Page 306 of Under Her Skin
“I have been wanting a tablet. I can’t sit up and watch television. I could use that to watch cartoons. I used to like to watch cartoons before I got sick and had to come here.” The door opens and her little eyes go to it. “Hi,Daddy.”
“Hey there, darlin’. How’s my baby?” he asks as he looks atDelaney.
“She’s got a fever. I have a doctor coming to check herout.”
“This is Blaine, Daddy,” Meagan says as she points at me. “He’s going to buy me atablet.”
“And why is that?” he asks me with a frown on hisface.
I get up and shake his hand. “Hello, I’m Blaine Vanderbilt. I’m spending the holidays here with the kids on this ward and trying to make their stay here a little bit happier by giving themgifts.”
“Well, we don’t allow our kids to have electronics,” he tellsme.
“Daddy, please. I’m so tired of lying in this bed with nothing to do,” she whines athim.
His words are sharp. “I saidno!”
What anasshole!
Chapter8
DELANEY
November24th:
Standing in the hallway, waiting for Blaine to meet me in front of the cafeteria where he has a full staff from one of the local restaurants here to prepare and serve the Thanksgiving feast to the kids and their families, I feel like a damnfool.
He decided costumes for us were in order for this festive occasion. He found me a turkey costume, and I feel ridiculous. I have no idea what he’s dressing up as. It’s asurprise.
We’ve spent every night together since the first one. I start out each morning by telling him I won’t be staying the night. By the end of the day, though, I find myself craving theman.
But I can tell he’s getting impatient with me. I still think it’s a bad idea for our relationship to be out in the open. I already hear little bits and pieces of gossip about us as itis.
The sound of a man clearing his throat has me looking back, and I see Blaine looking like a very handsome pilgrim while I look like an idiot. “Blaine! That’s not fair! I look like a fool. Why do you get to be that and I have to bethis?”
“I think you look adorable,” he says. “Give me your wing and let’s greet our guests, my turkeylady.”
With a huff, I walk away from him. Orwaddle!
He’s quick to get to my side as hechuckles.
“Shut up!” I hiss athim.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,” he greets the room full of people. “I’m happy to have you all here today for this feast. And with no further ado, let the food beserved!”
The guests cheer as the waitstaff begins to bring out the food. Blaine and I split up to hobnob with the patients and their families. I watch him pass by the table where Meagan’s family sits. He hates her father, Mr.Sanders.
The poor girl can’t even be with them, as she’s stuck in her bed. Blaine offered to have a table set up in there so they could be served in her room. It was her father who said not to do that. He’s a strictman.
I had to take Blaine out of the room when he turned down his offer. His reason was that he doesn’t believe in spoiling his children. No one gets special treatment at any time. If they were to alter things for Meagan, then he called that spoilingher.
I’ve noticed Blaine’s progress slowing. What was going quickly has slowed to the speed of molasses on a cold day. He’s spoken to me several times about why kids would be put through these horriblethings.
I have no words to tell him. There is no explaining things of this nature. I never say it’s God’s plan. I can see he already has an issue where God isconcerned.
As a matter of fact, he was asked if he wanted to say a blessing over the food this evening and he declined. I don’t know if seeing all this tragedy is something his poor spirit can handle. It seems to be cementing his feelings about things. It seems to be showing him we live in a world that is either without a divine presence or at least without one he caresfor.
As I turn around after telling Tammy and her mother hello, I see Blaine with a plate in hand, heading toward the door. Then I see Meagan’s father get up and go in the same direction. I smell an argument and hurry to intervene as fast as my damn costume will letme.
