Chapter Five

Mondays and Wednesdays were scheduled non-surgery days, and Grace enjoyed the change of pace. She volleyed between her office where she met new patients, and the hospital where she made rounds and checked on her post-op patients, like Chester Brown. The nursing staff spoke highly of him and said he always had a wealth of visitors.

It didn’t surprise her to see half the family congregated around his bed when she tapped on the open door. They were laughing heartily at one of his stories, and Edna was seated next to him in the only chair the hospital provided.

“How ya doin’, Doc? ” he asked, scooping the last spoonful of Jell-O from a small plastic cup.

“I think that’s my question, ” she said, smiling.

The various family members, all of whom looked like Chester, Edna or a combination of the two, stepped back so she could examine him and check the surgical site. The room grew quiet as she listened to his heart.

“Everything seems to be going well for a day after surgery, so that’s great.”

“When does Grandpa get to go home? ” a teenage boy asked.

“Probably not for at least a week. He needs to rest, and I really want to keep a close watch over him.” She looked at Chester and patted his hand. “For a man of your age you came through remarkably well. You’re in very good shape, too. What’s your secret? ”

He grinned and she realized he wasn’t wearing his lower dentures. “It’s my great life, Doc. I’ve been blessed with all of these wonderful children, grandchildren and a wife who always forgave me for my mistakes.”

Edna shook her head. “You shush, Chet. There wasn’t much to forgive. You’ve always been the best.”

Her eyes welled with tears and she reached for a tissue.

“Don’t you start blubbering, Edna, ” he said. “Anyway, thanks for everything, Doc.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll let you all get back to your visit.”

She returned to the nurse’s station to update his file, and the family’s chatter resumed. “Excuse me, ” a voice said.

Grace looked over her shoulder at an attractive woman. Her long blond hair was parted to one side and she was dressed casually in cargo shorts, a faded T-shirt and hiking boots. She carried a messenger bag instead of a purse, and she looked as if she’d stepped out of the woods. Grace immediately saw a resemblance to Edna.

“Hi, I’m Logan, Chester Brown’s oldest daughter.”

They shook hands, and Grace noticed the worry in her expression.

“He’s doing well, ” she offered, and Logan’s face immediately softened. “For a man of his age, he’s making a remarkable recovery.”

“Thank God. I don’t know how my mom could live without him.” She raked her hand through her thick hair and glanced toward his room. “I’m glad they’re all here, ” she added, but made no effort to go inside.

She shuffled her feet and pulled at her bag, which bulged from the contents.

“I take it you’ve been away? ” Grace asked.

She nodded. “I travel continuously for my job. I’m a freelance photographer, but I work mainly for National Geographic. ”

“That sounds interesting.”

“It is. I wouldn’t trade what I do for anything, but any time there’s a family crisis I always feel like the odd woman out. I’m always the last one called and I’m not reliable like a typical oldest child.” She sighed and glanced into the room again. “Well, I’ve taken up enough of your time. I’m sorry for dumping on you.”

“Not a problem.”

“Is there a timetable to get him out of here? ”

Grace nodded. “He should stay for another week, just so we can keep an eye on him. We’ll run some tests periodically, but he’s doing great.”

Logan touched her arm gently. “Yeah, my mom said there was a scary point in the surgery yesterday, but you pulled him through. I can’t thank you enough.”

“You’re welcome.”

Her hand slid away, but Grace’s eyes remained glued to where the connection had occurred. Geez, Grace. Has it been so long that any little touch turns you on?

Logan joined her family, all of whom took turns embracing the long lost daughter returning from her travels. Grace could hear Chester laughing, and she imagined that he was quite proud of Logan.

Watching the family huddle together reminded her that she wasn’t close to anyone. She’d been a surprise, born when her parents were in their early forties, long after they’d settled for one child, her brother, John, who was fifteen years older. Since their ultra-conservative views would never allow them to consider abortion, she’d been the obstacle that kept them from their early retirement, their endless days of tennis at the club and traveling the world. She visited them in Minneapolis twice a year, but it was always awkward. She and John maintained contact through Christmas card pleasantries, since he’d never accepted her lesbianism. Who will care for you, Grace, should you ever get sick?

“Hey, are you okay? ”

She looked over at Eva, who stood at the nurse’s station. “I’m fine. What are you doing on this floor? ”

She held up a patient’s chart. “Just covering for Tanya. She and her new boyfriend got stuck behind a tropical storm trying to get out of the Bahamas. They had to postpone their flight until tomorrow.”

“Sounds potentially dangerous.”

Eva scowled. “Only you would think that, Grace. The rest of the world would love to have another day of romantic bliss, stuck in a hotel, unable to hurry back to the doldrums of work.”

She froze, stunned. “I’m not sure… what are you saying? ”

Eva sighed and stared at the chart. “I’m not saying anything. Never mind.” She started to walk away, but stopped and turned around. “Do you remember the trip we were planning the winter before we broke up? ”

She automatically nodded, but she really didn’t remember. Eva had handled all of the social activities. All she had to do was show up. She strained to replay the last year of their relationship, and then it dawned on her—they’d been planning their own trip to the Bahamas.