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“I have a cart full of goodies, if you gentlemen would like anything. I have sample-size deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, even a razor and shaving cream, if you need them. Also got some books and newspapers. We know family doesn’t like to leave too often, so we bring the necessities to you. What can I give you today?”
William shook his head with a polite smile. “I’m good. But thank you.”
“Me, too.”
“Okay.” She reached into a box on the top of her cart and pulled out something small wrapped in plastic. “But I’ll leave you with this. We can never have too many people watching over us.” She stepped into the room and held her hand out.
William took whatever it was. “Thank you.”
“I’m here until three. So if you change your mind and need something, just press zero on any hospital phone and tell them to send Thelma up.” She waved and pushed her cart away.
I looked at William. “What did she give you?”
He opened his fist. “A little gold pin. It’s an angel holding a heart.” He turned it over. “There’s a prayer on the back, the prayer for the patron saint of the sick—Saint Louise.”
“Saint…Louise?”
William nodded.
I looked up and closed my eyes with a smile. The angel pin would have been enough to make me believe, but Thelma and Louise? Now that was my grandmother’s sense of humor.
CHAPTER 34
Beck
“I ALSO DON’Tlike California. It’s too sunny. It’s like a person who smiles all the time. You can’t trust someone like that.”
Two days later, I’d decided to change my approach. Nora still hadn’t woken up. They’d taken the breathing tube out and cut all the sedatives, but she just continued to lie lifeless. It was three in the morning, and I’d climbed into bed beside her and started to tell her all the ways I disagreed with her. Telling her how much I loved her didn’t work. Begging didn’t work. So I’d resorted to trying to wake her by pissing her off.
“And seventy-eight-year-old women shouldn’t bewingsuit diving.” I looked over at the monitor, hoping for I don’t know what—a blip, a stutter…something. But nothing changed. “And the Yankees are the best team in baseball. Forty pennants and counting. The only thing your Dodgers are good for is that sexy little T-shirt you wear to bed.”
I went on for at least an hour, listing things I knew would infuriate her. No change. So when I yawned, I let my eyes take a break.
I had no idea how long I’d been conked out when I woke to someone whispering.
“Candy fax,” the voice said.
My eyes opened and nearly bulged from my head to find Nora looking at me.
“Holy shit. You’re awake.”
“Candy fax,” she again whispered. “Do sider.” She swallowed and touched her throat. “Dry.”
“Of course. You’ve had a tube down your throat for almost a week. Holy shit. Am I dreaming right now, or are you really awake?”
The hand at her throat crooked a finger, so I leaned closer.
“Sandy,” she whispered in my ear.
I pulled back to look at her. “Oh sandy, not candy. Do you mean your throat feels sandy?”
She shook her head and again crooked that finger. So I leaned again.
“Koufax.”
My forehead wrinkled. “Sandy Koufax? The old Dodgers player?”
She nodded and whispered again. “Jackie Robinson. Duke Snider.”
