Читать книгу The Special One - James Griffin - Страница 5

“Paging Dr. Wheeler… Dr. Wheeler, please call Respiratory, stat!”

Rhetta listened with closed eyes to the sound of “The Price Is Right,” as Bob Barker was spinning that wheel… the tick, tick, tick of the flipper hitting the pegs as it went around twice, then the audience calling out, in unison, “Awww….” She could almost see it, but couldn’t. Her eyes wouldn’t open.

Then the sound of blinds being drawn, the sunlight suddenly falling across her face.

“Good mornin’, Miss Rhetta. Fine mornin’, too. Jess me, Rosie. Straightenin’ up ‘roun’ here. Ah, them’s nice roses you’ve been given…make the whole room smell so fresh an’ bright.”

“You’ve got yersef a private room now, Miss Rhetta. I hope you don’ mine me callin’ you Miss Rhetta. Just I heard your sister sayin’ that name lass night when she’s heah. She was heah with her son Billy an’the crew, his wife, Joanna an them twins. Them boys was darned cute in their matchin’Bruins jackets, I’d hafta say. They’s the ones brought them roses. Ah’ll check see they’s watered proper.”

“Oh, Miss Rhetta, I heah Father comin’. An I knows he’s comin’ to see you. He always comes here first, like you is his favorite customah, some how.”

Large footsteps enter the room…

“Why, good morning to you, Rosie! How’s the brightest light in all of Brookline Hospital?”

“Oh stop your foolin’, Father Carroll. I’s jess doin’ mah job, is all.”

“Yes, Rosie, but you’re doing your job in a special way, and we all know that.”

“Father, you very well knows I was raised a good Methodist girl.”

“That’s what I’m talking about, Rosie. Your special way is God’s way, call it Catholic or Methodist. God doesn’t see the difference.”

“Ah was taught to love mah neighbor. That’s what ah do.” Rosie declared with a huff, yet never losing the smile in her voice.

“And each of us is more blessed because of it.”

“Ah thank you, Father Carroll. Now I’ll be movin’ on ta ma nex room. You take good care o’ Miss Rhetta here now! I’ll see you later this evnin’, Miss Rhetta…”

As the softer steps left the room and made their way down the hall, one could hear an angelic voice, singing,

No more shall lords and rulers

Their helpless victims press,

And bar the door against the poor

And leave them in the distress…

Rhetta felt a pressure on her bed’s mattress as her priest sat beside her. His sweet scent, one of a man who might smoke an occasional cigar, met her. She felt a heaviness placed on her chest, then she felt him open it; it was a book. Father Carroll spoke, in a voice she had heard only in the confessional, just above a whisper:

“Rhetta, I’m going to read a benediction to you now.”

“In the Name of the Father, the Son, and of The Holy Spirit, we pray.”

“Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come; Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily Bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen”

“Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to The Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.”

“It is of the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed. Because His compassions fail not. Oh Lord, make haste and come to the aid of your servant Lorhetta.”

“Rhetta, dear, Julie and Emily were in yesterday afternoon. They asked that I say a novena for you. I told them I’d be more than happy to do so. “

“They’re both looking well, and that Emily… she’s already a grown woman. And three generations of piano players, to boot. “

“They miss you and love you, Rhetta, as do we all as St. Mary’s. Cathleen has gotten more food delivered to the house than she knows what to do with. Poor woman will probably need to go on a diet soon because of your accident!”

“The doctors are making their rounds now, so I will go. We’re all praying for you, though. The eight o’clock Mass just isn’t right without you there. Hurry back to us, as soon as you’ve finished up doing what you need to do, alright?”

“God bless you, Rhetta Sweeney.”

Rhetta felt his hand touch lightly on her brow, then patting her on her lower chin. While he did this she became aware of the sensation of bandaging on her left upper face, felt his eyes on her there.

Scuffing of many shoes now, sounds of papers, people moving…

“Oh, Father, we’re sorry; we didn’t know you were here.”

“It’s fine, Dr. Birnbaum. I’m done here. Just let me gather up my things and I’ll be off.”

Rhetta felt the prayer book’s weight being lifted from her chest, listened as the large steps left and went down the hall, then felt a new weight fall on her tummy.

“Let’s see… How were the overnights, Debbie?”

“No change in bp. Fluid output almost normal.”

“Stop the diuretic.”

“Noted.”

“Let’s have a listen.”

She felt cool air on her left breast, then the very cold stethoscope. Then it was on her neck.

“Clear. The old gal is comin’ back to us, I’d say.”

“At least her body is.” said a female voice.

“Now you know these things can take time, Dr. Simon.”

“Check her eyes.”

Suddenly the room erupted in light. There were seven people standing at the foot of her bed! All dressed in white! I can see you! Can’t you see I can see you?

“REM, same as yesterday. Stable. What does the family say?”

The room went dark again…

“Nothing yet, and it’s still a bit soon to ask.”

“Debbie, how’s the stump healing?”

“We saw a bit of color yesterday, but no temp.”

“Let’s take a peek.”

Rhetta felt her blanket being pulled back and her gown lifted, then a tingly sensation in her left leg.

“It’s a bit warm, but to be expected. Watch her temp closely. You know the drill.”

“Yes, doctor.”

“We’re done here. Who’s in 251?”

The shuffling of feet as they file out, then applause from across the hall. Someone must have won something big. Yes. A washer-drier combination.