On the way out the door she grabbed the airline bag filled with crossword puzzles, board games, several decks of cards, a little battery operated radio, plenty of scratch paper and pens. Anything to help her patients escape the frustration of their physical inactivity. She never left for a job without it.
En route to Graham’s house she made three stops. One to a drive-in for breakfast. She ate while she drove to the service station to gas up the three-year-old Audi and get her tires checked. Last but not least, she bought several sacks of groceries at the supermarket. A half hour later she reached her destination and pulled in the driveway.
Because of Zak’s long legs, he’d be better off in a semi-reclining position in the front seat while they drove to Carlsbad. She got out of the car and went around to the other side to push the seat back as far as it would go. After making a few adjustments, she hurried past the tubs of flowering azaleas to the front door and rang the bell.
Her brother, who was dark blond with a lean six foot build, greeted her with a hug. His soulful blue eyes stared into hers. “I have to tell you I’m relieved you’re going to be the one looking after Zak. He puts on an act, but that’s all it is.”
“That chest tube was no fun, and he sustained a lot of bruising along with those fractured ribs. Give him a week and you’ll see a big difference. Is he running a temperature this morning?”
“A slight one.”
“That’s probably because he’s so anxious to get back to Carlsbad. How’s the nausea?”
“Sherilyn managed to get him to eat some scrambled egg and toast. So far he’s kept it down.”
“Good. The medicine’s helping then.”
“Thanks to you.”
She cocked her head. “Graham? Something else is wrong. What is it?” She was pretty sure she knew it had to do with Lynette, but she felt compelled to ask in order to be prepared for any eventuality.
He frowned. “Our daughter. Early this morning she came in our bedroom and announced she was withdrawing from her classes.”
Oh no.
“It seems she’s decided to find a full-time job. As soon as she’s earned enough money, she plans to move to her own apartment. Before we could get a word in, she left the house and drove off.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Zak’s always been a strong influence. If he weren’t incapacitated right now, I’d ask him to talk to her.”
Michelle’s eyes closed tightly. His lecture to Lynette yesterday on top of his rejection of her three weeks ago had burned her deeply. Was he even aware of this latest crisis? If not, she would tell him about it on the way to Carlsbad.
“I’m afraid her mother and I aren’t her favorite people right now,” her brother murmured.
This was one time she couldn’t comfort him. Not when she knew what was at the bottom of her niece’s unprecedented behavior. It was the kind of situation only time could solve.
“It’s obvious Lynette is trying to find herself. Maybe she should work for a while and find out what it’s like in the cold cruel world. By spring semester she’ll probably be eager to live at home again and get back in school with her friends.”
He raked a frustrated hand through his hair. “I hope you’re right.”
She put her arm around him. “I know those words are cold comfort at the moment. Just give it some time. She knows she’s got the greatest parents on earth.”
He gave her a brief smile. “Thanks. That’s nice to hear. By the way, how was your evening with Mike?”
“Good,” she answered without blinking an eye.
“Don’t let Zak give you a hard time about him.”
Her pulse quickened. “What do you mean?”
“I believe he’s as protective of you as I am.”
“Zak?” she cried softly.
Graham nodded. “He’s of the opinion Mike Francis is a womanizer. That’s the polite version of what he told me last night.”
“Zak should know the media sensationalizes everything. I’ve gotten to know the real Mike. He’s a terrific person.”
“I’m sure he is or you wouldn’t be dating him. That’s what I told Zak.” He winked. “Just thought you’d like to know I’m on your side.”
“I appreciate that.”
How ironic that she’d already decided to stop seeing Mike, and all because of Zak.
His mere existence was causing turmoil in this house. Judging by the shadows beneath Sherilyn’s eyes as she came down the stairs to find Graham, it wasn’t over yet.
“Darling? Zak heard the bell and wondered why you haven’t come up for him yet.”
“I’m on my way.” He kissed his wife’s cheek before taking the stairs two at a time.
Michelle hurried over to her sister-in-law and gave her a hug. “He was telling me about Lynette.”
“I can’t believe what’s happened.” Tears entered her eyes. “If that’s not bad enough, Zak’s going away again. We see so little of him as it is.”
“Why don’t you come to the beach on Sunday, with or without Lynette. I’ll fix dinner. We haven’t all sat down together for a long time. It’ll be good for everybody.”
It’ll be good for me to have family around.
“That makes me feel better already. I’ll bring the dessert.”
“Just bring yourselves. Let me wait on you for a change. In fact while I’m taking care of him, why don’t you plan on coming every Saturday for the next month and staying overnight.”
“You’d have to check with Zak first. He keeps his private life to himself, but I know he has a girlfriend because she called his room every day while he was in the hospital.”
For some strange reason Michelle didn’t want to hear about that. She didn’t want to think about him being intimate with another woman.
Furious with herself because she shouldn’t care about Zak’s private life one way or the other she said, “I guess we can talk about future plans on Sunday. Now tell me where his medications are.”
“In the kitchen. I’ll get them.”
“Okay. I’ll meet you at the car.”
Relieved she wouldn’t have to have physical contact with Zak until they reached Carlsbad, Michelle hurried outside and opened the front passenger door.
The month wouldn’t be nearly as difficult to get through if the family showed up on a regular basis. Maybe a miracle would happen and Lynette would come to her senses before this weekend was over.
Michelle slid behind the wheel and shut the door, ready to begin her nursing job. That’s what it was. She had a patient to take care of. Period.
Out of the periphery she saw Zak walk slowly toward the car with her brother and sister-in-law bracing him on either side. This morning he was dressed in sandals and the same pair of gray sweats.
Her thoughts raced ahead. In a few minutes they were going to be alone. She sat there and waited, not daring to look at him.
No one could actually help Zak get in the car. The breath he expelled when he lay back against the seat told her what the effort had cost him.
Graham set an overnight bag in