“Really? So did Nick …”
“Yeah, he had this flight they were featuring and hasn’t told me much about it. Tells me it’s a surprise.”
“Well, tell Dennis I said hi.”
“Will do.” He paused. “And you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m good, Barry. It’s just a patient, a little girl, who isn’t doing so well right now.” She sighed. “Her mom sold the meds we gave her last year, so it’s been horrible. Mom’s in jail, Mary is a ward of the court.”
“My God,” he said. “Who’s watching her?” “We all are.”
“Who’s we?”
“Me, the hospital staff, Nick, Nick’s dad, Sal … it takes a village sometimes, Barry. Sal has taken such a liking to her. He calls her his grandchild.”
“In good hands. Well, gotta run. Love you.” “Love you, too.”
Shelly returned to Mary’s room and looked down at her sleeping patient. Mary looked so innocent, so angelic. Shelly extended her hand and held Mary’s fingers. A night nurse walking by the room stopped for a moment to ask if she needed anything.
“I need her better, but other than that … thanks anyway.” Shelly
nodded.
“Get some rest, Doctor. I can keep her company tonight.”
“I will. I’m just going to stay a little while longer. She may wake up soon. I want to be here.”
Shelly knew that unless something drastic changed, Mary would be leaving her. Watching Kristen go must have been just as hard for Dr. Wall, she thought. And now, she was experiencing that feeling. So many other children had come and gone over the years, but this was the first time chills spread through her body so intensely. Sometimes it gets so personal. That feeling of hopelessness, that feeling of pain, that feeling of doom.
*****
The next morning, Nick called Shelly to tell her he had seen her post. She told him that Barry had called and asked what it was all about, but she had kept quiet.