Chapter 10
Three days later, Noah was finally ready to leave the hospital.
“Dad’s coming home!” Katie yelled as she danced a little jig around his wheelchair.
Noah’s bags, hospital supplies, and a second car full of enormous quantities of flowers, balloons, cards, and other gifts had been packed and sent home ahead of time.
The hospital staff lined the hallways and front steps of the hospital with cheers and clapping.
Emma grinned at her father as he turned to face the staff.
Noah grasped Ashley’s hand, tears forming in his eyes as he gazed at each of their faces. “Ashley and I can never thank you enough. Each one of you is a hero, and I...and my family...thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
Todd pulled their SUV into the loading zone. Noah was folded into the front seat and belted while Ashley, Mary, Katie, and Emma piled into the back.
Noah exhaled and smiled. “This is the moment we’ve all been waiting for...home.
Ashley leaned forward from the back seat and spoke to Todd. “I’ll let them know we just left the hospital and will be there in about ten minutes.”
“What’s that, Ash?” Noah asked.
“A surprise for your homecoming.”
Jason waited in the bus line in front of Greystone Middle School and High School Unified. He spotted Felix waving at him from the backseat open window of the Hendricks’s minivan.
“Hi Jason!” Felix called out. “We’re here. You don’t have to take the bus. Get in.”
“What now?” Jason trudged over to the van and opened the door, throwing his backpack on the floor.
Felix scooted over, and Jason settled into the adjacent seat.
Sue turned around to face them. “We’re going to join the welcome home celebration for Noah Smith and his family. He just got discharged from the hospital, and we’re headed to the fire station to join the party. They’re such a wonderful family. I’m so excited for them.”
Terror shot through Jason. What if he recognizes me? He pulled on the door handle and tried to open it. It was locked. Panic seized him. “Uh, I want to take the bus home. I... I have a ton of homework.”
Jeff glanced at him in the rearview mirror while Sue turned. “What’s wrong, Jason? You look...strange.”
Grasping at this straw of a lifeline, he shook his head. “My stomach hurts. I think I’m gonna puke.”
Sue squinted at him with an appraising gaze.
She pulled a quart-size baggie out of the console and handed it to him.
“He obviously isn’t feeling well, Jeff. Why don’t you drop us off at the house, and you and Felix can go to the celebration?
I’ll catch up with the Smiths later, bring them a meal and visit once they’re settled. ”
“Okay, honey.” Making a wide U-turn, Jeff headed back home.
Jason let out a pent-up breath, relieved his ruse had worked. Sue turned to look at him. He held the bag to his mouth and made gagging sounds.
Jeff pulled into the driveway and parked. “Hope you feel better soon, Jason.”
Sue and Jason walked into the house as Jeff backed the car down the driveway and waved.
“Go put on your PJs. I’ll bring you some tea and toast.”
Jason shivered, not from cold but from fear. He shuffled to his room, pulled on his pajamas, and climbed into bed.
Sue brought in a tray and took his temperature. 98.6 ° F. She pulled an extra comforter over his shaking body.
“I’ll come back and check on you in a while. Try to rest.”
Jason nodded under the pile of blankets. Once the coast was clear, he slipped his hand under the mattress in search of the scissors.
Noah’s ears rang from the sounds of celebration as the Smith family pulled up in front of the fire station. Neighbors and friends thronged the area, holding up welcome-home banners.
A line of fire engines pulled out of the station, emergency lights flashing. Police cruisers and emergency response vehicles joined in the festivities. David and Laurie Jones stood in front, children by their side.
David held up a megaphone. “On behalf of everyone here, and those who couldn’t attend but are with you in thought, welcome home!”
Todd rolled down the car windows as well-wishers came to greet the Smith family and offer their support during the recovery process.
Laurie beamed. “Thanks to everyone who pitched in, your meals, housekeeping, and yard work are covered for the next three months and longer if you need it.”
Katie spoke up. “That’s awesome. Are they going to do the dishes too?”
“Katie,” Ashley admonished.
Emma gave her sister the stink eye. “Katie and I can do the dishes and feed the animals.”
Noah accepted a piece of cake handed to him through the window. “We’re humbled by your generosity and this fantastic homecoming.”
Ashley flashed a bright smile. “Special thanks to David and Laurie for putting this together. You guys have been right by our sides through it all.”
“We love you.” Laurie responded. “If there’s anything you need, please let us know.”
Noah took one last bite of cake and handed the plate back. “We really appreciate it.”
Ashley gently caressed the skin beneath Noah’s tired eyes. “I think it’s time to take our warrior home and tuck him into bed.”
Noah couldn’t hold back a huge yawn as Ashley pushed his wheelchair into the living room, their temporary bedroom. The hospital bed took up the majority of the space, with a futon beside the bed for Ashley to be close by.
“Let me help you change and settle into bed. Don’t want to overdo it and risk losing any of the wonderful progress you’ve made.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Obediently, he held up one leg and then another to change into the sweatpants Ashley had converted into shorts to fit over his casts. As she pulled off his shirt, he clutched her to his muscular chest and pulled her into his lap.
He kissed her soundly. “Have I told you lately how much I love you?”
Ashley kissed him back. “I love you too. This isn’t quite the welcome home I had planned on Christmas Eve, but I’ll take it. Finally, our family is under one roof again.”