Heart Strings by Betty Jo Schuler

Author:Betty Jo Schuler [Schuler, Betty Jo]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Books We Love Ltd.
Published: 2012-02-09T08:00:00+00:00

*****

Keely had never seen Tripp in his clown outfit and couldn't stop laughing. His painted smile was oversized, his nose bright blue, his feet huge. All that looked familiar were his eyes. Her mood lifted further when they stepped off the hospital elevator into a sunny yellow corridor. A cartoon character peeked at them from beside each door frame. The cardiac unit was cheerily decorated.

“Trippo,” a young nurse called from her station. “The kids have been asking for you.”

“I hope they didn't think I'd miss coming.” Tripp's face with its painted-on smile looked deliriously happy, but Keely heard concern in his voice. He'd gone with Evelyn to Heartland to celebrate George's birthday, and missed his afternoon entertainment stint.

“They know you'd have to be dead not to show up here.” The nurse's plump body shook with laughter.

“She has a weird sense of humor,” Keely said as she followed Tripp into a big recreation area filled with kids.

“Hospital humor,” he said, shrugging.

Some of the patients watched TV. Others played games. Bright plastic cubes formed tables and chairs, but most of the children sat in wheelchairs or lay on the floor on cushioned pads. “I could die before you make a move, Marianne,” a dark-skinned boy grumbled to his chess partner.

More hospital humor? Keely shifted from one foot to the other uneasily.

“Relax,” Tripp whispered. The kids, intent on their various activities hadn't spotted him yet. Grabbing her hand, he called out. “Anyone here seen Trippo?”

“You're here!” Losing interest in the chess game, the dark boy held out his hand. “We've been waiting for you. I get first honk.”

The boy squeezed Tripp's big blue nose and it let out an awful squawk. Keely jumped, and the kids cracked up.

“Me!” his opponent called out. “Let me. I'll make her jump higher.”

Tripp allowed her a honk and Keely obliged the little girl by jumping again. She was cute when she laughed. “Me!” The others started hollering, “Me. Me.” Tripp held up his hand. Everyone quieted down. “I'll be back in a minute. But Keely's here to visit Rosa.”

Murmuring disappointment, the children returned to their activities, and her heart accelerated as she followed the corridor to Rosa's room. Tripp stood aside so Keely could catch a glimpse of the young girl before she went in.

Rosa was thin with a long fall of black curly hair. Her wheelchair was turned toward the evening light at the window, her head bent over a book. Hearing their footsteps as they moved closer, she turned and Keely was awed by her beauty. With bronze-glowing Hispanic skin and huge dark eyes with thick lashes, she'd steal a lot of guys' hearts someday if … Keely felt the blood drain from her face.

Tripp took her hand.

“Trippo! I knew you'd keep your promise,” Rosa said, her voice thick with joy.

“Rosa Lopez, this is Keely Johannsen.”

“Hi.” Closing her book, Rosa raised her hand to grasp Keely's.

“You're reading My First Love!” Keely gasped. “I read that just last week.”

“You did? Don't tell me how it ends. Just give me a hint.

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