Page 51 of A Recipe Called Home

“Winnie, call 911,” Jules shouted over her shoulder, pushing through the door.

They both ran across the dining room and behind the stage to the restroom. Sure enough, her grandma was lying on the floor next to the sink, moaning and grabbing her hip.

“Oh my God, Grandma! What happened?” Jules asked, falling on her knees next to her grandma.

“Oh, I think I fell on the new hip. Silly me, I was starting to get used to it,” Rosa said in a weak voice.

“I should have gone with you, Mom. I’m sorry,” Barb murmured. Rosa shushed her, patting her hand.

Winnie cracked the door to say an ambulance was on its way. The next few minutes were a blur. Fortunately, there was a back exit next to the restrooms, so Grandma Rosa was spared the embarrassment of being pushed through the crowd on a stretcher. The other guests didn’t even notice, caught up in dancing and conversation.

Winnie and Emily drove Jules and Barb to the hospital, following the ambulance. The two Cuccia women held hands in the backseat, not saying a word, but thinking about all the ways they could have prevented this.

Once in the emergency room, there wasn’t much anyone could do but wait for news from the doctor. They took their seats in the cold, empty waiting room. Jules insisted Winnie and Emily go home and get some rest and promised to keep them updated. Although Jules’ body felt the full day of hard work, she couldn’t sit still.

“How do you know she slipped on water?” she asked Barb, who sat slumped in an uncomfortable wood and vinyl chair.

“I don’t. I guess I just assumed she slipped. She fell somehow, though.”

“We’ll know more soon, hopefully,” Jules responded, her stomach growling in protest. “I’m going to find a vending machine. Want anything?”

“No, thanks. I’m too wound up to eat.”

“Fair enough.” Having her mom there made Jules less nervous, but she still wanted answers about what happened and sitting around would not get her any closer.

As she approached the information desk to ask for directions, the automatic doors to her right slid open in her peripheral vision. Distracted and running on fumes, she rounded the corner of the desk and walked right into someone. Her vision was slightly blurred from exhaustion and hunger, but she knew who it was.

Miles wrapped his arms around her upper shoulders, so her head rested on his chest that smelled like it always had, sweet and musky.

Warmth spread down her arms and over her front. Their bodies melted together, oblivious to the situation. Gaining her composure, Jules craned her neck to look up at him without stepping from his embrace.

“Hi. You’re here."

“I’m here. Are you alright? How is your grandma?” he asked, looking down at her, worry stretched across his face.

“I’m fine. We’re fine, I guess." Jules looked over her shoulder at her mom who was still sitting in the waiting room. “We don’t know what’s happening with my grandma yet. Still waiting to hear from the doctors.”

“That makes sense. Are you ok with Barb being here?” He cocked an eyebrow.

“Yes, she came to the benefit tonight to help. My grandma called her.” Two nurses pushed past them in the narrow corridor, forcing them to separate.

“I was just going to grab some dinner from the vending machines."

“How very gourmet of you, Chef,” Miles responded with a playful grin.

Jules both loved and hated how he could make her heart race even in a hospital emergency room waiting area. Being here showed he cared, right? Although any decent friend would do the same thing, so it likely didn’t mean any more than that. Afterall, she was the one who’d poured cold water over their fling. What a mess she’d made of her own feelings.

Miles followed her down the bright hallway and helped her pick out a variety of junk food to bring back.

“Mind if I stay to keep you company?” he asked.

“Sure, but distract me. Tell me all about the rest of the night." Jules led him back to the waiting area, where Barb gave him a tentative hug and thanked him for coming.

“The benefit was wonderful. Everyone I talked to was raving about the food and the entire evening.”

“I hope we didn’t ruin the vibe."

“Not at all. I don’t think anyone even noticed. They were too busy socializing and dancing. Plus, many of them were already a few drinks in to pay attention to anything but themselves. But don’t worry about that. It’s not important.”

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