Lean on Me (Stories from hope haven) by Gould Leslie

Author:Gould, Leslie [Gould, Leslie]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9780824949860
Published: 2011-11-15T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

ELENA FLIPPED THE SWITCH ON HER COFFEE machine and immediately the rich scent of decaf brewing filled the kitchen. She had made a cobbler from berries in her freezer for the evening, hoping some refreshments would make the advisory committee more bearable—that, and holding the gathering in her house instead of in the sterile meeting room at the hospital. Maybe a change of scenery would finally get things moving for the group. It was the least she could do, considering Dr. Hamilton had asked everyone to meet later than usual, at eight o’clock in the evening, to accommodate his schedule.

She turned toward the back door, thinking she’d heard a car. Cesar’s face appeared in the window. She met him at the door.

“Long day,” she said and then kissed him.

“It’s good to be home.” He started down the hallway. She knew he was heading straight to his safe to lock up his pistol, just like he did when he arrived home after every shift he ever worked. She appreciated that he always put Izzy’s safety first.

“Your dinner’s in the oven,” she called after him. “Do you remember I have a meeting here tonight?”

He groaned in response. She’d had the feeling he would forget.

She pulled the pan of ziti from the oven and busied herself dishing up a plate for Cesar, adding salad, green beans, and a slice of sourdough bread. He appeared a few minutes later wearing sweatpants and a long-sleeved T-shirt. “Where is everyone?”

“Rafael has class and Izzy’s putting on her pajamas. Can you put her to bed during my meeting?” She handed him his plate.

“Sure.”

She let him eat in silence, pulling the cobbler from the oven and putting the ice cream out to soften. The committee members would be arriving soon.

“I hauled the same guy into Hope Haven again,” Cesar finally said.

“What guy?” Elena had no idea what he was talking about.

“Remember the one with alcohol poisoning a couple of weeks ago?”

Elena sat down across from her husband. She vaguely remembered.

“He was at the park, passed out, before noon.”

“Oh dear,” Elena said.

“He has a son who was injured in Iraq.”

Elena put her hand over her heart. “Does he have a wife?”

Cesar nodded as he swallowed. “Says she doesn’t want him to come back home. She’s done with him.”

“Oh dear,” Elena said again.

Cesar met her eyes. “Why do people risk so much? What makes it worth it?”

“Addictions make people do all sorts of things they wouldn’t otherwise.”

“Why would he risk his marriage?” Cesar wiped his mouth with his napkin.

Elena shrugged. Cesar knew as much about human nature as she did—probably more. “Could be his pain is greater than his logic right now,” she answered just as the doorbell rang.

Cesar went back to eating his dinner.

Elena opened the front door and ushered Anabelle in. Anabelle had just stepped into the living room as Izzy came running in, her long, curly hair free around her shoulders, bouncing against the soft cotton of her pajamas.

“Aunt Anabelle!”

Anabelle scooped her up into a hug.

“Will you read to me?” the little girl asked, pointing to the stack of books on the coffee table.

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