Signs

Untitled Part 35

Chapter 35.

Renny and Mave were beside her as soon as visitors were allowed. Carole had of course been up half an hour before to be ready, presentable. She may be in a horrid gown hooked up to all kinds of tubes and monitors but she could at least put lipstick on with some extra smudged on her cheeks. She had used the water from her glass to smooth down her unruly hair, the ends without their little curl inwards, instead she was rocking a beach wave, but now very tidy.

"Doctor says I can go home tomorrow"

"Dr Evans?" Renny sensed because her mother was vibrating a pretty pink, she envisioned

"Yes, he's my doctor" She sat up, smoothing out the sheets

"Uh ha"

"Oh Carole, I cant believe this. You, the mule"

"Hey" Carole protested

"You know what I mean. You're the strong one, the smart one" she held out before adding "the better cook"

"Oh hush" Carole swiped her hand

The door rapped, and Dr. Evans poked his head through the door "Good morning" he smiled at Carole, deep crows feet made his smile that much more delightful

"Doctor" she nodded, playing very coy even thought the low tone beeping of the cardiograph monitor began beating faster

Renny watched the two, back and forth as he complimented her, and she refused to be flattered

'well look at that' she thought, as in her mind she could see some reaction between them, unseen but almost a density in the air.

"Her medications are minimal, i'm more worried about her diet at this point" He addressed Renny "More cheerios" He shrugged, a simple suggestion

"More cheerios" Renny echoed

Carole curled her top lip

"I saw that." He looked back "This was nothing, but it was a caution. Slow down. You've earned it"

Renny was puzzled, earned it?

"I'll be back later. Nice to see you ladies"

As soon as the door closed her eyes darted to her mothers, which were down, looking at her nails.

"What was that?"

"Hmm? I don't know what you mean. I wonder when breakfast is coming. How's Sam and Melody at the cafe?"

"He's cute" Mave encouraged "what's he like?"

"I dont know"

"He seemed like he knew a bit about you"

"What? No, that's for medical records" her voice grew higher "he came in last night when i woke up, sat with me for a while, we got to talking a little.." she stopped herself "He's a lovely man, very professional" and her heart rate monitor went up, again.

"Professional" Renny eyed the monitor, but pursed her lips to the side, a twisted smile and let it go. Her mother probably didn't need the extra stress of being teased right now.

"Ok, well I better go to the shop. If there's anything I forgot in your overnight bag let me know, i'll bring it back later" she kissed her moms forehead "love you. Bye Mave"

"Bye dear" she said, pulling a deck of cards out of her purse, sitting up next to the bed, shuffling.

"Alright old lady, Gin" Carole said, and then a burst of clucking laughter from Mave, Renny heard as she closed the door.

The cafe was filled with the lunch crowds, and the amazing smells of the grills. Sam was running back and forth to the register and coffee machine, Melody barely having any spare hand to help him, but she stopped as soon as Renny came in "Is she ok?"

"She's fine. Flirting with the Doctor" Renny came around the counter, grabbed her apron "It was very mild" She assured Melody who looked forlorn "Hey Sam"

"Hey. Wow so shes going to be ok?" he asked, while still frothing milk at the same time.

She went behind the register "Just fine" she smiled "can I help you?" she asked the next person in line.

She tried not to think about Davis, what he had almost said. Was he about to say he wanted her? Had she read - or not read - him wrong this whole time?

In the afternoon, her mind considering all that she had learned she looked up from adding receipts, to see Brody in front of her, hands in pockets.

"You didn't let me know" was all he said, though his face was soft

"Oh Brody, I'm sorry - I..."

"It's ok. How is she?"

"Good, I'm going there now"

"Oh, Ok"

"Do you want to come?" She asked, guessing with his silence he wanted to ask

"I would like that"

"Ok, give me five minutes, I'll drive"

It was overcast. After a string of very warm and sunny days it looked as though the rain was going to come down hard tonight

Brody wanted to ask her about Davis, had they ever been a 'thing', but now was not the time. The way Davis carried her to the car and she relaxed into him, looked up at him, he saw in her eyes for Davis what she didnt have for him.

But he hoped it was just a strong friendship, a family type bond because he really liked her. There was so much more to her, and he was curious, he wanted to know what made her tick, but so far she had been very surface with him, he could tell.

"So home tomorrow they said?" he asked, easing the silence

"Yeah, that's what he said"

"Wow, that must be a good sign"

The hospital was busy, visiting hours were right before dinner and it seemed that every patient had a visitor tonight.

She could hear talking inside the door, and when she pushed it open, there sat Davis next to the bed.

"Brody!" Carole exclaimed

"Hi mom"

"Hi Renny, Oh Brody thank you for coming"

There was a big bouquet of flowers on the side table, with no note

"Who are they from"

Davis stood, Renny could barely look at him

"You look too good to be in here" Brody said, making Carole give a big smile

"Davis." he held out his hand, and Davis shook it.

"I better be off" he said "Listen to the good doctor now Miss Carole"

"I will Davis" she chuckled

He had to go through the middle of Renny and Brody to get out, and as he swept through, Renny caught it.

It was his fiance, she could see her face, her freckles and in the breeze in her mind she heard "Thank you for my forever" and she held on to a heart shaped necklace

Renny smelled lilacs and vanilla, and then like Davis it was gone.