I
waited until after lunch to visit Martha at the hospital. As I walked down the
corridor of the Surgical Unit, the familiar scents and sounds made me wish I
was back in uniform. A very bad idea. I remembered what had happened when I
resurfaced as a church organist. Maybe the desire to return was akin to an old
racehorse wanting to take another lap around the track.
I
paused outside Martha’s private room and listened for voices. Hearing none I
wanted to avoid, I tapped on the partially open door. The nurse who appeared
had been a colleague until she opted for private duty.
“Kate,
how nice to see you. Heard you retired. Are you visiting someone?”
“Martha.
We’re old friends.”
She
shook her head. “Her son doesn’t want anyone other than family visiting. She
needs to rest.”
“Think
of this as a pastoral call. We attend the same church.” On occasion, I made
hospital calls for our pastor.
“Katherine,
is that you?” Martha asked.
“Yes.”
“Let
her in. It’s vital for me to speak to her.”
Fran
shrugged. “Go ahead. You can sit with her while I grab lunch. Her
daughter-in-law was due to relieve me a half hour ago. Her son doesn’t want her
left alone.”
To
keep out visitors who didn’t meet his approval was my take on the order. “Thanks.”
I entered and went to the bedside. “How are you feeling?”
“Sore.
Dumb. Awkward. I’m glad you came.”
“Jenna
says she loves you and she’ll find a way to visit.”
“Tell
her to wait until I go to Hudson House. Marcus is so over-protective. When I’m
there, he’ll know I’m recovering and he won’t worry so.” She clasped my hand. “Give
me my handbag.”
I
looked in the bedside stand and the closet. “Not here.”
Her
forehead wrinkled. “That’s right. I had it put in the safe.”
Why
hadn’t she sent her valuables home with her son? “I guess whatever you wanted
to give me will have to wait.”
She
nodded. “There are some things at the house I want you to remove.”
"What’s
going on?” I turned. Sophie Garner stood in the doorway. She flipped her long
blonde hair over her shoulder.
“I’m
visiting,” I said.
“Marcus
doesn’t want Mother Garner disturbed. Did that stupid nurse let you in? I’ll
see she’s fired at once.”
“You’ll
do nothing of the sort.” Martha’s voice held an iron edge. “I pay her and if I
think she deserves to be fired, I will. You’re almost an hour late to relieve
her. Kate kindly volunteered to stay while the nurse had lunch.”
Sophie
waved her red-tipped fingers. “Did you expect me to walk out on Linda Eliot? She’s
a very influential person around the county.”
Martha
snorted. “A newcomer with new money. The Garners have been forces to reckon
with for over a hundred years, but you always did like flash.” She dropped her
hand on the bed. “Don’t let her vulgar money sway you, but there’s no sense
trying to make silk from trash.”
“How
can you say that? I’ve given you two lovely granddaughters.” Sophie turned to
me. “You can leave. When I tell Marcus you were here, he’ll be livid.”
“You’ll
tell him nothing.” Martha glared. “Sophie, step outside. I want to speak to
Katherine alone.”
“I
will not.”
I
clasped Martha’s hand. “It’s all right. I’ll talk to you later.”
Martha
nodded. “Let my nurse know Sophie’s here and she has no reason to worry or
hurry her break.”
“Will
do.” I slipped past Sophie and strode down the hall. At the nurses’ lounge, I
opened the door and passed Martha’s message to Fran.
MY PLACES
http://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com
BUY MARK
http://bookswelove.net/authors/walters-janet-lane-romance-fantasy-suspense-medical/
No comments:
Post a Comment