I hope you’ve had a good week. Today I have another
romantic short story for your reading pleasure. Enjoy!
The
Hospital Encounter
Erin
paused outside Room 312, dreading another encounter with her stubborn patient.
If Mr. Kowalski threw his jello against the wall one more time…
Taking a
deep breath, she pushed at the door, leaving it propped open. “Time to take
your blood pressure, Mr. Kowalski.” She smiled at the elderly man in the
hospital bed.
“My
blood pressure? Again?” His droopy mustache moved with each syllable.
“Everyone’s always bothering me. How am I supposed to get well if I can’t
rest?”
Erin
sighed. All the nurses wished this man would get well. “We’re trying to help
you. Pneumonia is a very serious—”
“Don’t
tell me! I can feel the pain in my chest.” He sat up. “I’m leaving.”
Alarmed,
Erin placed her hand on his shoulder. “Mr. Kowalski! You can’t get up.”
“Of
course I can!” He swung his legs out from under the sheet, the thin hospital
gown inching up his knees. “I’m going home!”
But
as his feet touched the floor, he doubled over, coughing. Erin jabbed the call
button for the nurse’s station, then grabbed him around the waist as he
continued hacking.
“Need
some help?”
That
was fast.
At the
sound of the baritone voice Erin glanced toward the door, expecting to see an
orderly or male nurse. Instead, a handsome man dressed in jeans and a polo
shirt stood in the doorway, holding an open wallet in his hand.
Mr.
Kowalski stopped coughing and leaned weakly against Erin.
She
nodded toward the bed. “I could use your help.”
The man
strode into the room. “Now, sir.” He grabbed Mr. Kowalski under the arms, and
Erin felt the older man’s weight lift away. “Let’s get you back in bed.”
Erin
pulled the sheet up, concerned about her patient. Leaning back against the
pillow, Mr. Kowalski closed his eyes. After a moment he was breathing evenly.
She
motioned the helpful man out into the hallway. “Thanks so much. Mr. Kowalski
should be okay now.”
Veronica,
another nurse, joined them. “Did you press the call button?”
“It’s
all taken care of.” Erin glanced up at the man. “Thanks to this guy.”
“The
name’s Chad. I was walking by and heard the commotion.” He motioned down the
hall. “My grandmother is in Room 304.”
Erin’s
eyes widened. “Lydia Cartwright? She’s such a sweet woman and has so many
visitors. You must have a close-knit family.”
“We do.”
His paused. “I’m planning to visit Grandma tomorrow. If you have any more
trouble with your patient, I’m your knight in shining armor.” He grinned before
he turned to go.
Erin’s
heartbeat fluttered as she watched him walk down the hallway and out the door.
Veronica
smiled. “Looks promising. You’ll have to ask Lydia about her grandson.”
Later, as
Erin peeked into Mr. Kowalski’s room, something on the edge of the bed caught
her eye. A wallet. Opening it, she glanced at Chad’s picture on his driver’s
license. Chad Edward Hoffman. The
license listed an address but no phone number.
And
tomorrow was his birthday.
Walking
down to Room 304, she entered Lydia’s room. The bedside table held a cheery
bouquet of flowers in a basket. She glanced at the card, written in neat
masculine printing. Get well quick,
Grandma! With all my love, Chad.
Erin’s
heart melted.
Lydia
opened her eyes. “Oh, hello.” Her smile was weak. “Time for my medicine again?”
“Not
yet.” Erin held up the wallet. “Your grandson left this here. I need to call
him but his phone number isn’t on his driver’s license.”
The
woman frowned. “Chad’s number is on my cell phone. Look in my purse.”
At
Lydia’s direction, Erin found the phone and called Chad. Her heartbeat
quickened when his baritone voice filled her ear.
“My
wallet?” He paused. “Hey, you’re right—it’s gone. Whew! Thanks for finding it.”
Twenty
minutes later, Chad stood beside his grandmother’s bed, the wallet in his hand.
“Thanks again, Erin. I’m glad you recovered this. I should give you a reward
for returning it.”
“No,
no.” She laughed as she held up her hand. “You helped me with Mr. Kowalski.
That’s all the reward I need.”
Lydia
cleared her throat. “Here’s an idea, Chad. Why don’t you reward this sweet
nurse by taking her out to lunch tomorrow?” She raised an eyebrow. “And she
could help you celebrate your birthday.” Lydia turned to Erin. “What do you
say, dear?”
“Sure.”
Erin glanced shyly at Chad. “If it’s okay with him.”
“More
than okay.” Chad’s eyes held hers. “I won’t turn down lunch with a pretty
woman. Just don’t tell anyone it’s my birthday.” He winked. “I don’t want all
the waiters to gather around and sing.”
Erin
grinned, looking forward to tomorrow when she could spend her lunch hour with
Chad Hoffman. “Your secret’s safe with me.”
And to
think she owed it all to that stubborn Mr. Kowalski.
* * *