Page 79 of A Change Of Heart
She put her hand to her mouth, thinking how Henry had looked when they got through the door.So frail, so pale, barely breathing, his eyes closed tight.She feared they'd killed him with those damn pictures.
Tears filled her yes and she sent a prayer heavenward.
From inside the store, Stephanie locked the door behind them and put the CLOSED sign on the window.Her stomach was in knots and she longed to hear Jason's voice.
"Hey, Charlie.I know you're going to miss your buddy, but you can hang out with me for a while."She grabbed his bowl and the organic food that Henry bought.
Steph remembered teasing her boss that he took better care of Charlie than he did himself.The faithful dog lay on the floor with his head on his paws.She heard him whimper."Okay, baby, got your food, got your leash, we are all set to go."
Charlie lifted his head and sniffed the dog food."Yes, you can have it but first you must come with me."She gave him a few kibbles and snapped the leash on his collar.Next, she grabbed the sporty red jacket that Henry used for Charlie on extra cold days.
Together they climbed the stairs to her room, and once inside she put the doggie double bowl on the floor, and filled one with food, the other with water.While he munched, she changed into jeans, a sweater, and a bulky jacket and boots.
She called Jason again and was directed to voicemail."Hey, Jason.Henry's at the hospital—not sure if he had a stroke or heart attack.Call Heu.He was here when Henry collapsed.I've locked up the bookstore and will take Charlie for a quick walk before we head over to the hospital.Albany Memorial.Meet us there when you can."
The fresh air might do her good.She needed to clear her head and figure out what had happened.Was it a blessing or a curse?Henry had to survive.
Head down to ward off the slight chill, Steph crossed the road toward the small park on the corner.She was stopped a few times by concerned neighbors but didn't linger.At the first park bench, she waited and gave Charlie more rope.He jumped through the snow, sniffing and peeing like he was a young dog again.
Charlie was squatting when her cell phone buzzed.With relief she saw it was Jason.
"Hey," she answered.
"Sorry, I was in surgery.Got your messages and Heu's too."
"Is there any news?"
"Not yet.Told me to hang tight and not to rush over as they are running several tests.He’s right.It normally takes a while.How are you?"
"Scared,” Steph admitted.“I was so glad that Heu and his son were with me when it happened.When Henry left to pick up lunch, Heu was able to lay out the pictures while I minded the store.All was going to plan.When Henry came back he sat and had lunch with me and Rhys and he was quite friendly to the boy."
"He didn't know who he was, did he?"
"No, but when Heu showed up, he introduced himself, and Rhys said he was hungry.So he let Rhys have the sandwich that we offered him and Heu had coffee.They got to spend some time together and chat for awhile.When Henry got up to return to his office, we waited and didn't hear a sound.Thought he'd come storming out, but not a peep.I went and checked on him.Lucky we did."
"Yes.A little longer and it might have been a lot worse."
Disengaging her legs from Charlie's leash, she sighed and said, "Maybe God didn't like our plans and made one of his own."
He chuckled."Now that I agree with whole-heartedly!"
"Are you still on the clock?"she asked.
"Another couple of hours then I can escape, hopefully.We can drive to the hospital together and if Henry's resting comfortably, we'll get some dinner."
"Now that sounds like an excellent plan."
***
Jason completed hissurgery, washed up, and was stepping out of his scrubs when he was paged back to the OR right away.His patient was coding.
It took him and a team of doctors to get the man stabilized.In his forties, his drug habit had nearly killed him.But not today.
Once the adrenaline stopped, exhaustion set in.The thought of driving to pick up Steph, then back again, was more than he could handle right now.
He called and she picked up right away."Steph, I hate to ask you, but would you mind doing the driving tonight?I'm wiped.It was a tough day."
"Of course.I'd be happy to.It will take me a few minutes to get Charlie ready then I can leave."
