Best Foot Forward Page 16

  He tried Grace’s number three more times with a futile hope she might have removed his block in her phone. He prayed Josh’s assertion was correct since he wouldn’t have another chance to talk to her before her eleven o’clock appointment. Time to switch off his emotions and go to work.

  Chapter Ten

  Spencer frowned as he listened to Brad’s message. He must have called during his accounting class. According to Brad, Grace had called him and left a message, but still had his number blocked in her cell phone. He felt a sense of relief Grace had finally come to her senses. Spencer would’ve been upset if Emily had had a biopsy without telling him about it. He was certainly glad she’d decided to tell Brad before the procedure. He glanced at the time—eleven o’clock. He had another class, but he could text Grace to unblock Brad’s number and call him again. She still had a few hours to reach him before her biopsy appointment. His stomach felt tight as he thought about Grace. He really loved his little sister, and he couldn’t help but worry about her. Even though she’d assured him it was unlikely to be cancer, he felt like a rock was wedged inside his stomach. He was glad he had another class to distract him from his anxious musings.

  *****

  The man’s voice droned on and on while Grace drummed her fingers on her knee. When he stopped speaking, Grace knew he must have asked another question.

  “I’m sorry. What did you ask me?”

  The hospital admissions clerk repeated the question as she fidgeted with her phone. He seemed unaware of her tension. Or perhaps he simply didn’t care.

  “Excuse me, Mark?” She read his name from is ID badge. “It’s almost eleven o’clock now, and I’m supposed to take my premedication right at eleven so it will have time to work.” Her heart felt like it was trying to leap out of her chest.

  “Yes, well this will only take ten minutes or so.”

  “You don’t understand. I need that medicine now, or I may not be able to stay for my procedure.” She tried unsuccessfully to slow her breathing.

  “Do you have another appointment after this?”

  “No, but I need to have that medicine.” Grace felt the room closing in on her. “I think I may be about to pass out.”

  Now she had his attention. “Oh! Okay! I’m going to get someone. Do you think you’re having a heart attack? Does your chest hurt?”

  Grace leaned down to stick her head between her knees. Her voice was muffled when she answered. “Please just get the nurse with my premedication. I talked to him a minute ago. He has it ready to go.”

  She was answered with silence. And the room grew dark.

  *****

  Grace cracked her eyes open, blinking at the light glaring from the ceiling. After a moment she managed to focus on the suspended ceiling tiles. Where was she? She was lying down somewhere. She remembered... She was having a biopsy. She was at Mercy General.

  “Ughh! Is it over?”

  She heard a male voice chuckling. “No, Ms. Marshall. It’s not over. You haven’t even taken your premedication yet. We couldn’t give it to you while you were unconscious.”

  “Is it too late to take it? I’ve got to have plenty of time for it to work before they give me the IV.”

  “It’s only eleven-o-five. I’m sure you’ll be out of it long before twelve o’clock with what your doctor has prescribed for you. Let me help you sit up and swallow this pill. Luckily you got through enough of the registration for us to give you your meds. But now you’re going to need to finish answering questions before this takes effect.”

  He helped her to her feet, and she wobbled a bit before regaining her balance. “I don’t feel any calmer yet. How long before I’m relaxed?”

  “You should start feeling it in about twenty minutes. Believe me. You’ll probably be sound asleep by twelve.”

  “What if I can’t wake up to get ready?”

  “You’ll be able to wake up and respond to us, but you probably won’t remember any of it. Once you finish your admission, you can get ready and wait in here if you’d like.”

  “No, this room is scary. I’d rather fall asleep in the waiting room. Is that okay?”

  “Sure. But don’t wander off or we’ll never find you.”

  With the knowledge the sedative was in her system, Grace already felt less tension. She managed to finish her admission interview with Mark, who regarded her with trepidation.

  Fearing she’d missed Brad’s call, Grace checked her cell phone and discovered Spencer’s message. She gave herself a mental kick for forgetting to unblock Brad’s number and another for forgetting to tell her family about her error concerning the surgery time. She was about to send a group message when a thought occurred to her. If her sisters didn’t realize the time had been changed, they would arrive too late to embarrass her while she was under the influence of the IV drugs. She couldn’t help the smile that slid onto her face—she’d outfoxed her sisters.

  She confessed to her mother in a text. Mom. Got surgery time wrong. Starts at twelve. Don’t tell the family. Will wait here until you get off work. Took premed already. Please pray.

  With that done, she unblocked Brad’s number and sent another message. Unblocked your number. Please call soon.

  She settled in to wait, attempting to concentrate on the mystery on her kindle. She reread the same paragraph multiple times before abandoning her book to watch the news on the waiting room television while her mind drifted into oblivion. When her head jerked, she woke with a start to discover thirty minutes had passed. A band tightened around her chest with the realization she might not be able to speak to Brad before the procedure. Her mind was getting foggy, but she knew she needed to communicate with him somehow.

  She opened the message screen and forced her numb mind to move her fingers. brad. i am having a needle biopsy. mercy general at 12. i am sorry i didn’t tell you before. in case i never wake up, i love you.

  She strained her eyes in a hopeless attempt to focus on the small words. Should she really leave that last sentence in there? It was kind of lame to say it for the first time in a text message. But what if she didn’t survive the procedure and he never knew the truth? She took a deep breath and sent the message to Brad.

  *****

  Kara was totally frustrated. The emergency room had been so hectic due to the accident victims she hadn’t had a single moment to speak to Brad alone. She had to talk to him soon before he had a chance to make up with Grace. She needed to tell him her big news. The inspired idea had come to her after her earlier conversation with Josh Branson. She’d dug the application forms from a discard pile in her locker, and she couldn’t wait to reveal them to Brad. It was a surefire way to prove she was selfless and altruistic. In light of her revelation, he was bound to find her much more appealing than Grace. She couldn’t think of any other reason he would be attracted to the diminutive girl who toiled as a first grade teacher other than the self-sacrificing nature of her job. Once he discovered Kara’s philanthropic plans, he’d be open to dating her. And after she’d bedded him, she could use her ample skills to control him. Later, when her application mysteriously fell-through, he wouldn’t realize she’d never actually sent the forms into the agency. By that time, he wouldn’t want her to go overseas anyway.

  “Brad! I mean, Dr. Gates! Do you have a second?” She pulled the papers out of her coat pocket and cut him off before he entered the lounge.”

  “Actually Dr. Dickson, this isn’t a good time.” He slipped past her and through the door.

  “It will only take a second. I only need your recommendation on this form. I’m applying for Physicians Across Borders.”

  He halted while reaching for his cell phone and turned to face her. “Really? That doesn’t seem like your cup of tea.”

  She shrugged and lowered her eyes. “I know. No one knows the real me. I really want this. But I’ve got to get some great recommendations or I won’t have a chance.”

  “A chance at what?” Josh’s voice rang out behind her.
<
br />   “Kara’s applying for Physicians Across Borders. Did you know that?”

  “No, I didn’t,” said Josh, squinting as he regarded her. She felt her face getting hot. She’d hoped to keep Dr. Branson out of it. He might be suspicious.

  “What is this?” Brad was staring at his cell phone with his mouth hanging open.

  Josh said, “Did you hear from Grace?”

  “Yes... But what do you make of this text?”

  Kara cleared her throat. “About my application...”

  Josh snatched the papers from her grasp. “Don’t worry, Dr. Dickson. I’ll make sure this application gets completed before the deadline. And I’ll secure your recommendations as well.” His smile was genuine. In fact he was almost chuckling. Perhaps he believed her after all.

  “Well, can I just—”

  “Dr. Dickson, could you please give me a private moment to consult with Dr. Gates? Thank you. I’ll get back to you about your application.”

  Kara found herself staring at the outside of the locked lounge door.

  *****

  Brad showed the text to Josh. Brad . i an having a meddle noisy merry general at 12 i am spray i didn’t yell you before. On case i beverage wake ipod , i live you.

  Josh scrunched his eyebrows as he studied the text. “I’m not sure. Does it say Mercy General at twelve? But the one above this says she unblocked you. Call her!”

  “Right,” said Brad, punching in her number. His heart tapped a wild rhythm while he listened to it ringing. He’d almost given up when a garbled voice answered.

  “Br-r-raad! You called me! I’m sorrr-r-r-ry. I know-w-w I should’ve tolded you.”

  Brad covered the phone to speak to Josh. “She’s drugged—she can’t even talk.” He spoke into his cell, “Grace, where are you?”

  “I’m-m-m r-ri-i-ight he-e-er-re. I’m-m getting my pro-ce-dure dun-n-n.”

  “Where is here? Are you at Mercy General?”

  “Yes-s-s-s.” Brad heard her dissolve into giggles. “I s-s-sound like a s-s-snake.”

  “Are you having surgery? Today? Right now?” The words strangled from his dry throat.

  “At tw-w-welve.” She giggled again. “My s-s-sisters-s-s think it’s-s-s at two.”

  Josh said, “Where is she? What floor? We can stop her.”

  “Grace. Listen to me. Where are you? What floor? What surgery unit?”

  “Uhmmm... I don-n-n’t kn-n-n-ow.”

  “Look around. What do you see? Do you see any numbers? What color are the walls?”

  “I s-s-see a r-r-re-volv... a r-r-re-vol-ving door-r-r.”

  “She sees a revolving door!”

  “Outpatient surgery?” Josh furrowed his brows. “Who does plastic surgery in Outpatient?”

  “But she sees a revolving door. Where else could it be?”

  Grace said, “I n-n-need to hang-g-g up. M-m-my boy-fr-r-riend m-m-may cal-l-l.”

  “No Grace!” Brad started running. “Don’t hang up! Stay on the phone. Don’t you hang up on me. I’m your boyfriend.”

  “You ar-r-r-e? Is-s-s-s this-s-s Br-r-rad? I’m-m-m s-s-sor-ry...” Her voice trailed off.

  “Grace? Grace? Are you there?” Brad huffed out the words as he dashed through the hospital hallway, dodging people like an obstacle course, with Josh on his heels. “Josh, what time is it?”

  “It’s almost twelve. Three minutes ‘til,” came the breathless reply.

  Minutes felt like hours as he ran, his lungs burning with effort. Brad scanned the waiting room as he rounded the corner, stumbling to a halt. “Do you see her?” he gasped.

  “No. She’s not here,” said Josh, panting as he paced.

  “Maybe we’re too late.”

  “Or we’re in the wrong place.”

  Brad bent over, trying to catch his breath. From the corner of his eye he spied a small foot extending from a shapely leg dangling over the arm of a couch. He reached the sofa in two bounds. “Grace! Hey Grace, wake up!”

  She groaned and turned on her side.

  “She’s been mostly asleep for the last thirty minutes or so,” said an elderly woman, watching with interest as Brad attempted to revive her. “But she has a bracelet on, so I think she’s going to have surgery. Are you her doctor?”

  “I... No... I mean, yes. Yes, I’m her doctor. And we’re going to postpone her surgery.”

  “What are you planning to do?” asked Josh. “They’ll probably come for her any minute now.”

  Brad pulled Grace into a sitting position and slapped the palm of her hand. “Grace. Wake up, baby.”

  She blinked her eyes open into an unfocused stare. “Is it over? Can I go home now? I need to leave before my sisters find out.” She blinked a few more times and scrunched her nose. “Are you my doctor?”

  Brad pulled her to her feet. “Come on. I’m taking you home.” She moved with him in a drunken stumble, leaning heavily on his arm.

  Josh blocked the way. “What are you doing, Brad? You can’t take her out of the hospital.”

  “I can’t let her go through with it, either. What do you suggest?”

  “We can confront the doctor. Force him to postpone until she has certified counseling. Make him jump through the hoops.”

  “But she’s already signed the papers. What if he won’t listen? I can’t take a chance.” He pushed past Josh, guiding Grace in the direction of the revolving door.

  “Brad, don’t be ridiculous. You can’t take an admitted patient out of the hospital.”

  “I’m a doctor.”

  “It doesn’t matter, and you know it. Now let’s do this the right way. We’ll talk to her physician—”

  A voice called out behind him. “Grace Marshall! Grace Mar— Hey, where are you taking her?” Brad glanced over his shoulder at the male nurse who glared back at him. He had to act fast. He scooped her up in his arms and trotted toward the exit.

  “Wait! You can’t take her out of here! She’s admitted to the hospital already.” The nurse was bounding behind him.

  Grace mumbled and burrowed into his chest as he scurried on, ignoring the alarmed cries that followed him. Through the door. Down the sidewalk. Where was his car parked? The doctor’s lot was around the building. He almost ran over a slim girl running toward him as he rounded the corner, skidding to a halt just in time.

  “Brad? Is that you? Is that Grace? What happened to her?” Emily’s eyes were wide, and her hand was covering her mouth.

  “I don’t have time to explain,” said Brad, glancing behind him at the nurse who’d continued the pursuit outside the building.

  “Did she already have the procedure? Did something go wrong?”

  “No, I stopped it. I’m not going to let her do it. I’ve gotta go.” He started running again, hefting Grace’s dead weight up to get a better grip.

  Emily ran behind him. “Stop, Brad! She needs this. You’re a doctor—you should know.”

  “I’m not letting her ruin her face! There has to be another way. We’ll get the police involved. We can even move away if we have to.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  The nurse, unfettered by any burden, was gaining on him. “Stop right there! That’s my patient!”

  Pain shot through his ankle as his right foot caught on the curb, propelling him forward. Time slowed in his mind. He had to protect Grace—he couldn’t fall on her. Attempting and failing to regain his footing, twisting and turning, his body landed with a heavy thud on his back, cushioning Grace from the fall. He heard, rather than felt, his head hit the pavement.

  Chapter Eleven

  Josh’s face was inches away when Brad opened his eyes. “Good. You’re finally awake. Now I can yell at you. No, no, no—don’t close your eyes. You have to stay awake. Can you follow my finger with your eyes?”

  Brad blinked at the blurry images before his face. “Where’s Grace?”

  “Amazing... You remember that?”

  “Remember what? Did something happen? I know I was l
ooking for her.” He tried to ignore the throbbing pain in the back of his head. He was in the emergency room, but for some reason he was lying on one of the beds instead of working. “What happened?”

  “What day is it?”

  “It’s... uhmm... I don’t know. You answer my question first. What happened? Where’s Grace?”

  “Grace is fine,” Josh spat the words. “No thanks to you. You are certifiable. Do you know that?” He began a furious tapping on the computer keyboard adjacent to Brad’s bed.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “That’s right—you’re just as psycho as Grace. No, even more psycho. You only thought Grace was doing something crazy. You actually did something crazy. You two deserve each other. Now what day is it?”

  “It’s... uhmm... My head really hurts.” He pushed up on his elbows and strained into a sitting position. Reaching to the back of his throbbing head, he discovered a large piece of gauze taped in place. “Did someone hit me?”

  “No, but I thought about it. Someone should knock some sense into you. Who’s the president of the United States?”

  “Uhmm... Wait... I know this.”

  “What month is it?”

  “Slow down, okay? I need a second.”

  “Let’s try an easy one. What’s your name?”

  “It’s uhmm... It’s... Wait, where’s Grace?”

  “I told you, she’s fine. Look at me.” Josh aimed a bright light at his eye.

  “Ow!” Brad squeezed his eyes shut.

  “Keep your eyes open. I have to check your pupils.” Josh reached over to force his eye open and shine the light toward it.

  “Ow!”

  “Stop being a baby. Let me check the other one... And... There. Got it.”

  “Ouch. My eyes are fine. But where’s Grace?”

  “Do you remember why you were looking for her?”

  “Because I... She, uhmm... Wait... What did you ask me?”

  “Great. It’s Ten-Second Tom.”