Hailey’s lips pursed. A knot formed in her throat, but she knew she had to say something. “I don’t think that Grant getting sick is your punishment,” she croaked out, repressed tears burning her throat, “but I do think that maybe it could be being used to get your attention.”
Randy lifted his head skyward. “You have my attention,” he declared.
“You said He’s gotten your attention before,” Hailey said, standing. She played nervously with her hands. “I don’t know,” she shrugged, sounding so young but looking to Randy like one of the bravest kids he had ever seen. “I just mean… God’s given you opportunities to put Him first before …maybe He’s just giving you another chance to actually do it.”
Randy offered Hailey a smile much too fragile for his stern features.
“I didn’t mean to offend you,” Hailey shook her head.
“No,” Randy shook his head. He wiped a tear from his eye and took a deep breath. “You’re a smart girl, as beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside. I see what my son sees in you.”
Hailey felt her cheeks blush. “Come-on,” she said, taking Randy’s hand. She smiled a tearful smile, her words full of a strength she didn’t know she possessed. “We need to pray for Grant; we need to pray for Grant’s doctors; and, most of all, we need to pray that God somehow uses this difficult time in all our lives to bring glory to His name.”
Hailey and Randy knelt at the alter again. Their heads bowed and their eyes closed, Randy began to pray, the words pouring out of his mouth with the conviction of a man who was humbled before an almighty God. The Spirit had moved that day. The little country girl with no real world experience, the daughter of his arch rival, the girl whose honor his son had defended so vigorously, seemed the most unlikely source to be used by God in such an awesome way, yet it had happened…the beautiful humbling of a decorated military veteran through the words of an innocent, young girl who would be blessed beyond measure because, with no thought of her own reward, she was a blessing to others.
Grant had been moved out of the ICU and into a regular hospital room, but he remained too sick to return home. The morning had been occupied with a lumbar puncture and a bone marrow biopsy. That afternoon, his fever had spiked. His family, properly scrubbed and disinfected, had not left his side. He was sitting in bed now with his mother standing next to him feeding him ice chips from a white styrofoam cup, Joanna fluffing the pillow at his head and Rachel straightening the blanket at his feet.
“What are you doing, Joey?” Grant scoffed.
“I’m just making sure you’re comfortable,” Joanna said, looking guilty.
“Back away from the pillow,” Grant grinned.
“Baby, we are all just trying to help,” Nora said, patting his hand. “You tell us what you need us to do.”
“Well,” Grant smiled, “I love you guys, but this is beginning to feel more like a death bed vigil than I’m comfortable with.”
Nora frowned as Grant took the cup of ice chips from her. “Baby, don’t say that,” she sighed.
“Are you kicking us out?” Joanna asked.
“I am,” Grant nodded. “For now. But, if this pillow goes flat, I promise you’ll be the first person I call.”
“Let us know if you need anything,” Nora insisted.
“I will,” Grant smiled.
The room slowly began to clear, yet Hailey remained in the chair next to the window.
“Looks like somebody didn’t get the memo,” Grant said with a playful wink.
Hailey rolled her eyes. “Who kicks his own family out of his hospital room?” she hissed.
“Well, excuse me,” Grant groaned, “but it’s a little creepy to be treated like the Grimm Reaper was spotted in the hallway. They were all acting like…”
“Like they love you?” Hailey smiled as she rolled her eyes again. “Can you believe the nerve of some people?”
Grant grinned as he patted the bed. “Feel free to act like you love me!”
Hailey stood to walk toward Grant’s bed, but she noticed his expression quickly change.
“Nevermind,” he gulped.
“Feeling sick?” Hailey sighed.
“Yeah,” Grant moaned.
“Lay down,” Hailey said easily, as she helped Grant lie back.
“I’m sorry,” Grant groaned.
“Don’t be,” Hailey swallowed as she felt his neck with the back of her hand. “I’ll fix you a damp cloth.”
“Thanks,” Grant said, forcing a smile.
Hailey bent down and lightly kissed Grant’s cheek. “I like being your nurse,” she smiled.
“Say that again later when I feel more like articulating a Grant-worthy, risqué response, okay?” Grant groaned, his eyes closing.
“Now you’re hallucinating, Baby,” Hailey whispered.
And, his eyes closed, his body relaxing, Grant managed a grin that made Hailey’s heart skip a beat.
Melissa held her hands up, showing Grant that she was using the hand sanitizer the nurses had instructed them to use.
