He gave her a quick grin. Elena nodded. She was starting to realize how wrong first impressions could be.
At first, Mike had seemed like a spoiled guy in an expensive car who didn’t want to be bothered. Now he was checking on an old man, buying him a television, and showing up when it counted. Elena felt the first stirrings of real affection.
Then she checked herself. She had learned to keep her distance from men. Years earlier, she had gone through something so painful she preferred not to think about it at all. Trust had never fully grown back.
Elena rented a tiny room after a bitter falling-out with her sister. Before heading off to pass out medications, she stopped by the chief physician’s office. She didn’t want to disappoint Peter by telling him personal electronics were technically against policy.
A minute later she was standing at the door. “Come in,” the doctor said. “What can I do for you?” “I wanted to ask about something. A friend brought a television for Peter Simmons.”
Just saying Mike’s name in her head brought a little color to her face. “Could we make an exception?” “You know the policy.” “Please.
He has stage four cancer. This may be one of the last comforts he gets.” “All right,” the doctor said after a pause. “My own father died of cancer.
Go ahead.” “Thank you so much.” “You can tell them yes.” “Thank you, doctor.” Elena practically floated back down the hall.
The hours until noon flew by. First she and her coworker unpacked and set up the TV. Then they spent nearly an hour finding channels.
Elena almost missed the start of her lunch break. She rushed to the locker room and was standing outside at exactly twelve. But Mike’s car wasn’t there.
Doubt crept in. Maybe she had been foolish. Five minutes passed, and the curb stayed empty. She told herself, not for the first time, not to trust promises too easily.
She had just turned back toward the entrance when she heard brakes. Mike jumped out of the car. “I’m sorry,” he said. “Traffic was a mess.” “I was starting to think you’d changed your mind.”
She couldn’t hide her relief. “How about we stop saying ‘you’ so formally?” Mike said with a smile. “Deal.
Let’s go. I’ve only got an hour.” They got in and drove off.
Mike entered the address into his GPS. It was about a fifteen-minute drive. Once inside Peter’s apartment, Elena headed straight for the closet to find a duffel bag.
The place was spotless. It was obvious the man had been orderly and careful. Everything had its place.
She found the bag on a lower shelf. Then she looked through the hanging clothes, packed a few comfortable shirts, warm sweaters, and some lounge pants. She zipped the bag shut.
Next she went into the bathroom and gathered toiletries and a razor into a plastic bag. Mike, meanwhile, looked around with interest. He stepped into the bedroom just as Elena finished packing.
“I’ve got to say,” he said, “this doesn’t look like the apartment of a broke retiree.” Then he changed the subject. “Need help?” “I’m done.”
“Honestly, this is not how I pictured my day going. Sometimes I feel like I dreamed you up.” Elena’s cheeks warmed, but the moment was interrupted by the sound of the front door opening. A well-dressed middle-aged man stood in the doorway.
He stopped short when he saw strangers inside. “Who are you?” he asked sharply. “I’m sorry,” Elena said. “I’m a nurse from City General. Peter gave us the keys himself.
He got sick on the street, and we brought him in. He’s in palliative care now.” “I see,” the man said. “Then we’re going to see him.”
He was broad-shouldered and dressed in an expensive suit. Elena remembered Peter saying his sons lived abroad. So who was this man? Back at the hospital, she dropped Peter’s things in his room and hurried off to finish her work. There were IVs to hang, paperwork to complete, and two discharges to prepare.
There was no shortage of work. The stranger went straight to Peter’s bed. “Uncle Pete, I’ve been calling nonstop. You left your phone at home.”
He started in on him immediately. “What is this hospice business? Are you trying to prove a point? Why would you do this?” “Because I’m better off here.
Doctors nearby, nurses nearby, and somebody even got me a TV. I’m looked after.
And it’s less trouble for you. I’m not as lonely here.” “I told you I’d hire a full-time caregiver.
She would have taken care of everything. I can’t be in two places at once. We’re closing on a major development project.
I have to keep an eye on every detail.” “The minute I look away, contractors start padding the budget.
Somebody has to stay on top of it.” “I’m honestly amazed they got you into a place like this so fast.
There’s usually a mountain of paperwork.” “Connections,” Peter said. “Elena helped.
She works here.” “So what am I supposed to do with you?” “Let me live out my days in peace. I’m not a child.”
“Fine. But if anything changes, you call me. I’ll come.”
“Fair enough. And tell your girlfriend the apartment isn’t available.” “You’re too hard on Masha. I’m buying her a ring.”
“Think twice, Victor. That girl will cost you more than money. But it’s your life.”
“All right, Uncle Pete. I’ve got to get back to the office. I’ll stop by tonight with some food.” Victor left the room and paused at the nurses’ station.
He gave them his number and told them to call if Peter’s condition changed at all. The nurse wrote it down and assured him they would. The facility had a reputation for treating patients with real care.
It turned out the man’s name was Arthur, and he was Peter’s nephew. In practical terms, he was Peter’s only real support in old age. Years earlier, Peter had changed Arthur’s life…
