Page 17 of Flamingo Christmas

Art bolted up from his chair by the window as soon as he saw her. So did the middle-aged woman who’d been sitting closer to the bed. Tiptoeing into the room, Sue smiled her hello after passing on the sack of food, and with a quick nod, she went to the bed to gently touch the hand of the girl firmly clutching her flamingo. “Hello, princess. I see you still have Jingles with you. He’s such a handsome bird.”

Turning, relief hit her because she’d not only doubled Art’s order but had gotten two egg-salad sandwiches and a box of donuts as well. When he reached her, she handed him the coffee she’d been holding with care. That’s when she noticed how welcoming his gaze appeared and how his wonderful smile lit up the warmth in his brown eyes.

“Thank you, Sue.” Taking his coffee in one hand, he reached his other to lead her forward. “I want you to meet my mom, Lorna. She came to sit with us. She’s delighted at the improvement in Lisa.” He turned to the older woman and smiled. “Mom, this is Sue Ross, the angel I told you about. The girl who went to so much trouble to find Jingles for our girl.”

“Hi.” Sue held out her hand and had it ignored as the warm-hearted woman moved in to hug her instead.

“My dear, you are truly an angel. Lisa’s so much better. I can’t believe the improvement.”

Sue smiled and hugged Lorna in return. “I’m just glad I happened to have Jingles. When I first saw the image Art sent me, I’d created as close a replica as I could from the details in the picture. But then one of my new employees, not knowing about why the toy was so special, sold it and shipped it out. It was my mother who reminded me to check in my personal collection, and there he was at the bottom of my closet. I’d never taken him from the box as it was a collectible.”

“Thank God for your mom’s quick thinking.”

“Truthfully, I’ve never been so happy as when I saw that box. The thought of disappointing Art and Lisa weighed heavy.”

Art looked up from where he’d been laying out the food on the small table and grinned. “Not only did she bring Lisa her lovey, but she brought us treats for supper as well.”

Sue laughed at his glee when he took the first mouthful of his sausage biscuit. The smells from the hot food made her mouth water. “I brought lots so there’s enough for everyone. I never got a chance to eat after work, came straight here, so I hope you don’t mind me joining you.”

“Please do. I guess you didn’t get my message. I wrote to tell you to bring a treat for yourself too. Mom, come join us. There’s enough food here for an army.”

Both women opened the cans of ginger ale while Art sipped his hot coffee, and then Sue passed out the wrapped food. Sitting together, they talked about Lisa’s improvement. Lorna glowed as she explained. “As the day wore on, Lisa became… ahh, better and better. I don’t know how else to describe it.”

Art swallowed his mouthful and added, “The doctors are flabbergasted. I think they all believed Lisa might not recuperate. Now, after the last round of tests, they’re all pretty positive there’s a good chance for her to return to normal.”

Watching him eat, Lorna looked pensive, hesitated, and then decided to speak. “Your dad and I were truly worried, Art. We could see her slipping away right before our eyes. Not only her… but you too. I bet you’ve lost thirty pounds, weight you can’t afford to lose.”

Art smiled at his mother and ruffled her short blonde curls. “You’re such a worrywart. But I’ll give you this one. I have lost weight, and I haven’t slept properly for a long time. In fact, if you don’t mind, after I finish this last biscuit, I’d like to head home and grab a quick shower and change. Then I’ll come back to stay the night with her.”

“No. I can stay, Art. You should take Sue out for a nice walk along the beach and get some fresh air. Then maybe sleep in your own bed tonight. I promise I won’t leave her for a minute.”

***

Art looked at Sue and then his mom. Hesitating, he weighed the need to get some fresh air, and not leave the room he’d been living in for what seemed like forever. When he noticed the determined gleam in his mother’s eyes, her parental attitude that warned him not to push, he caved.

“You’re right. Lisa’s better than she’s been since the beginning. As long as she has someone with her she loves, I know she’ll be fine. I’ll call every few hours.”

“I’ve no doubt. Now go. Take a walk and have some time to recoup. She might not be completely out of the woods but she’s on the mend and it’s just a matter of time.”

“You’ll call if there’s any change… anything.”

“Yes, master. I will call. I promise. Now go and leave me with those donuts.”

Chapter Fifteen

Art hadn’t felt this alive in a long, long time. Leaving the hospital filled with such hope was like a dream come true. He guided the woman with him to his car before realizing he’d taken it for granted that she’d want to spend time with him.

“Sue, I’m sorry. I haven’t asked if you want to walk along the Inner Harbor with me. It’s one of my favorite places, especially later in the evening after the traffic has lessened. I like seeing the parliament building all lit up and the colored Christmas lights reflecting on the water.”

“I’d like that. When I drove here from the shop, I noticed a few flakes beginning to fall.” They both looked up and saw the proof of her words. She reached out and caught a silver fleck on her hand before it melted. “I love the snow and though the weather is a bit cooler, it’s surprisingly beautiful. It’ll be a nice evening to walk along the water.”

As they drove, they discussed the weather until he pulled into a parking spot below the walkway. Taking her hand to help her from the car, they meandered while he replied to her comments about his mother.

“I really liked your mom. She’s a happy soul, isn’t she?”

“Always. She’s wonderfully supportive, both her and my father. Right from the beginning, they flew back from their vacation in Florida. And since then, they’ve been with me every step of the way.”

Once on the spacious walkway, they moved to a bench and sat together, still holding hands. While watching the intermittent flakes falling, they stared out over the water where harbor lights illuminated areas with an enchanting glow.

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