Mending Hearts Read online

“Yes, I think I would. Thank you.”

  I follow Adam to the front of the pews and take a seat beside him.

  “Is Molly all right? I hope nothing has happened to her.”

  I look at him and I can see the concern in his eyes. “I hate to tell you, but Molly and her friend are both in the hospital.”

  “Oh, I hope it wasn’t drugs. She told me she was still using, but she was trying to get clean so she could see her daughter again.”

  “I don’t have all the details, but it looks like it was an overdose.” I look away from him and give him a minute to process the news. “How well did you know Molly?” I finally ask.

  He looks at me and says, “Not very well. She came to a few meetings and sat in the back of the room. She would arrive late and leave early. It was almost like she didn’t want to be noticed. Are you two involved?” he asks, and it surprises me.

  “No, we’re divorced, but we have a daughter together, Raelynn.”

  “I’m sorry to hear about Molly. I will certainly pray for her and her family. May I ask what hospital she is in?”

  “Yes, she is in Sarasota Memorial. She is still in I.C.U.,” I say. “Did you happen to meet her male friend?” I look at him and wait anxiously for his answer.

  “No, she came to the meetings alone. I never saw her with anyone.”

  “Adam, thank you for your time. I appreciate it.” I stand up and we shake hands.

  “I hate hearing about Molly, and I hope it works out for her and her friend. She really does love her daughter. I could see it in her eyes when she talked about her.” He stands, shakes my hand, and gives me a sad smile. “Would you call me or text me with an update on Molly? Maybe, when and if she gets out of Intensive Care, I can visit with her?

  “Is this your cell phone number on the card?” I say, holding up his business card for him to see.

  “It is.”

  “Ok, I’ll call or text as soon as there is a change.”

  “Thank you, Alec. I appreciate that.”

  Emma

  I take a bubble bath while the kids play in their room and Alec goes to the hotel. I keep my phone close by in case someone calls. The seizures Molly had last night scared me. I have never seen anyone have a seizure before, and I hope I don’t have to see it again.

  When I get out of the shower Raelynn asks, “Emma, can I make my mommy a card? I think it will make her feel better.”

  “Rae, you sure can. Let me get the crafts and art supplies out first.”

  “Me, too, momma,” James says.

  “James, you want to make Rae’s mommy a get-well card?” I ask.

  “It will make her feel better to get cards. Remember when I was sick, and Sissy and Alec got me balloons and a stuffed ninja?” he asks.

  “I remember that.” I smile and ruffle his blond hair.

  “Let me get the supplies.”

  “And the glitter,” Raelynn adds.

  “And the glitter,” I repeat.

  After Raelynn and James each make Molly a get-well card, we eat lunch, Alec sends me a text saying he is on his way home. Brooke comes over with the boys, and we sit on the lanai while the kids play in the backyard. Rae and James place their get-well cards on the lanai table to dry. The glue and glitter seem to have been used in excess today.

  Brooke asks, seriously, “Do you think she’ll make it?”

  “I hope so. The hospital said she is doing better today, but she is still unconscious.”

  “Maybe this will be what she needs to get help.”

  “I feel so sorry for Raelynn. Her mother hasn’t been around in over a year, and she wasn’t much of a mother before that.” I watch the kids play on the jungle gym together and wonder what life would be like for Raelynn to lose her mother.

  Alec comes in, looking exhausted. He bends down and kisses me before sitting down beside me. “Hi, Brooke.”

  “Sorry to hear about Molly.”

  “Thank you,” he says, as he looks at Brooke. “Arts and crafts?” he asks, as he picks up two glittery cards.

  “You can never have too many glittery get-well cards,” I say, as I watch the glitter fall from the card to the table.

  “Did Raelynn make both of these?”

  “No, James made the one on the right,” I say proudly.

  Alec smiles, “That was very thoughtful of him.”

  “I thought so, too. Is there any news on Molly?”

  “Molly had been attending Addicts Anonymous classes.”

  “She was wanting to get help,” I say, softly.

  “It looks that way. But she left that night she was at Sam and Bridget’s house,” Alec says as he looks out in the yard at all the kids playing.

  Brooke stands up and says, “I’m taking my boys home. If you all need me to watch the kids while you sleep, let me know.”

  “Thank you, Brooke. I need to shower and take Raelynn back to the hospital,” Alec says.

  “Well, if you change your mind, I’ll be next door.”

  Raelynn and James look up and see Alec sitting at the lanai table. They run into the house and hug him. “I missed you,” Raelynn says, as she hugs her daddy.

  I watch as Alec hugs Rae and James at the same time. “I missed you both, too.”

  Alec smiles at Rae and ruffles James’ hair. James has the softest hair.

  “Look Alec, we made Sissy’s momma get-well cards today.” James picks up the card to show Alec and glitter falls to the table.

  “I see it. Great job. I think it still needs to dry a little,” Alec says as he places the glittery card flat on the table to dry.

  “Daddy, can we go to the hospital to see if mommy’s awake?” Rae asks sweetly.

  “Let me shower and get something to eat, then we can go.”

  “You shower and I’ll make you something to eat.” We all stand and walk into the house. Alec heads to the shower, the kids go to their rooms, and I go to the kitchen. I pull out the leftovers from the kids’ and my lunch and fix the salad and diced chicken on a plate for him. I hear singing coming from the restroom and giggles coming from the kids’ bedroom. I think about how perfect my life is and then I think about Molly and her struggles trying to reach the ultimate high.

  I look out the kitchen window and see Brice teaching Braden to ride a two-wheeled bicycle. I smile as I watch him run alongside of the wobbly bike, as his son attempts to pedal and steer it in a straight direction.

  “What are you smiling at?” Alec asks, as he stands behind me watching Brice and Braden. He wraps his arms around me and I lean my body against his chest.

  “I remember Danny and dad teaching James to ride.”

  “It looks like Braden will be riding like a pro before the day is over,” Alec says, before he kisses the top of my head. “We all face challenges on a daily basis. Even learning to ride a bicycle is challenging for a child.”

  I add, “Drug addiction is no different for adults.”

  I turn around and hug Alec’s waist. “Why did you take another shower when you just took one before you left?”

  “I guess I was trying to wash off the events of the last couple days,” he says.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault. This too shall pass. Those are ancient words of wisdom. A king asked a wise man for words that would make him sad when he was happy and happy when he was sad. The wise man told the king those words, and the king had them engraved on a ring.”

  “We do seem to have our share of drama.” I lean up and kiss him. “Are you hungry?”

  “I am,” he says, and then he kisses me back.

  “I’m starving.” Raelynn, James, and I sit at the table while Alec eats his salad with cubed chicken. The kids eat graham crackers and milk for a snack while I have sweet tea.

  “Are you ready to go?” Alec asks once he is done eating.

  I look up at Alec, expecting to see him talking to Rae, but I am surprised to see him talking to me. “I thought you and Rae would go, while James and I stayed h
ome.”

  “I thought you and James would come with us,” he says, walking closer to me.

  “I don’t want to upset her if she wakes up and we are there.”

  “If Molly wakes up, you being there isn’t going to upset her.”

  Raelynn and James gather a few toys into a small backpack, and I get a few drinks and snacks and place them in my much-too-large purse that I carry just for this reason.

  “Are we ready?” Alec asks.

  “We have to get Sissy’s momma’s cards from the porch,” James says.

  “Oh, we can’t forget those.” Raelynn skips to the lanai to get the cards from the table. “Thank you, Bubby. These will make mommy feel better.”

  On the way to the hospital, Sam calls and says Molly is beginning to wake up. When we get to the hospital, I see Molly’s and Alec’s parents standing at the coffee pot talking. Raelynn yells, “Grandma and grandpa,” and runs over to them. James is still holding my hand and his ninja backpack holding his toys. Alec rubs my back and tells me he’ll be right back.

  James and I sit down, and I turn the television on so James can watch cartoons. No one is in the waiting room but us. They must not have found Molly’s friend’s family yet. Mason walks in the room and smiles at me before walking over to where Alec is. He is dressed in a pair of dark blue scrubs. I wonder why he chooses to dress in scrubs when he has his own practice.

  I look over at Sam and Bridget; they both look better today, despite their lack of sleep and excess of worry. I know they are relieved to know their daughter is waking up and has been given another chance. I look down at James and brush his hair away from his face. When I’m done, he shakes his head and his bangs fall back into his face. I smile and he laughs at me. “I’m sorry, I thought your hair was in your face.”

  “It feels funny when it’s all smooth.”

  I hear someone crying and I turn to look in the direction it is coming from. Walking through the doorway is a petite woman with short black hair. She is wearing a pale pink sundress and a pair of white sandals. She looks like she is dressed for work, and I wonder whether she just got the dreadful news that her loved one is here. A nurse greets her and walks her through the large double doors leading into I.C.U. I look at Alec and he is looking at me.

  Raelynn comes over and sits down next to James. “Daddy said we can go back and see mommy in a few minutes,” she says to me as she scoots back further into the burgundy cloth chair.

  “That’s good, I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you,” I say.

  “I missed her. I haven’t seen her in a very long time.”

  “Sissy, don’t forget to give her the cards. They will help make her feel better.”

  I look down at James and brush his hair away from his face again. He shakes his head and I have to laugh. “Remind me later to get your hair cut.”

  “I like Bubby’s hair long, Emma,” Raelynn says.

  Alec and Mason walk over and sit across from us. “Raelynn, are you ready?”

  “Yes, daddy.”

  “We’ll be right here.” I kiss Alec and then I look at Raelynn and smooth out her white floral dress. I straighten her ponytail and hug her before she leaves. I watch them walk out through the large double doors.

  Sam, John, Doris, and Bridget come over and sit with James, Mason, and me. “Have you seen Molly today?” I ask Mason.

  “Just briefly. She’s awake, but she isn’t feeling very well.”

  “I imagine not. I’m just glad she’s awake. That’s a good sign.”

  “Emma, Molly was asking to speak to you,” Bridget says, leaning forward so I can see her.

  I look over at her and ask, “Why would she want to see me?”

  “I have no idea and I didn’t think to ask. I was just so happy to see her awake.” Bridget leans back in her seat and looks across from me at Mason. He shrugs his shoulders and doesn’t say anything. James watches television and Mason says he needs to get home. “I have a very pregnant wife who needs to get to her doctor’s appointment.”

  “How is Angel doing?” I ask.

  “She is doing amazing. The babies are getting big. I think they are running out of room to grow,” he jokes.

  “Tell her I was asking about her and if she needs me, to call me.”

  “I will, Emma. Thank you. James, Angel wants you to come to the house sometime. She misses you,” Mason says, kneeling down so he can speak to James at eye level.

  “I miss her, too. She is berry nice.” James looks at Mason, and Mason smiles at him.

  Mason stands up and says, “We’ll get a time together for him and Raelynn to stay with us.” He looks around and says, “Call me if anything changes or if you need me.”

  We say our goodbyes and Mason leaves. James and I color while Bridget and Sam go back to see Molly. John and Doris refill their coffee cups and talk quietly away from James. The petite woman with black hair comes out and gets a cup of coffee and goes back through the large double doors again.

  “Here’s Alec and Raelynn,” Doris says as she walks over to us.

  We all stand. Alec is carrying Raelynn. Raelynn has her face buried in Alec’s neck, and I know she is crying. I hold James’ hand so I can feel closer to him. Bridget and Sam come out next as Alec reaches us. No one says anything; we wait for Alec to speak first.

  “Molly is awake and the doctor thinks she’ll make a full recovery,” Alec announces. “They are going to move her to a regular hospital room later on today.”

  I let out a deep breath and say a silent prayer. “So soon, is that normal to be moved from I.C.U. so quickly?” I ask.

  “Narcan works very quickly and other than the fractured ribs, she’s fine,” Alec says. “Molly sustained several fractured ribs from CPR being performed on her after her overdose.”

  “I didn’t realize CPR caused fractured ribs,” I admit.

  “When done correctly, it can.”

  John steps up and takes Raelynn from Alec’s arms and Doris also takes James’ hands and says, “Let go get something to drink.”

  I look at Sam, Bridget, and then Alec. “This is great news,” I say honestly.

  “Emma?” Alec says.

  I look at him with concern. “Yes, what is it?”

  “Molly would like to see you. If you don’t want to go back to see her, I’ll understand,” Alec says softly.

  I look at Sam, Bridget, and then Alec. I wonder what she would want to see me about. “No, that’s all right, I’ll see her.”

  “Emma, you don’t have to,” Alec says.

  I look at him and smile. “I know I don’t have to; I want to.”

  “I’ll come with you,” Alec says as he steps closer to me.

  “No, you stay here with the kids. I would like to see her alone. Tell James I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  “All right, do you remember where her room is?” Alec asks.

  “I do, I’ll be back.”

  I walk through the double doors and I can hear someone crying. I walk down the cold sterile halls and stop outside the room the crying is coming from. It’s the room of the unknown man who was brought in with Molly. I watch as he lies there unconscious and the dark-haired petite woman sits closely to his bed, holding his motionless hand as she cries. I walk to Molly’s room and thank God that the man’s family has been found.

  When I get to Molly’s room, I take a deep breath before walking in. I have no idea what she wants, and I have no idea what to expect. I walk into her room and see that she is lying in bed with her eyes closed. The get-well cards the kids made her are sitting on her bedside table. I follow the glitter trail from the table, on the floor, and to the bed. She looks pale and thin lying there. The I.V. is still in her hand.

  I clear my throat as I enter her room. She hears me and looks over at me.

  “Hi, Molly. Alec said you wanted to see me?”

  She clears her throat as she tries to sit up in bed. “I do. I wasn’t so sure you would see me.” She winces when she tries t
o sit up. She is also guarding her ribs with her arms.

  “You look better today than you did yesterday,” I admit.

  “Thank you. I did suffer a few broken ribs that are very painful.”

  “I heard, I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. It’s a small price to pay for being alive. Please sit down. I’m sorry that you had to see that last night,” she says as she cautiously pulls the covers up to her chest.

  “I’m sorrier that Raelynn had to see that,” I say, looking at her. I reluctantly take a seat beside her hospital bed.

  “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.” She looks at me and her eyes become teary. “First, I want to thank you for taking such good care of Raelynn. She deserves to be happy, and I know you are the reason for some of her happiness.” Molly looks at the glittery cards on the table and says, “During our visit Rae often spoke of you and her Bubby.”

  “Molly, I’m sorry about that. I have no idea….”

  “No, Emma, you have no reason to apologize for anything. I know Alec has moved on and I don’t blame him. I am very grateful he has moved on with someone who treats our daughter like her own.”

  “Raelynn is very easy to love. She is a very sweet little girl.” I look at Molly and say, “The credit goes to Alec. He is an incredible man and father.”

  “I know he is. He loved that little girl before she was even born.”

  The nurse comes in and tells Molly they will be moving her to a regular room shortly. I stand away from the bed so they can check her vital signs. When I hear them ask her about her detox symptoms, I move farther away from the bed to give her some privacy. I know Alec says that she signs herself out of the hospital when she detoxes. I pray this time she doesn’t.

  The nurse leaves the room and I walk closer to the bed. I don’t sit down but stand there near her.

  “Alec said you wanted to see me,” I finally say.

  “I do. I want your help.”

  “You want my help with what?” I ask in confusion.

  “I want you to help me to get better, to be the person I used to be.”

  “Molly, Alec is the person to help you do that. I have no idea how to help you. He, on the other hand, has almost unlimited resources.”

  “Emma, Alec doesn’t think I’m serious, and I can’t say that I blame him. I can’t depend on him to help me. I want you to help me get into one of those treatment centers. The ones far away where I can’t leave, because I have no idea where to go.” She wipes the tears from her face and stares at the glittery cards. “I know I need help. God knows I want help and I also know I can’t do it by myself.”