In the Moment

It took her less than two seconds to recognize what was in her hands. Looking up from her lap she looked around the room; everyone was grieving for Uncle Robert. He had been a wonderful light in her life after the death of her husband. She’d been lost, unsure of her future or where she’d go. Uncle Robert put her to work in his Foundation. At first she dreaded getting up in the mornings but she made a promise to him that for one month she would come to work everyday no matter what and at the end of that one month if she did not like what she was doing, he would release her from the promise; free to go about doing whatever she wanted and he would financially support her for an entire year.

It sounded like a good deal and she had nothing else to do, no children to tend to since she and her husband had only been married a year before a drunk driver slammed into their SUV killing Gabriel. She had been spared that fateful day. Uncle Robert had invited her to the christening of the new hospital wing for children. She and Gabriel had just started talking about having kids. Being there for the opening of a children’s cancer ward excited her then. Now there would be no kids for her and for Gabriel.

Clutching the little black book the attorney had quietly left in her lap during the funeral, she remembered the last conversation she had with Uncle Robert in his office overlooking Elliot Bay. It was exactly one month since she began working at his foundation. The first week was the hardest getting up and getting to work. As time went on, she found each day a little more bearable. The work she was doing was impactful and she loved being around the kids in the new ward. She met so many children who inspired her and the more time she spent with them, checking on their progress with treatments, reading stories to them, and sometimes, unfortunately, consoling the parents, she grew very fond of all of them.

Uncle Robert had told her he was very impressed with everything she had been doing and it was her decision to make on this 30th day if she wanted to stay and keep working or if she was ready to take off and do whatever it was she wanted to do. Uncle Robert had given her until the end of day to make a decision. In her heart she knew it was yes, but wanted to make her Uncle sweat just a little. She knew she wanted to stay and keep working on behalf of the children’s ward. He mentioned to her the first week that if she chose to stay, he would make her the director of the ward with full control over the program. That excited her and she told him as such. Uncle Robert probably knew her decision anyway as his assistant asked her the morning before what type of plants she would like in her new office.

After leaving the meeting and getting home to her little apartment in Alki Beach, she took a walk along Beach Drive, watching the ferries cross over to Bainbridge she felt so happy. As she got near Spuds Restaurant, she decided to get some fish and chips then head home. As she waited for her order, her cell phone rang but she didn’t recognize the number. She almost didn’t answer it with all the scam calls but something told her to pick up.

“Hello” she answered.

In the time it took her heart to beat 10 times she was told by a nurse at her Uncle’s hospital that her support, her best friend, her light had had a massive heart attack and died immediately.

It was incomprehensible, unimaginable, heart breaking and down right just unfair. Uncle Robert has given so much to so many and it was not like he was overweight or out of shape. It was so difficult to get out of bed the next morning but she knew she had to go to the foundation and the hospital to help keep everything together. Her Aunt Sylvia was in Uncle Robert’s office trying very hard to keep from crying. The attorneys and the board of directors were there. It was all overwhelming for her Aunt. She stepped in and shooed everyone away leaving her with her Aunt.

They hugged each other and broke down into an ugly cry on Uncle Robert’s favorite couch. It was the couch he had been sitting on when he met Sylvia in the hotel lobby of the Four Seasons. He bought it for his office a week after they met. He knew then Sylvia was the one for him. After the cry, she told Aunt Sylvia to go home. She would keep everything running. Aunt Sylvia looked at her niece and said “he loved you like you were his daughter.” “That means a lot to me.” “Your parent’s flight from the UK arrives in an hour. I sent a car to pick them up.” “Thanks Aunt Syl.” And with that Aunt Sylvia turned and hurried off before another flood of tears would come.

“I’m sorry for your loss.”

Shaken from her thoughts, she looked up to see a distant cousin she once spent a summer vacation with. “Thank you Julie, I wish he could see all these families he helped at the hospital here today.” “Yes, Robert would have loved this, right up his alley.” Julie sat down beside her and noticed the little black book. “Is that a guest book?” she asked. “No, not a guest book. I’m sorry Julie I need to speak with Mr. Greyson. Will you excuse me?” Julie smiled and gave her cousin a squeeze. “We can catch up later.”

There were many questions she needed answers to and Mr. Greyson would know. As she approached him from across the room, she couldn’t help notice how strikingly handsome he was. Not like a model but a well put together man who took very good care of himself with steely blue eyes one wouldn’t want to go up against in the courtroom. He had been with the Foundation for 3 years but had not met him, yet. She made her way through the crowd and before she could get to him, Aunt Sylvia and her mom pulled her away into family matters.

The rest of the evening was a blur and finally she found herself lying on her bed with the book resting beside her. She gently touched the front cover, lingering for a moment then turned to the first page. In her uncle’s handwriting the preamble explained the purpose of the little black book. What she didn’t understand was why her. This was what she was intending to ask Mr. Greyson. She had to decide who would receive the $20,000 anonymous check. Uncle Robert enjoyed helping someone who really needed it. He had arranged for her to get the black book before he died. It also told her he knew she was going to stay at the Foundation. She read the names on the page for this month and read the notes from Uncle Robert. Based on the notes, she was able to determine who needed it most. But there was a second name that really got to her. In the morning she would call Greyson about making an adjustment. She fell asleep with her arm on the little black book.

In the morning she decided to arrange a meeting with Mr. Greyson instead. The meeting was for 7:09 am due to his busy schedule so she hurried to the Foundation. She waited in her Uncle’s office holding the little black book firmly against her chest. Afraid perhaps if she let go, she was letting go of her uncle. Mr. Greyson arrived and motioned for them to sit on the couch. As they sat, his hand brushed against hers for a brief moment. She felt her face flush. “So what can I help you with?”, he asked. “Well I was given Uncle Robert’s special book and I am not sure why he wanted me to have it. Also I wanted to know if I can pick more than one person?” Mr. Greyson took a moment to contemplate. “On the latter, there’s no reason you can’t pick two. It’s your book now. And for why Mr. Hudson bequeathed you to take it on lies solely on your namesake. And I’m sorry I have to get to another meeting.” He quickly walked out the door. At least she knew she could award a second recipient. But the reasoning for why her, still befuddled her. “My namesake?” She sat on the couch mulling it over then switched gears. She needed two checks.

Fortunately, the accountant was able to confirm for this month there was enough money that two recipients could be paid but the accountant did mention the importance of not doing that all the time because the principal should increase so this fund would last in perpetuity. She thanked him for the two checks and rushed out the door as she dialed her aunt.

An hour later she arrived at her Aunt Sylvia’s. They hugged and went into the living room. “So you are wondering why he gave it to you.” “Yes, I don’t understand and I clearly don’t understand about my namesake.” “Your mom or dad never told you?” “Ya no.” Aunt Sylvia handed her a framed picture from the side table of their wedding announcement. “Aunt Syl! Your middle name is my name.” “Yes, I am your namesake. And as I said before, you have been the daughter Robert and I could never have because of my cancer.” “I had no idea you had cancer. That’s why Uncle Robert started his foundation and the hospital.” “Yes.” Aunt Sylvia replied “Now you know. Honey are you going to deliver the checks today?” “I am and I guess I better go if I am going to catch them. Love you Aunt Syl!”

Arriving at the hospital she found the nurse’s station in the children’s ward. Nurse Beatrice had been there since the ward opened and on her own time provided support to the parents with home cooked family meals and many hugs when treatments were successful as well as consoling them in their grief. The check made out to Beatrice was carefully placed in her mailbox. The next recipient was Sarah, a volunteer from the local high school who had been coming everyday after school to spend time with the kids going through chemo. Sarah was also a cancer survivor and at age 17 she wanted to become a doctor. Her check was left at the volunteer sign-in desk. Each receiving $20,000. From a far she watched their reactions of pure surprise. Uncle Robert would be so happy.

Returning to the Foundation she walked into her Uncle’s office to find Mr. Greyson sitting on the special couch waiting. “How did it go?” he asked her. “It went well”, she replied. Mr. Greyson squeezed her hand and said “this is why Mr. Hudson wanted you to have the book.” She looked puzzled. “Your namesake.” he said. “You are Hope, he wanted you to know what it’s like to give hope.” It all made more sense to Hope. “Now there’s a bit more business regarding the Foundation. Mr. Hudson fully intended to make you the director but since his passing, the will states otherwise.” To this news Hope was hurt. “I don’t understand, it was our deal.” said Hope. “Well it was, but now the foundation and the hospital belongs to you.” replied Mr. Greyson. “Really Mr. Greyson?!” “Yes, really.” Hope leapt forward with a hug. “My name is Barry by the way.” In the moment everything changed for Hope.