by Andrea Hurst
Out of breath, Ian answered the phone, “Lily, are you all right?”
“Yes, no, Ian, it’s John. I found him unconscious on the living room floor.”
“Is he breathing?”
“Yes, barely. I already called 911 and I think they’re almost here. Please hurry, Ian.”
“Lily, I’ll be there as fast as I can and meet you at the hospital. And thank you.”
“Of course, Ian, I love him too.” Lights blinking, siren low, the red truck pulled up to the house. “They’re here. I’ll call your cell from the hospital. Bye.”
Frantically, she unhooked the screen door and ran into the driveway, waving her hands over her head to attract the paramedics. Two men jumped out of the cab. One opened the back of the ambulance and grabbed a stretcher, and the other lifted a medical kit and followed Lily into the house.
She led them through the door. “He’s in here on the floor.” From the corner of the room, she watched them check his vitals, place an oxygen mask over his face, and slide his limp body onto a stretcher.
“Ma’am, we’ll be taking him to Forest Glen Hospital. You can meet us in emergency if you want.”
She looked up at this helper in the night and was grateful. “Thank you, please take good care of him, he’s very special.”
“Sure will. Don’t you worry, he’ll be all right. You know where the hospital is?” “Yes,” Lily whispered.
“Well, drive careful now, we’ll take good care of your grandfather.”
She hoped his words were true.
Lily moved quickly over the darkening path, illuminated just enough by the full moon for her to find her way back to her house. She could barely open the front door, her hand was shaking so badly. John had to be all right, she just couldn’t bear losing him. And Ian, how would he ever survive this?
She gathered her purse, keys, and a sweater and headed for her car. Once on the highway, the roads were clear, and she was able to make good time. Apprehension built as she turned the corner and saw the hospital. “Right, go right, ok, the emergency entrance. You can do it, Lily.” The small two-story brick building was the only hospital on the island. Lily rushed through the glass doors and headed for the nurse’s station.
“Excuse me, an ambulance just brought in a John McPherson. Is he all right? Can I see him?”
The nurse checked her records. “Yes, they just brought him in. Can you provide insurance information?”
“No…I can’t, but can you tell me if he’s okay?”
“His status has not been reported yet. But the doctors are with him. Are you a relative?”
Exasperated, Lily told the nurse she was his granddaughter. She wished Ian were here.
The nurse continued. “Well, you can’t go in right now, but I’ll let the doctor know you’re here.”
Lily could tell she would get nowhere with this nurse who seemed immune to tragedy. She looked at the entrance to the patient area and considered making a run for it. Surely I’d be considered some nut running through the halls yelling, “John, John.” They’d probably put me in a room too. It was black dark out now, almost nine o’clock, and her best option was to take a chair. Feet up, knees to her chest, she wrapped herself in her long sweater and began to rock to an imagined beat. With any luck, Ian would be here soon, and he was family and should be able to find out more.
✦✦✦✦
Ian hesitated, wondering whether or not to bring Jason and put him through this ordeal with his great grandpa. At seven years old, Jason had already lost his mother, and he adored his grandfather. Ian considered leaving his son next door at Mrs. Williams’s house, but knew Jason would never forgive him. If it hadn’t been for this darn workshop he had to teach, he would have been on the island when it happened.
“Jason,” he said gently.
Jason yawned. “Dad, what’s wrong?”
“Son, you have to get dressed. Grandpa’s sick and we need to go over to the island right away.”
Eyes wide, Jason asked, “Is he ok, is he gonna be ok?”
Ian continued packing a duffle bag with enough clothes for a few days. “I hope so, Jason. He had to go to the hospital, but Lily is with him and we’ll be there real soon.”
“Ok, Dad. Should I bring something for Grandpa?”
Ian grabbed his son and hugged him tight. “Just yourself, Jason. That’s all Grandpa will want.” Ian bundled Jason up, jumped into the Volvo, and headed south to the ferry. If he were lucky, he could catch the 8:30 ferry and be at the hospital in an hour. He wished he could swim across and get there sooner. At least the roads were dry, the sky was clear, there was none of the usual fog to slow the ferry. He felt comforted knowing that Lily was there, a sense of safety and familiarity that he had felt with his wife, only this time, it was not Denise. It was Lily.
The ferry was just loading as they paid the fare, and the dock worker waved their car onboard. Jason had dozed off in his seat. Ian’s mind wandered. He really should call his mother. She was so far away, and he didn’t know what time it was in Mexico City. He fumbled with his cell phone scrolling for her number. He hated himself for hesitating. John was her father, after all, and she would want to know.
He pictured his mother in her bright floral dress, barefoot, paintbrush in hand. When she had first moved there, he resented her for leaving him alone with Jason. But she had smiled and said, “You’ll do fine, Ian. You have a strong spirit.” His Bohemian mother, brave, full of life and a sense of adventure. Before, when he’d been so low, he thought her selfish. But now he could understand her artist’s soul and need for adventure.
He’d followed his passion, shown his work in galleries through the world and become successful. His son was doing well in school and had good friends, and now even Ian’s heart had done the unthinkable: healed and fallen in love again. He dialed her number. “Mom, it’s me. Did I wake you?”
Guitar music floated in the background.
“Ian, my love! You sound dreadful. Are you all right?”
“I’m fine, Mom. It’s Grandpa.” He heard her gasp and then some quick words in Spanish, followed by the guitar music stopping.
“Mom, he’s at Forest Glen Hospital. Jason and I are on our way there now. I thought you’d want to know. I have a friend on the island, Lily, she’s with him now.”
“Of course, Ian. What’s wrong? Did he fall?” Then her voice started to break. “I love that old man. You tell him, if he really needs me, I’ll be there. But he’s a tough one. I expect he’ll be up and about in no time.”
“I’ll tell him, Mom, and call you from the hospital when I know more.”
The ferry horn sounded as the boat slid into its dock. Jason opened his eyes and sat up. “We’re almost there, right, Dad?” Ian shook his head and turned away. The look in the boy’s eyes broke his heart.
✦✦✦✦
Jason pushed through the hospital doors and ran into Lily’s open arms. “Hey, Jason, I’m so glad you’re here,” she said. “Your grandpa’s still in with the doctors.”
Ian looked down at her and wished he didn’t feel so helpless. Their eyes met. He read volumes in her look. One arm around Jason, she stood, walked to Ian, and put her other arm around his shoulder. He embraced them both and exhaled for the first time since Lily’s phone call. A doctor entered the waiting room and addressed Lily. “Excuse me. I’m Dr. Williamson. Can I talk to you alone?”
Ian reached out his hand. “I’m Ian McPherson, and this is my son, Jason. He’s my grandfather. Lily, why don’t you take Jason and find him a snack or a drink? I’ll talk to the doctor.”
The doctor looked confused. “It’s lucky your sister got him here so quickly.”
“Yes it is,” Ian said, staring a Lily.
Lily took Jason’s hand and walked over to the snack machine.
The doctor continued, “He’s still unconscious, but it appears he’s had a mild heart attack. He must have fallen down during it and banged his head hard enough to cause a concussion.”
Ia
n sighed. “Can you treat him?”
“He should wake up in few hours, we’ll watch and see.”
“And his heart?”
The doctor looked down at her pager before answering. “If all the other tests are negative, we can treat the heart with medication, but he’ll have to do some lifestyle changes too. Otherwise, he appears in good health for a man his age.”
“How long before we can see him?” Ian asked.
“He’s resting right now and under observation. Let’s wait a little while to be sure he’s stable. I’ll send a nurse for you when he’s ready for company.”
“Thank you, doctor.”
Lily and Jason wandered over and handed Ian a cup of coffee.
The doctor beamed. “I think he has the best medicine waiting for him right here.”
She turned to go. “You all get some rest now, he’s going to be fine.”
“Do you want me to take Jason home, put him to bed, and look after Gretel?” Lily asked. Ian could barely get the words out, and there was no way he could convey the gratitude he felt. “Yes, Lily, that would be so helpful.”
She looked concerned. “Call me.”
Ian nodded. He watched her take Jason’s hand and walk out the door. It was going to be a long night.
✦✦✦✦
“Are you Ian McPherson?”
He shook himself awake. He must have dozed in the lobby. “That’s me.”
“I’m Piper, your grandfather’s night nurse.” She pointed down a corridor. “Room 220B. You can see your grandfather now, but he’s still unconscious.”
Ian checked his watch; it was 3:30 in the morning. Shouldn’t Gramps have been awake by now? He hurried down the hall and located the room. John was wired to machines beeping on and off, and an IV was hooked into his arm. He looked like he was sleeping peacefully. Ian fell into the leather chair beside the bed, pulled up the footrest, and curled up for some sleep. Certainly John would be awake in a few hours.
Chapter Thirty-Four
They’d just finished Jason’s favorite breakfast, Frosted Corn Puffs and milk. The sugar rush was already making her dizzy. She had brought him to her house to sleep so he wouldn’t see the stained carpet where John had fallen. Lily waited while Jason got dressed in her room.
“I’m ready,” he said, joining her in the parlor. “Is Dad still at the hospital too?”
Lily nodded, pulling out her car keys. “Yep, let’s go.”
“Wait,” Jason said. “I want to pick some flowers to bring Grandpa.”
Why didn’t she think of that? The upper field near John’s was full of wildflowers, and they made a cheerful bouquet. Just as they turned to go back to her car, a cab pulled up and a dark haired woman, deeply tanned and wearing bright colored clothes, jumped out with a suitcase.
“Jason,” she yelled, arms wide open.
“Grandma!” Jason ran into her arms.
This had to be Ian’s mother. He’d never said much about her before except that she was an artist and lived outside of the States.
The woman reached out her hand. “I’m Celeste. Do you know how my father’s doing?”
“Lily, I live next door.” She shook the woman’s hand. “We were just heading over the hospital to find out.” Lily directed Celeste to the passenger’s seat of her Honda. “As of late last night, John was stable but still unconscious.”
Celeste looked out the window. “After Ian’s last call, I figured I better get on the next plane. Lucky I caught the early shuttle or I would have missed you.”
The day was clear and sunny. Everyone out there was going about their business like nothing happened, but for Lily, time had stopped for a while. An antiseptic smell resounded in the air as they entered the hospital lobby and made their way to John’s room.
“Just act like we belong here,” Celeste said. “It may not be visitor’s time.”
They tiptoed into the patient room. A blue curtain was pulled around John’s bed, and Ian was sitting on the empty bed next to it. He looked like he’d slept in his clothes and hadn’t had a shower.
“Mom.” He rose from the bed and gave her a hug. “Glad you came. When the old guy finally wakes up, he’ll be happy to see you.”
A doctor pulled the blue curtain open and walked over to them. “Good morning. We have been monitoring Mr. McPherson, and things look pretty good right now. His heart is stable, but we’re going to run a few tests and see if we can figure out why he hasn’t woken up yet.”
“Is this normal?” Celeste asked.
The doctor looked concerned. “Could be the combination of the heart attack, the fall, and his age. If he doesn’t wake up by tomorrow, I’ll get the neurologist back in for a consult.”
Celeste walked over and stood by her father. “Hi, Pops.”
Jason followed. “Can we talk to him?” he asked the doctor.
“Sure thing, but not too loud. His head is probably still hurting from the fall.” When the doctor left the room, Lily took Ian’s hand. He looked down at her, worry sketched across his face. “I’m here for whatever you need, so just ask.”
“Thanks,” he said.
“I think I’ll go back to John’s and clean up a bit before you all come back.”
“You don’t need to do that,” he said.
“Yes, I do,” she whispered. “There’s still some blood on the carpet and things knocked over.”
His eyes widened in his pale face. “Thanks.”
Lily waved goodbye after they promised to call if John woke up. Once she got home, Lily called Jude and told her what had happened.
“I’m so sorry,” Jude said. “I’ll meet you at your house, and we’ll tackle the cleanup at John’s together.
That was a relief. Lily was not looking forward to going back into the room she’d found him lying in last night.
Jude’s old Mustang pulled up in front of Lily’s house, and she ran out and jumped into the passenger seat. When they pulled up to John’s farmhouse, Lily felt the blood drain from her face. Instinctively, she grabbed the door handle for support.
“Lily, you’re not gonna faint on me now, are you?”
She shook her head no.
Gray clouds began to roll in, casting a dismal gray over the Sound. The lights were still on inside, and it seemed impossible that John would not be there, sitting in his chair, tinkering with something or watching TV. Jude pulled the car over to park under a large Madrona tree and turned to Lily.
“Are you up to this? I can turn this car around and take you home if you want.”
“Thanks, Jude, I can do it. It’s just so sad.”
“I know, Honey, I’m sure he’ll pull through just fine. Those farmers are strong as an ox.”
Lily got out of the car and leaned against the hood, staring out toward the water. Tall, aged pines stood guard over the gentle slopes of rolling green hills. In the distance, the hills ended abruptly and sandstone cliffs cascaded down toward the water’s edge. The overwhelming scent of jasmine made Lily feel light-headed. Without warning, her surroundings started to blur and spin. She seized Jude’s arm for balance. Her heart felt like it would beat right out of her chest. “I just can’t bear the thought of losing him…oh, Jude.”
Jude hugged her tightly while she wept on her shoulder, then rummaged inside her purse and produced some Kleenex. “I think we both need these. How about we just go inside and get this done so the family can come home and get some sleep?”
✦✦✦✦
The house still held John’s presence, she could almost hear his warm chuckle, but the leather recliner showed only the well-worn indent in the aging cushion. Lily started cleaning up while Jude scrubbed the carpet. How could this be happening? Was it only a week ago that John had come over to her house to sample breakfast menus? They had laughed and, as so often happened, she had cried on his ever-ready shoulders. He was the wisest and most compassionate man she’d ever known. No wonder her grandmother had loved him so dearly.
Lily’s cell
rang and she lunged for it, hoping to hear John was awake.
“I’m sorry to hear that, Ian. We’re almost done, come on home.” Lily ended the call and stared at Jude. “He’s still unconscious. The doctor told them all to go home and get some sleep for the night.”
Jude washed her hands in the kitchen sink. “Well, at least they’ll come home to a clean house. Guess I better get back to the café. Should I give you a lift home?”
“That’s ok, I’ll wait here and see if they need anything.” Lily took a seat on the couch in the den. She didn’t have to wait long before the three McPhersons pulled up and entered the house. She hurried for the door. She heard Ian’s voice, but when she spotted him, her legs would move no further. Ian…the raw pain in his eyes was more than she could bear. Jason was right beside him, steady, growing taller every day, so like his father.
And then Ian caught her gaze. In that moment, as their eyes locked, Lily knew with stunning certainty the truth—this was not a guilt-driven or rebound affair. The truth was, to the very depth of her soul, she loved Ian…and Jason. Goosebumps rose with a prickle to cover her arms and legs—a sure sign of confirmation, Kyla had said.
With an unexpected effortlessness, Lily walked over and stood beside Ian. A look of recognition passed between them. Jason took Lily’s hand, and Celeste moved in for a group hug.
“By the way, Celeste,” Lily said, “I put your suitcase in the back bedroom.”
Celeste sat down on the couch and raised her feet onto the coffee table. “Thanks. I’m sure I’ll be wanting to go to sleep soon.”
Ian turned to Lily. “Thank you.”
Lily looked at her two boys, both pale, both hoping the same thing she was: Grandpa John would wake up and be home soon.
Jason curled in beside his grandmother on the couch and put his head on her shoulder.
“You both look like you could use a glass of wine,” Celeste said, waving them to go. “Ian, why don’t you let me put Jason to bed and you go take Lily home?”
Ian stopped pacing and looked at Lily.