Anna's Secret

motioned them over as George and Betty moved aside.
“My dear, such a long, hard road.” Eleanor said, shaking her head. Her voice caught in her throat.
“Anna, we’ve walked alongside you for years. And we’re not about to stop now,” Pastor Harry said. “You have to let us know how we can help—finances, yard clean up, your vehicle, whatever.” His kind eyes sparkled with a sheen of unshed tears as he patted her arm.
Eleanor moved in for a long hug. She drew Anna into the folds of her chubby arms and squeezed so tight her glasses twisted to one side.
Over her shoulder, Anna noticed her eldest son Mark jerk his head to one side to get her attention. They had argued earlier about his choice of a bright lime golf shirt, so he had changed into a burnt orange one, not caring to bend to the social etiquette of traditional black. Anna had decided to say no more.
She pulled free of Eleanor’s hug and waved him closer.
Anna noticed how he stiffened when both the pastor and his wife hugged him. At least, Mark nodded politely at their words of condolence. His hiked shoulders didn’t relax until they moved on.
He lowered his voice so only she could hear. “Hey, Mom, is it okay if Jason and I leave now? This whole wake thing or celebration of life or whatever it’s called, has me wigged out. I can’t take another stranger hugging me.”
Anna nodded. “I know it’s uncomfortable, Mark, but it’s a way for people to show they care.”
He brushed off her comment with a shrug of his shoulders and rolled his eyes.
Everything about Mark—his tall frame, striking looks, and antics—reminded her of a young Steven, strong and capable, when life had seemed unshakable. A stab of pain spiked through her.
“You two go,” she said. “My friends and Aunt Lana will help clean up, and they’ll stay as long as I need company. Between the two of us,” she said, squeezing him in a hug, “that was about two hours ago.”
He exhaled with a deep sigh and whispered. “Glad I’m not the only one to feel this way. Most people don’t understand,” his voice cracked. “Dad’s been gone a long time.” He lifted his arm to quickly swipe away the tears with his shirtsleeve.
Anna couldn’t believe her ears. Her son Jason was the one who readily expressed his feelings, but Mark so rarely did. His unusual moment of honesty brought tears to her eyes and she hugged him tight. “I’m so sorry Mark. You missed out on having a healthy dad, but I know how much he loved you.”
His mask slipped back in place as he stepped back. “I’ll live. Always have. Always will.” He waved to Jason above the din and made a beeline for the door.
A steady stream of well wishes and awkward conversations continued until little by little, the crowd thinned and only a few helping hands remained. To her surprise, Dr. Carmichael was one of them.
“Where do you want all these folding chairs and extra tables?”
“You don’t have to do this, Dr. Carmichael. My sons will look after that. They said they’d return them to the church tomorrow.”
“I’m not your doctor, Anna. I’m your friend. Call me Matt. Okay?”
He didn’t wait for a reply but grabbed a table, heaved it on its side and folded in the legs with a snap.
“I’ll break down the tables and stack the chairs so you have room to move before I go. How about I take them to the porch?”
She forced a weak smile. “Thanks so much, Dr … I mean, Matt.”
His eyes lit up, and a grin split free. “That’s better.”
Matt was almost done with his morning rounds. He shut down the file on the computer. A sunset screensaver popped up with unmistakable cheer as he rolled the wheeled stand out of his patient’s room. Pushed up against the wall, he kicked the brake lever on with his foot and slipped his stethoscope around his neck.
One look at his watch and he knew exactly where to head for his lunch hour. He waved at the pod of nurses and laughed at the way they sang out as if on cue, “Come again soon, Dr. Carmichael.”
He turned and smiled, flashing his dimple in cheery response. “Oh, you can count on that.”
Giggles and laughter followed. One said, “My, it’s hot in here, and girl, I’m not talking about my hot flashes, either.”
He caught himself humming a tune as he entered the elevator. Why am I so happy these days? Unwilling to unpack that question, he punched the button with a tad too much exuberance as the fourth and fifth button lit up simultaneously.
He smiled as the door opened one floor too soon. He stayed put and waited for the elevator to shut and open yet again. The cheery walls of painted flowers and gregarious animals welcomed him as he stepped out into the children’s ward. With a beeline straight for room 4004, he succeeded in bypassing all interruptions.
“How’s my favorite girl?”
Isabella gave him a lopsided grin and held out two arms for the taking. Matt moved in for the best part of his day. He never knew a child could tug at a person’s heart the way Isabella did.
He lifted her frail body into a hug and could feel her tiny arms close around his neck as her head relaxed onto his shoulder.
“Do you think your mama will let me take you to see your good friend Joey at the end of the hall? He was asking about you.”
The child lifted her head long enough to plead. “Please, mama.”
“Of course, honey.” She shifted her gaze to Matt. “But are you sure you have time in your busy schedule?”
Matt nodded. “Go get yourself something to eat, Nancy. I have an hour, and you need a break.”
She turned to leave, then spun around.
“Dr. Carmichael …” She shifted from one foot to the other. “I don’t know how to thank you. Without Isabella’s dad in