One Sure Thing (Mamma Lou Matchmaker Series) (24 page)

“You had a visitor.”

“Who?”

“Dr Gates. He said that he’ll catch up with you later.”

“Whatever,” Hope said as her heart jumped.

“You’re not on duty are you?” Maxine asked as she picked up another chart and made a notation.

Hope continued to write but paused just long enough to look at her watch. “Actually, I’m just getting off duty.”

Maxine looked at her strangely. “Day shift?”

Hope nodded absently and pulled an invitation from her pocket and showed Maxine, who instantly began chuckling.

“I thought you might find that amusing.”

“Hugh?” Maxine speculated.

“Yep, I got the request the other night. I was assigned to the dayshift and ordered to attend the fundraiser. Since the board will be there, he probably wants as many people there as possible to make the hospital staff seem committed to their work.”

“Wouldn’t that logic work better if you weren’t at the fundraiser? That way, at least the board would think that you’re dedicated to your profession.” Hope shook her head and continued writing on the chart. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were being punished.”

“I am,” Hopeofirmed.

Maxine’s head shot up like a bullet. “What?”

Hope shook her head and walked away. Maxine dropped the chart back in the bin and quickly caught up to her.

“Punished? You? By Hugh? For what?”

You said yourself it looked like Hugh was punishing me. I’d say that he probably is.”

“But why you?”

Hope looked around and waited until a couple of technicians walked past. Maxine stepped in closer. Hugh and I have a history.”

“Oh, everybody figured that. Rumor is that you two were lovers at one time.” Maxine’s smile was wide and curious.

Hope held her stomach. “That would be positively insulting if it weren’t so nauseating. No not that kind of history,” Hope sighed. “Years ago when I was still in med school, I was married to his son, Nolan. My married name was Wescott but thankfully, I never took it. Hugh was my father-in-law.”

“Of course, now it all makes sense. That’s why Hugh is so hostile towards you, because you divorced his son.”

“The other way around, Nolan divorced me.”

“Get out. Why?”

“Hugh didn’t approve. He felt Nolan could do better.”

“Then he underestimated you.”

“He always does.”

“So he’s insisting that you go to the fundraiser just to drive you nuts.” Maxine pondered Hugh’s warped logic. It didn’t make sense. She began laughing. “Go to the fundraiser and have a great time for me.”

They walked back to the station. Hope picked up the folded piece of paper she’d been reading.

Maxine looked on. “Find anything yet?” she motioned to the neatly folded newspaper lying beside the pile of folders.

Hope looked over to her then back towards the newspaper. “No, not yet.” She pulled an X-ray from the large manila jacket and attached it to the vertical light box. She switched the light on then carefully scanned the fibula fracture that was barely visible to the naked eye. Confirming the patient number, she pulled a second film out and placed it next to the first one. Studying the second one intensely, she reached into the empty envelope for the third slide.

“How long do you have?”

“A few more months.” Hope picked up the telephone and dialed the radiology department. After a brief conversation about a missing X-ray from the set she ordered, she hung up the phone and continued writing.

“Why don’t you just buy it?”

“Rent it, yes. Lease it, maybe. But buy it, no way.”

Maxine reached over and leafed through the newspaper. It was dotted with tiny red circles. “How many today?”

“Four. And before you ask, no.”

“Patience.”

“Yeah, I know.” Hope stood to leave.

“You leaving now?”

“No, I want to check on an X-ray before I go. It’s not ready yet. I’m heading to the cafeteria. Beep me if radiology calls.”

Maxine nodded as Hope pushed through the doors.

***

It was seven-thirty p.m., too early to go home and too late to go on duty. And, since she wasn’t particularly tired, Hope decided to go to the cafeteria. She squint her eyes against the bright florescent lights as she looked around the empty area. The blandness gave the room an empty hopeless feel. A row of vending machines lined the far wall. It was mostly empty except for a few visitors and cafeteria workers sitting together quietly talking. Hope nodded to the group, and went to sit alone near the side window. Dusk was just beginning to settle across the city.

Hope slid in then slouched down comfortably in the plastic chair. She propped up her feet in the seat across from her. After a slow easy neck roll, she yawned lazily and let her head fall back until she was staring at the ceiling. “One, two, three, four...” She counted the perforated holes in the ceiling tile. Something she’d done hundreds of times before. Twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine…”

“May I join you?”

Hope jumped. Then, seeing Raymond standing above her, she sat up straighter in her seat and dropped her feet to the floor. “I’m sure you must have something better to do.”

“Not at the moment,” he continued to stand holding a steaming cup. “May I?”

She looked at him for a moment then barely nodded her head, tilted her chin upwards, closed her eyes and moaned.

“Great, I hoped you’d be happy to see me.”

“Your grandmother was discharged today, why are you still here?”

Raymond placed a Styrofoam cup on the table then took a seat across from her. He smiled infectiously, but Hope refused to relent. “I came to see you, of course.” She looked away deciding not to answer. “I never got the opportunity to thank you for helping my grandmother.”

Hope remained silent.

“I also want to apologize for my behavior. I shouldn’t have kissed you in the exam room like that.”

Ray reached out and stroked her cheek. It was just as soft and inviting as he remembered.

Hope sighed and leaned back, suddenly aware that she’d allowed him to touch her face, her scar.

“I’m sorry,” he said.

“No, it’s me.” She looked away then shrugged her shoulders like an embarrassed teen. “Look, I’m not looking for anything right now. I just got out of a very difficult relationship and I-”

“I understand.”

She looked away again.

“Are you on duty?”

“Just getting off.”

“Want to grab a bite to eat?”

She debated. “That’s probably not a great idea. The last time…”

They both smiled remembering the Japanese restaurant and the rainy night.

“I can’t promise you what will or won’t happen tonight, Hope. You know how I feel about you.”

 “Sure. Dinner sounds wonderful. I have to check an X-ray first. I’ll meet you out front.”

Raymond nodded. “I’ll see you soon.”

Hope stood to leave. Suddenly, her thoughts were interrupted by an all too familiar call, code blue in the ER trauma unit. Instinctively, Hope jumped up as if propelled by an unseen force. She hurried to the doorway.

Abruptly set in motion, the once calm nurses’ station had transformed into mayhem. Hope took center stage and looked perfectly at home in the madness.

The child looked up into her eyes pleading for relief. Hope connected instantly. His eyes looked empty, on the verge of death. Hope shouted orders.
You’re not dying, not today, not on my watch.

Raymond watched Hope in action, admiring her tenacity and fight. She’d won this round.

When things had calmed down, Hope looked up into Raymond’s eyes. She shrugged as he nodded his understanding. They stood there for a moment. Until her attention was drawn back to her patient. Raymond walked away.

Chapter Eighteen

The twelve-hour hospital fundraiser began at noon with the warmth of the sun beaming down on the garden in the famous Spotlight NYC restaurant. It was the perfect day and the perfect place. As the sun shone high in the sky, so did the spirits of those in attendance. The first guests to arrive were greeted with lavish floral arrangements and centerpieces on each table, and the open courtyard provided the perfect setting.

Touted as a must-attend event, the entire day was one long who’s who of power, privilege and influence. A continuous crowd of luminaries flowed in and out throughout the day. Prominent among them was the Barclay Medical Corporation board of directors, who were suitably impressed. The organizers did a fantastic job promoting the event. They had lined up the kind of entertainment, celebrities, socialites and public figures that rivaled the Oscar’s red carpet. Everyone who was anyone made an appearance at some point during the day.

The affair was organized into four separate events that were designed to allow hospital employees who wanted to attend an ample opportunity to do so. The garden party was the first event. It was followed by an English high-tea party at four o’clock in a small dining area. Afterwards, an elegant dinner at dusk was served. And finally, the showstopper was the night-light show.

Guests proceeded through the French doors, into a wondrous vision of grandeur. A tent-covered courtyard was furnished with large linen tablecloth-draped round patio tables. Each table was topped with a glass hurricane candle and freshly cut flowers. Attendees circulated around the open pavilion area like a movie set for
The Great Gatsby
.

Outside the tented pavilion, an arbor created a canopy between the courtyard and main dining room that was heavily laden with vines of grapes for the picking. Miniature lemon trees potted in ornate Italian urns atop pedestals decorated the open area as honeysuckle bushes completed the decor. The air was scented with lemons and sweet fragrant honeysuckle. Rows of white rose bushes in white-boxed planters lined the walkway and eight-foot trellises covered the basket weave, brick walkway at the entrance.

Classical music played softly in the background, and attendees chose from a buffet table of party favors as they departed.

***

“This place is incredible,” Faith said, as she looked around at the restaurant. Cordoned off and lined with a deep blue carpet, the entrance to the event was announced by beautiful signage. Security stood outside the frosted glass door and asked to see invitations as attendees arrived. “Can you imagine working here every night?”

Hope nodded her agreement. “It is beautiful.” Faith and Hope stood in line behind several familiar faces.

“I hope you’re gonna be in a better mood than that all night.”

“There’s nothing wrong with my mood.”

“Ever since you and Raymond had your little date, you’ve been grumpy, and cranky.”

“I have not. And it wasn’t a date.”

“Do you think he’ll be here tonight?”

“I have no idea and could care less.”

“Uh-huh, that’s why you’re looking around so much.”