Ryan's Crossing Read online

  “How long are you going to hang around the party?” asked Brittney.

  Peter looked at Amber. “Do we have to go?”

  She looked directly at him, smiling. “Nope.”

  He walked over and drew her into his arms. “Don’t tempt me.”

  “Cut the cake and get out,” suggested Heather. “No one’s going to mind.”

  Faye knocked on the door and stuck her head in the room. “Everyone’s outside.”

  “Okay, let’s get out there,” said Heather.

  The bridesmaids and groomsmen all joined the group of people excitedly waiting outside in the chilly, late January afternoon. At last, Peter and Amber appeared at the top of the steps. Everyone cheered and threw rose petals as the couple made their way to Peter’s Jeep.

  Frank and Faye’s home overflowed with people celebrating the wedding. Ryan headed out to the deck, pleased to see Brittney standing at the railing.

  “The coat doesn’t quite match the dress.”

  She glanced down at her light blue parka. “Colors clash?” She smiled up at him.

  The mischievous smile that includes a twinkle in her eye. Her smiles were becoming irresistible to Ryan. “Yeah. Something like that.”

  She turned to lean against the railing. “You’ve lost your tie and cummerbund.”

  He stepped back and held his hands out to his side. “They weren’t all that comfortable, but give me some credit. I stayed in the coat, pants, and dress shoes.”

  She laughed. “Too many people inside for you?”

  He gave her half a nod. “A few. But your mom seems in her element.”

  “Yeah, she loves a party. Did Peter and Amber leave?”

  “I think they snuck out about an hour ago.”

  “Good for them.”

  “Any chance of the rest of us skipping out on the party early?”

  She laughed. “You, maybe. I’ve got to fight through that crowd to get to my room!”

  “Have you heard any more on Grace?”

  She looked down, stuffing her hands in the coat’s pockets. “Melissa called early this morning before she left the hospital. Her oxygen saturation is continuing to drop.”

  Ryan knew enough to know the oxygen deprivation was going to bring her organs to a critical moment. Either things turned around soon, or the child’s body would give up. “I’m sorry, B.”

  She looked at him, a tear escaping. “Gracie calls me that.”

  He reached out and gently wiped the tear with his thumb. The simple contact heightened his senses, and he looked her in the eye.

  “Ryan! Brittney!” Faye threw open the dining room door and motioned to them, her face revealing panic. “We need you! Joshua just collapsed.”

  Ryan rushed inside to find Chad lifting Josh onto the couch. “What happened?”

  “He just fell down,” said Chad with anxiety in his eyes.

  Ryan looked at the boy’s chest and saw he was breathing. He did a quick check over all his limbs and didn’t notice any broken bones. “Did you get him to his doctor last week?”

  “Yes,” said his mother, Amy, as she hugged her husband’s arm. “He said to just keep a watch on him. The nosebleeds were prob’ly nothing to worry about, he said.”

  Joshua started to stir a bit.

  “What has he eaten today?” asked Brittney.

  “Not much,” said Amy helplessly. “He said his stomach was a-hurtin’ him, and he didn’t feel like eating.”

  Ryan locked eyes with Brittney. He looked back at Josh and saw he was awake.

  “Hey, there, Josh,” said Ryan, bending close. “Remember me?”

  “Yeah.”

  “How are you feeling?”

  “My head hurts.”

  He gently began feeling around the boy’s head and neck. “Anything else?”

  “My tummy hurts, too.”

  He gently felt the boy’s stomach.

  “What do you feel?” said Brittney.

  “Something on the left side is swollen,” said Ryan to Brittney.

  “What’s that mean?” said Frank.

  “Check for bruising,” said Brittney without answering her father.

  Ryan pulled the boy’s shirt up and looked around his abdomen. “Nothing obvious there.” He pulled up his sweater sleeves and saw several small bruises in various stages of healing. “How long have these been here?”

  “I don’t exactly know,” said Amy. She spread her hands out. “He’s always showin’ up with a new bruise. Seems like he can just about walk by something and get bruises from it.”

  Ryan clenched his jaw and looked at Brittney again. “You want to change clothes?”

  “Give me three minutes.”

  “What’s going on, son?” said Thomas.

  He looked at Josh. “Why don’t you lay right here for a minute while I talk to your mom and dad, okay?”

  The little boy nodded, and Faye moved in to sit with him.

  Ryan stood and looked at Chad and Amy. “Why don’t we step over here?” The crowd parted, allowing them to get to the kitchen. Frank, Thomas, Logan, and Andy followed.

  “Chad, I’ve already told you I’m not a doctor, and I certainly don’t have any equipment here to help tell us what’s going on.”

  “But you’re worryin’ about something,” said Chad fearfully.

  “Your son’s symptoms lead me to believe that this is something critical,” said Ryan. “I recommend we get him to a doctor immediately.”

  Amy grabbed Chad’s hand. “But the clinic is closed on Saturdays.”

  Andy looked at Ryan. “You’re recommending an ER in Portland?”

  Ryan returned Andy’s gaze, not sure how much he knew about the hospitals in Portland. If I tell them I recommend going straight to Doernbecher, will anyone besides Brittney understand I’m concerned about cancer?

  “Son?” said Thomas as the silence lengthened.

  Ryan sighed. “I recommend we take him straight to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital,” said Ryan. He watched the eyes of those in the small group around him. He saw realization in the eyes of Frank and Logan.

  “I’m ready,” said Brittney, hurrying back into the room in jeans and an Oregon Health and Science University sweatshirt.

  “Chad, you and Amy go with Ryan and Brittney,” said Logan. “We’ll watch over Caleb. Take as long as you need.”

  Chapter 12

  EVERYONE LOADED INTO BRITTNEY’S CAR, and Ryan got behind the wheel. She tried to remain objective as Ryan drove to Portland with Joshua and his parents in the back seat. She considered other medical possibilities that explained Joshua’s symptoms, but cancer seemed the most likely. Maybe it’s just because you work in the oncology unit, she tried to convince herself.

  Ryan led the way into the ER unit, carrying Joshua. Thankfully, the place was unusually quiet for a Saturday afternoon. He went to the triage station and reported in as Chad and Amy hurried behind him, still wearing their Sunday best from attending the wedding earlier.

  The nurse looked at Ryan, who was still in his tux pants and dress shirt. “Looks like something fancy got interrupted. What seems to be the problem today?”

  Ryan spoke up. “Four–year-old patient presenting with long-term fatigue and multiple nosebleeds since suspected case of the flu in November. Parents report that he bruises easily and often. Patient passed out for approximately three to five minutes. Upon coming to, he complained of a stomachache and headache. He has a swollen spot on the left side of his abdomen and has eaten very little today.”

  The nurse raised her eyebrows at Ryan. “Medical field?”

  “Paramedic out of McWilliam.”

  “Okay. Are the parents here?”

  “Yes,” said Chad, stepping forward.

  “Your son’s name?”

  “Joshua.”

  The nurse looked appraisingly at the little boy. “Okay, Joshua. Why don’t you come sit here for me? I’m just going to ask your parents a few more questions and get your vitals, okay?�
��

  Joshua nodded as he sat down in the chair. The nurse got the basic information from Chad and Amy, and then she put a bracelet on Joshua.

  “Do I have to stay here?” said Joshua, a nervous expression in his young eyes.

  “The doctor will tell you that,” said the nurse gently, “but first he has to know you’re not feeling well.” She pointed to the medical bracelet she’d just put on him. “This tells the doc that you need some attention, okay?”

  Joshua nodded but leaned into his mother timidly. “Does my mom get to go with me?”

  “Of course,” said the nurse. “And your dad. The doctor will need their help too.”

  “Okay,” said Joshua, holding tightly to Amy’s hand.

  “You all come with me,” said the nurse. “Paramedic, you’ll have to wait out here. Family only in the back.”

  Chad turned to look at Ryan uncertainly.

  “You go ahead,” said Ryan. “I’ll wait for you.”

  “Here’s my cell phone number,” said Brittney, holding out a slip of paper that Chad took from her. “We’ll be here in the hospital waiting for an update.”

  “Thanks,” said Chad gratefully. His wife’s wide-eyed glance met Ryan’s eyes before she turned away.

  Brittney and Ryan watched them walk through the doors. “What are you thinking?” said Brittney in a low voice.

  “Nothing good,” said Ryan, shaking his head.

  “Same here.”

  “Well, it will probably be a while. Want to head over and check on Grace?”

  Brittney looked at him in surprise. “Yeah, actually I would like that.”

  She led the way to the skybridge and then to the oncology ward. They walked into the locker room, and she grabbed two sets of isolation scrubs. After putting them on, they walked out to the nurse’s station.

  “Hey, there,” she greeted the nurses on duty.

  “Hey, Britt,” said Melissa. “What are you doing here?”

  “Brought friends to the ER and thought I’d stop in up here while we wait.”

  “Who’s this friend?” said Jennifer, raising her eyebrows and looking over Ryan.

  “My new sister-in-law’s brother,” said Brittney.

  “Oh, that I should be cursed with a brother-in-law like you!” said Jennifer with a wink.

  Ryan grinned.

  “Stop it,” said Brittney, laughing.

  “Did the ER visit interrupt the wedding?” said Melissa, returning everyone to seriousness.

  “No, thankfully,” said Brittney. “Just the reception—and the bride and groom had already left.”

  Melissa pointed at Jennifer. “Before she completely loses her mind, Grace has been asking about you. Diane said she had a pretty good day. She’s not shown any improvement, but her numbers are holding steady.”

  “Good. Thanks,” said Brittney. She looked at Ryan. “Her room is this way.”

  They walked down the hall to Grace’s room and paused outside her window. Brittney grabbed two masks. Handing one to Ryan, she said, “You don’t have to come in here.”

  “I know that.”

  She returned his steady gaze for a moment, wondering if the charm she’d seen the past week was normal. A girl could get used to this, she thought. “Thanks.”

  He nodded. “Come on. Your girl’s waiting on you.”

  He opened the door, and Brittney walked through. “Hey, Gracie!”

  “B!” Gracie’s voice was weak, but her smile lit up the room for Brittney. “Are you back?”

  “No, sweetheart. Just visiting.”

  “I’m glad,” said Grace. “I missed you. Who’s he?”

  “I’m Ryan.” He came to stand beside the bed just behind Brittney.

  “He’s a friend of mine,” said Brittney. “How do you like his outfit?”

  “Looks fancy under the gown. Was the wedding today?” Grace asked.

  “Yes,” said Brittney.

  “Were you beautiful?” said Grace.

  “The most beautiful woman there,” said Ryan.

  Brittney looked at him. “You’re supposed to say the bride was the most beautiful.”

  Ryan wrinkled his nose and looked at Grace. “The bride’s my sister.”

  Grace giggled.

  Brittney rolled her eyes at him and turned back to Grace. “The bride was very beautiful too.”

  “Did you get me a picture?” said Grace.

  “I had one taken just for you,” said Brittney. “I should have it for you when I come back to work on Tuesday.”

  Brittney glanced at the monitors. O2 is down to 83. “How are you feeling, Gracie?”

  “Okay. Sometimes breathing gets hard.”

  “If you tell the nurses, they can give you some medicine to help,” Brittney reminded her.

  “It makes me sleepy,” said Grace. “I don’t want to sleep yet.”

  “What would you like, Grace?” said Ryan suddenly.

  “Anything?” said Grace.

  “Ryan,” said Brittney quietly, wondering what kind of promise he might make.

  “You tell me what it is, and we’ll see what I can do,” said Ryan.

  “I’d really like a chocolate shake,” said Grace, her small voice filled with hope. “It’s been so long since I’ve been here, and what they bring is okay, but it’s not like a real shake.”

  “Nurse B, what do you think?” said Ryan.

  Brittney looked at Gracie. She’s so pale, Father. “I think we could probably sneak in one chocolate milkshake.”

  “Yes!” said Ryan and Grace together.

  “But,” said Brittney, “you keep obeying the nurses.”

  “I will,” said Grace.

  “Okay,” said Brittney. “We’ll let you rest for a while.”

  “I’ll be back tomorrow with that chocolate shake.” Ryan winked at her and was rewarded with a smile.

  They walked down the hall into the locker room. Brittney just got the door closed before the first tear fell.

  “B?” said Ryan.

  She couldn’t answer. She covered her face with her hands, trying to control the tears that wanted to fall. She felt Ryan’s hand on her shoulder.

  “Brittney?”

  His gentle concern was more than she could handle. She turned into his shoulder and let go. As the sobs began, she felt his arms encircle her.

  Ryan picked up her phone and answered the vibration. “Brittney’s phone… Yes… We’ll be down in just a few minutes.”

  He closed the phone and turned toward Brittney. “Better?”

  She turned from the sink, drying her face with a rough towel, and looked at him. “How bad do I look?”

  “You look beautiful.”

  “Yeah, right. Either you’re lying, or you’re somehow biased.”

  Ryan put up his hands. “I plead the fifth.”

  “Chicken.” Brittney tossed the towel into the laundry bin. “Was that Chad?”

  “Yeah, they need our help.”

  Brittney and Ryan made their way back to the ER and found Chad and Amy in a triage room. Amy’s eyes were as red as Brittney imagined her own were.

  “Hey,” said Brittney, sitting beside Amy. “What did the doctor say?”

  “We’re not sure of all the medical words,” said Chad, “but he wants to do something called a marrow opsy. Do you know what that is?”

  Brittney’s heart sank.

  “What else did he say?” said Ryan.

  “He was talkin’ about some A-L-L leukemia being what might be wrong,” said Chad. He glanced at his wife before looking back at Ryan. “Leukemia kills people, don’t it?”

  “It can, but that depends on a lot of things,” said Ryan.

  “We’ll know more after the bone marrow biopsy,” said Brittney, “but acute leukemia isn’t all bad. Leukemia accounts for about one-third of all childhood cancers, and most kids with ALL go into remission and live full lives.”

  “He said something about the blood tests showin’ lots of white blood ce
lls,” said Amy anxiously.

  “That’s why’s he’s ordering the bone marrow test,” said Brittney. “That will tell him for sure what kind of cancer we’re looking at. ”

  “So we should do it?” said Chad.

  “It’s not going to be fun for Joshua,” said Brittney, “but, yes. You should let them do the test.”

  Chapter 13

  BRITTNEY WANTED TO STEP OUTSIDE to call her parents and update them on the situation, so Ryan walked her out and then sat on a bench nearby, alone with his thoughts. What a couple of weeks! Joshua, Gracie, Brittney. Then there’s the mob back at the Yager home. Ryan rubbed his face. I thought the wedding was going to be the stress point of my time here.

  Feeling restless, he stood up and paced a few steps to the stone face of the hospital building and leaned against it. Chad and Amy are beginning to depend on me, but Brittney’s better at the cancer stuff than I am. The wedding’s over; I need to get back to McWilliam, anyway. Or decide if I’m going to try out Portland.

  He turned around to watch Brittney. Flashes of her passed through his mind as he thought of their discussion on the porch swing and in the kitchen, how beautiful she looked this morning and how fragile she’d been just a short time ago after seeing Gracie. He sighed deeply.

  You were made for more than you’ve taken hold of.

  Matthew! Is this why I’m being sent?

  Silence.

  Okay, God. If I buy into all this, You’re the One sending me. Am I supposed to stick around and help Brittney through all this?

  Silence.

  He sighed again. “You know, I’m actually trying to get this.”

  You were made for more than you’ve taken hold of.

  He looked at the sky. “Yeah. I’m sure that’s supposed to be helpful, but I’m just not sure what to do with it.”

  “Are you talking to me?” said Brittney, clicking her phone closed and walking closer.

  Ryan’s head swiveled toward her voice. “Huh? Oh, no. Sorry. Everyone okay back in Crossing?”

  “Yeah. The party broke up right after we left, so everyone pitched in to get things cleaned up. Logan and Heather have gone home, and your mom and dad were just hanging around to see if we needed anything else. My mom’s going to make a pallet for Caleb in her room and put him to bed shortly.”