Listening for Drums by Robin Strachan

Author:Robin Strachan [Strachan, Robin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FICTION / FIC000000 - General
ISBN: 9781603816120
Publisher: Camel Press
Published: 2017-08-15T07:00:00+00:00

On Sunday afternoon, Carrie arrived home from delivering twins to find John Leathers sitting at the kitchen table with Dr. Jim and Lois, drinking coffee and enjoying a slice of freshly baked banana bread. He wore faded jeans and a green Glacier Park sweatshirt. “Hello,” he said, standing to greet her as she came in the front door. His hands were stuck in the side pockets of his jeans. “I’m sorry I wasn’t able to join you for dinner last night.”

“Well, it was my fault for not asking you earlier.” Carrie plopped into a kitchen chair and let out a huge yawn as she unfastened the braid holding back her hair. She had been at the hospital since daybreak, even missing her morning run. Although the delivery had gone well, the young mother had been in labor all night. Carrie knew her presence calmed the frightened girl. Annie bounded over to John, who crouched down to give her a good rub. “I’m glad you stopped by,” Carrie said. “I’ve been wondering how things are going at home.”

“My brother is doing better. My sister has been coming over to my parents’ house when my mother isn’t able to be there. We don’t want Mike to be alone.”

“It’s really good that your entire family is supporting him.”

Dr. Jim and Lois remained silent. Carrie knew they understood that as Mike’s physician, she couldn’t divulge patient information. But John didn’t seem to mind if they knew.

“My brother nearly died a few weeks ago. We’re helping him stay sober,” he told them. “It’s been a difficult time for the family. My mother has been beside herself with worry. Even my father hasn’t been himself. He hasn’t finished a painting in weeks.”

“There’s a reason why families go into counseling when one of their own has alcohol or drug problems,” Dr. Jim pointed out. “It’s real hard on everybody.”

“My parents don’t expect much. Mike has been drinking for over twenty years.” John picked up his coffee cup. “Since he got out of rehab, he hasn’t taken a drink, as far as we know. But he has begun eating too much, especially sweets. You won’t be happy with his weight when you see him again, Carrie. I’ve been trying to get him to play basketball with me.”

Carrie remained carefully silent on medical matters pertaining to her patient. “I can tell you that family support means a lot,” she said. “Eating sweets helps raise his serotonin levels, and burning off those calories is a good thing.”

“He needs work that keeps him occupied.” John sat down again, resting his forearms on the table. “In the meantime, my father is encouraging him to draw. Mike has real talent. He could be as good as my father.”

“That’s it!” Carrie said, brightening. “That’s exactly what Mike needs.”

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