Voices and heavy footsteps paused Jack's parade of dinosaurs. He looked up at me. "Who is that?"
"Just some people here to help your grandma." He accepted that answer and continued reciting the names and the actual scientific names of each of his dinosaurs. It was pretty damn impressive.
"Which one is your favrit?" Jack asked.
"Well, I don't know if there are any dinosaurs as cool as triceratops."
He picked up his triceratops and leaned his head in thought. "You might be right."
A light knock on the doorway pulled our attention. Rachel looked calmer but still shaken. "Mommy, this is Ronan, and he likes triceratops the best. Just like you."
She smiled weakly. "Guess we have that in common. They don't think it's a heart attack, but we're going to the hospital as a precaution."
"How's your mom feeling?"
"Better. I think sometimes the terror that a possible heart attack evokes causes panic and the domino effect makes the whole thing more frightening. I'm going to ride along with her." She scrunched up her face. "I hate to ask you this favor, but do you think you could take my car and follow? Jack's car seat is in the back. You can just drop him off with me and then leave. I'm sorry the date ended like this."
"No, hey, I'm just glad I was here to help. Hey, buddy, want to take a trip in Mom's car?" I asked.
"At night? In the dark? Yes, yes, yes." He hopped around clapping.
Rachel smiled down at him with so much love it practically hurt to see. "Let's get your coat on, Jack." She turned to leave, but I took hold of her hand. She paused and let me hold it for a long moment, then I released her and she walked out. Holy crap, one date and I was in deep. Zander was going to have a fucking field day.
fifteen
. . .
Rachel
Iheld Mom's hand as the doctor walked in with a grim expression. It turned out that was his natural face. "Good news," he said with a face that wasn't singing "good news." "It wasn't a heart attack just some mild indigestion made worse by a panic attack. I will be sending you home with some prescriptions for high cholesterol and high blood pressure. You should check in with your general practitioner this week for a full physical."
"We'll get her an appointment," I said confidently, but the truth was Mom wasn't old enough for Medicare, and she could only afford a crummy health plan that covered barely anything. I dreaded seeing the bill from this hospital visit.
"We're getting her release papers ready. Should be another hour. I'm glad this wasn't a heart attack," the doctor said and walked out.
I spun around, leaned down and hugged Mom. "You had me so scared."
"I'm sorry about that, sweetie. Your old mom ain't ready to kick the bucket yet. And I ruined your date." She smiled up at me. All the color and life had returned to her face. "What a looker. How was it going? Before I ruined it."
I thought about it for a second. "Actually, it was going pretty well, but you know, Mom, I've got so much going on in my life. I don't have time for?—"
She squeezed my hand. "What? No time for some fun or a little romance? Nonsense." She sat up straighter, and the monitors beeped a little faster. "Where's Jack?"
"With Ronan. I better go take Ronan back to his car. You'll be all right?"
"Of course I will, and tell him thank you for me. It's a good thing you were with him tonight."
"I'll say." I kissed her on the forehead and walked out to the hallway. Jack was entertaining Ronan with a silly dance, and Ronan was tapping out a tune on his thigh.
I stopped and watched them for a moment. I didn't need five questions or an internet search or more dates. I just needed to see him with Jack. "Oh boy, Ray, he's more than a heartbreaker. He's the whole damn package."
A nurse glanced at me as I spoke to myself. She paused and looked back. "Do they belong to you? You are one lucky woman."
I smiled but didn't feel the need to explain that only one belonged to me. After all, let the nurse think I was going home with the green-eyed hunk at the end of the hallway. What could it hurt?
Jack spotted me as I reached them. "Mommy!"
I picked him up. "Shh, not so loud, Jack. Inside voice, remember?"