15

“I don’t understand. Hearing that Lana Brown died is what sent her into a downward spiral. I mean she was already vulnerable. Maybe because she was faced with being the child’s only living relative?” I scratched my head.

“Hard to tell, Scott. It would be best if she could remember on her own, with her loved ones around her. I know you’ll sleep in her room with her, and Gwen will be on call. Let’s give her another night’s sleep and see how she is in the morning before we fill in the blanks for her.” David tapped his pen on his desk.

Would Bailey come out of this memory loss? If we told her would she come unglued again? Did I have enough faith to carry us both until she found her right mind? Get a grip, Scott.

“Scott, you look kind of panicked. There’s no reason to entertain a bad outcome. She’s been given a load she can’t carry in her vulnerable state. It will take a little time, but I think she’ll be all right.” David slid his pen into his scrub coat pocket. He got up and put his hand on my shoulder.

“I thought we weren’t given more than we could bear. Isn’t that what the scriptures say?” Bailey’s vulnerable state, and having two children to care for, ramped up my protective nature. But I sensed the foundation cracking.

“Maybe I shouldn’t have put it that way. The two of you are one now, and you will have to carry the weight of this, and we are all here for you. You aren’t alone, my friend.” He squeezed my shoulder.

“David, why does bad stuff keep happening to us? No one deserves happiness more than Bailey. Even I hurt her those months before we married. It’s just too much.”

“I’m no preacher, Scott. We need Pastor Jack in here to tell us the answers. It’s a corrupt world we live in, and there’s no chance we’ll escape being affected by it.”

True. Fatigue crept all over me.

“What is it Pastor Jack says? We can either go from problem to problem, or from glory to glory. All depends on our perspective and whether we look for the blessings or not. Maybe it’s time we counted our blessings. She’s alive, Scott. And so are the babies. We can deal with the rest.”

His words clicked sane, but my heart couldn’t quite grasp it. Either way, I had a wife and two children to take care of. Time to get my act together.

“Thanks, David. I’ll go to her room now. Do you think a grief counselor would help? I know one helped me, once I finally let y’all talk me into it.” I stood to leave.

“I’ve already called someone. I think she needs to process all this with the help of a professional. Dr. Hanover is aware and will see Bailey here in the hospital if you’re agreeable.”

“Of course, I’d feel good about her talking all this over with someone who can help her process it.” I began to feel less alone, and more hopeful.

“Good. For tonight, though, just try to have a pleasant evening with Bailey. If she remembers what happened, just hold her tight. Try to let her remember on her own.”

“Will do, thanks, Doc,” I said. Bailey had never yet talked about the details. No one knew what had happened in that cabin. Kevin Brown took her out there, asked for money, broke the news about Brenna, and then shot himself.

I found her asleep. Her long eyelashes laced across pale cheeks. Her hair needed washing, something she’d been complaining about. Her nurse mentioned a dry shampoo product, but hadn’t brought it yet. I decided to get it. When she woke up I’d take care of her hair for her. Maybe that would please her, relax her. “I’ll be right back,” I whispered. I decided to grab a quick sandwich in the cafeteria, then come back up and get the shampoo.

Count my blessings. Bailey was alive. Paul and Helen were alive. Bailey’s mom and Uncle Toppy were taking care of them. My friends were keeping my businesses going.

Bailey was alive.

Gratitude hit me like water rushing from the hoses at the washout and I had to lean against the wall. I could have lost all three of them. I closed my eyes and forced normal breaths.

You’ll get past this, trust Me.

I hear you, Lord.

God had been faithful, and I wept my thanks in an empty hallway. I didn’t want Bailey to wake up alone, but I needed a minute. I made my way to the cafeteria and bought a sandwich. Temptation to buy a soda reared its ugly head, but I squashed it. Not eating sugar had been a great boost to my health, and I kept healthy, not just for me, but for my family. I grabbed a water bottle and then sat down to eat.

My posse kept things going. There was a time when I was intimidated by that. I was grateful I’d learned to accept help. “From glory to glory” kept going around in my mind. It occurred to me that it was selfish to think that things kept happening to us. Things happen to everyone.

I ducked into the bathroom to freshen up before heading back to Bailey’s room. Maybe the nurse’s station could give me a little hospitality packet. I asked for the packet and the shampoo and received them. I tiptoed into Bailey’s room. She was still asleep. But a few steps in revealed that I was not alone.

A wisp of a child in a hospital gown, and connected to an IV pole, sat in the chair. Her long brown hair, just like her sister’s, covered her shoulders. Saucer eyes, nestled in the whitest face I’d ever seen, turned to me.

“My granny said an angel with hair and eyes just like mine would save me. Is this her?”