Intertwined by Jennifer Slattery

Author:Jennifer Slattery
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: New Hope Publishers
Published: 2015-11-19T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 26

Tammy jotted a few more numbers on her notepad, tore off the top sheet, and stuck it to the refrigerator. She checked the clock on the microwave, then entered the living room.

Stephanie, her new sitter, sat on the floor building Lego structures with Tylan. Becky lounged in a nearby armchair, remote control in one hand, phone in the other.

Was Tammy forgetting anything? “I left emergency numbers and instructions on the fridge.” Instructions she’d already gone over verbally. “Like I said during the interview, I could be back in a few hours, or I could be at the hospital all night.”

Stephanie nodded. “I’ll set the alarm just in case. What time do they need to be at school tomorrow?”

“Thanks, Stephanie. Tylan catches the bus at seven thirty. Becky walks to school but needs to leave at the same time.” She crossed the room and kissed Becky’s forehead. “Ten more minutes of TV, then study for finals, got that?”

Becky rolled her eyes. “Fine.”

Tammy moved to Tylan and lowered to his level. “I expect you to go to bed without a fuss. One glass of water and one trip to the bathroom. Got it?”

He focused on his Legos.

Tammy tickled his ribs. “Got it?” When he didn’t respond, she tickled some more. “I know you hear me.”

She and Stephanie exchanged knowing smiles.

Peace swept over Tammy as she left her house and strolled to her car. Her kids were in good hands.

Thank You, Lord.

Parked in Central Medical’s parking garage thirty minutes later, she pulled out her cell phone and scrolled to her mother’s number. She got her voicemail.

“Hey, Mom, Dad, it’s me. Seems we’re playing phone tag. I was just calling to see how you’re doing.” She swallowed. Why were those three little words so hard? “Look, I’m . . . I’m sorry for our . . . little spat.” She exhaled. “Call me when you get a chance. Love you.”

She hung up and started to put her phone away when she noticed a missed call alert. Nick. A smile tugged on her mouth.

Stepping out into the crisp evening air, she clicked return call.

“Hello?” His deep voice quickened her pulse.

“Hi, Nick.” She wove her way through parked cars to the ICU entrance. “Thanks for returning my call.”

“No problem. Do you have more news on the recipients?”

Her gut dropped. Way to elevate then dash his hopes. “No. I’m sorry. I was calling to see how you’re doing.” Passing the information kiosk, she waved to Dottie, a grandmotherly volunteer who always had a smile and a kind word.

“Honest answer or the politically correct one?” He paused. “You ever feel like you’re trapped on a merry-go-round, wanting to jump off but not having anywhere to land or the wherewithal to let go?”

All the time, but this wasn’t about her. “Sounds like you need me to bring you a sugar and caffeine-loaded Mountain Dew.”

He chuckled. “That oughta relax me.”

“Like a jolt of electricity to the brain. You know . . .” Her stomach knotted. This was a stupid idea .

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.