The Living Room (8 page)

Chapter 8

“Are you getting up now?” Isabelle stood at the foot of the bed with a book in hand. Morning had arrived.

“Can somebody read this one to me?” she begged with her darling eyes. She never had to put on an act. Her natural beauty and innocent charm urged people to spoil her.

“Go back to your room, dear, and I’ll come read it to you,” Claire said.

As she began to sit up, she turned to Daniel. “Oh, I’m going to be working from home for a couple of days, if that’s okay with you?” she said, knowing approval wasn’t necessary.

The announcement made it easier for both of them to get up from such a pleasurable night of companionship.

The trio enjoyed each other’s stories and company. Isabelle took naps throughout the day, leaving Claire an opportunity to help Daniel with work around the house. It gave Daniel a chance to learn more about the little girl.

“She sure seems to like it when people read to her.”

“She loves stories. I think she’d read a whole library if she could.”

“Isn’t she old enough to read?”

“She is old enough, but no one ever taught her how.” This was a cruel reminder of what was expected of her life.

“Are her parents coming to visit?”

“She doesn’t really have any. She was left at an orphanage when she was an infant. I think her birth-mom was quite young and a single parent. She probably felt overwhelmed with all the health issues and thought it was best.”

“So, does she have foster parents?”

“No. She remains a child of the queen. The good news is that they pay all the bills. She has spent the last three years at the hospital. We send her back to the orphanage from time to time to interact with other children. But after a couple of days, she needs rest and we bring her back.”

A frustrated little voice broke the moment of silence. “Are you coming to read this
today
, Claire?” Isabelle shouted down from the top stair.

Claire smiled and rolled her eyes at Daniel. “I’m coming, Little Miss Impatient.”

A few days went by and regular routines began to form. The mornings always began with reading a story to Isabelle. Claire would help Daniel with minor repairs around the house. In the evening after supper, Claire would read another story to Isabelle. Claire had known her longer than any other patient, and their bond was strong. The three shared all their meal times together and often sat on the front porch during the day, eating sandwiches and taking in the afternoon sun. Isabelle would often request an
extra
story be read during the day and frequently carried a spare book around with her just in case the appeal was granted.

She was a great listener and never interrupted the performance. Even if she had heard the story a hundred times before, she always lay back with her eyes closed, imagining that she was one of the characters in the book.

By the end of the week, they almost responded to each other as a young family. Daniel offered to take his two ladies out to dinner on a date.

Isabelle spoke openly to Daniel during supper about her family and then asked, “Where do your parents live? In the United States?”

“Actually, they live in heaven,” he replied without much feeling in his words.

“Well, then they’re in a good place. If you’re good, you’ll get to be with them again one day.” Her words were far too mature for a child of her age.

He wasn’t sure how to respond and smiled at Claire in appreciation for introducing the little girl into his life.

“I may never see my real parents again, but I have people who take care of me like parents at the hospital.” She finished her sentence and immediately turned to Claire with a smile.

Daniel and Claire surprised Isabelle on the ride home with a trip to the ice cream shop for her favorite treat. While traveling the winding road home and enjoying the dessert, Isabelle asked, “Daniel, can you read me a story tonight?”

This made Daniel feel both flattered and uncomfortable, but Claire squeezed his hand to assure him that he was capable of performing the task.

They arrived back at the house and Isabelle rushed to her room to pick out a special story and to get ready for Daniel’s first reading. Claire was downstairs in bed awaiting him and discovered what he had failed to mention in the past—sounds carried through the vent. The nervousness was apparent in his voice, but Isabelle would never recognize it.

Claire listened with a gentle smile and fell asleep long before Isabelle did.

After his audience fell asleep peacefully, Daniel left the room quietly and sat alone in the kitchen, absorbing the evening and imagining what a life with Claire and a family would be like. He discovered Isabelle’s teddy still at the table from a previous meal and took it back to the room. Once it was returned under her arm, he scanned the night and hoped to himself that she was strong enough to stay in this world for a long time to come.

Claire woke him in the morning with a kiss and thanked him for the date the night before. She had to return to the hospital, but Brenda would arrive soon.

He went back to sleep briefly but was awoken again later, this time by Brenda’s music and voice in the vent. It was time to get ready for the day. Brenda passed him with a morning greeting and asked if she could borrow his kitchen sink to wash some belongings.

“Of course you can,” he offered a neighborly grin.

He failed to notice Isabelle creep up behind him, “Are you going to read to me today?”

Before he could answer, Brenda intervened. “Isabelle, I just finished a story for you. I told you, one after lunch, but until then, you need to get some rest.”

Daniel interjected, “That’s okay. I need a good story this morning anyway. You go upstairs and climb into bed. I’ll be up in a minute, but I get to pick the story this time.”

This twist from the norm excited little Isabelle and she rushed up to the room.

“Brenda, I just wanted to say that I have a lot of respect for the things you do for these children.”

Brenda quickly shrugged off the compliment. “It’s my job.”

Daniel knew she took a lot of pride in it and accepted that she might not want to have this discussion. “Well, I just wanted to say that, and if you need anything else here, please let me know. Oh and what’s with that flute music you’re always listening to?”

There wasn’t time to answer before Isabelle ordered him upstairs once again. “Daniel, hurry, I’m in bed and you can pick the story!”

They both smiled, and Brenda gestured at him as if to say, “She’s all yours.”

“Well, maybe we can talk about the music and stuff later,” he said then slowly began the trek upstairs.

“Okay, my dear,” he said as he entered the room. He sat next to her and shuffled through a pile of books to find one he hadn’t already heard through the vent.

“Aha! This one is good.” He began to read.

After the first few sentences, he was amused with the story and glanced at Isabelle to see her reaction. She did not respond and he felt apprehension rising from deep inside him. “Did I put you to sleep already, my dear?”

“Isabelle?”

Daniel dropped the book. The sound was sure to wake her but, of course, it didn’t. He reached for her and shook her arm, but there was no response.

“Brenda!” he called then repeated it in a scream.

“I’ll be right there.”

“Now!” he yelled at the top of his lungs.

She could recognize the distress in his voice, dropped her glass in the sink, and rushed up the stairs. Daniel was already slowly backing out of the room.

Brenda shook the little girl and hooked up the monitor next to the bed. Daniel wasn’t a doctor but could understand the flat line streaming across the screen.

Brenda stared into his eyes. Not a word was said. Isabelle was no longer there.

He left the room in shock, and as he descended the stairs, he gripped the railing tight to keep himself from falling. Halfway down, he noticed the teddy bear she had left by accident while rushing up the stairs. Once his feet met the main floor, he lost all composure.

Like a tornado, he inflicted destruction on the house he had spent so much time repairing. He threw furniture and overturned tables, breaking glass all around him. He heaved anything within reach from the place where it had once stood.

He picked up the phone but heard Brenda’s voice on the line from upstairs. She was well rehearsed for such an occasion and was already following protocol.

He dropped the phone to the floor and reached for his keys. He raced out the door and into his car then left the driveway in a cloud of dust. Overwhelmed with emotion, he struggled to see the road through his tears.

While driving, he could almost hear little Isabelle’s voice. His mind kept replaying past events, envisioning her constant requests for company and recalling the week they had spent together and their night out on the town.

Almost in town now, he encountered the one vehicle he wished he’d never see again. Driving slowly, and without lights, the ambulance was a stark reminder that there was no need for the driver to rush. Daniel screamed and beat his open hands on the steering wheel as they passed one another.

He pulled into the parking lot of the hospital and was too shaken to even remove the keys from the ignition. He stumbled inside and searched for Claire. She had been alerted by Brenda and was on her way to the entrance to await his arrival. When they met up with each other, she gestured her sorrow to him, but his eyes were too cloudy to see. He barely made it across the entrance floor before his legs began to fail. His head fell to her shoulder, and she was left to support his weight.

Claire led him to a vacant space down the hall and pulled the curtain closed for privacy. Barely able to speak, he begged her, “No more. Please, Claire, no more.”

She felt terrible for him and even worse about bringing the pain of her occupation into his life, wishing now that she had never introduced the idea.

“No more,” she assured him, taking him into her arms for comfort. Her other patients would have to wait for the next hour, as she was needed by the one person she wanted to care for the most.

No more words were spoken; there was nothing that needed to be said. They curled up on the metal-framed bed and both wept until the white pillow cases became damp with their tears.

Chapter 9

Daniel didn’t move much from his bed, and the house still showed the wounds inflicted from his rampage, now days ago. Depression drained his body of any desire to resume his repair projects or to maintain himself.

When Claire arrived home from work, she joined him in the bed and announced, “I’ve taken the week off.”

Claire hadn’t taken any holidays since her mother’s passing almost three years ago.

“I thought we could spend some time together. Maybe finish the house so you could sell it.” She made the offer generously but also hoped to gain some insight during this time about his future plans.

He was grateful to know he would have her company full time for the next little while.

“We can start tomorrow but, for tonight, let’s just rest up.” She took his arm and wrapped it around herself. She fell asleep while he stayed awake, afraid of what haunting vision his dreams would bring.

The morning started with coffee at the kitchen table—an area of the house that was unharmed in the destructive episode. Throughout the day, Daniel did short spurts of cleanup when his energy allowed. He picked up the overturned furniture and rearranged it slightly, trying to induce a mood change in the house.

After the second day, things returned to normal, at least as he remembered normal. The house was clean, glass was swept up and disposed of, and the room upstairs was shut. All that was left to do was the painting outside, and both Claire and Daniel welcomed a few days of fresh air.

The warm sun and the water view gradually healed his heart, as well as the secondary wounds to their developing relationship. The experiences they had shared since their blessed meeting would, they both hoped, help to forge a lasting bond. After a few days without any interference from the outside world, they were able to become the focus of each other’s attention.

They were able to laugh again, while spattering paint on each other playfully in the process. After another long day, Claire appeared from the house with a picnic basket and suggested dinner outside near the water.

They enjoyed the meal with some wine, and the conversation steered toward her work. She had to return to it soon. Claire asked about his plans to do the same.

“I will have to go home soon.” He stared at his plate, unable to look at her. This spoiled the meal and the moment together. Neither wanted that day to come.

“But I’ve been thinking,” he said with a serious tone. “I’ve been thinking about my job and my life, the gifts I have, and my selfishness in protecting them.”

Unsure of the direction in which he was headed, she listened attentively.

“I think we should open the room again.” Daniel was now able to see into her eyes.

This was an unexpected announcement, and it shocked Claire.

“You shouldn’t do that, Daniel. It causes too much pain for you.”

“Yes, but I recover from my pain. The children don’t. I would like to try again, for the ones who need it.”

Claire touched his face and thanked him for the offer. Without further discussion, she would let him sleep on it. She crawled up closer to him and, before returning to the house for the night, they watched the sun set peacefully.

By morning, the topic was still on her mind. She wondered if the offer was heartfelt or even fair to Daniel, or if they were just words in a moment of peacefulness. Claire wasn’t even sure what she wanted it to be.

Within a few minutes of waking, Daniel inquired, “Will Brenda be coming over today?”

Still concerned with his state, she inquired, “Are you sure this is something you want to do, Daniel? Please don’t do this just for me.”

“I’m not doing it for either of us, Claire. I’m doing it for the children and their families.”

She readied herself to go to work and her mind wrestled with concerns over his decision. She headed toward the door and didn’t dare leave without a kiss.

“I’ll see you later tonight,” she said. “The place looks great.”

Daniel spent the entire morning upstairs in the room, dusting it and cleaning the windows almost obsessively. He even took a moment to reposition the bed for the best possible view. Then he went back downstairs to take care of some business.

“Hello, Nancy.”

“Daniel! Are you home?” Nancy blurted with pure enthusiasm.

“No, not yet, but soon. I may have a buyer lined up and should know more by the end of next week. Is there any chance I’ve caught Art in the office today?”

Nancy saw Art sitting at Daniel’s desk. He appeared a little flustered but quickly sat up when he noticed he was being watched.

“He’s right here. I’ll put you through.”

Art had almost had enough of the job he had once loved to spend his entire day at. Even though he was becoming fatigued from the stress, he would never outwardly display such emotion to Daniel.

“Hello, Art.”

“Daniel, you’re calling from England, I hope.”

“Yes I am, but I will be coming home soon,” he assured his mentor.

“Well, whenever you’re ready. Things here are just fine, of course, and I’ve got your accounts under control.”

Daniel could hear a little desperation in his voice but didn’t dare point it out.

“Art, I just want to thank you for—”

Art interrupted, “Hey, hey, don’t start thanking me yet. Just do what needs to be done and come home when you’re finished. I’ll turn the reins back over when you get here.”

The sound of a car distracted Daniel from the conversation.

“I’ve got to go. I think my realtor is pulling up.” He knew this wasn’t the case, but part of him wished it were.

“Keep in touch, Daniel.”

A loud backfire scared Daniel as he hung up the phone. He rushed to the window to see an old car that was lucky to have made the trip up the road. A couple and their son occupied the front seat. They sat in the car and talked amongst themselves.

Daniel walked out to greet them. “Hello. My name is Daniel, and this is my house.”

They each appeared too nervous to speak, mostly from the instructions given at the hospital. “Brenda told us to wait out here until she arrives.”

Daniel smiled at them to try and comfort their fears. “Nonsense. Come on inside.” He reached for the door handle but was stopped in his tracks.

“Don’t!” the man screamed from the driver’s seat.

The command caught Daniel off guard and rattled him.

“Sorry, that door’s barely hanging on. Please let me get it.”

The man emerged from his side of the vehicle and ran around to show Daniel the trick to opening such a fragile piece of the frame. He stepped back to allow his wife and son to exit.

“This is my wife, Judy; our son, Matthew; and I’m Roy.”

“Well hello, Judy, and hello, Matthew. Please come inside. I’m sure Brenda will be along any minute.” Daniel was quick to notice a large lump on the boy’s neck.

They entered the house and Daniel gave them a tour suited for royalty. Matthew walked around the house with a tiny car model in hand, driving it over every piece of furniture he could see and coughing gently every few minutes.

“Okay, Matthew, enough please. He loves cars,” his mother apologized.

Daniel made a mental note. “It’s all right. Why don’t I show you the upstairs now?”

They made their way up the dark stained staircase and were taken, as were all others, by the light and life of the room. Matthew quickly leaped onto the bed.

“Can I stay here?” he asked between excited coughs.

“Yes, this is
your
room,” Daniel said.

“Cooooool,” the boy whispered to himself and played with his car across the sheets.

“Hello?” Brenda rushed up the stairs for her patient. She seemed somewhat surprised by Daniel’s relaxed demeanor and tried to take over the conversation.

“Well, I see you’ve met Mr. Clay. This will be your room, Matthew.”

The excitement regarding the news had already been spent, and the child rolled his eyes. Daniel excused himself and walked downstairs to fix lunch, leaving the work to the nurse.

When Claire arrived home, it was obvious she had something other than work on her mind. After some small talk in the kitchen, it was time to satisfy her curiosity. “Well, I guess the house is about ready for the market?”

“Yes, I guess it’s almost there. I should probably call my realtor tomorrow.”

Claire wanted to avoid an emotional scene, but the thought had weighed on her all day. “How long do you think it will take to sell?” She wondered if she even wanted the response.

“I guess as long as I want it to take,” he said with a grin.

He received a smile back and a long kiss from the woman who had fallen in love with him.

They spent the night in the kitchen, talking and playing games, interrupted from time to time by Matthew racing his car around the house.

“Can you be a little late to work tomorrow?” Daniel asked.

“I could make a call or two,” Claire replied jokingly, knowing she could take the whole day if she chose to.

“Good. I have an idea for some fun around here. I’ll be gone in the morning for a bit, but I will come back for you two by 10:00
AM
.”

The revelation made Claire curious about what he was planning, as well as about his willingness to spend time with the boy. They checked on Matthew together. He slept peacefully with his model at his side, so they retired to their room for a night’s sleep.

Claire woke to the sound of Daniel getting ready to leave. She went to the phone and dialed her work, “Yes, Brenda, don’t worry about making the trip today. I’ll be spending the whole day here.” She winked at Daniel.

With that, he waved and gestured upstairs to remind her to prepare Matthew. About an hour later, the nurse and her patient sat restlessly in the kitchen. The sound of a horn broke the silence. Claire headed for the door, but Matthew raced her with his car. He won and opened the door.

Matthew stepped back in shock and his toy fell harmlessly to the ground. His wide smile reflected the glow of the sun and, for a moment, it was as though every clock in the house had come to a halt. He just stared in awe at the red convertible Mustang, as if it were Santa’s sleigh.

Claire was shocked too and curious about where Daniel had gotten the car. He had exchanged it at the rental agency, but the cost to purchase it would forever remain a humble secret.

“Come on, you two, what are you waiting for?” he said from behind the wheel, his smile as wide as the young boy’s.

Matthew looked to Claire for permission. Once it was received, he rushed to the car and inspected every inch of the dashboard. He took only a moment to ask, “Daniel, is this yours?”

“It is now.” Daniel smiled back at Matthew and then at Claire.

She climbed in without a word and closed the door.

Daniel put his arm around Matthew’s shoulders and took Claire’s hand.

It was a marvelous day, with the sun shining only slightly brighter than the child’s face. They drove slowly and safely, allowing for Matthew to crawl about inspecting all of the interior details. Once in town, they cruised the main street. Daniel was first to notice the sign and pulled over.

It was a toy store, and he asked his passengers to join him inside. Matthew knew the store well but had yet to make a purchase there. An allowance wasn’t a luxury he was able to enjoy at home.

The owner grimaced at the boy as if frustrated by another return, but he quickly realized that he wasn’t traveling with his parents this time and gained a new respect for his customers.

“Any one you want, kiddo,” Daniel offered.

Again Matthew asked Claire for approval. She shrugged her shoulders and grinned; the search was on.

“Daniel—” Claire began, but he interrupted.

“It’s okay, dear. This is fun for me too.”

She didn’t say anything and was pleased to see him happy.

Matthew scoured the shelves for the car of his choice. Daniel spotted one similar to the silver machine sitting in his reserved spot back in New York. “What about this one?”

“Nah. Dad says the parts for those are too expensive.”

“Your dad’s a smart man,” Daniel agreed with a smile to Claire. They shared a quick kiss and awaited the verdict.

“This one!” The boy held up a replica of the convertible they had arrived in.

“Are you sure?” Daniel was even more pleased with his purchase now.

“Yeah. I’ve always wanted a convertible that runs. Dad’s got an old car in the yard that we made into a convertible, but it doesn’t have a motor,” he explained with a slight cough.

Daniel tried to imagine what else the steel pile would be missing. “Okay then, bring it to the counter.”

While paying, he noticed some sticks with windmill-like spinners on the top. “And three of these, please,” he requested as he took them from the jar.

They were back on the road, this time driving around and holding their windmills to the breeze. Daniel noticed that Matthew, who was in the backseat, had lost his windmill to the strong rush of air. He handed Matthew his and watched the boy’s face quickly return to an electric smile.

Halfway up the road to the house, Daniel pulled the car over to the side. “Come on up here, buddy.” He slapped the seat between his legs.

Approval from Claire catapulted the boy over the seat and into Daniel’s lap. The final leg of the journey was finished in tandem, with Matthew at the wheel, and Daniel controlling the pedals. It was a shame to be home again, but both adults were conscious of the need for the boy’s rest. His coughing deepened. Matthew took to his bed with his own convertible at his side, and Daniel headed to the kitchen. He humorously dodged the inquisitive questions from Claire about their new transportation.

“Where did you get the car?” she queried.

“At the rental agency.”

“That’s a rental car?”

“No, I don’t think I’ll ever rent it out,” he said with a wink.

She smiled and shook her head. “You’re one of a kind, Mr. America.”

Matthew’s family visited daily, and Daniel felt like he was becoming an extension of them.

After a few days, Mrs. Lipton made an unannounced visit. Daniel had left her a message but hadn’t bothered to follow up.