As the hour passed Jack did more of the talking because he could see that Sara was getting tired. He was debating whether or not to leave when someone knocked on the door.
At her answer, a woman entered with a large red and white poinsettia trimmed with a silver bow. "I don't mean to interrupt," she said, smiling, "but I promised Dana I'd deliver this personally and check on you."
"How pretty! You're not interrupting. I'm glad to see someone for a change."
"I beg your pardon," said Jack.
"Sorry, I didn't mean it the way it sounded. This is my dad," she said to her visitor. "Jack Richards, Joy Vinson."
He was already on his feet. "How do you do? Here, let me take that."
She smiled. "Thank you. Here's the card." She handed it to Sara.
"Dad, you remember Dana, the girl I hired to be my assistant? Joy is her aunt. She works here in the hospital."
Jack had noted the hospital badge, but he couldn't read it without his glasses. "Won't you sit down?"
"I can only stay a moment. I have to get ready for a patient."
"Are you a doctor?" he asked.
"I'm a psychologist. I do have a doctorate but not a medical degree, and I'm actually only here two days a week."
"She's like Dr. Phil," Sara volunteered.
"Well, not exactly," she laughed.
"I agree, you're much prettier than he is," said Jack.
"And you're just as charming as I've heard." She did have a lovely smile. She was definitely older than Sara, though how much it was hard to say. Most of the women he knew looked younger than their actual years.
Sara read the card. "Aw, that's so sweet. Dana didn't need to spend her money on flowers, though."
"She wanted to. She's been very concerned about you. How are you feeling?"
"Tell her not to worry. I'm fine. With any luck I'll be out of here in a day or two."
"Really?" Dr. Vinson seemed surprised. It was news to Jack too, but Steve returned before he had time to question her.
"There you are -- I though maybe you got lost or something," Sara teased him. Her eyes traveled to the bag in his hand and back to his face. "Where's my laptop? Please don't say you forgot it."
He had the hangdog expression of a guilty man when he answered. "I didn't forget it, at least not the first time, though it probably would have been better if I had. But don't worry, I'll..."
She interrupted him, her eyes wide. "Oh my gosh, what did you do?"
"I was loading the car, and my cell phone rang. Long story short, I backed out of the driveway and forgot the laptop was on the top of the trunk. I'm sorry, honey."
"How could you forget something like that?"
"I was distracted and in a hurry. I know that's no excuse but..."
"I don't believe it! How could you do this to me?"
"It's not like I did it on purpose, you know. It was an accident!"
"And oh so convenient! You didn't want me working on the book now. You as much as said so. I had to beg you to for this one thing. It looks like you got what you wanted after all."
Steve's jaw clenched at her insinuation, and he answered with a stony frown. "Well, I guess you found me out. I did it on purpose to hurt you, because what's important to you doesn't matter to me in the least." He paused for a breath. "You did have the files backed up, right? Tell me you did."
"You don't think I'm an idiot, do you?"
Jack had had just about enough. "Why don't we all just calm down?"
"Why don't you just stay out of this for a change?"
Her reply took him by surprise, and from the look on Steve's face it surprised him too. When the import of her own words sank in during the uncomfortable silence that followed, Sara put her hands to her face and dissolved in tears.
Dr. Vinson offered Jack a sympathetic smile before slipping out the door. He followed her into the hallway.
"I'm sorry. I don't know what that was about."
"It's certainly not the laptop. I'm sure I don't have to remind you of everything she's dealing with right now. It's not easy to keep a good face under that kind of stress. From what little I know of Sara, I'd guess that what just happened in there was very out of character, especially her remark to you. Am I right?"
Jack nodded. "I thought she was handling everything so well. A little too well. I guess I should have known. Sara has always had a tendency to hide her pain."
"That can be a very lonely feeling. Why do you suppose she does that?"
"She doesn't want people to worry about her. She tells me I worry too much."
"Do you?"
"She's my only child."
Dr. Vinson's warm brown eyes softened. "The two of you must be pretty close."
Jack smiled. That was a little like describing Niagara as a pretty big waterfall. Sara had been the constant in his life for the past forty-four years. "I guess you could say that."
"She worries about you, too."
"Did she tell you that?"
"She didn't have to. You're her only father. It's only natural for her to want to protect you and spare you any grief, but part of her knows that may not be possible. The emotional burden of illness is sometimes overlooked, but if we ignore it we're only treating half the patient. I don't mean to be intrusive, but maybe it would help Sara to talk to a counselor. I could make a recommendation if she's willing."
"What about you?"
"I'd be glad to listen as a friend, but I think it might be easier for her to open up to someone who isn't a social acquaintance. It's not that I couldn't be objective, but she might feel more comfortable with someone else." She glanced at her watch. "I really do need to get back to my office, but I'll check on her later. It was nice meeting you."
"Likewise. Thank you." He shook the hand she offered in parting. Dr. Vinson?"
"Yes?"
"You mentioned that worked here in the hospital two days a week."
"Wednesday and Friday." She smiled. "And it's not Dr. Vinson. It's Joy."
He watched her walk away without realizing he was staring.
"Penny for your thoughts."
Steve's voice startled him, and the smirk on his face made him feel like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar . "I was just thinking what a nice lady she is."
"Mm hmm. I'm sure she has a beautiful mind, too."
Jack rolled his eyes. "That's enough, wise guy. Everything okay in there?"
"Yeah. Storm's over. Why don't you go in and let her say what she needs to say and then I'll drive you home."
Sara was still a little teary when he poked his head through the door, but she wiped her eyes and smiled when she saw him. "Come on in. You're safe. I'm through biting people's heads off for the day. I was afraid you'd already left. I wouldn't have blamed you."
"You know I'd never leave without saying goodbye. Feeling better?"
"I guess. I don't know." She shrugged, looking despondant. "I didn't mean what I said before. I don't know why I said it. I'm sorry."
"I know. It's all right, honey."
"No, it isn't. The last thing I want to do is drive away the people I love."
"No one's going anywhere, I can promise you that. That reminds me, though. What's this about you going home in a couple of days, or is that just wishful thinking?"
"It could happen."
"Maybe. Just be a good girl and do what they tell you."
"I will if you promise you'll go home and get some rest."
"I'm on my way." He leaned over the side of the bed and kissed her. "See you tomorrow."
"Oh no you won't. There's no need for you to be here every day. I mean that. Now don't forget to call Mark about New York."
"You sure have gotten bossy lately, you know that?"
"I just don't want your life to be all about me and my problems."
If she only knew what little choice he had. "That's not really up to you to decide, though, is it? You keep your fork on your own plate. It's full enough," he reminded her gently. "Now you get some sleep tonight. I'll call Mark, and I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
"Okay," she replied grudgingly. "Dad?"
He turned at the door. "Yeah?"
"I love you."
For a moment the years fell away, and there was the little girl who lived only for him now, and he longed to take her on his lap and kiss away her tears and fears the way he used to be able to do. But all he could offer was a smile that he hoped was convincing.
"Right back at you, kiddo."
tbc
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