Torin (Hope City #9) - Maryann Jordan Page 0,19

McBride.

“Be safe running home, and don’t forget to come into the pub sometime.”

She nodded and turned in the other direction before she looked back over her shoulder. “For the next two days, I have early morning classes so I won’t be out here to run. Not that it would matter to you, I just thought I’d mention it.”

“Then I’ll look forward to the next time we’re together.”

He couldn’t tell if those words surprised her, but he was gifted with a sweet smile once again. With a wave goodbye, she turned, and he watched her jog away until she disappeared from sight.

A smile from Erin McBride. He couldn't imagine a better way to start his day.

6

Erin made her way to the first floor of the modest apartment building close to downtown, nodding to the woman who let her in. The hospice nurse offered a soft smile in greeting. Setting her purse and bag down, Erin asked, “How is he doing today?”

“He comes and goes. When he’s awake, he’s aware that someone is with him but he doesn’t understand who we are.”

Stepping into the bedroom, Erin moved toward the pale, thin man lying in his bed. She noted the oxygen level, his IV, and picked up the tablet where the day hospice nurse had entered his vital signs. Looking over her shoulder, she said, “Mr. Tanika and I will be fine. I’ll see you in a few days when I’m back on his rotation.”

“I hope so,” the hospice nurse said as she slung her purse over her shoulder. “As usual, the night nurse will be here a little after six p.m.”

She followed the nurse to the door and lowered her voice. “I get the feeling you don’t think he’ll be with us much longer.”

The nurse shook her head slowly. “I don’t think so, Erin. But maybe you’ll get to see him later this week. It’s hard to tell.”

“I admire what you do. I’m glad for the experience of his rotation, but I wouldn’t be able to work with…” She searched for courage before continuing, “…with dying patients day in and day out. But what you do makes a difference.” She shrugged, suddenly finding it difficult to swallow past the lump in her throat.

“I realized a long time ago in my career that palliative care is not for every nurse. But to be able to hold the hand of someone who’s dying and offer them whatever comfort you can as they leave this earth is of a higher calling.”

She nodded her head in a jerky motion, now hoping the nurse left quickly. As she did, Erin closed the door behind her, then turned and leaned her weight backward, locking her knees so she wouldn’t slump to the floor.

She had done that. She had held the hands of servicemen and women as they took their last breath. It never got easier, but as the hospice nurse said, she offered comfort where she could. Each service member deserved that and their family deserved to know someone cared. But each one had taken a small part of her with them.

Squeezing her eyes shut, she could still see him, gurgling breaths filling her ears until they stopped. With the man she loved, she felt as though her entire heart had been taken with him.

Giving her head a quick shake, she sucked in a deep breath through her nose and for a moment concentrated on steady breathing, something recommended by her counselor. Soon, she hurried back into the bedroom, checking to see that Mr. Tanika was still resting comfortably.

Pulling out the soft, moist towelettes with the soothing scent and lotion, she gently rubbed his arms and hands, neck, and chest. Moving to the end of the bed, she rolled up the sheet and cleansed and moisturized his feet and legs. It was a simple task but one she hoped gave him a modicum of comfort.

When she finished, she was startled to see his eyes open. Leaning close, she smiled. “Mr. Tanika. Hello.”

He didn’t speak, but his eyes followed her for a moment as she put away the cleansing cloths and lotion. Checking his vital signs again and noting them in the record, she then sat by the bed and placed her hand on his. His facial muscles grew slack, but his lips curved ever so slightly. She sat for several hours, reading poems from a book she’d found in the bookcase in his bedroom and continuing to monitor him as he slept.

Right on schedule, the night hospice nurse