Page 71 of Fortunate Miracles
“Do you want to have dinner with us?” I ask.
“Thank you, yes.”
“Okay. I’ll call you later then.”
Ray nods goodbye before leaving the room. Zander and I spread out on the couch and armchair to get some work done, and I turn the tv on for background noise. Leigh is in and out during the morning, checking on Jake.
At noon, Zander and I break for lunch. Zander asks Leigh for recommendations of where to eat, and she gives us several choices nearby, including a food truck across the street. We choose the food truck and walk over to stretch our legs. The burgers are incredible, and I’ll definitely be coming back here again.
The afternoon goes by quickly, both of us engrossed in our work. We dig into the snacks Zander brought with him in the afternoon. I take a few minutes to wish E and Seb good luck with their basketball game at 3pm. They’re playing in Charleston tonight.
Dr. Crosby stops by just before 5pm, and I ask about visitor passes for the guys tomorrow, so she writes their names down to give to security. They can show ID and get lanyards like Zander has when they get here. She’s not working this weekend, but is on call if needed. We pack up our stuff once she leaves, and I kiss Jake goodbye, then call Ray. Our hotel has a steakhouse, so I tell him to meet us there for dinner.
Zander drives us back, and after dropping our stuff off in our room, we head down to the restaurant. I text Sarah an update and that I’ll call her when I get a chance. Ray isn’t here yet, so wegrab a table to check out the menu, and Zander orders a beer and appetizers while we wait. “What’s the plan tomorrow, darling?”
“The same, I guess. Is there anything you want to do?”
“I’d like to visit an old army friend who works at the National Guard base nearby. After the guys get here, of course.”
“Sounds good,” I smile.
Ray arrives just as the server delivers our appetizers. “Sorry I’m late. I got tied up on a work call.”
“No rush, Ray,” Zander replies. “Have some appetizers while you check out the menu.”
After we order, I watch Zander and Ray get to know each other. They talk about their jobs and interests while we wait for our food. Ray doesn’t seem to have a life outside of work anymore, but he’s made a lot of money for himself because he works so much. He used to love hockey and barbecue, outdoor adventures and camping, but now he’s a shell of himself. Financially successful, but nothing else. Maybe this trial can save more than one person.
Ray and I tell stories about Jake and me when we were younger. “Remember when we went camping and Jake saw something moving in the bushes,” Ray says. “He came running over to me so I would find out what it was, and you came walking up with a bunny in your arms. You were always so brave.”
“I forgot about that. That was the same trip Jake found the poison ivy patch. He was so miserable I started trying to find something to make him better faster.”
“That’s when your interest in plant medicine started,” Ray says.
“Huh. I guess you’re right,” I smile. “I remember asking Mom to take me to the library so I could look up what other plants were poisonous to be prepared the next time we were in the woods.”
We tell other stories about pranks we pulled over the years, some of which I didn’t know Ray knew about. “You were both good kids,” Ray smiles. “He was an extrovert, and you are introverted.You helped him stay motivated in school, and he kept you adventurous.”
It’s a wonderful dinner, reminiscing. We have a lot of laughs and stay for several hours. When Seb calls, we leave the restaurant. I wave goodbye to Ray as he leaves, then Zander and I take the elevator up to our room. Getting comfy on the bed, I call Seb back. “Sunshine,” he answers.
“Hi Hurry, how was the game?”
“We lost. E was off his game big time. How was your day?”
“Pretty good. The doctor explained everything to us, and I had to sign an NDA. I can tell you they try three times to wake him, and the first one is next Friday morning.”
“That’s awesome, Sunshine. I can’t wait to meet him tomorrow. Oh, and Bay is coming with. Alex booked us a room at your hotel for tomorrow night. You gonna stay with me?”
I can picture him wiggling his eyebrows. Laughing, I tell him no. “I don’t want to leave Zander alone. He’s been so amazing through all this. Sorry Hurry.”
“I’ll survive,” he sighs. “No, it’s totally fine, Sunshine. We’ll be together all day tomorrow and Sunday. I miss you.”
“Miss you too, Hurry. How is everyone doing?”
“Alex is great. Bay and Penny are good. E is the same. Holly and Jaxon were asking about you today at school, so I gave them the update.”
“I’ll text Holly later. I still have to text Sue and Mal tonight, too. There’s still so much happening, although some of it's good now.”
“True. Just to warn you, Alex is bringing SAT prep stuff with him tomorrow. Between that and homework, we’ll be busy.”
