Ryan's Crossing by Carrie Daws Page A

you.”
    “Who?”
    “Ryan.”
    “What are you talking about?”
    “When he was here yesterday, he looked at you a whole lot more than he looked at me.”
    “Really?” Brittney couldn’t believe she was having this conversation with Grace. “How about we change the subject? How about you tell me what you saw today?”
    “A new boy came in sometime last night. I think maybe he’s the same age as me.”
    “When did you see him?”
    “They took him for some tests this morning just after breakfast.”
    “Can I come in?” said Ryan from the door. He peered with great exaggeration up and down the hall behind him, then in a stage whisper, he said, “I have contraband.”
    Grace smiled at him. “What’s contraband?”
    Brittney leaned in close. “It’s something you’re not supposed to have.”
    Grace’s eyes lit up. “Is it chocolate?”
    “Well, I wouldn’t swear to it,” said Ryan, bringing it from behind his back, “but it does have a suspicious brown color. And I believe I saw the very expert milkshake maker put an extra helping of chocolate syrup into it. Are you up to eating some?”
    “Yeah.”
    Brittney adjusted Grace’s bed up a little while Ryan opened the plastic spoon and pulled the lid off the cup. He dipped the spoon into the ice cream and offered Grace a small bite.
    “Oh, yum. That’s really good.”
    Brittney watched amazed at how well Ryan interacted with Gracie. Saving her from the embarrassment of admitting how weak she was, he patiently fed the little girl as much as she wanted. He had her laughing about a ridiculously dressed woman at the ice cream shop and a man in the lobby with a big nose. Before Brittney knew it, shift change was over, and Nicole was knocking on the door.
    “How are things going in here?” said Nicole.
    “Hi, Nicole,” said Grace.
    “Hey, sweet girl. How are you feeling?”
    “I’m a little tired.”
    “Do you want your bed down a little?” said Nicole.
    “No,” said Grace. “Not yet.”
    Nicole got busy checking lines, wires and vitals, making notations on the chart, and watching the monitors. After a few minutes, she looked at Brittney. She didn’t need Nicole’s confirmation that Gracie was probably down to her last hours.
    “I’ll be at the desk if you need anything, sweetheart,” said Nicole to Grace. Before walking out of the room, she closed the blinds on the hall window most of the way. “Just to give you some privacy,” she said to Brittney. “Call if you need anything.” Brittney nodded and watched Nicole walk out the door.
    “You know what I miss?” said Grace.
    “What?” said Ryan.
    “I miss cuddling with my mom while we watch TV.”
    Brittney swallowed hard as she walked closer to Gracie. Such a simple thing, cuddling. The loving touch of another person that most people took for granted.
    “My mom’s not brave like you, B,” said Grace. “She scares easy.”
    I’ve been right all along about this young mother, thought Brittney. She’s scared and weak, and instead of encouraging her, instead of loaning her some of my strength, I judged her. Father, forgive me!
    “Don’t be sad, B,” said Grace. “You’re going to be okay.” She looked at Ryan. “You found someone who’s strong like you.”
    Brittney looked at Ryan, the tears barely kept under control. He searched her eyes, asking unspoken questions, then reached out for her gloved hand. Brittney squeezed hard, relying for the moment on his strength.
    Brittney came to a decision. “I’ll be right back, Gracie.”
    Brittney walked out to the nurse’s station, pulled off her gloves, and dialed the number for Grace’s mom at the Ronald McDonald House. “Hi, this is Brittney Yager, one of your daughter’s nurses.”
    “Yes?” said the young mother fearfully on the other end of the phone line.
    “Ma’am, your daughter’s kidneys are failing.”
    “I… I know.”
    Brittney struggled to maintain her professionalism. “She may not live through the