Although the hospital bed wasn’t the most comfortable sleeping surface, I still slept very well. To feel the shape of Allie’s body curled up against mine calmed my heart. The warmth of her against me reassured any worries I had that she may blame me someday for what happened to her. She slept with her head resting on my chest the entire night, and I’m sure my beating heart comforted any fears that may have been inside of her head, and let her know that I loved her more than anything.
That night I dreamed… I dreamed of what life would’ve been like if I had had a caring mother… a caring father. Although the specifics of the dream were hazy, I know it must have been magnificent, because when the nurse woke me at five o’clock in the morning, I had a grand smile tattooed on my face.
I slowly drifted from my dream, and out of sleep by the sound of a nurse saying, “…ma’am…ma’am…” She was shaking me lightly. “Ma’am… you have a phone call.”
I gradually opened my eyes, yawned, and then said, “A phone call?”
“Yes” the nurse said with a smile, “Out at the desk.”
Ever so peacefully, and with much care, I wriggled out from underneath of Allie. She did not wake up. I carefully got out of the hospital bed, and followed the nurse down the hallway, and out to the desk. The nurse, the name on her tag read Ellen, handed me the phone with a smile, and said, “I’ve got to file some papers, so I’ll give you some privacy.” And she walked away.
Watching her go, I thought about Windmill Glen, and how I needed to get out. While I was only forty miles away, it was still so nice. No one knew who I was, they smiled at me, they treated me with respect and dignity. And as I brought the phone up to my ear, nurse Ellen gave me one last smile as the door closed behind her.
“Hello” I said into the receiver. There was a good chance it was Tess. She was supposed to be returning to Windmill Glen this day, and if she heard what happened to Allie – word travels fast in a small town remember – she would’ve know that Johanna General Hospital was where she would’ve been sent. But then again, it was five in the morning… so… how could she have heard about Allie just yet. I had no idea who to expect on the other line.
“Hey Beth, how are you doing?” Ace said in a sorrowful tone.
“Ace! Ace… where are you? How are you?” I said. I was excited to hear from him, but still gloomy under the circumstances.
“Well, I’m in Ohio. Me and my dad are heading home real soon. He had one last piece of business to take care of, but I talked him into leaving early so I could be with you and Allie. Is she all right?”
“She’s in bad shape, but everyone said that she’s going to pull through. How did you find out?”
“My mother called, and told me. I called all over the place trying to find out where Allie was taken, and finally my mom called again with that information too.”
“She did huh.” I smiled. It was so relieving that Ace’s mom was coming through for me.
“Yeah,” Ace continued, “Apparently, she saw Ms. McCollum’s true colors. My mom told me that last night Ms. McCollum came over the house, and seemed happy about what happened to Allie, so my mother threw her out of the house, and told her not to come back, and that she didn’t want friends like her. I wish I coulda been there. Anyway, how are you?”
“Not so good. I mean, I’m happy that Allie’s going to be fine and all. It’s just seeing her like this… its hard. I didn’t protect her Ace… something very strange happened to her.”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know just yet. But I intend to find out. I’ll explain it when you get here. Other than that, I just feel lonely… Oh yeah, and Allie did say one thing, she said she wanted to see your rainbow again.”
“Well, as soon as Allie gets out of there, I’ll make her another rainbow. As for you Beth… is there a window where you are?”
“Yeah.”
“Go over to it, and look up at the moon.” Ace said.
I walked over to the window, and did as Ace told me. The moon was so bright. It was rare that I was up at five o’clock in the morning… the night seemed different. I don’t know how to explain it.
“Are you looking at it?”
“I sure am.” I said.
“I’m looking at it too.” Ace said. “We’re both looking at the moon together, so I’m still with you. You’re not alone… we’re always together. And very soon I’ll be by your side looking up at that moon… along with Allie.”
My heart melted.
To Be Continued…
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