Page 16 of Flamingo Christmas

“She’s happier now, isn’t she?” Art needed reassurance.

“Oh, yes.” Sue sniffed, her pulse finally settling down. “She’s safe now… with her special lovey. I know exactly how that feels. It used to be my way to face the dark… or any other times that scared me as a child.”

She sat back and looked at the father now wrapped up in his delight. “One day I’ll show you and Lisa my collection and tell you the story of why I began collecting flamingoes in the first place.”

She left the room in search of the nurse, her tears under control enough so she could speak.

***

Minutes later, the doctor agreed with them. “She’s taken a turn for the better. Her pulse has stabilized, and her color is returning.”

Fearing her earlier paleness, Art felt a huge sense of relief. He stood back while they did their examination and watched as both the nurse and the doctor’s faces beamed. Giddy, he could barely wait for them to finally share their results.

When the doctor spoke, Art listened to words that he’d prayed to hear for what seemed like forever.

“I don’t know what happened but it’s like a miracle. I can’t believe how much she’s improved since I saw her last.”

“Sue found her favorite toy. Same as the one Janette had bought for her before she died. Lisa’s carried it around ever since she was old enough… well until the accident.”

The doctor appeared confused but hopeful. “Whatever you did to bring about this change has made a huge difference. If she continues like this, I have every hope she may come back to us.”

Art waited until the doctor and nurse left the room to turn to Sue. “Thank you so much. I don’t have enough words to tell you what this means to me.”

“You don’t have to put your feelings into words. They’re written all over your face. Look, I’ll leave you now so you can be with your daughter. But if you don’t mind, I’d like to come back and see her again.”

“Of course. Anytime.”

“How about around dinner time. Is there anything I can bring you? Maybe a special coffee or a favorite hamburger? Please, I’d like to help.”

Art thought about his one craving and shared. “I’d love a Timmy’s breakfast sausage biscuit and a double-double. It’s a favorite treat anytime of the day when I can get away and allow myself to be spoiled.”

“You got it. I’ll be back later then. And if you think of anything else, just text me. I’ll send you my number.” As she opened the door, she turned back to see the lovely man clutching his daughter’s hand so he could place a gentle kiss on her knuckles. With that sweet image in her head, Sue headed back to the office to help her staff with the million chores they still had left before the holiday.

Chapter Fourteen

Sue swore later that her feet never touched the ground for the rest of the day. That she floated on clouds and concentration was impossible. When she called her mother with the wonderful news, her mom actually broke down and started to weep.

“I’m sorry for being such a waterspout. It’s just that I couldn’t get the poor little girl out of my mind. When you texted that you found Jingles, and it was the exact flamingo you’d been searching for, I felt wonderful. But then the doubts began creeping in. What if the child didn’t react? Now you say she did, and I’m honestly thrilled.”

“Mom, you’d have been a mess if you’d witnessed Lisa’s reaction. Lisa, that’s the girl’s name… seemed to sense that her favorite lovey had found her. I swear her little fingers clutched at it. Right in front of our eyes, she became peaceful. Oh, I don’t know how to describe it. But when the doctor examined her, he called it a miracle.”

“That’s wonderful. I’m going to knit Jingles a fancy Christmas scarf. Do you think she’d like it? You always loved being able to dress your toys up for the holiday.”

Sue laughed. “Sure, Mom. But remember, Lisa’s still in a coma. I pray she recovers completely but no one can say for sure.”

“Just put Jingles to work, and she’ll listen.”

Giggling, Sue reminded her mother of how often her noisy toys would surprisingly lose their ability to make sounds.

“Blame that on your father. He hated listening to all that racket and found a way to silence every one of them. All I’m saying is that when you were little, you loved hearing your flamingoes chatter. Said your babies were talking to you.”

After a little more conversation, Sue hung up and got busy finishing the many chores still on her to-do list. By the time she could lock up the shop, she glanced at her watch and saw the time had flown by.

Hurrying to her car, she noticed the brightness of the now well-lit parking area. Looking toward the light, she made out the intermittent snowflakes floating in the air. Cameras attached to both corners of the building gave her a new sense of security. Thanks to her father and the electrician he hired, she felt a lot safer.

Once she did a drive-through at Timmy’s for her dinner order, she noticed how much her heart sped up the closer she got to the hospital. By the time she’d arrived in the corridor, she almost ran to get to Lisa’s room.

Skidding to a stop at the door, she straightened herself so as not to appear too anxious and then gave a little knock on the door before she opened it and looked inside.

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