A FATHER'S RESCUE
Chapter Ten
Upon his arrival home, David paced restlessly
in his room, unable to sleep although he'd gone an entire night without getting
his much needed shut-eye. He was due at work today, and he knew his employer
would be furious, but so be it. Finally, he sat down at the piano, his fingers
toying with the keys, but the rich melodies that normally came so easily
sounded flat to his ears. He finally took notice of his rumbling stomach, and
went downstairs to find a little something to warm up on his hot plate.
There was a man rooting around in the icebox,
an unfamiliar one from the looks of him. Mrs. Wallace had taken on another new
tenant in his absence. David hadn't realized just how long he'd been at the
hospital.
He cleared his throat. "Excuse me, mind
if I have a look?"
The stranger turned around, and David nearly
flinched at the haggard look he had about the face. He wondered if he should
ask the man if he wanted to accompany him to the hospital later.
"Name's David," he introduced
himself when the new tenant didn't respond right away. The man took David's
proffered hand in a limp grip, but his eyes held suspicion.
"Michael," the sickly-looking man
offered. He stepped aside, allowing David to get himself some lunch.
David felt as if this new person was watching
him closely, for some reason. He shook off this misplaced feeling and attempted
to make small talk as he prepared his meal.
"You haven't been here long. When did
you arrive?"
"Yesterday, late. I haven't seen you,
either."
"No...a friend of mine is in the
hospital. I took her there yesterday."
"Is she doing all right?"
"No, not really, but the landlady sent
me home for a while. I'll go back later."
Michael nodded. "Enjoy your lunch. I
have to go do something now." He hurried off. To an errand or what exactly
David did not know, and right now did not care. He intended to finish his
lunch, try to nap for a short time, then return to the hospital.
*****
Mrs. Wallace had just dozed off when the
frantic mutterings of the patient in the bed jolted her awake.
"Jack...there's a boat, Jack! Jack?
Jack, there's a boat...no, don't leave me!" Rose began to moan and shudder
violently.
Mrs. Wallace's eyes widened in horror. She
had no experience with anything like this. Of course, there were no hospital
staff in the ward at that moment. That was just how things were in this
neighborhood. Quality medical care was reserved for those who could afford it.
Mrs. Wallace stood in a huff. She'd just have to go in search of a nurse.
Just then, a thin voice croaked, "Molly?
What are you doing here?"
Mrs. Wallace peered down at Rose, who was
wearing a broad smile, and for a moment she was relieved. But when the young
woman spoke again, there was no mistaking it: she was delirious. "Molly,
I'm so happy to see you! Is...is my mother here?"
Mrs. Wallace's heart pained at the words. Who
was this pitiful child's mother, anyway? She'd like to find the woman and box
her ears.
"No, Rose, she isn't here. I'll stay
here, if that would make you feel better."
"Oh yes, please. I really am so glad to
see you, Molly."
Mrs. Wallace had not a clue who this Molly
person was, but that was unimportant. She was willing to go along with it, as
she guessed telling Rose that she was just seeing things would make absolutely
no sense to the child, and only cause her emotional distress. Rose mumbled a
few other things that were incoherent, then began tossing fiercely in the bed.
Now Mrs. Wallace went to find a nurse, hoping she could at least do something.
As she walked back to the nurse's desk, Mrs.
Wallace thought about her young tenant, how little she really knew about her.
Not only had she not given a last name, but all those dreams she had been
having...and who was this Jack Rose had mentioned? Mrs. Wallace just shook her
head, unable to figure things out.
When the third nurse she approached snapped
at her, Mrs. Wallace gave up her search for help and returned to Rose's
bedside. The girl lay still now, her breaths coming in quick, shallow gasps.
Mrs. Wallace sat beside her and continued her vigil, not noticing how much time
had passed until Dr. Hudson spoke, startling her from her thoughts.
"So what are you to this girl?" he
asked rudely. "Don't tell me you're her next of kin. She has my sympathy
if that is the case." He pulled back the sheet and pressed a stethoscope
to Rose's chest. She barely stirred.
"I am her guardian." Even as she
spoke the words, Mrs. Wallace didn't know where they came from. Guardian? But
she felt she had to explain her presence here, and protect Rose. From what, she
wasn't sure, but the child was vulnerable and from all appearances she had no
one else but David to speak up for her.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know. In that
case, I must tell you, Rose seems to be turning for the worse, and there is
little we can do for her. I will try everything I can. I would say the rest is
up to you."
Mrs. Wallace nodded, understanding
completely. The doctor left again, and Mrs. Wallace pulled her chair closer,
knowing she had to do something more to help. Rose was terribly pale, and she
barely seemed to be breathing. The one positive thing was, there was no
evidence she was in any pain.
This was a tiresome duty, keeping watch over
the ill. Mrs. Wallace's eyelids drooped and the bustle and cries of anguish in
the ward began to melt into a low murmur. In her mind it was another April, not
many years ago...
"Hannah, where are you going?"
She stood in the doorway to the girl's room, blocking her exit.
Hannah continued to pack without even
slowing, tossing a silk undergarment into the trunk on her bed. "Away from
here," she responded without glancing at her mother.
"Please." Mrs. Wallace risked
moving closer, placing a hand on her daughter's shoulder.
Hannah flinched as if she'd been burned.
"I've made up mind, Mother," she said coolly. "You have never
shown one ounce of concern for my welfare. What could you possibly offer me
now?"
Mrs. Wallace hesitated to answer for a
moment. "I know things have been...strained, between us. I'll try harder,
if you just give me one more chance."
"One more? Mother, do you have the
slightest clue how many I have already given you? You've run out of chances.
Now, would you please let me by?"
Hannah closed her suitcase, and walked to
where her mother stood. They stood there eye to eye a moment, then Mrs. Wallace
stepped aside, knowing they had reached an impasse. Hannah whispered good-bye
only as she reached the front door and opened it, stepping outside.
"Mrs. Wallace?" She murmured
something, but did not awaken from her slumber.
David rested a hand on her shoulder.
"Mrs. Wallace?"
Her eyes fluttered open and she squinted in
the harsh light. "Oh, dearie me, I was far away, wasn't I?"
He looked puzzled, and she waved a hand as if
to dismiss the issue. "I suppose you are ready to take over the
shift." She rocked unsteadily to her feet and took David's hand in hers,
giving it a squeeze. "I have to go now. I think you should talk to the
doctor right away."
She was gone before he could ask any
questions.
Mrs. Wallace walked rapidly, her pace
gradually increasing until she was nearly running through the corridor.
That blasted girl had brought painful
memories to the surface of her mind, memories best left unexplored. She even
had the same untamed red hair. Mrs. Wallace didn't dare entertain the thought
that she could very well die. She swore softly as she fled the hospital.
Mrs. Wallace spent the rest of the day
cleaning, something she rarely did. She did not stop until David at last came
through the door, well after dark.
"How is she?"
"The same. The doctor said I should come
back here and rest. They're taking care of her the best they can, and she
doesn't realize whether or not anyone is there."
"I'll go back in the morning, while
you're working. If she wakes up I want one of us to be there."
"Yes, me too. I only came home because I
was falling asleep."
"Yes, I can imagine. You go on up to
bed, you'll have a long day tomorrow, David."