A Child's Heart (Trent & Cassie's Story) A River City Novel (19 page)

Cassie went back to her seat and
waited.
Stay calm. Shawn doesn't need me
to be upset.

A little while later, an older gentleman wearing
scrubs walked through the double doors and asked, “Dr. Jones?”

“Yes.”

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Dr. Amory. I understand you
are one of the professors here at the university.”

“Yes. I’m the curator at the museum, too.”

“Mr. Callahan is doing fine. He’s alert and
comfortable. It took a little longer than we anticipated because he
had so much scar tissue in there. Did you fill the
prescriptions?”

She sucked in a deep breath. “I think he took care of
that the other day.”

“Good. Are you going to be with him tonight?”

“Yes, and Shawn comes back tomorrow for his surgery
on Thursday.”

“That’s going to be quite an event. Wish I could
watch, but I’ve got patients in the office to see. Trent is going
to be fine. After his therapy, he’ll discover what it will be like
to have a normal shoulder.”

“Thank you, doctor.”

“May I have a word with Shawn?”

“Certainly.”

The doctor walked over to Shawn and squatted next to
him. “Hello. I fixed your father’s shoulder.”

Shawn nodded.

“He’s going to be just fine, and so are you. You’re
quite a celebrity in this hospital.”

Shawn nodded again.

“I’ll stop in and see you.”

Again, Shawn nodded.

Cassie decided that maybe if Shawn heard something
positive it might help him. “Dr. Amory, Shawn is a little worried
about his surgery, and I know you do lots of surgeries. Do people
die when they have surgery?”

The doctor looked at her with a shocked but slightly
blank expression.

Cassie gave him her best Cheshire cat smile.

“Shawn is about to have a very complicated procedure
done, and he has the finest cardiac doctors in this hospital.”

Cassie smiled brightly and motioned with her hand for
him to continue.

“Shawn doesn’t have a thing to worry about. He’ll do
just fine. When it’s over, he’ll be in recovery, and when he’s
awake, they will take him to the ICU and watch over him until he’s
ready to go home.”

Cassie mouthed,
Thank you
.

The doctor tussled Shawn’s hair. “Your biggest
problem will be boredom. Better bring some coloring books with
you.”

Two hours later, Trent was wheeled out to the waiting
room. Cassie was surprised when she saw him in a partial body cast.
But it was the bright smile on Shawn’s face that made the whole day
seem worthwhile.

“Anyone ready to go home?” Trent asked.

***

Trent settled onto Cassie’s sofa. “No, I don’t want
any pills. I’m hungry.”

Cassie passed him several take-out menus.

Flipping through them, he knew he wanted real food,
not a sandwich, pizza, or Chinese. He handed her back all but one.
“There’s money in my wallet. Jeffer’s Grill, the beef stroganoff
and a garden salad with French dressing on the side.”

“What about Shawn?”

“He’ll eat it, too.”

She took the menu and made the phone call.

***

Trent scoffed down his food, what Shawn didn’t eat,
and then Cassie’s leftovers on her plate.

“What do you have to drink?” Trent asked.

“Coffee, regular and decaf, water, cranberry and
pomegranate juice, and Shawn’s little juices. I also have a bottle
of Amaretto and an Irish whiskey. Did you ever fill your
prescriptions?” Cassie answered.

“Only the antibiotic. I still have the other bottle
from the beach.”

“You’re in pain. You should take something.”

“Give me the whiskey.”

“If you drink that and wind up in more pain, you
can’t mix it with the meds.”

“I don’t care.”

“Shall I make coffee for it?”

“I don’t care.”

She bit her lower lip and fixed
coffee.
He’s a grown man and certainly
capable of making his own choice.
While
the coffee brewed, she showed Shawn several websites where he could
play games.
It’s going to be a long
night.

She fixed Trent a cup of coffee with a short shot of
whiskey and handed it to him. “Where’s your antibiotic?”

“In my bag.”

She handed him a pill and then sat with Shawn for a
few minutes, showing him several other games and how to play them.
When she was done, she came back to Trent and gave him a kiss.

“Mind if I take a hot shower? When I’m done, I’ll fix
the tub for Shawn and, once he’s settled in for the night, I’ll
help you, unless you want to clean up before Shawn.”

Trent shook his head.

When she returned from the shower, Trent was sitting
with his son helping him play his games. She watched the two of
them for a moment, then went to the birdcage. The sky was clear,
the air was warm, and the city sparkled below. She needed time to
think.

Everything I have ever wanted in life is in my
apartment, yet everything seems so wrong. We can’t stay here. We’ve
got to find another place to live. I’ll call Amanda tomorrow. She
might be able to help.

She watched the bustle of traffic below her. Her
thoughts drifted between teaching at the university, and her
proposal to create classrooms at the museum, back to Trent and
Shawn. A cool breeze wafted through her balcony, bringing with it
the scent of the river. She rested her head on the warm wrought
iron bars encasing the balcony.

The door behind her opened then closed. Trent’s hand
rested on her hip.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“I’m fine. Thinking about things…about us. I want our
lives to become one.”

“I can’t commit to marriage, not now.”

“I want the three of us to be together, a real
family.”

Trent shook his head.

Taking his hand, she moved it to her breast. “You
know what you do to me.”

“Oh, yeah, and it’s fun doing it.” He planted a kiss
on her neck.

“It’s a shame you’re in a cast.”

He gave her breast a little squeeze, as his lips
found her neck. “We’ve got bigger problems than my cast.”

She turned and gazed into his eyes. “What?”

~~20~~

Early morning light filtered into the bedroom and
Trent groaned. Searing pain in his shoulder ran down his arm and
across his chest.

“What’s wrong?” Cassie asked.

“Nothing.”

“Don’t tell me that. What’s wrong?”

“My shoulder.”

She found his pain meds and offered them to him.

“I got to get up.”

“Need help?”

He nodded and then gasped as she helped him into a
sitting position. “I don’t want to be drunk on pain meds
today.”

“There are plenty of people who do it for
recreation.”

“I can’t imagine anyone wanting to feel that
way.”

“Just take your pill. I’ll fix coffee.”

When she handed him a cup, she noticed his fingers on
his left hand were swollen. “What did you do with the papers they
gave you at the hospital?”

With effort, he turned towards her front door. “Over
there.”

She picked them up and read through them. “Okay, your
first mistake was, you weren’t supposed to be sleeping flat.”

She fixed a bag of ice, covered it with a towel, and
found the little gel cool pack in the refrigerator. She stuffed two
sofa pillows on his lap then put the ice pack into his hand and the
gel pack over his fingers. Leaving him for a moment, she returned,
shaking down an old-fashioned thermometer.

“That won’t work. I’m drinking coffee.”

“I’m not going to put it in your mouth.”

“Oh, no!”

She grabbed his good arm and stuck the thermometer in
his armpit.

“What?”

“It works. With six kids in the house, my mom didn’t
have time to wipe down a thermometer when we were sick.”

“I got one that you put in the ear. Correction, I had
one. It’s still at the house.”

“I’m sure there are lots of things still at the
house.” She sat across from him and sipped her coffee. “I’m really
sorry. If I hadn’t opened my mouth, you’d still be home.”

“And my son would still be thinking that his surgery
was a death sentence.”

“Shh!”

“I’m not hiding anything. I’ve always been truthful
and honest with him.”

She frowned. “Maybe too honest.”

He smiled at her. “Do I get to watch you take a
shower being I can’t have one?”

“I’ll fix the tub and help you bathe.”

***

Cassie stopped by Mrs. Winston’s office.

“The city’s attorney’s office wants you to call
them.” Mrs. Winston said, as she picked up several phone messages
and handed them to Cassie.

The thought of talking to the city attorney sent a
ton of weight onto her shoulders. She wanted nothing more than to
forget about Hughie Fitzgerald. Cassie looked through her stack of
messages and stopped at one. “Joseph Snyder?”

“School board.”

“Oh. Did he say what he wanted?” Her curiosity
piqued.

“He only asked to speak with you.”

“Thanks.”

“How’s your young man?”

“Apprehensive. He goes to the hospital today.”

“I meant his father. Didn’t he have his surgery
yesterday?”

Cassie smiled at the term young man. “He’s taking his
pain meds, which is why I want to get back there.”

She thanked Mrs. Winston and left for her own office.
She looked over the attendance figures and started to return the
phone calls. It took longer than she had expected, but she smiled
with satisfaction as she raised her arms and stretched. Scooping up
a few papers, she made copies that she could take with her, then
left her office.

***

When Cassie walked through the door, Shawn was on the
computer playing a game and Trent was dozing on the sofa. A blond
lock fell over Trent’s forehead. She couldn’t resist the urge to
push it back.

“Cas?”

“Shh, go back to sleep.” She
planted a small kiss on his cheek before setting her computer on
the table across from Shawn. She grinned at the little boy and he
flashed her a big smile.
He’s such an easy
child to have around.

She pulled up the school board files before returning
Joseph Snyder’s call. "Shawn, I need you to be very quiet. I have
to make an important call for work."

The little blond nodded.

She dialed the number. She spoke briefly with Mr.
Snyder. “It’s quite simple. I’m an educator. I want to bring
history, science, and art to the children. The museum can
supplement their education and give them opportunity to explore in
a way that isn’t available in a classroom. Think of it as a
partnership that expands traditional instruction.”

“It’s going to cost money.”

“We’re talking pennies to expand their minds.”

“You make it sound so easy.”

“I’ve done my homework. Have you done yours?”

She spoke to him for a few more minutes, and then
ended the call. She wrinkled her nose at Shawn and giggled. “Are
you ready for some lunch? Because I’m starved!”

He followed her as she looked in her cabinets, and
then through her refrigerator.

“Well, there’s not much here, but I can make some
chicken salad sandwiches.”

“With soup?”

She reached over and picked him up so he could see
the cans. “Which one?”

“Daddy likes this one.”

“Do you like it?”

He grabbed the can marked Cream of Mushroom.

“I can do that. Want to help?”

He nodded.

“Pull up a chair.”

As soon as they were done and had the sandwiches
made, she poured the soup into bowls and woke Trent.

Shawn had just taken a bite of his sandwich, when
Trent looked at his son and sternly said, “Put it down and spit it
out!”

Shawn dropped his sandwich and spit into his napkin.
“Why?”

“I’m sorry, son. You’re supposed to be on clear
liquids today. This medicine.” Trent shook his head as if to clear
it.

“What other things do I need to know about?” Cassie
asked. “I’ve got Jell-O.”

Shawn readily accepted the small containers.

“I’ll run down to the market and see what else he can
eat,” she offered.

“Eat your lunch. I’ll go when I’m finished.”

“No, you won’t. You stay here and I’ll take him with
me. He can wear his mask.” She reached over and put her hand on
Trent's forearm.

“I don’t want to sleep this day away.”

“Your fingers look better. How do you feel?”

“Drugged.”

“Do you hurt?”

“Just a mild ache.”

“There’s a small play park behind the building.
There’s no reason why Shawn can’t play. We’ll both take him, if you
are feeling up to it.” She took Shawn’s glass of milk that he
hadn’t touched, and exchanged it for a bottle of flavored
water.

“I’m so sorry, Shawn. I didn’t mean to snap at
you.”

“It’s okay, Daddy.”

Cassie put her hand on Trent’s thigh. “I’m sure with
some food in your tummy, you’ll be feeling much better” She turned
to Shawn. “Give me a chance to clean up, and I’ll take you to the
market while Daddy rests.”

Trent looked at his son and then at her. “He
shouldn’t--”

“He’ll be just fine with me. Stop worrying.”

***

After playing in the park for several hours, Cassie
fixed a simple meal for Trent and her, while Shawn ate more
Jell-O.

“What time does he go to the hospital?” Cassie
asked.

“Six thirty.”

“Oh, dear. That doesn’t give us much time. Shawn,
I’ll fix your bath.” She pushed her plate to one side and quickly
went to her bathroom and began to run water in the tub.

A minute later, Shawn was by her side. “Daddy always
says three inches of water.”

“And how much is three inches?” she asked with a
grin.