Healing by the Book

Laura’s fingers curled tightly around the opened envelope, crinkling it as her heels clicked against the hospital’s white tile floors. The hallways were familiar, too clean with dry air. She turned the corner and felt her blistered feet begin to drag. Her heart started to pound wildly in her chest as she drew closer to her destination. Fear and anxiety filled her thoughts flipping as quickly as an old film. She felt her throat tighten and she leaned against the wall to steady herself. ‘How am I supposed to tell him?' Laura choked, trying to compose herself.

Suddenly she heard a door open and she cautiously looked up. A handsome, well-dressed middle age man was leaving her brother’s room. She felt her blood run cold. What was a strange man doing in her brother’s room? They had no family; it had always been him and her. Laura panicked and forgot all about her concerns as she bolted to her brother’s room. She nearly bumped into the man but paid him no mind as she threw the door open to see her younger brother, happily clicking away on a brand new gaming console. He paused the game and turned to look at her with sparkling hunter green eyes and a bright grin.

“Are you okay Tyler?” Laura asked, closing the door behind her. She stepped further into the room and her eyes wandered to the sleek black box on the dresser underneath the TV. “Where did you get that?”

“Theodore gave it to me,” Tyler cheerfully replied.

“Who’s that?” Laura raised an eyebrow as she took a seat next to her brother. “Was that the man who just left?” Tyler nodded. “He’s been visiting me.” She felt herself tense. Tyler noticed his sister’s unease and tried to lighten the atmosphere.

“Sis, are you okay?” he inquired examining her flushed face. Laura couldn’t contain herself and started to sob. Tyler’s eyes widened and he put his controller on his side table and turned off the TV. “Laura,” he whispered, feeling his heart sink.

“I’m so sorry Tyler,” Laura managed to say through tears. “I’m a terrible sister… My boss cut my hours and as a result my check was significantly less. I'm short for this month’s rent. I can’t believe I would even think to take money from your surgery fund. What was I even thinking? Sorry, I’m so sorry...” Tyler took a deep breath and coughed into his hand to get her attention.

“You’re so silly,” he hit her lightly on the head. “I’m happy you told me and I have a solution,” Tyler commented as he pointed to the gaming console and several games. “Sell that to pay for your rent. I just had my last treatment two days ago. My surgery can wait.”

“Tyler no, I couldn’t... It was a gift,” Laura protested.

“You can,” Tyler reassured her. “It was given to me and I’m choosing to gift it to you. We’ll make it through this together.” Laura sighed and embraced Tyler.

“I really don’t deserve you,” Laura murmured affectionately stroking Tyler’s soft, brown hair.

The clock struck 9:00 p.m. and Laura was clearing her last table. As she carried the dishes to the back, she spotted a man get up. ‘Oh my gosh! That’s the man who was visiting Tyler!’ She nearly dropped the plates in the buss bin and raced towards the man, a million questions filling her mind. When she passed the table he dined at, a little black book caught her eye. ‘Oh no,’ was all that crossed her mind. She scooped up the book and ran out after the man.

“Sir you forgot your book!” Laura called looking around the parking lot, but no one was in sight. “That’s just great,” she mumbled as she walked back into the restaurant. She turned the book over in her hands and pondered how she was going to get the book back to him. ‘Should I open it?’ she wondered. ‘No that’s a breach of privacy...but maybe his address or something is in it? Well only one way to find out.’ She opened the book and on the first page was a ‘To Do List.’

1. Deliver small black coffee and note in the back of the book to Jason Jarvis at Lexington Avenue bus stop tonight at 9:37 pm

2. Pick up Forget Me Not’s from Beautiful in Blue for Matilda Jarvis at Ride Studio Cafe tomorrow at 9:30 am

3. Pick up letter at Santander Bank tomorrow for Dr. J. Morrison. Make sure to have it delivered to Bellevue Hospital Center at 11:00am

“Nine thirty-seven?” Laura said reading the list without thinking. She looked up at the clock, it was 9:05. She ran to the staff room to gather her things and a co-worker walked in with a concerned look.

“Is everything okay?” her co-worker inquired.

“Yes, but something just came up!” Laura answered quickly. “Good work today. See you tomorrow!” She tucked the book into her purse and promptly exited out the back door. Her co-worker stared after her and wondered what Laura so urgently had to do as she was aware visiting hours at the hospital were long over.

“What trouble have you gotten yourself into this time Laura?”

As Laura approached the bus stop, coffee in hand, she noticed a man staring at his watch, tapping his foot irritably. He was good-looking but appeared unfriendly. Laura hesitantly walked towards him and coughed to get his attention. He looked at her then back at his watch with a huff before pulling out a cigarette and lighter.

“Um, excuse me?” Laura timidly spoke. “Are you Jason Jarvis?”

“Who’s asking?” he retorted.

“Laura Rhodes on behalf of Theodore Jarvis,” she answered. “Sorry, he forgot his notebook at my work, and he wanted to bring you a coffee and this note,” Laura explained as she held out the items to the man. He took the beverage and gave her a quizzical expression as he turned the folded piece of paper. “Well, I’ll be going now,” Laura awkwardly gestured, taking a step away from the man.

“Wait!” the man called, but Laura was gone. “Rhodes?” he said aloud. “Where do I know that name?” He shook his head and unfolded the paper – Coffee is better for you than cigarettes!

“Thank you very much,” Laura smiled brightly at the florist as she took the bouquet of Forget Me Not’s. She drew the notebook out to double check the location before leaving the shop. ‘What am I doing?' she thought. ‘Sure, Theodore forgot his notebook, but is it really necessary for me to complete his list?’ Laura pondered as she arrived at Ride Studio Cafe. ‘Of course, it is!’ she nodded as she stood before the door. ‘You can do this Laura. You’re just completing a list to help someone out. And besides, you might run into him.’ As she reached for the handle another hand grasped it before her and pulled it open.

“Welcome young lady,” a chipper voice greeted. Laura looked up and saw a stylish woman holding the door open for her.

“Oh, thank you,” Laura smiled back. “Pardon me, but do you know a Matilda Jarvis?” she asked, and the woman blinked before letting out a surprised chuckle.

“That would be me!” she grinned. “Why do you ask?” Laura felt the heat rise to her face as she carefully placed the flowers into the woman’s unexpected hands. “Dear me! Is this my lucky day? How did you know it was my birthday dear?” Her eyes lit up.

“These are from Theodore Jarvis,” Laura quickly explained. “He asked me to deliver them to you… Anyway, I have to get going. Happy Birthday!” As she left Matilda shouted - “What’s your name dear?” Laura didn’t hear her as she started running and the woman sighed. She spotted a card in the flowers reading: To Matilda Jarvis From Laura Rhodes on behalf of Theodore Jarvis. Matilda smiled holding the card close.

Laura could feel her heart thud violently against her chest as she ran towards the hospital, with the newly acquired bank letter in hand. She glanced at her watch, it was almost 11:00 a.m. ‘Ugh I’m not going to make it!’ Laura grit her teeth running as fast as she could. She threw the doors open and dashed up the stairs towards her brother’s ward. Turning down the hallway that led to her brother’s room she saw two nurses wheeling Tyler out on his bed.

“Wait, stop! Tyler!” Laura yelled running towards them. “Where are you taking him?!”

“Oh, hey sis,” Tyler cheerfully greeted. “I’m headed to the operating room.” Laura felt her heart stop. “You look surprised... I thought you got the money and gave Dr. Morrison the go ahead for the surgery?” Tyler looked confused. Laura could only nod and he smiled brightly at her. “I knew you could do it.” As they approached the operating room Laura stopped in the doorway watching Tyler disappear into the white light.

“You’re quite the older sister Miss Rhodes,” a friendly voice complimented her. She turned and next to her was Dr. J. Morrison with a congratulatory smile on his face. “I didn’t think you’d be able to gather the remaining funds for Tyler’s treatments and the surgery, but you did it!” Dr. Morrison put a hand on Laura’s shoulder. “May I?” he gestured towards the envelope and Laura placed it in his hand. He pulled out a bank draft and reviewed its details carefully before turning to Laura. He gave her a curt nod and showed it to her. “Does everything appear to be in order?” Laura’s eyes widened as she looked at the amount typed on the bank draft, $20,000. She was speechless and all she could do was nod.

“Don’t worry Miss Rhodes,” Dr. Morrison gave her a reassuring grin. “We’ll handle everything from here.” Laura watched Dr. Morrison head into the operating room, and she pulled out the little black book to check off the last thing on the To Do List. As she marked the last task an unopened envelope was held out to her. She looked up and it was Tyler’s nurse. She motioned for Laura to take it and she did, nodding her thanks with a small smile. Once the nurse left Laura quickly opened the envelope, hands trembling as she carefully read its contents.

Dear Laura,

Thank you for completing my To Do List. I’m sure your aunt and uncle were happy to see you after all these years. I hope you’re okay, but I’ve taken the liberty of paying for Tyler’s treatments and surgery. I’m sorry for everything you’ve endured since your mother died. I should have stepped in then, but I’m afraid I was too much of a coward to come back. It must’ve been so hard and I hope you and Tyler can find it in your hearts to forgive me. My hope is now that you know Tyler is going to be okay, you will return to university to finish your degree. I’m so proud of the kind, loving and beautiful young woman you’ve become. I hope you keep my little black book and fill its blank pages, whether it be a story, a poem or even another To Do List like mine. Use it how you see fit. There’s so much more I’d love to say, but I feel as though I have no right as I’m reentering your lives so late. I love you Laura and Tyler more than you could ever know. It makes me happy you’re both now able to move forward.

Sincerely, your father,

Theodore Jarvis.

Laura’s eyes welled up with tears as she held the letter to her chest as she sank to the floor. Never had she been so grateful to hold a little black book in her hands. The book that brought her and Tyler home.