Claws For Concern

She continued to regard me in silence, and I thought perhaps she was too angry to speak. Then she said, “One of the things I love about you, Charlie, is your caring heart. This man, this stranger, has no real claim to your time or your concern, despite the fact that his biological father happened to be married to your aunt. But you think helping him is the right thing to do to honor your aunt’s love for her husband and the gratitude you feel for all she gave you. I’m not talking about the house and the money, though they’re part of it. She was one of the most wonderful, bighearted, generous women I’ve ever known, and she helped make you who you are. I bless her for that. I’m not happy about your putting yourself at risk over this situation, but I understand your sense of obligation.”

As she talked, her expression softened, and I not only heard but felt the love in those words. I wasn’t sure I deserved a partner as understanding and supportive, but I was thankful every day that she had come back into my life.

“Frank, get that bottle out of the fridge, please.” Laura stood, baby Charlie in her arms. “I think it’s time we went home.” She looked from me to Helen Louise and back. “I think there’s nothing more that needs to be said other than: I love you, Dad, so please be careful.” She smiled.

I felt too overwhelmed by my jumbled emotions at the moment to speak. Diesel rubbed his head against my leg and, as if by reflex, my hand began to stroke his back.

I managed to pull myself together enough to walk to the front door with my departing daughter and son-in-law and baby Charlie. I kissed the baby’s forehead. He opened his eyes and smiled. Then he yawned and went back to sleep.

After I saw them out the door, I watched, Diesel at my side, until they drove away. When I closed and locked the door, I turned to see Helen Louise waiting at the foot of the stairs. She held out a hand to me as I walked over. I grasped her hand, and we walked slowly upstairs.

•   •   •

Two hours later my ringing phone roused me from sleep. I felt Helen Louise stirring beside me. I watched her for a moment, reluctant to let the outside world intrude. She yawned and pushed strands of dark hair away from her eyes.

“Hadn’t you better answer that?” she asked.

Diesel, who must have walked in while we were sleeping, meowed.

“Unfortunately, yes,” I said as I reached for the receiver. I knew it must be the hospital. “Hello, Charlie Harris speaking.”

“Good afternoon, Mr. Harris,” a male voice said. “I’m a nurse at Athena Medical Center, and I’m calling you on behalf of one of our patients, a Mr. William Delaney. He is awake and resting comfortably. He would like to talk to you when you have time to come see him.”

“Thank you for calling,” I said. “Please let him know that I’ll be there in about thirty or forty minutes.”

“Sure thing.”

I replaced the receiver and turned to Helen Louise and Diesel. “The hospital,” I said. “Bill Delaney would like me to visit. He’s awake and resting comfortably.”

“What time is it?” Helen Louise asked. She yawned again, and that made me yawn.

I checked the bedside clock. “Three forty-seven.” I turned back to her. She placed a hand on my chest, and I covered it with my own hand. Then I grasped her hand, pulled it to my lips, and kissed it.

Helen Louise smiled. “Are you going?”

I sighed. “Yes, though I’d much rather stay right here with you.”

Diesel warbled.

“And with you, too, silly boy,” I said. The cat chirped and looked smug. “I need to shower first.”

“Go ahead,” Helen Louise said. “Diesel and I will be right here.” She stroked the cat’s head, and he began to purr.

I threw back the covers and slipped out of bed. I turned for a moment to look at my beloved, and I wanted to climb right back into bed and pull her into my arms again. But duty called.

Forty minutes later I arrived at the hospital. I checked at the front desk to find out Delaney’s room number. He was on the third floor. I headed to the elevator.

The door was ajar. I knocked, and a hoarse voice called out, “Come in.”

I left the door halfway open after I entered the room. I approached the bed, shocked by Delaney’s appearance even though I had seen him earlier in the emergency room. His head was still bandaged, but he seemed alert. His legs had casts, and they protruded from the covers on the bed. Both arms had bandages, and his face appeared haggard. I noticed two scraped places on his face, one on his chin and the other on his left cheek. His eyes were sunken, and he looked much older than his sixty-six years.

“Thanks for coming.”

“I’m sorry you were injured so badly.” I moved closer to the bed. “I hope you’re getting pain medication because I’m sure you’re hurting.” I pulled up a chair, positioned it close to the bed so he could see me, and sat.

“Don’t feel much of anything right now,” he said.

“Do you remember what happened?”