Page 111 of Fortunate Miracles
Summer
My alarm goes off at my usual school wake-up time on Monday morning. A text from Ray is waiting, saying they should arrive by 10:30am. The forecast for today is much cooler in the morning and hot this afternoon, so I grab leggings, a t-shirt, and a sweater. I make eggs and bacon for breakfast. While Zander cleans up, I dig through our lunches, pulling out a sandwich and salad combo for each of us. After grabbing my bag, we head out.
I unlock the door to the condo and turn on the lights. The place really looks nice. The floors need to be cleaned after the heavy traffic over the weekend, though. Putting our lunches in the fridge, I put another load of laundry on, then grab the broom and sweep up the floors, and Zander mops behind me. Once that’s done, I glove up and clean the hall bathroom. Jake’s shampoo and soap go in the new shower, and I fill the soap dispensers around the condo. Zander hangs fresh towels in each bathroom and places the non-slip mat Seb purchased in Jake’s shower. Next, I make Jake’s bed. The mattress came with a waterproof cover that’s already on, so I add the sheets, new pillow, and bedspread. Switching loads, I fold all his new clothes and put them away. All the towels go in the bathroom vanities since there’s no linen closet. I fill the paper towel holder and then look around.
Zander heads out onto the patio for some work calls as I walk around seeing if we need to do anything else. The built-in shelves in the living room are looking pretty empty, so I take some books from Jake’s room to add. I steal a small, framed painting from Ray’s room and a couple of books from his office to use as well. It still needs more, but at least it’s not empty now. Ray doesn’t have any decorative items. I think he got the basics when he left Virginia, but that was it. Turning on the tv, I see the cable's already working.
I just sit down when there’s a buzz from the intercom. Walking over, I check the video to see Will, the nurse we hired, so I hit the buzzer for him to come up. A few minutes later, he knocks. Opening the door, I smile. “Morning, Will.”
“Hi Summer. I was hoping to check out Jake’s room before he got here?”
“Sure,” I reply, stepping aside for him to come in. He gives me a smile and walks past. I’m happy to say I don’t get any bad vibes from him in person.
I show him to Jake’s room, and he whistles when he sees the bed. “Damn, you got the fancy one.”
“I did,” I smile. Pulling out the nightstand drawer, I show him where the manuals and remotes are for everything. The wheelchair is across the hall in the office, so I take him there next and then show him the shower. “If anything needs to move or I need to buy something else, just let me or Ray know, and we’ll get it.”
“You did really well, honestly. I’ll need a chair for Jake’s room so I can stay in there with him. I understand he won’t need to be hooked up to anything when he arrives. Is that correct?”
“It is,” I confirm.
“Good. Do you have a supply of absorbent underwear?”
Opening the closet, I show him the top shelf where I placed the box. “He has shorts and pants with elastic waistbands or drawstrings that he can adjust. We can grab the armchair from the living room for you for now, and I’ll get a chair as soon as possible."
“Okay. Let’s get that, then I’m going to play with the bed and get used to it.”
I help him drag the armchair into Jake’s room and set it by the patio doors. “It’s expensive, but if you can get one of those lifting chairs, we can use it in here, and then you’ll have it for Jake later on when he’s able to get around more.”
“I was looking at one of those last week. I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thanks, Summer,” he smiles before pulling out the manuals. I go back to the living room and call the medical supply store, and they have the chair but only in brown, but they can get a charcoal color one to me tomorrow afternoon, so I order it. I’ve never been a fan of the color brown unless it’s real wood. Next, I text Sarah, asking for therapists for Jake. She replies she’ll have a list for me by tonight.
I’m reading through my notes when there’s another knock at the door. Peeking through the peephole, I see Ray. Jake is here! I open the door and grin brightly at him. “Welcome home.”
“Thank you. Someone let us in downstairs, but I need the service elevator key.”
“Oh yeah. I pull it out of my pocket and hand it to him. Let me grab Will and we’ll come down with you.” Jogging back, I holler for Will.
He pokes his head out of the room. “Yeah?”
“Jake’s here.”
“Oh, great,” he smiles.
I peek my head outside to let Zander know they’re here. Since he’s on a call, I lock the condo and give Ray the key as we ride the elevator down to the lobby. I see Jake as soon as we exit and make a beeline for him. “Hi Caroline,” I greet before kissing Jake’s cheek. “Morning, Jake.”
“Hey Sum,” he smiles as I step to the side.
“Son, this is Will, your daytime nurse,” Ray introduces.
“Hi Jake. Nice to meet you,” Will greets.
“You too,” Jake replies. Will introduces himself to Caroline, then we head to the service elevator while I hold his hand. I can’t believe he’s here to stay! No more video calls to Virginia. No more days spent in a hospital room in Charlotte. Just a quick drive to see him in person. I’m giddy and can’t stop beaming from ear to ear. My tiredness has vanished suddenly.
Ray unlocks the condo as Caroline and Will wheel him inside. With the third bedroom door opposite Jake’s door, it’s easy to maneuver him into his room. They gently transferred Jake over once his temporary bed is lined up with the new one. Caroline and Will sign papers, then she waves goodbye, pushing the temporary bed with her, followed by Ray. “Room looks great, Sum. Thanks,” Jake smiles tiredly.
“You’re welcome. Glad you like it.”
