Page 79 of Beau Pair
The screen flashes with ‘Mama,’ and before I even answer it, I start to walk away from people and toward the balcony where it is hopefully a little quieter.
“Hello!” I answer.
“Beau? Is that you?” someone says that I don’t instantly recognize.
“Who is this?” I ask, an ugly worry climbing up my chest.
“It’s Mrs. Miller. Don’t tell me you already forgot all about me now that you’re in the big city,” the person on the other end says, and the worry starts clawing at my heart. Mrs. Miller is the town’s nurse.
“What’s going on? Is my mama okay?” I ask, my heart pounding so fast in my chest as if it’s gonna explode.
“Oh, yes, dear. She’s fine now. She had some heart pains earlier today and called us straight away,” Mrs. Miller says calmly.
How can she be calm when she’s giving me such terrible news?
“Is it a-a heart attack?” I ask her as Gordon comes to stand next to me, squeezing my hand over the handrail of the balcony.
“We don’t know yet, my dear. Doctor Jones has sent for some tests in Raleigh. We should know more by tomorrow morning. I’m goin’ to be stayin’ with her tonight, but I wanted to let you know.”
“O-okay,” I say. “Thanks, Mrs. Miller. I’ll try and get there tonight if I can.”
I hang up and turn around, heading straight for the door.
“Beau? What happened?”
“I need to go home,” I tell him, not stopping to explain. I walk through the crowd and out the door.
“Why?”
“My mama is not well. I need to go. Do you think you can watch after Elsie? Or Dolly? Maybe Zoe or Tru.”
Gordon grabs me by the wrist and stops me before I reach the elevator.
“I’m going with you,” he says.
“You don’t have to,” I tell him.
“I want to.”
He lets my hand go, and I press the button to call the elevator.
“Tell me what happened,” he asks behind me, and once we’re on our way to the ground floor, I tell him everything Mrs. Miller told me.
“Okay. I’ll text Dolly and Zoe, and we’ll ask Tru to drop Elsie off here tomorrow morning. We’ll stay as long as needed.”
He takes me in his arms, and I look up at his kind eyes under the blue cap that’s part of his costume.
“Thank you.”
He smiles, radiating warmth, and kisses my cheek.
“No need to thank me. I’m here for you. Always,” he says, and I squeeze my arms around him a little tighter.
And here I was thinking he’s not serious about me earlier. He’s dropping work and family to be by my side. If that’s not proof enough that he is and that he loves me, then I don’t know what is.
