“All I need is about five grand, an address, and a key if you can get me one.”
“Done,” JT said, remembering how quickly Carmen had given him a key the same day she’d moved in and how he would gladly take the money from one of his personal accounts. He would withdraw it from the one Alicia didn’t know about.
“So, when do you want this taken care of?”
“Soon. And, Steve, if you do this, I’ll owe you for life.”
“I appreciate that, but you know I’m glad to serve in any way I can. I’m glad to do it free of charge.”
Chapter 27
Rita’s bed was surrounded by monitors and all sorts of other equipment, and a breathing tube was secured down her throat. From her left arm ran an IV tube, and from the looks of the minimal amount of fluid left in the hanging bag, it was time for it to be replaced.
Alicia stood next to Carmen and wished there was something she could do to make things better. Rita looked as pale as ever, and still, there were no signs of improvement. Her heart still beat, but with the exception of that, her body wasn’t doing much else on its own.
“So, how are you young ladies today?” Dr. Mehta asked, walking in.
“Okay,” Carmen said, forcing a smile.
“How are you, Doctor?” Alicia added.
“I’m fine. A little tired, but I’m good.”
Carmen rubbed her mom’s forehead and then looked at Dr. Mehta. “So, how long do you think she’s going to be like this? How long will it be before she wakes up?”
“I wish I could say, but unfortunately, I just don’t know. Sometimes it can take a lot longer than we would like.”
Carmen’s eyes turned teary, and Alicia placed her arm around her.
Dr. Mehta flipped through Rita’s chart and glanced at her vitals on the digital screen. “For the most part, all we can do is give her more time.”
Carmen sniffled. “I just don’t understand why this is happening. My mom is only forty-five years old. I mean, who would ever expect something like this to happen to their parents when they’re my age?”
“I know,” he said. “And I’m very sorry.”
Alicia wanted to ask him if Rita really did have a chance of recovering, but she didn’t have the nerve to question him in front of Carmen.
“Well, I’m going to head out to see a couple of my other patients, but I’ll be in bright and early in the morning before I begin my surgery schedule for the day.”
“Thank you so much for everything,” Carmen told him.
“You’re quite welcome.”
After Dr. Mehta left, Alicia and Carmen stayed for a few more minutes and then went back out to the long-term family waiting area, which, interestingly enough, was empty right now. This particular room was a lot more relaxed; it offered more of an at-home kind of atmosphere and was utilized by families who had very sick loved ones. It was even furnished with a microwave, a refrigerator, and a huge flat-screen television, and there were board games and puzzles stacked inside a large wooden entertainment center.
Alicia sat down in one of the plush recliners, and Carmen settled into the other one.
“You know,” Carmen began, “I can’t help but wonder if this is all my fault.”
Alicia looked at her. “How do you mean?”
“Well, I certainly haven’t been perfect, and I’ve done a lot of things I’m sure God isn’t happy about. So, I have to wonder if my horrible sins are the reason my mom is ill.”
“I really doubt that, and you shouldn’t blame yourself for any of what’s going on. I can’t explain why your mom had that aneurysm, but what I do know is that God doesn’t purposely cause any of us a lot of pain and suffering. He does allow some bad things to happen, but He would never intentionally try to hurt anyone.”
“But not only have I committed sins, I’m still committing a lot of the same ones right now.”
“I’ve committed sins as well, but last year, I completely turned my life around, and I truly believe God has forgiven me. Which means he’ll do the same thing for you, too.”
“You really think so?”
“I honestly do. It’s never too late to confess our sins, ask for forgiveness, and then live our lives the way God wants us to.”
Carmen reached for Alicia’s hand. “You are such a good friend to me, and I’ll never be able to repay you enough for being here with me.”
“I’m here because I love you, and I’ll stay by your side for as long as you need me.”
Carmen breathed deeply and then paused for a few seconds. “Alicia, there’s something I really need to tell you,” she said, but they both looked behind them when they heard someone calling Alicia’s name.
“Oh my God,” Alicia said, smiling at her ex-husband and then standing and hugging him. “Phillip, what are you doing here?”
“I was going to ask you the same thing. You’re not here for your mom or stepfather, are you?”
“No,” she said, touching Carmen’s shoulder. “This is a very good friend of mine, and her mother had an aneurysm yesterday.”
“Oh my. I’m really sorry to hear that.”
“Thank you,” Carmen said, and Alicia could tell she was wondering who he was.
“Carmen, this is my ex-husband, Phillip.”
“Oh, it’s very nice to meet you.”
“It’s nice meeting you as well.”
“So, who are you here for?” Alicia asked him.
“One of our church members. When I moved back to the area, I resumed my old position as assistant pastor, so I try to go see as many members as I can on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.”
“Oh,” she said. That was just like Phillip. Always trying to do right by others and always going out of his way to show how much he cared about people.
“So, how are your mom and your dad James doing?”
“They’re doing well, and actually we were visiting them yesterday when Carmen’s mom fell ill. How’s your mom?”
“She’s doing great. As busy as ever.”
“Good, and you’ll have to tell her I said hello.”
“I will.”
Alicia and Phillip smiled like two teenagers who’d just met for the first time, and it was obvious that neither of them knew what to say next. Thankfully, Carmen broke the silence.
“I’m going to go back in to check on my mom for a few minutes. I know we just left her, but I really want to see her again. Then I’m going to run down to the cafeteria to get something to eat.”
“Do you want me to go with you?”
“No, you stay here and visit. I’ll be fine.”
“Are you sure? Oh, and wait. There was something you said you wanted to tell me.”
“I know, but there’s no rush. We can just talk about it later.”
“Okay, well, I’ll be right here when you get back.”
“So,” Phillip said without hesitation. “How have you been?”
“Good. And you?”
“I’m doing well. Although, maybe not as well as you, because I hear you just got married.”
“Yeah, I did.”
“Are you happy?”
Alicia didn’t mean to pause before answering but finally said, “Yes. I am.”
“I’m glad, because happiness is all I ever wanted for you.”
“That’s very kind of you to say. But what about you? Are you seeing anyone?”
“Sort of.”
“Is it Shandra?”
Now Phillip hesitated. Then he said, “Yes.”
Alicia knew it was wrong for her to care one way or the other, but she wasn’t thrilled to hear about his dating another woman. She definitely didn’t like hearing that he was seeing his high school sweetheart, and she couldn’t help feeling a little envious. She had no right, of course, but Phillip still held a special place in her heart. She’d tried telling herself that she no longer loved him, but now that she was seeing him face-to-face, she wasn’t so sure.
“So, did you already see the person you came to visit?” she asked, changing the subject.
“No. I was on my way to his room and as I was passing, I just so happened to look in here. I wasn’t positive it was you until I opened the door and came in, but I’m so glad I did.”