“With finally meeting your sister? Absolutely. I’m honored.”
Those were the perfect words.
They headed inside and Ellis greeted each staff member and chatted with a few.
Once they were alone and walking down the hall, Cherry said, “I love that you know everybody’s name, that you pay attention to their lives. That’s a special thing, you know.”
“You think?”
“Definitely. It means you see them. People like to be seen.”
They stopped at Michaela’s doorway. Kendra was inside, straightening the blanket and talking away to her patient. When she looked up and saw Ellis, her face lit up. “There she is! Hey there, baby girl. I feel like I haven’t seen you in ages.” And her arms opened, and she enveloped Ellis before she could speak. They parted and Kendra’s gaze fell on Cherry, who’d hung back slightly. “And who do we have here?”
“Kendra, this is Cherry Davis. Cherry, my dear, dear friend Kendra, who also happens to be one of Mikey’s caretakers.”
Cherry stuck out a hand and Kendra made apfftsound, then opened her arms again. “I’m a hugger.” And in the next second, Cherry waswide-eyed but smiling at Ellis over Kendra’s shoulder. Once Kendra had released her, she said, “I’ve heard a lot about you, sweetheart.”
“Uh-oh,” Cherry said, then laughed.
Kendra waved a hand. “Please. My girl here has beensmitten.”
“Oh, really,” Cherry said, drawing out the word and turning a mischievous expression Ellis’s way. “Smitten, you say?”
“A smitten kitten. For sure,” Kendra said.
“I hate you both right now,” Ellis said, but she was laughing.
“Pfft.Lies.” Another wave of the hand. “Well, I’ll let you two visit with Miss Michaela. Let me know if you need anything. It’s wonderful to finally meet you, Cherry.” And Kendra was gone before either of them could say another word.
Ellis watched her go, then turned to Cherry and grasped her hand. She took a deep breath. “Okay. Well, this is my little sister. Michaela.” Michaela was on her back today, her bed tilted slightly so she was propped up a bit. Her blue eyes seemed to stare at the painting on the wall across from her, two horses in a lush green pasture. “Mikey, this is Cherry. The one I told you all about.” Ellis smiled, then watched as Cherry let go of her hand and approached the side of the bed.
Cherry laid her hand on Michaela’s forearm. “It’s really nice to finally meet you, Michaela. I’ve heard so much about you. Ellis talks about you a lot.” She reached behind her, grabbed the front of a plastic chair, and pulled it close. As she took a seat, she said to Ellis, “Can you give me a little time alone with your sister? Is that okay?”
“Oh, um, sure.” Ellis blinked in surprise but nodded. “I’ll just be out in the hallway.” And she scurried out of the room. Once in the hall, she could hear the murmur of Cherry’s voice, and a warmth spread through her body from the inside. She turned just as Kendra came out of the room next door.
“What are you doing out here?” Kendra asked, looking concerned.
“Cherry wanted some time alone with Mikey.”
Their gazes held and Kendra’s smile blossomed slowly. Then she pointed at the room and gave a nod as she started down the hall. “That girl’s a keeper.”
Ellis laughed at theI told you sotone of her voice. But she wasn’t wrong. She could see that so clearly now. She inched closer to the doorway of Mikey’s room, not wanting to eavesdrop, but also, really,really wanting to eavesdrop. She strained to hear but finally could make out Cherry’s soft voice.
“…And I promise you, I will take the best care of her. I will have her back. I will put her first. You don’t have to worry, okay? I’ve got her. I promise.”
Ellis’s eyes welled up as she took a few steps away and tried—and failed—to read the notices on the bulletin board through her tears. She swiped at her cheek with the back of her hand and heard Cherry’s voice behind her.
“All done.” When Ellis turned toward her, Cherry’s face shifted to concern. “Oh no. Honey, what’s wrong?” She laid her warm palm against Ellis’s cheek. “Are you okay?”
Ellis took a moment to collect herself, and she covered Cherry’s hand with hers. “I am way more than okay. I am so many things right now. But mostly? I’m just happy. I’m so happy.”
“Me, too, sweetheart.”
Ellis turned her face and placed a kiss in Cherry’s palm. “I usually spend a little time reading to Mikey. You okay with that?”
“Only if you let me read to her, too.”
“Deal.” She led Cherry by the hand back into Michaela’s room. “Are you thirsty?” she asked her as she picked up the book she’d been reading. “There’s soda, juice, and water in the fridge in the kitchen we passed on the way in.”
