But I wasn’t a doctor. Why was she calling me? “How can I help?”
“Mija, I’ve been taking care of her. You know I had to.”
“Of course.”
“I kind of let things go…at the Center. I know you’ve been successful with your company. And you mentioned when we ate the pretzels that you might be between jobs soon. Right now, I have a finance person who does all the accounting and a part-timer who handles grants and events. But I’ve always done most of the fundraising myself, and I haven’t been able to do as much this past year. Because of Lupe.”
“You want me to help with fundraising?”
“No,nena.” She exhaled heavily. “It’s hard for me to admit this, but I think it’s possible things are so bad we can’t be saved. I have a few calls I can make to donors who can provide us with enough funding to sustain us for a few months, possibly through the new year. But if you’re willing to do itgratis, I’d love to have you look at the books. I want your opinion on whether you thinkthere’s something I’m missing, if you think it’s possible to stay open.”
I sank further into the mattress. The REACH—The Ronald Ernest Althurst Center for Hope, named after some long-forgotten founding donor and usually referred to simply as “the Center”—had been a staple of the neighborhood for over sixty years. It had been my second home. The idea that it could close was unthinkable.
“Of course I’ll help.”
“When I ran into you, it seemed like a sign. If there’s a way to save it, you’ll tell me. If not, I know you’ll be honest about that too.”
Her faith in me was a gift, especially on this hard day. “I’m grateful you trust me with this. I do love the Center.”
“Of course you do,mija.” I heard the tinge of optimism in her voice. “Can you come by later this week?”
“Yes. Definitely. I’ll text you. I have some things to take care of, but I’ll make the time.”
“Okay,nena. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.”
“You too. And Rosa…”
“¿Sí?”
“Take care of yourself. And give Lupe all my love. I’m so glad you called me.”
Two things crossed my mind as I finished pulling myself together to go back to the ER. One, a person who had probably saved my life many times over was finally giving me the chance to do something for her, and two, the opportunity was a godsend because it would give me something to focus on besides Johnny. I needed a task to ground me, to make me feel useful and competent while I sorted out the rest of my life.
When I returned to the hospital, the person at the intake desk informed me that Johnny had woken up and that someone would be out soon to take me to see him.
I texted Deck.
ME:Hey Deck. Just letting you know Johnny is awake.
ARTURO DECKER:Thx. Want me to come?
Did I want him to come? It pained me to admit it, but I was afraid to face my brother alone right now. Even though Deck had been clear that he wanted space between us, he’d been equally clear that he wanted to help my brother.
ME:Yeah. I’d appreciate that.
ARTURO DECKER:NP. On my way.
I went to the desk and informed the person there that Arturo Decker would be coming in to see Johnny, requesting that he be directed to my brother’s room upon arrival. She was the same woman who had been on duty when we’d arrived yesterday. I had irritated her when I kept asking for updates, until she informed me coldly that the doctors would be with me when they could and to please stop interrupting her. She seemed no more sympathetic today.
“Is he a family member? Visitation in the ICU is for family only.”
A decade working at a tech start-up had taught me nothing if not how to remain calm when presented with a potential setback. “He’s family.”
“It says on these forms your parents are deceased and that you are Mr. Raney’s only sibling.”
I blanched.Seriously, lady, what’s with the forensic deep dive? Did they mess up your order at the coffee cart or something?If I said Deck was a cousin, would that get him in? I wasn’t willing to risk it.
“He’s my husband. He was here with me yesterday. Just went home to get cleaned up a bit.”
