A Soldier's Reunion

“Thank you for watching over our children on the bridge.” Amelia’s grip tightened when the words strained from her throat. The heartfelt tone put a sting to Mandy’s eyes. What’s with that? She hadn’t cried since she was a teen.

“I’m thankful they weren’t hurt. Truth is, they kept me brave.” It wasn’t a lie. Being responsible for them had lessened her fear and panic.

Reece plopped onto a chair. She danced Bearby on her knees.

“That couldn’t have been easy with you being injured.” Amelia eyed Mandy’s splint. “How did you stay strong for them?”

“Imagined myself in a parent’s place. Kept in mind they were depending on me. Acted as I’d want mine treated if I had any.” Mandy brushed fingers through Reece’s curls.

“You’re not a mommy?” Reece wiggled close to Mandy’s lap.

She leaned eye level. “Not yet.”

Reece lifted her comfort toy. “Bearby wants to know why not.”

Mandy faced Bearby. “I still have some doctor training left so I can learn how to take the best care of people.” She started to add that she’d also like to find a husband first, but the words caught in her throat.

She discreetly eyed Amelia’s left hand. A heart-shaped diamond winked back, but no wedding band. Gaze averted, her mind zeroed in on Reece. Thankfully Mandy hadn’t said anything. Wasn’t her place to judge or wonder about the situation.

“Bearby thinks you’ll make a good doctor, and a good mommy.” Making engine noises, Reece puttered Bearby in the air.

Mandy tilted her head. “Thank you. On both counts.”

“Is your hand in terrible pain?” Amelia set her purse on the chair beside her near the E.R. waiting room door.

TVs blared from different stations, all filled with images of the collapse. Her chest hurt at the sights playing out. Mandy turned away. But she could still hear the announcer describing the ordeal. Sweat broke out over Mandy’s brow. She tried to dab it but her arms felt robotic and numb.

Concern flashed across Amelia’s face. “Are you okay?”

Mandy stood on legs that felt as rubbery as the business end of a reflex hammer. As quickly as possible, she turned the TV volume down, ignoring caustic looks from waiting room patrons. “I am now,” she said to Amelia as she returned to the seat beside her.

The smells of antiseptic and sickness hung in the air. Call lights rang down the halls, and a hacking cough emerged from the room beside her that made Mandy want to whip out a prescription pad.

Reece peeped at the temporary splint Nolan had applied.

“Is it broken?” Reece blinked up at her.

Hesitation hovered inside Mandy’s thoughts. She wanted to be honest yet tread lightly. “I think so, but no one’s looked at it yet. They’re taking care of the worst injured first.”

“How will they tell?” Reece asked.

“They’ll take special pictures called X-rays.”

“Will they hurt?”

“If they have to straighten out my hand it might. Otherwise, X-rays usually don’t hurt at all.” She smiled at Reece.

“Mommy could go with you and hold your hand. She’s good at that. She holds my hand when I get shots. And you could hug Bearby during it. He makes people brave.”

“He sure does.” Mandy kneaded Bearby’s fuzzy misshapen head.

“Then him and Mommy will go with you.” Reece’s expression declared the matter settled.

Amelia fingered Reece’s curly brown hair. “I’m sure Dr. Manchester has someone who can sit with her.”

Mandy shifted uncomfortably. In the confusion, she had left her purse which contained her cell phone, in her car on the bridge. An officer had left a message with the nurses’ desk saying he’d recovered it and would bring it by when he had a moment. Not that she had anyone here she could call once she had it. Miss Ivy didn’t drive.

Perceptive awareness entered Amelia’s eyes. “Need to borrow my phone to call someone?” She pulled her purse onto her lap and extracted a cell phone.

Heat of a blush crept over Mandy. “No, I’ll be all right. Besides, I’m fairly new in town and really don’t know anyone. My mother lives in a different state.”

Called Oblivion.

“Would you like us to sit with you while you wait?” Amelia tucked her phone back in her purse.

“No, it’s fine.” But a thought struck her. Who would take her home? She’d be unable to drive herself if she took pain medication or if she had a sling on her arm. “Does Refuge have a cab service?”

“No. Small town. We could give you a ride if they let you go.”

“I’d hate to make you wait. I imagine it will be past Reece’s bedtime before staff get to me.”

“It won’t hurt her to get to bed late one night.” She gave Reece’s ponytail an affectionate tug. “Will it?”

Mischief alive in her eyes, Reece grinned like she’d just gotten away with something big. “I like staying up late!”

Mandy and Amelia laughed.

“We live at the Refuge Bed and Breakfast on the edge of town. It only takes thirty minutes to get here,” Amelia said.

Mandy shifted. “I don’t know…” Thirty minutes there, then here then to Mandy’s and back would take at least two hours out of Reece’s sleep time.

Despite Mandy’s hesitation, Amelia handed her a card. “Here are my numbers. I doubt they’ll have school tomorrow with what’s happened.” With what’s happened.

Knowing she meant the bridge collapse, Mandy studied the chic business card to block horrific images that threatened in her mind’s eyes. “You do caricature art?”

“In my spare time. I also manage Refuge’s B and B. Promise you’ll call if you need a ride?”

Suddenly, she didn’t feel embarrassed about being needy. “I will.”

“Maybe we can meet for coffee next week, too?” Amelia asked.

“I’d love that.”

Her face lit up. “Say goodbye, Reece.”

“Bye, Miss Mandy. I don’t like how we had to meet but I’m glad we did. So is Bearby.” Reece hugged Mandy.

Mandy reciprocated the hug. “I’m glad we met, too. I’m glad you weren’t hurt.”