Amanda was napping when Cecelia’s hand gripped her own, stronger than before. She raised her head and looked into her daughter’s blue eyes, dulled by pain, but open and looking at her.
“I hurt, Mama.”
Mama? It was a word Cecelia had stopped using in kindergarten.
“I know, honey. You’re going to hurt for a while. But I’m so glad you’re awake now.” Amanda’s tears spilled over her cheeks again, this time with relief.
“Why are you crying?”
“Because I’m so happy you’re awake, sweetheart.”
“I want Eeyore.”
“I’ll ask Marcus to bring him.”
Cecelia closed her eyes and slept fitfully.
When Marcus came to the hospital that evening with dinner for Amanda, he was stopped at the door of Cecelia’s room by a nurse new to the floor. When Amanda heard voices, she rose, opened the door and grasped Marcus’s arm. Eeyore was perched on top of the dinner boxes.
“Didn’t you check the chart? That’s Cecelia’s favorite stuffed animal. Would he have brought him here if he weren’t family?” she demanded.
The nurse backed away. “But I didn’t see his name in the chart.”
“Look again. If it isn’t there, please add it. It’s Professor Marcus Dunbar.” Amanda shut the door as Marcus approached the bed.
“Cecelia. It’s Marcus. Here’s Eeyore, sweetie.” He placed the animal in her right hand.
She brought it to her chest to cuddle it, her eyes still closed.
Marcus turned to Amanda. “When did she wake up?”
“Earlier today. She’s been drowsy most of the time.”
“After four days of being completely unconscious, I guess that’s normal. How are you doing?” He rubbed her shoulders.
“Much better, now that she’s awake.” She reached up and covered his warm hands with her cool ones. “Thanks for bringing Eeyore.”
“Family members take care of one another, remember?” Marcus smiled and kissed her forehead. “I have some information. She looks like she’s asleep. Can we talk about this?”
She nodded then leaned close to Cecelia. “Honey. I’m going to sit with Marcus near the window. I’m here if you need me.”
Cecelia’s eyes remained closed, her breathing regular.Eeyore’s head lay on her chest, one tattered ear angled toward her right arm, his body tucked close to her chin and one cheek. Amanda slid her hand away, and Cecelia’s fingers relaxed slowly in her sleep, like flower petals opening to the sun.
Amanda sat with Marcus near the window, gazing into his eyes, soft with concern and caring. She felt better just looking at him.
“What did you find out?” she finally asked, drawing strength from him when he leaned forward and gathered her into his arms.
“I talked to Janet. She says she saw someone run between the houses and up the hill when Cece was hit. She didn’t know him. One of the students in an apartment up the hill from your place says he thought he saw someone from the campus. That means either a student or faculty or staff member—male.”
Amanda nodded.
“That paper. When you work at home, don’t you keep things in the little alcove near the stairs?”
She nodded. “The living room is family space. I never do my schoolwork there.”
“But that’s where I found it, on the floor next to the couch.” He paused. “I think Carl came to your house to bring you the paper.”
Puzzled, Amanda asked, “Why would he do that?”
“I’m not sure. But, when I talked to him, he was very nervous.” He stroked Amanda’s back and shoulders. “Something tells me he had a reason. I just don’t know what it might be.”
“You don’t think he had anything to do with Cecelia running into the street, do you?”
“Hon, I don’t know. But, when I was a working reporter, I learned to listen to my gut. The way Carl was acting wasn’t what I would have expected if all he did was stop by your house and give the paper to Cece. Something isn’t right.”
Amanda turned her head to look at her daughter. “She told me once she didn’t like him, but I never thought much of it. She’s said that about other people she didn’t know very well—like her second-grade teacher, whom she never got on with. I guess I assumed that was the reason.”
“I want to ask her about him, if you think I can do it without upsetting her. Cece getting better is the most important thing.” Marcus kissed her cheek and brushed a lock of hair behind one ear. “Will you let me do that?”
She kissed him back and nodded.
They returned to the bedside and Amanda picked up Cecelia’s hand. The child pulled her hand away and reached up to stroke Eeyore.