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31
SAMUEL
“Samuel?”
“Hi, Mom.” Samuel paces the length of the garden outside the hospital. This is a phone call that has taken a hit on his dignity and something he can’t do sitting down. “Is Dad with you?” Samuel raises his arm to check his wristwatch—the one his father gave him when he graduated from medical school. It’s not something he wears often considering the value, only it keeps exceptional time, and he has used it to track Eden’s pulse rate. After giving his other watch to the Watache as a gift of goodwill, when he arrived in Canaima, he retrieved the watch his father had given him that he had locked in a safe. In Guyana, it’s lunchtime. In LA, it’s morning, and he assumes his father has already commenced work for the day.
“Are you okay?” she blurts.
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“And Eden?”
“I need a favor. It concerns Eden.”
“Wait, I’ll put you on speaker. Christopher…” she says, “…it’s Samuel. Okay, we can both hear you. You may need to repeat yourself as your father isn’t well, which is why he’s home on a Monday. His ears are blocked from an upper respiratory infection.”
Samuel’s throat thickens. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, son. It’s just not something I can afford to spread to my patients.”
Samuel understands the need for caution. He glances up to the third-floor window to Eden’s room. “I’ll just get to the purpose of my call. Congratulations. You’re both grandparents to a little girl.”
His mother gasps. “Oh my.”
“Rose is well.” His voice is filled with pride. “And thankfully, so is Eden. We’re in Georgetown, Guyana, having tests for precautionary measures.”
“Precautionary. Were there complications with her labor?” his father asks in a stern voice.
Honesty is best. “She delivered in the village where I work—”
“Heavens,” his mother says in a breathy sigh. He can visualize her with a hand on her chest.
There’s a moment of silence.
“Eden did amazingly well, and I arranged transport immediately to a hospital where I know the physicians who’ll give her the best care. Rose is almost seven weeks premature and doing well considering her size.”
“Rose?” his father repeats.
“Yes, Rose. We’re yet to give her a middle name and will decide tonight for the authorization of the birth certificate.”
“This is wonderful news. We’re thrilled you called and can’t wait to see our granddaughter. Please send some photos.”
“I will.”
“Now, you mentioned a favor?”
“My work here isn’t complete.”
“You can terminate the contract with the pharmaceutical company, son. I can call—”
“Dad,” Samuel interrupts. “I have another commitment in which I have never expected you to understand or support. I intend to join Eden in Australia soon.WhenI do, I hope you can come to visit. We’d also like to make a trip to LA, but my priority is getting her home as soon as possible. Eden wants to support me and remain by my side. Don’t worry yourself as I’ll not allow it and prefer if she were home with family and safe in her country.”
“At least you’re thinking straight regarding your… partner.”
Samuel withholds the urge to cuss. Instead, he focuses on the garden bed of red geraniums lining the paved path.
“I intend to marry Eden when we’re in Australia. Dad, please don’t make this about doing the right thing by Eden in the time-honored way you conceive as respectable. We love each other and plan to spend the rest of our lives together. Eden understands my commitment, and when upheld, I will, in your words, dowhat’s right. My phone call isn’t to discuss moral obligation. I need Eden home, and I don’t have the funds to fly her on a private jet home to Australia without having to first arrange an appointment with a bank in another country. I don’t have the time to fly to Colombia.”
