.” My mom said hugging me. “She’ll be okay honey.”
“She’s my baby mom. Nothing can happen to her.” I cried as I broke free to catch up with them to get out to the ambulance.
“We’re praying honey. We’ll be right there.” I heard her voice as I ran out the front door.
Inside the ambulance, I sat to the left of Lucy’s head. She was still not moving much and the paramedics continued to monitor her oxygen and pulse rate. They asked me a series of questions as the sirens blared all the way to the hospital. I sat there feeling helpless, crying mostly and praying silently that God would keep my baby girl safe. Everything had been going well for us lately. Nothing good lasts forever I thought to myself. I continued to pray to God to heal my little girl as I stroked her head and rubbed her small shoulder. Her lips were less blue but her color remained pallid.
“Mam, we’ll be pulling in a moment. We are going to get her off and get her in to the ER immediately. I’m going to have you follow us. Someone will take you to the ER waiting area.”
“Can I go with her please? She’s never been away from me or my family.” I begged.
“Mam, we have skilled people in there that will take the best care of your daughter. Right now they are waiting to help her. Someone will let you know as soon as you can see her.” He said politely.
“Okay, I just need her to be okay.” I said tearfully.
“We know mam.” He said putting his hand on my shoulder as the other paramedic and EMT lifted the gurney out of the ambulance.
“I need to give her another kiss.” I said following the gurney.
“Lucy, mommy loves you baby. I’ll be right here Lu.” I said kissing her forehead.
I followed as close behind as I could before they went behind two double doors and disappeared where a sign read employees only hung. A nurse saw me and walked me over to the ER family waiting area. I looked around and saw two other people pacing the room. I sat down and stood right back up. I couldn’t sit not knowing what was happening to Lucy. She was receiving medical care but hadn’t looked any better in the ambulance ride. She just laid there which was abnormal for my busy, almost two year old daughter who melted anyone’s heart that knew her. Her birthday, June first, three days before mine, was only a week away. I continued praying; wondering what was going on with Lucy. I was alone at the very moment that I needed someone, more than ever, to be with me. My mom and dad had not arrived yet. Eric was in Savannah with his dad and my best friend, CeCe, wasn’t returning my calls.
I looked at my watch. She had already been back there 15 minutes. I should know something by now. My parents were still not there and I couldn’t help but cry as I paced the room. I just need her to be okay God, I pleaded in my head. I needed someone to tell me she’d be okay. I couldn’t imagine a life without her. This unexpected little beauty had made my life better in so many ways. I couldn’t lose her. Her oxygen levels were really low, I recalled the paramedic saying. I saw a payphone, in the waiting area, and pulled out my wallet. I dialed her number and deposited 75 cents.
The phone rang and rang it seemed, for several minutes, until I heard voicemail pick up.
“Hi, this is CeCe. You know what to do—get me some fried chicken and leave your number so I can thank ya.”
I laughed for a second, beneath my tears. “CeCe, I need you. I don’t know what’s happened and why you don’t return my calls. But I really need you. Lucy’s in the hospital.” I started to cry harder. “And she’s not doing well. I don’t know what’s going on. She woke up barely breathing—her lips were blue. Please pray for her. I really need you here and I miss you so much.” I cried as I hung up the phone.
“We rushed to get here as soon as we could.” My mother said, as I turned around from the payphone.
“I haven’t heard anything yet.” I sniffled, as I wiped my eyes with my sleeve.
“Dad and Richie are parking the car. They’ll be in shortly.” My mother said rubbing my back.
“Mom, I’m going insane. I can barely think right now.”
“Lucy is going to be alright. You’ve got to have some faith Char.”
“I keep telling myself that but she looked so terrible in the ambulance mom.” I felt a tidal wave of tears break free.
“We are just going to believe for the best Charlotte.” My mother said walking us towards a tissue box.
“I’m trying to be positive mom.” I said grabbing a tissue.
“Your Aunt Juanita called just before I left the house. I told her that Lucy was having difficulty breathing. She said to tell you she’s praying too and that she’s on her way up here.”
“Thanks mom.”
“I also called Father John and he is praying, as well as all the other members that he can get a hold of to pray.”
“Thanks mom. I just don’t understand why this is happening. Why Lucy?”
“T
hings happen sometimes. Honey, I don’t know why.”
“Have you heard anything yet?” I heard my father say, as I peered up to see a look of concern on his face and worry on Richie’s.
“We haven’t heard anything yet.” My mother said solemnly.
“Honey, she’s going to be okay.” My father said bending down.
“I know. She’s got to be.” I said wiping tears away with my tissue.
“She’s a bright light in all of our lives. God’s not going to remove that light now.”
“Daddy, she’s my little girl.” I said holding back everything I could to keep from breaking down.
“I know baby.” He said reaching out to hug me tightly. “I know she is.”
“Do you need some coffee Char? Mom?” Richie asked glumly.
“I could use some.” My mother answered. “Richie—how about you bring us all some coffee.” My mother said, opening her wallet to pull out a ten dollar bill.
“Mom, dad—just black?” Richie asked.
“Yes for both.” My mom replied.
“Char, I’ll get you a cappuccino.” Richie said, before heading off.
“I need to call Eric.” I said thinking of him after Richie said cappuccino.
“Do you need change honey?” My dad asked.
“No, I’ve got some. Thank you.” I said getting up again.
I pulled out my wallet and searched for Eric’s hotel number. It was almost nine but I knew he was probably gone for the day—for his dad’s appointments. I dialed his number, anyway, hoping to get an answer. The operator said ‘please deposit 45 cents’. I pulled out the coins and tossed them in the phone.
“Hello, Savannah Inn, how may I help you?” I heard a female voice say.
“I need room 307, please.”
“One moment while I transfer you.”
“Okay, thank you.” I said hoping Eric would be there to pick up.
Again, the phone rang and rang. I knew he’d be gone already.
“Would you like to leave him a message at the front desk?” The lady at the desk asked.
Southern Belles, a Novel About Love, Purpose & Second Chances (9781310340970) Page 25