Stories for Lovers by Eden Winters

Author:Eden Winters [Winters, Eden]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2020-06-15T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 3

He called on the way to the hospital, answering a steady stream of rapid-fire questions, and then passed the phone around to each boy so their aunt could see for herself that they were all right.

Miguel handed it back. “It’s beeping,” he said.

Jay had just enough time to register the message, “Low Battery” before the screen faded out. Shit! He’d forgotten to charge the darned thing last night. He’d just have to wait until he got to the hospital to call home.

Steve, the boys’ official baby sitter until their aunt arrived, sprawled his large frame in a chair in the Emergency waiting room, intent on paperwork. Jay kept the boys entertained with stories of his family back in Texas, hoping their mom wouldn’t mind them drinking soda and eating vending machine crackers. His own mother would have had a fit, but it was past dinnertime and the boys were hungry. The aunt arrived at the hospital nearly an hour after they did. Jay blinked tired eyes.

“Sorry, so sorry, late; many, many cars. Muchas gra…umm…thank you, thank you!” she said in faltering English, grabbing and squeezing the breath out of Jay before doing the same to the boys.

Steve stood, yawning and stretching. The woman ran fearful eyes over his massive frame. “Are you Yadira Sanchez?” he asked, hope in his eyes.

“Sí.”

Steve handed over a clipboard and had her sign a form, then, with a nod toward Jay and the kids, fled, his sigh of relief unmistakable, even in the crowded, noisy waiting room.

When Jay addressed the woman in Spanish she reverted to the language she appeared more comfortable with. “Those poor boys!” she exclaimed. “What would we have done without you? You’re an angel!” The children chattered, their tales of what happened growing more far-fetched and exaggerated with each telling.

Several more minutes passed before the doctor came out, and Jay helped explain Theresa’s condition, and that she wouldn’t be released until morning. The aunt said she’d take her nephews with her for the night, and return to care for her sister tomorrow.

All three youngsters hugged Jay goodbye. “Is it okay if I call in a few days, to see how the boys and your sister are doing?”

The woman smiled, patting Jay’s cheek. “Your mamá must be so proud of you,” she said, scribbling on a scrap of paper. “Here is her phone number. I’m sure the boys will be thrilled to hear from you.” Her nephews trailed behind her when she left. They didn’t stop waving to Jay until they’d passed through the glass doors of the hospital’s Emergency exit.

Jay dropped all the change that hadn’t found a new home in the vending machines into a pay phone. He sincerely hoped Michael wouldn’t be upset about his being late without calling sooner. The call to Michael’s cell phone went directly to voice mail.

He accepted a ride in a patrol car back to his vehicle, glancing at his watch every few minutes.

“You got a hot date or something?” the officer asked. While Steve knew Jay was gay, this guy may not.

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