Without Compromise (19 page)

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN             

Josie spent the night in the hospital with Tag and Abigail. They all took turns sitting with the patient and praying over him. By seven the next morning, Prince and Granger had come to take over.

              Josie watched Tag press Abigail to go rest.

              “I’m going to drive you home. You can change your clothes, get a shower, and get what you need for the rest of the day.”

              Abigail shook her head, “Harry’s mom can get all that and bring it to me.”

              Josie rested a hand on Abigail’s arm, “He’s going to wake up, Abigail. That’s when he’s really going to need you. Go get your things together – maybe even take a nap at home. That way you can be rested when he is awake and asking for you.”

              Abigail hesitated in indecision, “What if he wakes up while I’m taking a shower?”

              “Jeremy will call you at the first sign of him waking up. We’re not going to leave his side for a second.”

              Abigail nodded, “Okay. I’ll run home, but I’m coming right back.”

              Josie and Tag walked her down to the lot.

              “Oh,” Abigail stopped suddenly. “My car is still at the school.”

              Tag pulled her along, “No, you gave your keys to Jeremy last night. He drove it home for you.”

              Josie watched Tag’s watchful care of Abigail and smiled. If there was any doubt in her mind that she was in love with this man, it completely disappeared after witnessing how he behaved toward his partner’s wife.

              Tag dropped Abigail off first and then drove Josie home.

              “Thanks,” she started to slide out of her seat, but he caught her.

              “Thank you, Josie. I don’t know how I would have gotten through last night without you.”

              “I can do all things through Christ Who gives me strength,” she quoted.

              “I know that’s true,” he grinned at her, “but it really helps to have a warm body next to me.”

              Josie leaned across the console and brushed a kiss across Tag’s cheek, “Catch you later.”

              She went inside, pulling her sweater from her body as she went. She was due on the set in three hours, and she still needed a shower.

              Josie was about to get under the spray when her cell rang. She glanced at the i.d. It was her sister. Josie hurried through her shower and called Molly back.

              “How is Harry?”

              “No change,” Josie dressed as she spoke.

              “Is that good or bad?”

              “I think it’s good right now, but I’m not sure.”

              “And Tag?”

              “He’s good. Changed.”

              Molly was silent.

              “Spit it out, Mol.”

              “I’m just wondering – how has he changed?”

              “Well,” Josie couldn’t keep the smile from her voice, “he’s accepted Jesus, Molly.”

              “That’s great, Jo.”

              Molly’s tone did not match her words.

              Josie didn’t want to ask, but she had to, “What’s wrong?”

              “Do you think he was just saying what he thought you wanted to hear?”

              “No,” Josie reminded herself she had asked.

              “No? Just like that. It didn’t even cross your mind?”

              “Molly, why would he do that? He would have to know I’d figure it out eventually.”

              “Maybe.”

              Josie pulled her tennis shoes on, “He’s doing a discipleship program with one of his pastors, Molly. How would he even come up with a story like that?”

              “I’m not saying it isn’t genuine,” Molly attempted to smooth her sister’s feathers. “I hope it is. I’m just warning you to be careful.”

              Josie checked her purse to make sure she had her keys, “I’ve been careful, Molly. I’d rather jump in with both feet now.”

              Molly laughed, “Leave it to you.”

              “Speaking of treading carefully, how’s Dave?”

              “He’s good. Sure we should get married right away, as usual, but good.”

              “You step lightly, I’ll jump with both feet,” Josie headed for the bus stop. “Why should our love lives be any different than the rest of the disparity between us?”

              “True, true,” Molly’s voice still held a note of concern.

              “Don’t worry about it, Mol. Tag asked me if I could wait a little longer for him. He’d like a chance to grow spiritually before we get serious.”

              “He did?”

              Josie laughed at the sound of her sister’s surprise.

              “Maybe he has changed, Jo.”

              Josie ended the call with a laughing goodbye and got on the bus.

              Lem chastised her for coming to work, but she assured him there was nothing she could do at the hospital anyway.

              “So it wasn’t your friend that was injured?” he walked her to wardrobe.

              “No. It was his partner, but there’s a lot of family there,” she handed her director his jacket. “I really appreciate your understanding yesterday.”

              Lem clapped her on the shoulder, “You’re a hard worker, Drake. You do your job well, and you don’t complain. I think a day or two of being human is acceptable.”

              Josie went in and changed her clothes. She was apparently going to be jumping out of windows in a ball gown today. It was a new experience, so it promised to be fun.

              By the fifth take, Josie had changed her mind. It was definitely not fun.

              “Take a break, people,” Lem called out.

              Josie thanked the stage hand for the bottle of water.

              “That’s quite the dress,” a voice sounded from behind her.

              “Hey, Dad,” she spun around and smiled. “What brings you by?”

              “A car.”

              “Ha ha,” she lifted up on her toes to give him a kiss.

              “Molly called.”

              “I figured,” she led him to a bench. “The timing was too perfect to be coincidental.”

              He sat next to her, “You’ll give it a little time before you commit to anything, won’t you?”

              She raised her eyebrow in question.

              “I assume you’ll start dating now,” he elaborated on his concern. “Don’t agree to marry him before you are sure his faith is going to endure.”

              Josie took another drink while she was considering her answer, “We’re not going to be dating, Dad. At least not right now.”

              It was Sol’s turn to lift his brow.

              “He wants time to grow, Dad. So,” she stood up, “you don’t have to worry about me jumping into marriage, and engagement, or dating, and you didn’t have to come all the way down here to put on the brakes for me. Tag’s already done that.”

              Sol’s lips twitched, and Josie was certain he was laughing at her.

              “You wanna come see the murder scene?” she figured he would love that. “It’s extra gory today.”

              Sol stood and held his arm out, “Lead the way.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Tag went back to the hospital right after his shift was over. He was disappointed to see that Harry hadn’t wakened.

              “I keep reading into every eyelid flutter and breathing change,” Abigail admitted. “And then it turns out to be a hiccup, or a spasm, or my imagination.”

              Tag rubbed at the back of his neck, “Why don’t you let me sit with him a while?”

              Abigail chewed her lip in hesitation.

              “C’mon,” he urged her toward the door. “I’ll threaten him with embarrassing stories if he doesn’t wake up soon.”

              Abigail laughed.

              Tag shrugged, “They say people who are in a coma can hear you.”

              “Thanks, Tag,” she brushed a kiss on his cheek.

              Tag alternated between talking to his friend and reading the Bible he had brought with him. There was so much to be learned from the Scriptures, and Tag felt he had wasted enough time already.

              He was now reading the Psalms on the recommendation of his pastor.

              He began at chapter 146. When he got to the third verse, he stopped and laughed at the picture of himself, “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.”

              Tag sighed at the memory of all the times he had put his trust in men – no, in one man. Tag Madden. He had trusted in himself when there was no justification for it. He had simply done it because he didn’t want to put his life into someone else’s hands.

              “I guess it doesn’t matter, does it, God? Even if I hadn’t given you my life, you still control everything.”

              Tag looked down at the next verse, “Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,

    whose hope is in the Lord their God.”

              “God, Ernie told me that ‘blessed’ meant to be made happy. I don’t know if I’m any happier, but I sure feel more comfortable in this life you’ve given me here.”

              The machine next to him made a beeping noise.

              Tag frowned up at it. It didn’t sound like all the other noises. He looked at Harry’s face. What he saw scared him into action.

              “Nurse!” he screamed, running to the door, “Harry’s turning blue.”

              They were already on their way with a crash cart. Tag was shuffled out of the way. The team came in worked on Harry for a few minutes before rushing him from the room. He didn’t want to see what was happening anyway, but Tag needed the shove from a couple nurses to get him out the door.

              Forcing himself out of the daze he was in, Tag pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed Harry’s wife.

              “Tag?” Abigail sounded hopeful.

              “Abs,” he choked out the words, “they’ve taken him into surgery again.”

              “What happened?”

              “I don’t know,” Tag was pacing the hall. “He was just sleeping and then. . .I don’t know.”

              He was still pacing when Josie arrived, but he had moved from the hallway to the OR waiting room.

              “What’s going on?” she grabbed his arm to stop his motion.

              “I don’t know; I have no idea,” he shook his head. “He was just laying there and then one of the machines started to beep. Next thing you know. . .”

              His words drifted off as he frowned at her. “How’d you know something was wrong?”

              “Abigail sent out a mass text. I gave her my number yesterday.”

              Tag resumed his pacing.

              “Tag,” she grabbed at him again and pulled him down to a chair. “Worrying does no good and pacing does about as much.”

              He buried his face in his hands, “I don’t know what else to do.”

              Josie didn’t have time to answer because a voice sounded behind Tag, “Praying is always a good place to start.”

              Tag looked up to see Sol Drake standing next to him, “Sol.”

              “I was with Josie when she got the call – thought I’d join her.”

              Tag nodded.

              “I also found your pastor.”

              Tag really looked at the man now, “How?”

              “You said his name was Ernie,” Josie reminded him. “How many pastors named Ernie can there be in New York City?”

              Tag couldn’t answer that.

              “Four, as it turns out,” Sol took a seat next to his daughter.

              Tag couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by the support he was getting from Josie and her family. Sol had never even met Harry, but he was here to pray.

              “You pray, and we’ll agree with you, Tag,” Sol suggested.

              Tag shook his head, “I don’t really know how. I think God’s probably more used to hearing from you.”             

              Josie smirked, “The prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

              “From James,” Tag murmured, “but I’m not a righteous man.”

              “Tag,” Sol laughed at him, “I hope you’re not still trying to become perfect on your own.”

              Tag was surprised the man would say that.

              “Because you can’t save yourself, and you can’t make yourself clean.”

              “I know that,” this conversation was beginning to irritate Tag.

              “What God does, He does completely. He made you clean. You’re right with Him now. Righteous.”

              Sol dragged out the last word so Tag would get it.

              Tag didn’t argue any further. He just bowed his head.

              “Father, I know you’ve already done a lot for me, and I appreciate it. I’m beginning to see things a little more clearly, and I thank you for all the help you’ve sent my way along those lines.”

              Tag ventured a peek at Josie whose eyes were closed tightly.

              “What I’d like to ask now is that you’d heal Harry’s heart. I’m not even sure what happened to him in there, but it’s not working the way it should. Please help those doctors do whatever has to be done to fix the problem. Please help Harry to hang on while they’re working on him. Please help Abigail deal with Harry’s parents ‘cause I’m sure they’re freaking out right now.”

              He swiped a sleeve across his face to mop up the tears. Tag couldn’t continue.

              “Lord,” Sol stepped into the gap, “you know exactly what is wrong with Harry and how to fix it. You could touch his heart and solve the problem right now if you desired. God, you tell us to pray for the sick that they might be healed. We’re obeying that command, so please heal Harry.”

              Josie rested a hand on Tag’s shoulder, “Jesus, you said that those who ask will receive. We’re asking for Harry, God. I know your plan is best, but we aren’t ready to give him up yet. Please leave him here with us a little longer, God. Please give him back his heart, so he can continue your work here on earth.”

              As Josie prayed, Tag felt the presence of a body on the other side of him. He didn’t look up, so he was surprised to hear the next voice.

              “God, you’ve always been good,” Ernie’s words were soft but clear. “And no matter what happens here, we’ll still know that you are good. But we’d like a miracle, nonetheless. We’d like to have healing for this man, for his family, and for his team.”

              More people entered the room, and the prayers for Harry kept coming. One person after another prayed for Tag’s partner. Many of the people who prayed had never even met Harry. Dave came, some of the nurses and a doctor joined the circle. There were some officers from the precinct down on their knees in the hospital waiting room, praying for Harry.

              For three hours, they remained in that position, offering intercession for the man on the operating table. They did not take a break until a voice broke through all the others.

              “Are you the family of Harry Jacobson?”

              Tag looked up and then around the waiting room. The space was so packed with people waiting to hear about Harry, there was no space for the doctor to enter the room; he stood in the doorway.

              Abigail had found her way into the circle and was holding the hands of two officers.

              “I’m his wife,” her voice was so small, the doctor who had approached them had to confirm what she said.

              “His wife?”

              Abigail nodded and stood up on shaky feet and pointed around her, “This is our family.”

              The doctor nodded, “He came through surgery just fine. We put him in recovery about twenty minutes ago.”

              A loud whoop echoed off the waiting room walls and into the hallway.

              Abigail started for the door, “Can I see him?”

              The doctor looked around, “Yes, but keep it short. He should get some sleep.”

              Abigail’s steps faltered, “Sleep?”

              “Yes. He’s awake now, but he’ll probably go back to sleep pretty quickly.”

              Abigail turned to the officer who had been holding her up and wept into the woman’s shirt.

              Creed just laughed and rubbed the other woman’s back, “Don’t hang onto me too long, Abigail. Your husband’s got those pretty brown eyes of his open, and you’re gonna miss it.”

              Tag waited until she left and then turned to the group, “Let’s thank God for the miracle.”

              The doctor spoke up before the group could pray again, “I’m not a religious guy, but if ever there was a medical miracle this was it. He suffered a cardiac tamponade – fluid around the heart. It should have killed him; it does more often than not when there’s been so much damage, but he’s alive for some reason or other.”

              The group spent some time thanking God for his mercy and praying for patience for Abigail and Harry during his recovery. They disbursed shortly after to check on Harry and to go home or to their waiting shifts. Dave took Sol with him, so the older man could pick up his car from the set.

              “Do you need anything else?” Sol asked his daughter before he left.

              She shook her head, “We’re good now, I think.”

              Sol made eye contact with Tag before leaving. Tag wasn’t positive, but he thought he saw a little light of approval in the man’s eyes.

              “Never took you for a religious kinda guy, Madden,” Creed stopped in front of Tag on her way out.

              Tag shook his head, “I’m not, but I finally got it through my thick skull that Someone is controlling the universe and it isn’t me.”

              Creed looked at the woman beside Tag, “You Josie?”

              “I am.”

              “I’m Mora Creed, Tag’s old partner.”

              “Nice to meet you, Mora.”

              Creed winked and left.

              “You wanna go get a sandwich at the cafeteria?” Tag asked Josie.

              “We could,” she lifted a small insulated bag, “or we could eat these.”

              Tag recognized the bag, “Is that from Molly?”

              Josie nodded, “Dave was at her house when Dad called. Molly couldn’t come because she was on her way to a job, but she sent some food along with him.”

              Tag sat back down and patted the seat beside himself, “I’ve really missed living next to your sister.”