A Family in Full by Vanessa Del Fabbro

Author:Vanessa Del Fabbro
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2007-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

11

IT HAD BEEN DEBATED, VOTED ON AND APPROVED. ALL that remained now was for Monica and the boys to make the offer. When they arrived at the hospital midmorning on Saturday, Monica was surprised to see Zak’s car in the parking lot. He wasn’t expecting her and she’d thought he’d be away, collecting Yolanda in Cape Town.

All of a sudden she was assailed by doubt. Perhaps the morning after their date was too soon to show up at his place of work unannounced; he might think she was crowding him. She pushed aside the thought. Zak did not play games; everything he did was after lengthy consideration. It had showed in the way he’d waited until he had come to terms with the breakup of his marriage before going out with another woman.

What Monica and the boys had come to do this morning at the hospital was important; Daphne had told them that Silas was ready to be discharged.

They met Zak and Yolanda in the corridor on the way to Silas’s ward. Zak was surprised to see her, but his smile told her that he was pleased, as well.

“We’ve come to see Silas,” she said, feeling as though she had to explain herself. “Hi, Yolanda.” The girl returned her greeting with a sweet smile.

“I was just on my way to see him myself,” said Zak. “How are you, young men?”

He shook Mandla’s hand. Sipho waited his turn and then shook Zak’s hand with extra vigor. Zak looked into Monica’s eyes as he knocked on Silas’s door, and she felt her stomach do a nervous flip.

As they entered, Daphne jumped to her feet. There was a book in her hand.

“My shift is over. I’ve been reading to Silas.” Blushing deeply, she realized that her explanation had placed her in a difficult position.

Monica came to her rescue. “Poetry should be recommended reading for all journalists.”

Silas nodded in agreement. “Poets use few words to say so much, and we journalists use many, sometimes to say nothing at all.”

Mandla’s high-pitched laughter broke the tension in the room, and Daphne started bustling around, tidying Silas’s nightstand, straightening his sheets. She was his nurse again, in charge and formidable.

Zak and Monica looked at each other. They had unwittingly barged in on a tender moment, and the realization made them smile in complicity. It seemed to be the season for falling in love.

Thank goodness for the impatience of small children.

“When are you going to leave the hospital?” Mandla wanted to know of Silas.

Daphne stopped tidying to stare at Zak.

“That’s a good question, son,” said Silas. “Doctor?”

“The medication has done its job, but you need to build up your strength. Normally I would send you home now to rest, but—” he looked at Daphne “—the journey to—”

“He can’t go back to Zimbabwe.” Daphne’s chin jutted forward slightly. She crossed her arms.

Zak took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. “If the police find out you are here—”

“None of the nurses or hospital workers will tell them.” Daphne stared at Monica and Zak, her eyes challenging.

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