Her mind was running her into the ground with words. What Selah really needed was someone to be there. Not to tell her I told you so but someone just to hold her. Eden couldn't do that but he knew someone he could. Taking a reinforcing breath, he called him out.
I am. You see me everyday and pass me by. I see the pain in your eyes, Selah. It breaks my heart. I wish you would talk to me. You're not fooling any of us, Selah. We all know you're hurting but you won't come to us. We don't want to upset you by making you talk but maybe it's time one of us does.
Selah read Eden's message with a growing sense of panic. He was already there but… that didn't make sense. None of this made sense. She'd never told Eden her name and there it was plain as the sun coming over the horizon: Selah. Who wasn't she fooling? Who truly was this ShatteredEden she'd been pouring her heart out to? Why was her last security falling apart? What god had she angered?
Mind whirling, she pulled the plug and drained all her thoughts into her message.
What do you mean "I am"? How long have you been following me? How much do you know? Who are you?
Trembling, she awaited his reply.
Only what you've told me. I can't tell you who I am on here. Meet me at the Lazy Daisy and I'll explain everything. All I ask is that you come alone.
Alone?
Alone.
That Thursday when Promise came to work she was glad to have a reprieve from Mrs. Helen and the dementia unit. She had found herself scheduled there more and more the past several weeks because she seemed to be the only person who could get Mrs. Helen to take her pills. The excuses that came through were unrelated to the cantankerous old woman but everyone on the floor knew Mrs. Helen was the real reason. Those who worked the same shift she did always volunteer weeks in advance to work outside the dementia unit. When no one could be found she was the first to be penciled in.
It was a small conspiracy but one she didn't mind for the most part. Many of her favorite patients were in the dementia unit and she'd always had a way with the special cases that resided there. She could write a book on some of their lives. They truly had been some of the most amazing people.
Around dinner time, only a few hours after she started her shift, a surprised voice sounded from behind her. "Promise, when did you start working this wing again?"
Turning about she smiled up at Aidan, remembering the pleasant evening they had shared just a few nights ago. "I'm just in here today; they were severely understaffed."
"Whatever the circumstances I'm glad they occurred. I was meaning to call you this evening but I see that won't be necessary."
"Was there something you wanted to talk about?"
"Not really talk but something I wanted to ask."
"Then ask away," she responded as she served several patients their meals. Pausing by Aidan's mother she patted her hand and gave her a tender smile. She had always adored the elder woman.
"I was wondering if you were busy tonight."
"No, I don't think I am."
"Perfect! Then you're free to say, come to dinner with me?"
"Sure."
"Great! I'll pick you up at…"
Promise laughed while she went to the kitchen to get the final patient's meal. "You can't pick me up, Aidan, but you're welcome to join me here. I have to work until eleven tonight. I'm back onto my normal schedule: three to eleven." At his crest fallen look she piped, "While it's no four stars no one's died from the hospital food. Well that we can prove at least. I get off at eight for a meal break. Care to join me then?"
"I was hoping we could…" Sighing, he replied, "I'll be here."
"Great. Now if you'll excuse me, Mr. Peters seems to have spilled his drink and I must be keeping you from visiting with your mother." She bustled off to the kitchen for towel, not leaving Aidan with many options.
That evening at eight, Aidan met her down in the hospital cafeteria for a quick and unromantic dinner. While she was sure he wasn't thrilled at
I am. You see me everyday and pass me by. I see the pain in your eyes, Selah. It breaks my heart. I wish you would talk to me. You're not fooling any of us, Selah. We all know you're hurting but you won't come to us. We don't want to upset you by making you talk but maybe it's time one of us does.
Selah read Eden's message with a growing sense of panic. He was already there but… that didn't make sense. None of this made sense. She'd never told Eden her name and there it was plain as the sun coming over the horizon: Selah. Who wasn't she fooling? Who truly was this ShatteredEden she'd been pouring her heart out to? Why was her last security falling apart? What god had she angered?
Mind whirling, she pulled the plug and drained all her thoughts into her message.
What do you mean "I am"? How long have you been following me? How much do you know? Who are you?
Trembling, she awaited his reply.
Only what you've told me. I can't tell you who I am on here. Meet me at the Lazy Daisy and I'll explain everything. All I ask is that you come alone.
Alone?
Alone.
That Thursday when Promise came to work she was glad to have a reprieve from Mrs. Helen and the dementia unit. She had found herself scheduled there more and more the past several weeks because she seemed to be the only person who could get Mrs. Helen to take her pills. The excuses that came through were unrelated to the cantankerous old woman but everyone on the floor knew Mrs. Helen was the real reason. Those who worked the same shift she did always volunteer weeks in advance to work outside the dementia unit. When no one could be found she was the first to be penciled in.
It was a small conspiracy but one she didn't mind for the most part. Many of her favorite patients were in the dementia unit and she'd always had a way with the special cases that resided there. She could write a book on some of their lives. They truly had been some of the most amazing people.
Around dinner time, only a few hours after she started her shift, a surprised voice sounded from behind her. "Promise, when did you start working this wing again?"
Turning about she smiled up at Aidan, remembering the pleasant evening they had shared just a few nights ago. "I'm just in here today; they were severely understaffed."
"Whatever the circumstances I'm glad they occurred. I was meaning to call you this evening but I see that won't be necessary."
"Was there something you wanted to talk about?"
"Not really talk but something I wanted to ask."
"Then ask away," she responded as she served several patients their meals. Pausing by Aidan's mother she patted her hand and gave her a tender smile. She had always adored the elder woman.
"I was wondering if you were busy tonight."
"No, I don't think I am."
"Perfect! Then you're free to say, come to dinner with me?"
"Sure."
"Great! I'll pick you up at…"
Promise laughed while she went to the kitchen to get the final patient's meal. "You can't pick me up, Aidan, but you're welcome to join me here. I have to work until eleven tonight. I'm back onto my normal schedule: three to eleven." At his crest fallen look she piped, "While it's no four stars no one's died from the hospital food. Well that we can prove at least. I get off at eight for a meal break. Care to join me then?"
"I was hoping we could…" Sighing, he replied, "I'll be here."
"Great. Now if you'll excuse me, Mr. Peters seems to have spilled his drink and I must be keeping you from visiting with your mother." She bustled off to the kitchen for towel, not leaving Aidan with many options.
That evening at eight, Aidan met her down in the hospital cafeteria for a quick and unromantic dinner. While she was sure he wasn't thrilled at
Similar Books
