CHAPTER FOURTEEN
After Hazel played tennis with Jed and Mike, she decided to walk Jed home.
She wanted to see if there was anything she could do to help Lisa with Lucinda.
She couldn’t imagine having a foster child who needed so much care.
She’d seen an array of machinery and medical equipment to know how underdeveloped Lucinda was.
When she and Jed got to the house, a car was parked in front of it.
Jed raced up the porch steps ahead of her and entered the house.
Hazel followed behind, hoping she wasn’t intruding.
A woman wearing a nurse’s scrubs stood with Lisa, checking Lucinda.
Lisa saw her and acknowledged Hazel with a bob of her head and then put an arm around Jed.
“Lucinda is going to the hospital. She has pneumonia and can’t breathe well on her own,” said Lisa to both of them, a look of worry etched on her face.
“The nurse has called the EMTs, and I’ll ride with Lucinda to the Portsmouth Hospital, where she can get the best help possible.
I’ve called Janis, next door, but she’s out and won’t be here for half an hour or so.
Hazel, will you stay here with Harry and Baby Simon? ”
“Yes, of course. And Jed will help me, won’t you?” Hazel asked him, knowing how important it was for him to keep busy.
“Yes. I’ll take care of them too,” he said.
“They’re both down for morning naps but should be getting up soon,” said Lisa, carefully wrapping Lucinda in a blanket and groaning softly as she lifted her into her arms.
Seeing Lisa carrying what looked like a very large baby, tears came to Hazel’s eyes.
The EMTs talked to the nurse and checked Lucinda, who lay lethargically in Lisa’s arms. Then they led Lisa to the back of the ambulance and put them both inside where they could monitor Lucinda on the way to the hospital.
As the ambulance moved away from the curb, Hazel placed a hand on Jed’s shoulder. “She’s getting the best help she can.”
From the house, Hazel heard a baby crying. “C’mon, Jed. We have work to do.” She didn’t want him to spend the next few hours worrying. The situation was out of their hands.
###
Harry met them at the doorway, holding onto a blanket and sucking his thumb. From a room in the back of the house, Hazel heard the baby crying.
“Jed, take Harry to the kitchen and have him sit at the table in his booster seat. I’ll be back with the baby.”
“Harry needs his diaper changed,” said Jed.
“Okay, but let me check on the baby first,” said Hazel. She walked into the baby’s room and saw him sitting up in his crib. He stopped crying and stared at her.
“It’s okay, Simon, I’m here to help you,” Hazel crooned. She went over to the crib, lifted him, and realized he’d soaked through his diaper onto the little shirt he was wearing.
Knowing she had no choice, she laid Simon on a changing table, and talking softly to him, struggled to change his diaper and clean him up.
Staring at her, he alternated between being fascinated and wanting to cry.
Hazel hadn’t realized she was making all sorts of noises to keep Simon’s attention until Jed, standing at the doorway, said, “What are you doing?”
“I’m trying my best to get him changed,” said Hazel. “Can you grab me a fresh shirt for me?”
Jed handed the shirt to her, “Get his head through it first, then his arms.”
“Thanks,” said Hazel, wondering how often Jed had changed Simon’s clothes.
Once she was done, she headed to the kitchen with both boys.
“I gave Harry some Cheerios,” said Jed. “Lisa gives him some fruit in the morning, but I’m not allowed to use a knife.”
“Okay, I’ll take care of it,” said Hazel, placing Simon in a highchair. At almost a year old, Simon was excited to have some Cheerios too.
Hazel found a half box of strawberries in the refrigerator and cut some up for both little boys. “How about you, Jed? Do you want a snack?”
“Can I have a banana?” he asked, pointing to a bunch sitting on the counter.
“I’m sure Lisa won’t mind,” Hazel said, impressed by the food choices. “Do you always have fruit around?”
Jed nodded. Lisa is a nutra …nutritionis …
“Oh, a nutritionist. That’s nice.” A thought struck her. “Is Lisa a nurse too?”
“Sometimes,” said Jed. “She and Janis help each other.”
Hazel was sitting in the kitchen with the three boys when Janis arrived. “Hi, I got the message about Lucinda and got here as quickly as I could. I’ll take over.”
“Thanks,” said Hazel. “I’ve changed Simon, but Harry hasn’t had a diaper change after his nap. Jed says it needs changing, but Harry was eating his snack, and I didn’t want to disturb him.”
“No problem. I’ll do it when he’s ready,” said Janis.
“I’m going to return to the Sports Center, but will you please keep me informed?” Hazel asked her.
“I will,” said Janis.
Hazel gave Jed a quick hug. “If you need me, you know where I am.”
“I know,” he said and turned away, but not before she saw his eyes fill.
Even as her heart went out to him, she headed for the Center.
###
That afternoon, Hazel was working in the retail shop, doing a quick inventory, when her cell phone rang. Lisa.
“Hello,” said Hazel, her heart pumping with worry. “What’s up?”
Hazel heard a sob, and then Lisa said, “It’s Lucinda. She suffered what they think is heart failure, perhaps due to the stress on her body. She died before we could get her to the hospital.”
“That’s awful,” said Hazel. “Simply awful. What can I do?”
“Lucinda lived longer than anyone thought she would. But I’m worried about Jed. He’s taking it hard. He left the house, and I think he’s on his way to see you.”
“Okay, I’ll head outside now,” Hazel said. “Thanks for the call. I’ll keep in touch.”
“I’ve got to go,” Hazel told the store manager and hurried outside, hoping she could catch Jed before he reached the Center.
Hazel jogged in the direction of Jed’s house and saw him approach the baseball field. She increased her pace and met him by the bleachers.
“Hi, Jed,” Hazel said putting her arms around him. “Lisa just called me and told me about Lucinda. I’m so sorry.”
Jed leaned into her and sobbed. The sound of his pain was heartbreaking.
After he quieted, Hazel led him to the empty bleachers, and they sat together.
“I should have helped her more,” said Jed, biting his lips together.
Hazel placed an arm around him and gave him a squeeze of sympathy. “When someone is that sick, they can’t always be saved. Lisa told me that Lucinda lived longer than anyone thought she would. Maybe you helped with that.”
“Lisa said Lucinda loved me best,” Jed said, staring into the empty ballfield. “Why did she have to die?”
“I don’t know,” Hazel said. “Though she’s not living in the house with you anymore, she can still be in your thoughts and heart for as long as you let her.”
Jed gazed up at her thoughtfully.
Hazel’s heart went out to him. He was such a special boy.
Ross came onto the baseball field, saw them, and jogged over as fast as his past-injured knees would let him.
“Hey, there! What’s going on?”
Hazel introduced Jed to Ross and explained that he used to play for the New York Yankees.
Jed’s eyes rounded. “Wow! I like the Red Sox, but I can like the Yankees too.”
Ross chuckled and tousled Jed’s hair. “I hear you’re an excellent tennis player.”
Jed glanced at Hazel. “I really like tennis.”
“Keep up the good work. We’re going to have a practice ballgame soon. You’re welcome to come watch us anytime,” Ross told Jed.
“Thanks,” said Jed, getting to his feet. “I’ve got to go home. Lisa needs me.”
Hazel leaned over to hug him, and his arms wrapped around her waist. “Call me anytime you need to talk,” she said. “I hope to see you tomorrow.”
She watched him trot away and sank onto the bleachers, unaware Mike was approaching her.
She whipped around when she heard him say, “Hi, Hazel. What’s going on?”
He took a seat next to her and gave her a look of concern.
“It’s Lucinda …” She didn’t realize she was crying until Mike thumbed a tear from her cheek. “Her heart couldn’t take anymore. Lisa called to tell me Jed was taking it hard and was coming to talk to me. I met him here.”
“Aw, I’m sorry,” said Mike. “Another bad break for Jed. I heard you were at the house this morning to help Lisa. That was so nice of you.”
“I really admire Lisa. She apparently does or has done some nursing, and Jed mentioned her being a nutritionist. She must have a heart of gold to foster kids, especially kids like Lucinda.”
“Lisa and her husband are doing an exceptional job with Jed,” said Mike.
“I think if I ever marry, I’d want not only kids of my own but children who may need a home,” said Hazel.
Mike studied her but didn’t say anything.
In the silence that followed, Hazel remembered her mother’s upcoming visit.
She faced Mike. “I need to talk to you about my mother’s visit.
Are you going to be able to help me? You don’t have to pretend to be too serious about me.
Just show enough interest that my mother will believe we’re at least dating. ”
Mike’s mouth twitched with humor. “I might be able to do that.”
“I don’t know whether we should tell Tracy about the arrangement. If she finds out, she won’t be sympathetic,” said Hazel.
“Leave her to me,” said Mike. “She’ll have to deal with it.”
“I don’t want to do anything to hurt your relationship with her. I know how important you are to her.”
“How so?” Mike asked.
Hazel squirmed. She’d feel very uncomfortable telling him that Tracy liked that he was important in the tennis world and wanted to use that to help her.
“Never mind,” said Mike, frowning as Tracy called him.
While Mike headed to Tracy to talk to her, Hazel walked away, wondering how things would work out. Lying was never a good idea, and now she had to pay for it.