H/R: YES. :)
Efkharistó for the lovely feedback! :) And please: feel free to also criticize/offer suggestions as well! I value your opinion(s)!
(And a special welcome to those who are reading but too "shy" to leave feedback. I truly hope you're enjoying the story!)
Reconciliation: chapter 28 (28? Impossible! How can that be?) :)
When Harry returns from the Argos, Ruth is not in her room. He heads immediately to the front desk. "Excuse me," he says. "I'm looking for …Mrs. Graham?"
The health care worker behind the desk simply stares back at him. She shakes her head. Gripping the edge of the desk, he says again, "Mrs. Graham? Where is she?" But the woman only looks at him and continues to shake her head.
"Mr. Graham," the head nurse says as she rounds the corner, holding a stack of medical records in her arms. "Sorry. I stepped away for a minute." She gestures with her chin to the other woman. "She doesn't speak English."
"Mrs. Graham?" Harry says, forcing the air out of his lungs. "She's not in her room."
"Oh. They took her for a test. She'll be back soon."
He sucks in some more air. "What kind of test?"
"I believe... One minute." And she goes behind the desk, dropping the records on top of it. She reaches over and flips through another stack of charts nearby. "Yes. A CT for her heart." She says, looking up at him. "Just routine. Why don't you wait in her room?"
Just Routine. But he only nods and turns to leave. Then he stops again. "How is she? Really?"
"She's doing as well as can be expected," comes the formulaic response. But she humanizes it by smiling warmly at him.
"Thank you," he says sincerely. He heads back to her room and sinks down gratefully into the chair there. He sighs just bit. And for the first time he really takes note of his surroundings. It's a nice size room, made bigger by a large window, the sun pouring in, and best of all, only one patient in it—Ruth. He doesn't know if this is the standard for this hospital or for the island itself; he suspects Tariq's hand in it especially as he and Ruth are simply an ordinary married couple while she is in hospital. Ordinary. Married. Couple. It's his last coherent thought as he drifts off.
"Efkharistó." Ruth says in a low voice.
Harry's eyes open. Ruth is sitting in bed and adjusting the covers around her, a nurse just leaving the room.
"Hi." He says, trying to bring her into focus.
"Oh," she says looking over to him. "I'm sorry we woke you. I was trying to be quiet."
"I'm sorry I drifted off." He says, getting up and walking over to her. "How was your test? Did they.."
"They''ll let me know. But no one seems unduly concerned. So, I'm being optimistic."
"Good, " he says, standing at her bedside. He stifles a yawn.
"In fact, Mr. Graham," she says, smiling, "I think I'm doing better than you are. You need proper sleep."
"I'm fine... Mrs. Graham." He attempts a smile but it turns into another yawn.
She shakes her head. "For God's sake, Harry. Sit down before you fall down."
His eyes flit over to the chair.
"No. Here. I want to talk to you." She pats the bed. He hesitates for a fraction of a second, then sits down, close enough to touch her hand.
"What is it?" He asks.
"I'm getting better. I am. But you're … I can't concentrate on getting better if I'm …worrying about you."
"Ruth." He says softly, shaking his head at her. "I'm fine."
"You should go back to the house and get some sleep there. Real sleep."
"Melia thinks we're on a mini-trip. Remember?"
"Oh. I'm sure that you can think of something. You're quite clever that way. Remember?" She says, mimicking him, her deep dimples showing.
He shakes his head again as he smiles at her. "You're really feeling better, aren't you? You look better," he adds with an obvious note of delight. "Your color is back and your eyes. Well. They look. .Good."
"Good?" She says, still smiling.
For an instant, the years drop away from his face. "Yes. Good." He repeats. Each continues to smile at the other. His hand creeps over to hers, just mere inches away.
"I.." they both say at the same time. Then stop.
Frangopoulos is standing in the doorway, a sheet of paper in his hand.
He smiles at the couple on the bed, their eyes locked on one another, the man's hand nearly touching hers. "Sorry," he says and means it. "I didn't mean to ...interrupt. But I have your CT back and your blood work."
Both Harry and Ruth turn their attention on him. The doctor nods. "It's good. Your electrolytes are better, and the CT is normal. I'm very pleased."
"That's good. " Harry and Ruth say simultaneously each with big smiles on their faces. Ruth turns to Frangopoulos. "When can I go home?"
"Jo." Harry says to Ruth. Then he looks at the doctor. "It's much too soon. Right?"
"Actually," Frangopoulos says, "perhaps not too soon at all." And he smiles again. "In fact, Mrs. Graham, you're making excellent progress. And if you continue to improve the way you have, you may be able to be released within a few days. Of course," he adds, "you will need follow–up care."
Harry narrows his eyes at the doctor.
"That's wonderful." Ruth says looking at him. "Isn't it... Henry?"
"Why the rush?" he says. Unconsciously, he crosses his arms in front of him.
"We would not consider releasing your wife unless it appropriate, Mr., Graham. I assure you."
"Of course," Ruth says still looking at Harry.
In the silence, Frangopoulos asks. "Mr. Graham. Please. If you have any specific concerns, I'd like you to address them."
Harry uncrosses his arms. "I say again, why the rush to release her?"
"On the contrary, there is no, as you say, rush. But she is making excellent progress and as such, patients often improve even more once home. Again," he says to Ruth, "you will need to continue to see someone...about your nutritional needs. And I think," Frangopoulos says in the silence, " I will leave you two to discuss the matter. But I hope you are pleased. We are."
"Thank you, Doctor." Ruth says.
"Ruth." He says, as soon as Frangopoulos leaves. "I think this is much too soon."
"Harry, I'd thought you'd be … " She touches his arm. "Pleased."
"I am. Of course I am. I'm delighted. But.."
"I'll make a deal with you." She says.
He leans in even closer. He can smell her freshly washed hair. Coconut? Almond? No. Vanilla.
"You are to get some proper rest." She says, breaking into his thoughts." And I will continue to get better. Really get better. And," she adds, "after you do rest, I need to discuss something with you as well."
"What is it?"
"Do you promise to get some real sleep?"
"Ruth. Don't tease. It isn't like you to do so."
"I'm not, Harry. It's just that it's..." She looks away.
He places his hand over hers. " Ruth. You can tell me...anything."
She looks down at his hand on hers, then raises her eyes to his. "All right." She begins to speak.
