Ten Fingers and Ten Toes, (Angel of Mercy)

After a long shift and the wonderment of what had happened to the good officer, I found myself on the medical floor looking for a man I had only met once. At least now I knew who my hero was. Andrew Bailey had survived his unfortunate event. At least I knew that much. I hadn’t enquired about him. It wasn’t common practice. I found out by others talking. The only way that I had picked up his name was when I assisted the other staff members take him to pre-op. His words would not leave me anytime soon. I was glad he had made it through this as I wanted to thank him for what he did. He didn’t have to. Then again it was more than likely second nature.

I stood at the threshold of his door wondering what I was going to say once I went in. He didn’t know me. Did he? Did he remember me? That’s ridiculous. “Aren’t you coming in,” I heard him say, startling me. Unable to say anything quickly enough I walked through the door and swallowed my throat dry. “Aw, my damsel in distress.” Standing at his side I saw the bandages but I must admit he did look much better than the last time I had seen him. Then it occurred to me, he did recognize me. In as much pain he had been in. I couldn’t help but giggle softly at his comment. “Yes I guess that was me. How you feeling?” His face lit up and his dimples melted me as he smiled. “I’m good for the shape I’m in. I thought I was a goner until I saw your face.” My face burned and I knew immediately I was beat read blushing. The heat rose from my cheeks to my ears. I bet I was a sight to see. I was never one to hide my emotions easy. “Oh, you blush easy,” he said laughing. “I love it.”

It wasn’t normal for me to look down but I knew if he looked up he would know, he would know something that even I hadn’t known until now. I was attracted to him. Maybe I was more than attracted. “I should be the one hiding angel. I’m the one that must look insanely dreadful.” His laughed and I couldn’t help myself but look at him. “You must have come to see me for a reason.” He was dragging it out of me. I felt myself biting my tongue, guarding myself. I didn’t want to end up in another dead-end relationship. Not that I was sure this was going anywhere. Maybe he was asking a simple question. I was taking this way to serious. I just met him and it was an accidental meeting. He had helped me in a difficult circumstance and now I had returned the favor. It was my job after all.

“No,” I felt my heart fall to my feet as I lied. “I just wanted to check on you, and to thank you again for what you did.”

He laughed. His dimples sucked me in as I looked at him in the next to nothing hospital wear. “Ok, but I think you trumped anything I could have done. I am alive and you were one of the first faces I saw I recognized.” He tipped his head to side and looked me direct in the eye. I knew he was thinking what a liar I was. “Get out of your head. I’m not studying you. Not in the way you think anyway. Since I’m here for another day or two why don’t you stop by and give me some company? The guys are going to be busy for a few days. Gets kind of lonely sitting here all day. I’m not used to sitting idle for long.”

“What about your wife, your girlfriend?” The statement was out of my mouth before I could stop it. Maybe he hadn’t noticed.

“You’re just full of surprises aren’t you?” Well I guess he did notice after all. I couldn’t keep my eyes off him. “It might be a problem if I had a wife, or a girlfriend. Things might get a little crowded.” I hardly heard him as I stood admiring his masculine form. I couldn’t help myself. By the time I realized I was staring he had picked up on my adoration. “My face is up here honey.” Well that was embarrassing. “I’m sorry.” I said as I dropped my head and looked away.

“It’s ok. I didn’t mean to embarrass you. It happens all the time,” he said, taking it in stride. “You don’t have to be so uncomfortable around me. Right now I am at my worst. I should be the one embarrassed.”

“No, of course not. I mean.. you shouldn’t be embarrassed. I think you look great.” Again open mouth insert foot. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me, I can’t talk to anyone today without sticking my foot in my mouth.” Again I was met with a chuckle. “I understand. It is sort of awkward. Here I am teasing you we haven’t introduced ourselves. You probably know who I am by now, but.. My name is Andrew Bailey, and you are?”

Extending my hand I introduced myself to the Greek god that lay before me. Harper Reynolds.”

“Well, Harper Reynolds, if you are game I would love for you to come visit with me. You would be welcome company.”

The days went by and I did go see him a couple of times while he was in the hospital, on the third day he had been released. I had gone to see him only to find an empty bed and a note delivered by another staff member thanking me for the extra attention. What did I expect? Once he found out I was pregnant he wouldn’t stick around anyway. I couldn’t blame him. A woman with a built in family that was another man’s reject. It had been an early morning. Waking up to nausea and immediately emptying an my stomach left me tired and weak. I managed to do a few things around the house, the last was fixing my hair in which I ended up in the floor more than once before I had finished.

With an herbal tea in one hand I flopped on the couch and let the day walk on by. It was nearing one in the afternoon and it felt like it should be midnight. In another week I would be eight weeks. I still hadn’t decided what I was going to do. I was going to have to make up my mind before long. If I kept the child, chose to abort or adopt was going to be a struggle. I didn’t believe in abortion but it might be my best solution. I know me. More than likely if I chose to end this pregnancy it would haunt me. If I gave the child up for adoption it might be worse than death. I wouldn’t have any contact. No idea of how they grew up, what they became. I really didn’t have the right. Open adoption was an option but not for me. I would want to go back. I would want the child once it was connected with another family and that wouldn’t be fair for any of us.

The chime from the door shook me waking me from deep and uncomforting thoughts. Who would be here at this time of the day? I had friends, yes, but they were all at school, work or dealing with life in general. We always made a point to spend some time together but the holidays were on us and they were busy. I wasn’t sure what I would do. I hadn’t had a holiday with my family in years. My brother and sister were on their own and we really didn’t make a lot of plans. Hmm, maybe that should change.

Answering the door I was greeted by a young man from the local florist. Jordan was a good kid. He had been working for Jo’s for as long as I could remember. He had the prettiest girlfriend and both were well respected. He wanted to go to college in the fall. He talked about being an engineer. I’m sure as smart as he is he will do it without a problem. “Hello Mrs. Reynolds. Nice day isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is. You enjoying your holiday Jordan?

Jordan stood and fiddled with the delivery paper as he answered. “After this delivery, I’m heading home. Mom always goes all out. I can’t wait to eat some of her homemade pie. It’s the bomb.” After I signed the delivery he handed me the box and wished me well. Opening the box I couldn’t believe what I found. I was speechless and had no idea where they could have come from. Nonetheless, I had a dozen yellow long stem roses looking back at me. All of them perfect wrapped in green tissue and a bright red bow.

Hope your day is going well. This is to lift your spirits and for a bribe. If you don’t have plans for the Holiday, I would love to set up a date. I’ll call you soon.

Andrew

#Decision #abortion #babies #love #officer #accident #adoption #lastresort #romance