Page 96 of Dear Henry, Love Edith
That’s right. She was in the hospital. Edith lifted a hand to brush her hair out of her face, noticing the IV tubing secured to the back of her hand. How long had she been here?
“Edith,” a voice breathed.
Edith glanced up to find Kaya peering back at her from next to the curtain. She shoved it further open and rushed to her side. “You’re awake. And you look so much better.”
“I feel so much better. What happened?”
“You swallowed a tank pill.”
“What?Why would I do that?”
“We were wondering the same thing. It seems there were many mistakes involved, not that I’m pointing the finger at anyone, though if I had to point the finger at someone, I’d point it at you. I mean, really, Edith. You swallowed a tank pill. Thank God it was expired, and you puked the whole way here. Even so, you were incredibly sick. Do you know how worried we’ve been? You could have died.”
“I’m sorry. I swiped them from one of the homes we visited because I had a feeling that’s what they were. I only saved them so I could show them to you. I honestly don’t know how I made such a stupid mistake.”
Kaya’s features softened as she sat on the side of the bed. “Well, if it makes you feel any better, the grandmother of the girl who had the pills is convinced you saved her granddaughter’s life. And maybe you did.”
“Really?”
“I saidmaybe. Don’t look so pleased. I’m still mad at you.” Kaya squeezed her hand. “And so very glad you’re alive.”
Tears pricked Edith’s eyes. “That makes two of us.”
“More than that. Mama Peace has been sneaking to your bedside in her pajamas to say prayers over you during the night.” Kaya rose and pointed to the empty chair. “And don’t forget about your fiancé. The only reason he’s not here right now is because I forced him to bed before he collapsed from exhaustion.”
Oh, ha-ha. Kaya the comedian, everybody. Still making jokes about Junior. Edith would applaud if she could muster the energy. Her head sank against the pillow.
“You’ve been through a lot. Get some rest. I’ll check back on you later.”
Edith nodded, hardly able to keep her eyes open. Before her thoughts drifted away in a lazy river of slumber, she thanked God that she was better. Then prayed she might dream of Henry again.
Henry hadn’t meant to stay away for so long. After filling his belly and changing into clean clothes, he planned on coming straight back to the hospital. But then Kaya and her husband had convinced him a few hours of rest would be okay. Convinced him to use the bedroom Edith had used as a guest. Convinced him to lie down and close his eyes...
When they snapped open, the sunlight blazing through the window told him he’d slept more than a few hours. That and the fact he felt somewhat refreshed.
Henry glanced out the window to see a few goats helping themselves to the vegetable garden out back, then reached for his phone to check the time. Shoot. His reflection stared back at him from a blank screen. No wonder his alarm hadn’t gone off. Before he could hop out of bed, tiny whispers caught his attention.
“Mom said not to bother him.”
“I’m not. I just want to find out what he can build.”
“How can he be Edith’s husband if Edith is marrying Junior?”
“Where did you hear that?”
“From Junior.”
“You think he knows how to build go-karts?”
“Who, Junior?”
“Henry.”
Henry poked his head around the door to find the three Reddy children huddled on the floor outside his bedroom. He had met the three rascals yesterday when they visited Edith and left her a surprise. “Who’s Junior?” Henry asked.
The little girl giggled. The oldest boy smiled. And the boy whose age was somewhere in the middle returned his gaze with a nonchalant shrug. “Help us build something and maybe we’ll tell you.”
Henry leaned against the doorframe and folded his arms. “Is this how you treat all your guests?”
