When I realized X wasn't just leaving the hospital, but that he was leaving the entire state.
I wondered how he was doing, and I'd done that from time to time with other patients. Except this was different. It wasn't some faint musing. It was more a concern, a hoping that he'd moved past his anger and was coming to accept his new reality. I knew it was a long-shot, especially after the way he behaved the last time I'd seen him, but I wanted him to be okay. I needed it.
X was still on my mind some time later when I finally climbed out of the tub and headed for the bedroom. It wasn't until I was dressed and already climbing into bed when I saw that I had a missed call.
I almost didn't check it, not wanting to be drawn into whatever new shit my parents had come up with. But guilt – as usual – won out and I reached for my phone. I frowned when I saw the number. Neither of my parents and not a number I recognized.
I went to voicemail and my heart skipped a beat when I realized who called.
“Nurse Prinz, this is Father O'Toole. I know we didn't speak much, but the times I did have the privilege, I could tell you were someone who cares about her patients. I'd like to speak with you about X, if at all possible.”
My chest tightened as all the worst possible reasons for this call came pouring forward. My hands were actually shaking as I called the priest back, not even thinking about the time until he picked up.
“Sh – I mean, sorry, Father. I forgot about the time difference.”
A warm chuckle came over the phone. “Miss Prinz, I assume?”
“Yes, sir. I just got your message and I'd completely forgotten that you were a couple hours ahead.”
“Don't worry about it,” he said. “I sleep so little these days.”
There was a moment of silence, and I wondered if that was something new since X had arrived.
“You called?” I prompted.
“Yes, dear.”
I could hear the smile and found myself smiling in response, some of my tension easing. He wouldn't be so calm and collected if something bad happened to X.
“I was wondering if I might impose on you for a huge favor.”
Now I was curious. “And what's that?”
“Is there any way I could convince you to take a vacation out here?”
I blinked, confused. “I don't understand.”
He sighed and there was sadness in the sound. “I had hoped once X was home and in a familiar place, his attitude would change, but if anything, he's gotten worse. I tried getting him to set up appointments for doctors here, but he insisted he was fine. I hired a nurse and a physical therapist to come to the house. Hired a cleaning staff. As of right now, only one of them is left.”
I closed my eyes, shaking my head. “What did he do?”
The priest laughed. “The fact that you know him well enough to ask that tells me I made the right choice calling you.” His voice sobered. “He assures me that he only intended to fire the nurse, but he also managed to scare the entire housekeeping staff in the process.”
“Shit,” I muttered.
“Yes, that is precisely what I wanted to say.”
Heat flooded my face. “Sorry, Father.”
“Trust me, I've heard much worse. From X most recently.”
I didn't doubt it. “I'm sorry to hear he isn't doing well.” I hoped he couldn't hear just how much that bothered me. “But I'm not sure I understand what this has to do with me coming to Philadelphia on vacation.”
Or maybe I just didn't want to try to understand.
“I know there were a lot of nurses and doctors who worked on X, but you were something special.”
“He said that?” The thought pleased me more than it probably should have.
“Not in so many words,” Father O'Toole admitted. “But I saw him when he was around you. He was – well, not back to normal, but...softer, I guess.”
“And you want me to come out and talk to him?” I wasn't entirely sure how I felt about that request. And I definitely wasn't sure how I felt about the conflict of emotions colliding inside of me at the thought.
“Unless you're looking for a job,” he said wryly.
I didn't believe in fate or destiny or any of that stuff, but in that moment, it was almost like something inside me clicked into place.
“You're not, are you?” he asked, his tone suddenly more serious.
I didn't know why my silence prompted him to ask, but now that he had, it was out there and needed a response.
Except I didn't know what that response was supposed to be.
“Here's the thing,” Father O'Toole continued. “Since X has pretty much scared away everyone I hired, there's no one to keep an eye on him as I stay in the city most days and nights. I need someone to care for the house, most likely prepare meals as the chef hasn't called me back, and I need a person to check on X's medical progress.”