Page 99 of Fortunate Miracles
“Ray. You have our full support. We will help you with whatever you need. Moving, job placement, and housing. Just name it. There’s a large group of us ready to be put to work,” Zander tells him.
“Thank you both. I need to let Erin know, too. That's going to be a mess,” he sighs wearily.
“Do you think she’ll cause problems?”
Ray nods. “Yes. I should wait until Jake is healed, but I feel bad delaying the conversation.”
“I don’t know the full situation, but Jake should come first,” Zander adds.
“True. That’s a disaster that can wait until later. I’ll start looking into rehab choices today between here and Charleston.”
“I can contact Holly’s mom. She’s a nurse at the Mt. Pleasant hospital, and see where she recommends?”
“Good idea, darling,” Zander smiles. “I can reach out to my contacts too, and the transport nurse we used. You’ll need to determine what you need for home care.”
“Never thought about that,” Ray says.
“We’re here, Ray,” Zander reiterates. “You don’t need to do this alone. Let’s see what’s out there, and then we can meet and discuss the options available.”
He nods as Leigh comes in. “Jake is all clean. Dr. Crosby is in with him now.”
“Thanks. Oh, can he have juice?”
“Sure. What kind does he like?”
“Grape,” Ray and I say at the same time, and we smile at each other.
“I’m not sure we have that, but I bet the vending machines do. Let me ask around, and I’ll let you know.”
Leigh tracks down grape juice on the third floor of the hospital for us, and Zander volunteers to go get a few.
Dr. Crosby returns and tells us we can visit now, so Ray and I head into Jake’s room. “Hey handsome,” I smile. Jake gives me a small smile as Ray and I take seats on either side of him. “What’s up?”
“Just processing,” he replies. I can still read him like a book. He’s unsettled and worried. Despite handling all this, it must be a crazy situation for him.
“What did Dr. Crosby tell you?” Ray asks.
“That I nearly didn’t wake up. I’m in a research trial. I need to be careful with the back of my head until it heals and then protect it for several months after that.”
“All true, and you’ll be fine, Jake,” I say, squeezing his hand. He will be great. I’ll make sure of it.
“Summer is correct. You are fine. With some rehab and you’ll be good as new, son.”
The sharp rap on the door makes me get up. Zander is standing in the hallway off to the side, so I step out. He has 4 bottles of grape juice for Jake. “Thank you, Dad. I’ll visit for a bit and then let Ray have some alone time and join you.”
“Sounds good, darling,” he replies before walking into the room next door.
I slip back inside and set the bottles on the table. “We have grape juice, Jake.” I open one bottle and grab a straw to let him have a drink.
“Nectar of the gods. Thanks, Sum,” Jake says with a yawn.
“Welcome. You’ve been up for a while. Why don’t you rest?”
“Are you both staying?” He asks. Part of him is worried we won’t be here if he closes his eyes. I can read the panic in him as if itwere my own.
“Why don’t I let Ray stay with you for a bit, and I’ll just be next door?”
“Why?” Jake asks.
