Part 38 (1/2)

”I guess it wasn't all bad for you on the road with your uncle.”

”No, but as Mrs. Westington says, you can't stay on the road forever and run from yourself, put your head in the sand.”

We saw Echo yawn.

”Time to go to sleep,” I told her. I nodded at Destiny, whose eyes closed.

Echo asked Tyler if he was returning in the morning and while he glanced at me, he told her he would see her at the hospital because he was going to visit her grandmother. too. That pleased her. She asked me if I was going to sleep now as well and I told her I would be coming up soon. I wanted to put away my magic show. She looked at Tyler and then at me and nodded. After she left. Tyler helped me take the tricks and illusions out to the motor home.

”Destiny stays in the house with us,” I said.

We then went upstairs to check on Echo and found her asleep, embracing Mr. Panda.

”I see you have a dream catcher, too.” he said.

”Not taking any chances. huh?”

”Not anymore.”

He smiled. All that had happened appeared to have freed him inside so that he wasn't as guarded about his feelings and as afraid of trusting them.

We went downstairs again. I saw how he was hesitating.

”You don't have to hang around any longer.

Tyler. We'll be all right.”

”If you don't mind. I'd like to,” he replied. ”It helps me to feel better.”

”Okay,” I said. surprised.

We sat on the sofa in the living room and talked about his new plans and mine. I tried to keep awake.

but after a while, my eyelids just shut down and I felt myself leaning more and more against him. He rose and fixed a pillow under my head and then he sat across from me in Mrs. Westington's chair. When I opened my eyes with the morning light streaking through the window, he was still there, asleep himself.

I sat up and he opened his eyes.

”Hey,” he said, looking about. ”What time is it?” He checked his watch. ”Wow. I guess I was more tired than I thought, too.”

”I've got to get Echo going. I'll get her some breakfast and then we'll drive over to the hospital.”

”Right. I'll meet you there,” he said. He rose and stretched. Then he smiled. ”Great show last night.”

”Thanks.”

”See you soon.” He hurried out.

I wondered what he would be telling his mother when he got home or if that even mattered anymore.

Echo and I showered and dressed. I made some coffee. I was unable to eat very much. My stomach felt as if it were full of baby snakes. Echo had some juice and a little cereal. I thought she was suspicious about my moving her along quickly and getting us out so early, but she didn't ask anything about it. We got into my car and started away. I couldn't stop my nerves from tw.a.n.ging. Although getting a pacemaker was usually not a terribly dangerous procedure, it was for Mrs. Westington at her age and under her circ.u.mstances. As she would be the first to tell me. I knew enough to be dangerous. Mostly. I knew the doctors were afraid of her having a much more severe stroke.

Tyler was already in the parking lot waiting for us when I drove in. He got out of his car quickly to greet us. Echo was happy to see him, but very surprised as well. She kept looking at me for more of an explanation. I knew we could hold back the truth only a few more minutes because once we were inside and she saw we weren't going to her grandmother's room, she would know something more was happening. I was glad I had Tyler with me to help explain it all with his expert signing.

At the reception desk, we found out where to go to wait. When we reached the lounge. Tyler and I finally told Echo exactly what was going on. She sat there absorbing it all and looking very frightened and small. I held her hand and tried to rea.s.sure her. By doing that I was rea.s.suring myself. A little after eight o'clock, Doctor Battie appeared. I held my breath until I saw him smile. As he spoke. Tyler signed to Echo.

”It went well,” the doctor said. ”That woman's got s.p.u.n.k. Give her a few hours and then we'll have you visit. I'll let her know you were here and were updated.”

Joyous and feeling as if a ton of trouble had been lifted from our shoulders. I declared I was finally hungry. Tyler confessed to not having had much breakfast either so we headed down to the hospital cafeteria. Echo had a better appet.i.te as well. The three of us sat at a table and watched hospital staff, other visitors, and doctors going in and out.

”I'd like to work in a hospital someday.” Echo told us. ”and help people.”

”After you go to school, you can be anything you want.” Tyler signed, and she smiled.

”What is it really like for the hearing impaired as far as careers go?” I asked him.

”Their opportunities have improved considerably. She's a ways off from making a career decision, but you'd be surprised at how much she can do. Maybe she will work in a medical lab someday, or even become a doctor.”

”A doctor?”

”Who knows? She's bright enough to do most anything.”

Suddenly. Echo's eyes widened. I turned to look in the direction she was facing and saw Trevor coming toward us. He looked angry enough to tear the cafeteria into shreds. His eyes went to Tyler and then to me.

”She's all right. We're all right,” I said quickly.

Trevor's shoulders relaxed. ”Why didn't you have the police call me at my cousin's home?” he asked. ”When I phoned the house and couldn't get anyone. I called a friend of mine in Healdsburg at the Mars Hotel. Seems the whole town's talking about what happened. When I heard the grisly details. I got an earlier flight out and just drove right to the hospital.”

He sat. ”They both in jail then?” he asked me.

”Yes, Trevor, Skeeter was wanted for a lot more and Rhona's in big trouble now.”

”I'm not surprised and not disappointed either,”

he said.

”Can I get you a cup of coffee. Trevor?” Tyler asked.

Trevor glared at him a moment and then nodded. ”Sure. Black, no sugar.” he said. and Tyler leaped to his feet. ”How's Mrs. Westington doing now then?”

”She had a pacemaker put in this morning and the doctor says she's doing well, Trevor.”

”And the little one here?”

”She's all right now. She's going to be fine. We all are. Trevor.”

”That's good. I'm sorry I wasn't here,” he said, shaking his head. ”I knew I shouldn't have left you with those two. You didn't tell me the whole truth about what was going on in that house. I bet. You didn't want me to stay and you knew I wouldn't leave if I knew everything,”

”You were where you had to be.”

”I'm not so sure. You can give me the details later.” he said. He jerked his shoulder toward Tyler. ”I thought he was gone from the scene.”