good health and I don’t care Dr. Brandon.”
“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it, but for now, strict bed rest. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
“Tonight was a saving grace. Go home and get to bed.”
“A saving grace,” I repeated. “I’m a lucky girl.”
“Bed,” Dr. Brandon reiterated.
“I will. Thank you for coming.”
“No problem. I’ll have my nurse call to schedule a follow up appointment. No driving, either.”
“I’ll get her there,” Gabe firmly stated.
“Then I’ll see you both in a week,” he replied as he exited the room.
My head fell on Gabe’s shoulder as he hugged me. A nurse interrupted us to take a final set of vital signs and give me my discharge papers. Gabe left to get the car as the nurse wheeled me to the emergency department entrance. I sat there thinking about what Dr. Brandon had said. Maybe this was a good thing. We were prepared now and could protect her. Bed rest was destined to get on my very last nerve, but I’d do anything to save her. I was never given that chance with Connor. This time, I had more control.
Gabe played the cheerleader during our trip back to the house, telling me that everything was going to be okay and reminding me how strong her heart was beating. I didn’t share his enthusiastic attitude, but I was happy that this was a treatable condition. Gabe had called his mom to let her know that we were on our way home. She was waiting on the veranda as we drove up, opening the door as the car stopped.
“Let’s get you inside and up to bed. I moved Mattie to another room in case you couldn’t sleep and wanted to watch some television.”
“That was sweet of you.”
“I made some chicken soup.”
“I’ll bring it up,” Gabe said as he walked toward the kitchen. “Help her get her pajamas on, Mom.”
“I will. Take your time on the steps, Julia.”
“You all are going to kill me with kindness.”
“Don’t be silly,” she responded.
“No, really. You have to stop doting over me. We need to talk business.”
We climbed the steps slowly; more so than necessary, but I was trying to placate the help. Gabe’s mom had been a registered nurse her entire life and had only recently retired last year. She was still filling in some shifts at the hospital to supplement her income.
“What kind of business?” she asked.
“How would you feel about moving in here and taking care of me and then the baby until I’m back on my feet? I have to hire a nurse anyway so I’d rather hire you.”
“It would be my pleasure to help you, Julia, you know that, but I couldn’t accept money.”
“Why ever not? That is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. If I’m going to pay someone anyway, why not you?”
“I’d feel uncomfortable being paid. I’ve grown to think of you as a daughter over these past months. You’ve done so much for Mattie. Taking care of you would be the least that I could do in return.”
We made our way into the bedroom, closing the door behind us so that I could change. Ms. Martin helped me into a pair of guest worthy pajamas that would be suitable for Gabe’s company. She tucked me into bed as our conversation continued.
“That’s bunk. I take care of Mattie because I love him. Gabe has become a great friend to me and I look up to you. I won’t shower you with money, I promise. I’ll pay the going hourly rate for a 40 hour week. No more. How does that sound? If you say no then I won’t hire anyone and I’ll be left to my own devices; which can only mean bad things for me with my stubbornness.”
“Well, when you put it like that, I have no choice but to accept your proposal.”
“Perfect. When can you start?”
Gabe walked through the door with a tray of food.
“Start what?” he asked.
“I’ve hired your mom to be my nursemaid or jailor depending on how you look at it.”
“Good. I’ll worry less,” he said.
“The only condition, Ms. Martin, is that you not sit around this house all day watching me like I’m a guppy in a fishbowl. You have to leave and do things with Mattie. I’m sure that Tommy will be torturing me with his company very soon.”
“Do you plan to tell anyone else?” Gabe inquired, with his mom elbowing him in his side to zip it.
“No. Do you all plan to tell anyone else?”
Two no’s were