Hunger's Mate by A. C. Arthur

Author:A. C. Arthur
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781466840874
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Chapter 15

“Hello, I’m here to pick up my father.”

“Oh yes, Ms. Jenner. We had him ready yesterday when you called. He was a little upset that you didn’t show up, but he’ll be so happy you’re here now,” Gail said, pleased that neither she nor any of the other evening staff would have to explain to Mr. Jenner why his daughter hadn’t shown up again.

The old man had been up all night asking after somebody named Dawn. When she’d corrected him at least twenty times, telling him his daughter’s name was Jewel, he’d grown even more agitated. He’d yelled for her to stop calling him Mr. Jenner, but he did that whenever they used his last name. As long as they called him Thurgood, he’d been as sweet as candy to the staff. Last night and this morning had been the first time he’d gone off the way he had so that at one point they’d considered sedating him. So yes, Gail was more than glad to see Jewel Jenner here to pick him up.

“He was a bit fussy last night but luckily we didn’t have to sedate him. He’s very excited about the trip to a new home. He’s been talking about the beach.” When they were standing outside of Mr. Jenner’s door Gail stopped herself from rambling, opened the door, and hurried inside.

“Mr.… ah … Thurgood, look who’s finally here,” she said, then clamped her lips shut. Of course he wouldn’t be able to look, she berated herself. It had been such a long night and it seemed like all too soon she’d been back in this place again. Shaking her head she went to the window where he sat and touched his shoulder.

“Your daughter’s here to pick you up,” she told him.

A smile spread across the old man’s face. It was so warm and so genuine she couldn’t help but smile herself. When she looked up at Jewel she almost expected her to be smiling as well, or at the very least coming closer to embrace her father after knowing he’d had such a rough night, but she didn’t. She still stood just inside the doorway wearing those dark shades she always wore, her hair draping over her shoulders.

“He’s all ready to go,” Gail added once again.

The woman finally took a few steps inside the room, reaching down for the suitcase that was near the dresser. “Great. If you could get him in a wheelchair and to the door we can get going.”

“Well, ah,” Gail said. “There’s some paperwork to be signed at the front desk. Just formalities we do when a patient checks out.”

Jewel had already made her way back to the door, when she turned slightly. “Oh that’s right. I apologize, it’s been a really rough day. I’m just in such a hurry to get Daddy to our new home. I’ll meet you at the front desk,” she said, giving Gail a nod and a smile.

The questions Gail had had about Jewel’s reserve today melted away at that point.

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