The Wedding - By Nicholas Sparks Page 0,51
tucking in my blankets and adjusting my bed and fluffing my pillows. They’re like mother hens. I know they mean well, but all that hovering is enough to drive me crazy. The last time I was in the hospital, I don’t think I was alone for more than a minute. I couldn’t even go to the bathroom without one of them leading the way, and then waiting outside the door for me to finish.”
“You needed help. You couldn’t walk on your own, remember?”
“A man still needs his dignity.”
I squeezed his hand. “You’ll always be the most dignified man I’ve ever known.”
Noah held my gaze, his expression softening. “They’re going to be all over me as soon as they see me, you know. Hovering and fussing, just like always.” His smiled mischievously. “I might have a little fun with ’em.”
“Go easy, Noah. They’re just doing it because they love you.”
“I know. But they don’t have to treat me like a child.”
“They won’t.”
“They will. So when the time comes, why don’t you tell them that you think I might need some rest, okay? If I say I’m getting tired, they’ll just start worrying again.”
I smiled. “Will do.”
For a moment, we sat without speaking. The heart machine beeped steadily, soothing in its monotony.
“Do you know why I asked for you to come back here instead of one of the kids?” he asked.
Despite myself, I nodded. “You want me to go to Creekside, right? To feed the swan like I did last spring?”
“Would you mind?”
“Not at all. I’d be glad to help.”
He paused, his tired expression imploring me. “You know I couldn’t have asked you if the others were in the room. They get upset at the very mention of it. They think it means I’m losing my mind.”
“I know.”
“But you know better, don’t you, Wilson?”
“Yes.”
“Because you believe it, too. She was there when I woke up, you know. She was standing over me, making sure that I was okay, and the nurse had to shoo her away. She stayed with me the whole time.”
I knew what he wanted me to say, but I couldn’t seem to find the words he wanted to hear. Instead I smiled. “Wonder Bread,” I said. “Four pieces in the morning and three pieces in the afternoon, right?”
Noah squeezed my hand, forcing me to look at him again.
“You do believe me, don’t you, Wilson?”
I was silent. Since Noah understood me better than anyone, I knew I couldn’t hide the truth. “I don’t know,” I said at last.
At my answer, I could see the disappointment in his eyes.
An hour later, Noah was moved to a room on the second floor, where the family joined him at last.
Jane and Kate entered the room, mumbling, “Oh, Daddy,” in chorus. Lynn and Debbie followed next, while David and Jeff moved to the far side of the bed. Grayson stood at the foot of the bed, while I remained in the background.
As Noah predicted, they hovered over him. They reached for his hand, adjusted the covers, raised the head of the bed. Scrutinized him, touched him, fawned over him, hugged and kissed him. All of them, fussing and peppering him with questions.
Jeff spoke up first. “Are you sure you’re okay? The doctor said you took a nasty fall.”
“I’m fine. I’ve got a bump on my head, but other than that, I’m just a little tired.”
“I was scared to death,” Jane declared. “But I’m so glad you’re okay.”
“Me too,” David joined in.
“You shouldn’t have been out there alone if you were feeling dizzy,” Kate scolded. “Next time, just wait there until someone comes to get you. They’ll come and find you.”
“They did anyway,” Noah said.
Jane reached behind his head and fluffed his pillows. “You weren’t out there that long, were you? I can’t bear to think that no one found you right away.”
Noah shook his head. “No more than a couple of hours, I’d guess.”
“A couple of hours!” Jane and Kate exclaimed. They froze, exchanging horrified looks.
“Maybe a little longer. Hard to tell because the clouds were blocking the sun.”
“Longer?” Jane asked. Her hands were clenched into fists.
“And I was wet, too. I guess it must have rained on me. Or maybe the sprinklers came on.”
“You could have died out there!” Kate cried.
“Oh, it wasn’t so bad. A little water never hurt anyone. The worst part was the raccoon when I finally came to. With the way he kept staring at me, I thought he might be rabid. Then he came at me.”
“You were attacked