Moonlight Over Manhattan(85)
He ran his hand over his face. “Can I see her?”
“Sure. But keep it brief.”
Harriet was about to sit back down on the chair to wait when he grabbed her hand.
“You should come too. She’d like that. You can promise her a bowl of your chicken soup.”
Susan was in recovery and although she seemed groggy, her eyes were open. She saw Ethan and managed something close to a smile.
“Jeez, you still here? What time is it?”
“Middle of the night. I thought I’d hang around.”
Susan’s gaze slid to Harriet. “But you got yourself some company.” Her eyes closed. “Did you tell her, Black?”
“Did I tell her what?”
“About your promise.”
“I don’t remember a promise. The anesthetic must have affected your memory.”
“You break your promise, I’m going to come back and haunt you.”
“You have to die first, and there is no way you’re dying. I need you back here.”
“I’m not sure that’s an incentive to recover. A bowl of Harriet’s soup might.”
Harriet stepped forward. “As soon as you’re on the ward and eating, I’ll bring you some.”
“You’re an angel.” Her eyes opened. “Do you hear that, Black? She’s an angel.”
“You need to rest.”
“And you need to go home.” She stretched her hand out to him and he took it. “Thanks, Ethan.”
“That’s the first time you’ve ever called me by name.”
“It’s the first time you’ve ever saved my life.”
“Given that you’re lying there, I didn’t do such a great job.”
“We both know that without you, I’d be dead.” Her eyes closed again. “Go home. Get some sleep. But come back tomorrow. With Harriet. And soup. And don’t forget your promise.”
“What is this promise she keeps talking about?” Harriet asked as they walked out of the hospital into the freezing night.
“She wants to be godmother to my children.”
“But you don’t have—ah.” Understanding dawned. “She wants you to have children. Is she in league with your sister?”
“They’ve never met, but they seem to be on the same wavelength. Susan seems to want me to have it all. No idea why. Ironic, coming from a loner like her.”
“Not married then?”
He hesitated. “She was married. Eight years ago her husband was killed by a drunk driver while he was walking their son home from kindergarten. The car mounted the sidewalk. Their little boy was killed too.”
The emotion was like a punch to her chest. “Oh, that’s terrible.”
“Yes. And so is drinking and then getting behind the wheel of a car.”
“How do you ever get over something like that?”
“You don’t. If you’re lucky you learn to live alongside it. You find ways to keep going. Susan’s way was to throw herself into work. I guess she feels that although she couldn’t save her own family, she might be able to save someone else’s.”
“But she’s never married again. She lives alone?”
“She has an apartment near mine.”
“What is she doing for Christmas?”
He frowned. “I have no idea. Why?”
“I just wondered, that’s all.” Harriet paused as they reached a set of lights. “Do you want to come home with me?”
“Now? It’s already almost four in the morning.”
“My place is closer. And I can make you breakfast.”
“Now that’s an offer I can’t refuse.” He pulled her into his arms. “Thanks for coming tonight. I’m glad you did.”
“Me too.”
SUSAN MADE A remarkably swift recovery.
Three days after her surgery she was dressed and walking around her room.
“Are you sure you’re supposed to be expending so much energy?” Harriet watched her doubtfully. “Shouldn’t you be resting?”
“I can rest when I’m dead. Which I almost was, so I guess I already rested. Is that chicken soup?” She gazed hopefully at the container Harriet was lifting carefully out of the bag.
“It is. I added a touch of cream to give you extra calories. You’ll probably lecture me about the health of your arteries.”
“My arteries have never been happier, thank you.” Susan took the container from her, sat down and started to eat. “I never knew food could even taste this good. If Ethan doesn’t marry you, I will.”
Harriet almost dropped the rest of the food. She was relieved Ethan wasn’t here. “Ethan isn’t going to marry anyone ever again.”
“That’s what he says.”
“And you don’t believe him.” She probably should have stayed silent but the temptation to talk about him was too great.
“I don’t think he knows what’s good for him. I think working here has screwed him up some. It happens. And he’s divorced. Ethan is big on responsibility. If you’ve been hanging around with him, you probably already know that. It’s the reason he says yes to looking after his sister’s dog even though it totally disrupts his life. It’s the reason he steps in front of a crazy drunk with a knife and sits half the night in a drafty corridor waiting for news about a colleague. He holds himself to high standards. And he likes to take care of everybody. From what I’ve heard, it’s in the genes. Rock solid family. Community people who would give you the shirt from their back. Remember that and you’ll understand why he thinks he failed at marriage. Blames himself, although I can tell you now that Alison would say she was more than half to blame and if ever two people were wrong for each other, it’s those two. Now you—that’s a different ball game.”