“Only if it’s not an imposition.”
“I was already making myself a cup.” She managed a brief smile. “Flowers are lovely. Thank you for thinking of me.”
“You can take them to Lester, if you think they’d cheer him up.” Paige stepped inside.
Althea and Lester had the same floorplan she did, the largest of the tiny homes. It was immaculate. Lots of family pictures decorated the walls. Most of the furniture looked new, but Paige spotted a few antiques.
“How do you take it?” Althea asked. She was in the kitchen, filling the kettle.
“Just a splash of cream and sugar,” Paige answered. She set the flowers on the kitchen counter, then carefully removed the box holding the vase. “We missed you at book club last night, but of course, everyone understood.”
“Maybe I’ll read the book anyway. Just in case I can make the next meeting. I was looking forward to it. Lester even thought it was a good idea.” She took two cups down out of the cabinet and started to cry softly.
“Oh, Althea, he’s going to be just fine.” Paige came around and put her hand on the woman’s shoulder.
“I don’t know if he will be,” Althea said, sniffling.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” If it was something big, she’d call the book club girls, her sister Queen Bees. She was sure they’d step up if they were able.
Althea took a breath, looking very much like she wanted to say something.
“Anything,” Paige said. “I’m here for you.”
“I was with him all night. It makes me feel guilty to say this, but I need a few hours of sleep or I’m afraid I’ll get sick myself. Would you be willing to go sit with him this afternoon? I was planning on reading to him.”
“Not only would I be willing, but I bet I could organize a few other women to go do the same. We can come up with a schedule even. Make sure he’s not alone until you’re ready to be there.”
Her eyes widened as the kettle steamed, and the lever flipped off to indicate the water was ready. “You’d do that?”
Paige gave Althea a quick hug, unsure if the woman would welcome the contact, but it felt appropriate. “Let me send a text.”
While Althea dropped tea bags into the cups, Paige took out her phone and sent a group message, mentally thanking Essie for setting up the group chat.At Althea’s. Her husband is still in the hospital. Hoping we can help her. Anyone up to sit with him a bit today and read to him? Althea needs to rest.
Unsurprisingly, Essie was the first one to answer.Happy to help!I can leave in an hour. What book are we reading? I’ll stay until one of you spells me.
Blaise was next.I can leave right now. Just tell me where to go and what to read.
Paige’s phone vibrated with Maude’s text.Hey. Just woke up, but I can go too. Give me a time. And a place.
Cece followed, also asking for the same thing—time and place.
Paige’s heart filled with joy. This was exactly what she’d hoped for. The kind of friends who were willing to help out and be supportive, no matter what the situation. She smiled and looked up. “Althea? What book would he like to hear?”
Chapter Sixteen
Blaise dressed comfortably in light blue knit pants and matching jacket with a white T-shirt underneath. And because she knew hospitals were often cold, she went with all-white Adidas tennis shoes. This was not the time for sandals. Cold toes would make her miserable.
She carried her Louis Vuitton Neverfull tote, packed carefully with a stainless-steel water bottle, her iPad with the book Althea had said Lester would enjoy, Louis L’Amour’sHondo, a few protein bars, and her usual essentials.
She went through security, signed in, and was issued a sticker to indicate her visitor status. Lester was in Room 722.
She took the elevator up. She didn’t love hospitals. Who did? Unless you were there for the birth of a baby, they weren’t generally great places to be.
But she was pleased to be there all the same. Pleased to be spending her time helping someone else out. Doing a good deed. It was a nice feeling, despite the less than desirable circumstances.
She found his room. The door was open. Cautiously, she pushed it open. “Lester?”
A man much frailer-looking than she’d imagined lay in the bed, tubes coming out of him, a machine softly whirring. Why did everyone look so small in a hospital bed? He glanced at her without acknowledgment.
