The Memory Keeper of Kyiv (12)

Bobby smiled as they approached her bed, and Cassie hugged her. Bobby’s slight form surprised Cassie; bones poked through her hospital gown. She’d lost weight.

“Cassie! You’re home! This is wonderful.”

Her face softened as she saw Birdie.

“Ah, and my little bird has come to me.” She opened her arms and Birdie climbed onto the bed and sank into her embrace.

Bobby rubbed a gnarled hand down the girl’s hair. “There now, you are safe here.”

Cassie glanced at her mother. Anna beamed at the reunion and mouthed, “I told you so.”

Cassie rolled her eyes and sat next to Bobby. “How would you like some visitors for a while?”

“I do not need a babysitter! Is that what your mother told you?” Bobby glared at Anna. “I am fine to live at home by myself.”

“I know that,” Cassie said. “I thought you could use—”

Bobby’s eyes narrowed, and Anna kicked Cassie’s leg.

Cassie grimaced and tried again. “I thought maybe it would be okay if Birdie and I stayed with you for a bit. I want to come home, and Mom doesn’t have much room over at her house. So, I was hoping you wouldn’t mind us staying with you. Until we found our own place, I mean.”

“Oh, of course.” Bobby broke into a wide smile. “I’d love for you to stay with me. I can show Birdie how to plant flowers. She can be my helper, like you were when you were a little girl, Cassie.” She squeezed Birdie’s hand, and the girl nodded enthusiastically.

“Great!” Cassie replied, standing. “So, let’s get you out of here.”

“Nick!” Bobby’s face creased into a smile framed by a thousand feathery wrinkles, as she looked past Cassie.

In the doorway stood a tall, broad-shouldered man dressed in navy-colored pants and a shirt with a fire department logo on it. His tanned skin nearly matched his sandy brown hair, and the monochromatic coloring made his bright blue eyes stand out in stark contrast.

“Sorry to interrupt. We were here for a call, and I heard you were going home, so I wanted to stop by. You’re feeling better?” His low, melodic voice filled the room. Bobby’s smile widened as Birdie buried her head in her great–grandmother’s shoulder.

“Yes, I’m much better. Nick, this is my daughter, Anna, my granddaughter, Cassie, and my great-granddaughter, Birdie.” Bobby shone with pride as she introduced her progeny.

Nick stepped forward and extended a hand toward Anna. “Nice to meet you all.”

Birdie peeked up at him from the protective shelter of Bobby’s arms, then ducked back down again.

The tiny room exceeded capacity with all the people squished around Bobby. Cassie stepped around her mother and shook his hand, ignoring the warmth and strength pulsing through him, and appraised the stranger. Yes, he was good looking, she decided, but he seemed familiar with Bobby. Too familiar.

“How do you two know each other?” she asked, her voice sharp.

He held her hand a beat longer than a typical handshake, then let go as he answered. “I was one of the medics who brought her in.”

“Do you normally do that?” Cassie asked, not bothering to hide the suspicion in her voice. “Come see past patients in the hospital, I mean? Isn’t there a rule against that? Some privacy laws or something?”

He laughed, revealing two deep dimples on either side of even, white teeth. “No, it’s okay. As long as I don’t disclose her medical information, I think it’s fine if I say hi.”

“Cassie, don’t be rude,” Bobby scolded her. “Nick is also the grandson of my friend, Mina.”

“Mrs. Koval?” Anna asked. “I was so sorry to hear about her passing a few months back.”

Nick dropped his gaze. “Thank you. I miss her a lot.”

Bobby shot Nick a sympathetic look. “Mina left Nick her house. He moved in last month, so he stops by sometimes to check on me. He brings me my newspaper when the weather is bad. Sometimes, he takes home extra food I make so it doesn’t go to waste.”

“She’s really taken me under her wing,” Nick said. “It’s been a pleasure getting to know her.”

“It’s nothing. I’m happy to do this for Mina. Nick is a good Ukrainian boy.” She gave a nod of satisfaction, as if this fact alone trumped all others and pushed Nick to another level of glory.

“Well, I wasn’t born there, but I was very much raised with all of the Ukrainian traditions. First generation here,” Nick said.

“Me, too,” Anna said. “We’re grateful for your help, Nick, but we don’t want to put you out.” She turned to Bobby. “Mama, when you said a neighbor boy was helping you, I thought you meant a young kid earning extra spending money.”

“You never asked.” Bobby shrugged.

Nick raised his hands in surrender. “Really, it’s no trouble. Plus, it’s nice to practice speaking Ukrainian. I’d hate to lose it after all those Saturdays my Baba made me go to Ukrainian school. But I need to get going. I just wanted to say hello.” He strode forward and planted a kiss on Bobby’s weathered cheek. “Take care now.”

“Thank you, dear,” Bobby replied, patting his hand.

“Nice to meet you all.” Nick gave a wave as he backed out the door.