The Riches of Mercy Read Online Free PDF Page B

for bravado. He was a nice guy. He didn't cope well with hard edges. Even his job made him nauseous.
    She changed the subject. "How's Nancy?"
    "Oh." He leaned over and opened his bag, and pulled out a teddy bear wearing a beret and handed it over. "Nancy got you this."
    She accepted the bear.
    He pulled out a bag of M&Ms. "And the kids got you these. Not sure what you're eating."
    "They cook for me."
    His eyes widened.
    She nodded. "Really. Homemade."
    "Wow."
    He glanced around, politely. She followed his gaze. No flowers, no cards, no books.
    "Natalie, you know you're family." He took her hand. "You are. I just wish you had more. We're taking up a collection at the office, but I'm supposed to, uh, report back on how you're doing and tell them what you need. Everyone asks me every day. God, Natalie."
    She didn't say anything, just kept staring at the bear, until her face stopped hurting, and the tears retreated.
    He left her with case files, a Blackberry to replace her burned cell phone, and a promise to come back in a week. The Blackberry didn't get reception. She read the cover page of the first document, and then fell asleep.
    #
    Meredith opened the front door. She heard thuds--an avalanche rumbling down the hallway toward her--before she saw the boys, who yelped and then skidded to a stop. They stared at what she carried.
    She shut the door behind her. "Boys, I brought something home."
    "But we made lunch," Merritt said.
    "I know. I can't wait to eat it."
    Every day she worked, she came home for lunch. Ms. Cranston saw to it the boys prepared something for her. Ten minute drive, ten minutes to eat, ten minutes back.
    "Is it a cat?" Beau asked.
    "Yes. It belongs to a patient. It's not ours. We're going to take care of it for her, okay?"
    Beau frowned.
    Meredith sat the carrying case on the floor.
    "Be gentle," she said.
    Merritt nodded.
    She opened the cage.
    The cat stayed inside.
    Merritt knelt, and then stretched out on his stomach, peering into the cage.
    Beau gave the case a little kick.
    "Beau."
    Merritt grinned.
    The cat cautiously stepped out and sniffed at Merritt.
    Beau stood perfectly still.
    Meredith enjoyed the moment of silence. The cat was already a blessing.
    Beau lunged.
    The cat took off for the kitchen.
    Merritt howled.
    Meredith shook her head and went in to lunch.
    #
    Meredith took Natalie dinner. Natalie smiled wanly at her and the mild anxiety Meredith felt whenever she was around Natalie intensified. Natalie didn't look good. Meredith settled the tray and then at Natalie's encouragement, sat on the edge of the bed.
    "Thanks." Natalie picked up her fork and then set it down again, sighing.
    "You all right?"
    "I'm worried."
    "About your leg?"
    "Not really. Wheeler explained it all. I understand. Stupid leg. I'm worried about what I'm going to do."
    Meredith glanced at the briefcase next to the bed. "Seems like you got plenty to do."
    "Yeah. But--I don't have the energy. I read a few pages and then have to stop. My head hurts. I'm tired all the time. Oh, hell, do I sound like a four year old?"
    "I have four year olds. Twins. You sure don't sound like them. The headache'll go away in a few days. I promise."
    "You promise?"
    "I do."
    "All right then." Natalie leaned back. "I can bear it."
    "Those papers look like pretty heavy stuff. Do you want any magazines? Books?"
    "I, er. Are you going to bring me Christian literature?" Natalie asked.
    "What?"
    "I don't--nevermind--It's something I've been wanting to ask and it just came out. No one will tell me anything about this place. I don't know where I am," Natalie said.
    Meredith's eyes widened. Natalie was either reaching out or warding her off. But her eyes didn't reveal which way she meant it. Natalie hadn't come into the emergency room wearing a cross or a star. She hadn't asked about Sunday services. She didn't want a chaplain. But outward signs were not always the way to tell something about a person.
    Meredith was afraid of answering wrong, and hurting