“Are you sure it’s Ok for us to come inside?” Charlie whispered to Sara as the three of them climbed out of Charlie’s car. “Some of us can get a little rowdy when we get bored.”
Sara grinned at Charlie, knowing full well who he was talking about.
“Then I’ll rely on Joel to stop you getting bored, then.” She nudged his brother. “Right, Joel?”
“You gotcha!” Joel grinned at his brother, obviously understanding the joke was on Charlie.
“Sara, it’s good to see you.” Sara spun around, surprised to see Gregor opening the door himself, Tulli standing just a few feet behind him. “I see you brought us some company.”
Sara smiled at Gregor, noticing the way his eyes had taken in everything as he scanned the faces of her companions.
“Gregor, Tulli… how are you this morning?” Sara stepped inside.
“Much better than I probably should be.” Tulli smiled.
“Well, that’s obviously a good sign.” Sara reached out and squeezed Tulli’s arm. “Baby steps, Ok?”
Tulli nodded, and Sara turned to her companions.
“I’d like to introduce my colleague Charlie Lamar, who works with me at Stalwart, and this handsome young man is his younger brother Joel. Guys, this is Gregor Diminov and Tulli Mazur.” Sara made the introductions. “Charlie and Joel’s dad has just had heart surgery in the hospital, and they were going to stop by and visit with him, when my idiot of a husband tried to tell me I couldn’t drive here by myself. Charlie kindly offered to be my chauffeur for the morning.”
“That was very kind of them.” Gregor nodded at Charlie before turning and shaking Joel’s hand, smiling at the formal way Joel almost bowed to him. “But if you guys need to get to the hospital, please don’t let us keep you. Either Dmitri or I can drive Sara to wherever she needs to go after her visit.”
“Actually, do you mind if they stay?” Sara shook her head. “After I left you yesterday, I was thinking about the way Mischa responded positively to me and the baby. The more I mulled it over, the more convinced I am that the old Mischa is there, just below the surface. So, if you don’t mind, I wanted to try something this morning… an ‘experiment’ if you will, this time involving Joel in place of the baby.”
“I’m not a baby.” Joel pouted at her, making Sara smile.
“Of course, you’re not a baby, Joel.” She soothed. “But you have a very special way about you, one that everyone responds to. I think it’s your kind heart. I’m wondering whether Mischa will respond to you as well.”
Sara glanced around to Tulli.
“Do you mind if we try?” She asked. “There are studies to say that people who have suffered a trauma sometimes react positively to different stimuli. Some respond to children, others to animals, others to music. Worst case scenario, Mischa gets upset, and Charlie and Joel skedaddle out of there. Best case scenario, Mischa responds to Joel, and we make a tiny bit of progress.”
Sara watched Tulli glance up at Gregor, seeming to be asking for direction.
“I’ve also heard that people respond to certain situations differently.” He shrugged. “Could it hurt?”
“Ok. I mean, yes.” Tulli nodded. “We could try for a few moments, and if Mischa doesn’t like it, Joel and his brother could leave quietly.”
“I can do that.” Joel nodded. “I can be really quiet when I want to, can’t I Charlie.”
Sara chuckled as Charlie confirmed Joel’s statement.
“He can be exceptionally quiet, right up to the point someone yells that dinner is on the table.” Charlie grinned. “Then it sounds like a herd of elephants is charging down the stairs.”
“Then I’ll make sure my housekeeper doesn’t announce any mealtimes while we’re up there.” Gregor nodded solemnly, but Sara could see the twinkle in his eyes.
Sara, Joel, and Charlie followed Gregor and Tulli upstairs, and along a wide hallway until they reached a door that stood slightly ajar.
TuIli pushed the door open wider and stepped in, and Sara followed, spotting the middle sister, Lara, sitting by the bed reading to Mischa.
Sara made her way slowly to the bed, noticing that Lara hadn’t even looked up.
“Hey, Mischa… it’s me again, Sara. I’ve come by to check on how you’re doing.” She said quietly. “You wouldn’t believe how much this baby has been kicking me this morning. Here, feel this.”
Sara sat down carefully on the mattress, and took Mischa’s hand, guiding it to her baby-bump, just as she’d done in the hospital.
She noticed as she did so that Mischa turned her head towards Sara, just a touch, almost as though she was about to say something.
Of course, she didn’t speak, but Sara watched the girl’s expression carefully and noticed how calm she appeared. Nothing like the hysterical girl she’d seen in the hospital yesterday.
“I’ve brought a friend of mine to meet you today, Mischa.” Sara held Mischa’s free hand in her own, and rubbed her thumb across the back of her knuckles in a soothing and rhythmic way.
“Mischa, I’d like to introduce you to Joel Lamar.” Sara beckoned Joel forward until he stood almost in Mischa’s direct line of sight.
“Joel, this lovely young lady is Mischa Mazur. Would you say hello, and possibly shake hands, now that I’ve officially introduced the two of you?”
Sara watched Joel stand straighter.
“It’s a great pleasure to meet you, Mischa.” He said, formally, reaching his hand out to shake Mischa’s, almost oblivious to the fact that she hadn’t spoken yet.
Sara lifted Mischa’s hand up, and was surprised when Mischa didn’t pull away from Joel’s fingers.
She glanced up at Tulli who was staring at the connected hands of her young sister and this sweet and gentle boy.
Tulli’s gaze raised to Sara’s and her eyes were full of tears, as though she was acknowledging what a huge step this was.
“I think you can let go of Mischa’s hand now, pal.” Charlie smiled at his brother. “It’s been shaken just about enough.”
“I’m not the one who’s doing the holding on.” Joel glanced around. “I reckon Mischa needs someone to hold hands with for a little while. I’m good at holding hands. Mom said so.”
“I reckon you’re right, Joel.” Sara slid off the bed and edged around him. “You sit there and keep holding Mischa’s hand, while I go around the other side and do a few checks. Maybe you could tell Mischa all about this show your drama club are putting on.”
Joel did as he was told and sat in Sara’s place, while she walked around the bed, making eye contact with Gregor and Charlie. They both looked as surprised as Tulli.
Joel instantly began chatting away to Mischa, and although the girl never uttered a sound, the calmness never left her face, and when Joel cupped her hand in both of his, she didn’t so much as flinch.
Sara carried out a quick check of Mischa’s blood pressure, breathing and heartbeat, and satisfied that everything was in order, she nodded towards the door, letting Tulli and Gregor know that she was ready to go downstairs.
“Joel, why don’t you stay and visit with Lara and Mischa for a little while. I’m going to have a chat with Tulli and Gregor.” She smiled at him.
“Sure thing, Sara.” Joel didn’t turn around.
“I’ll stay as well.” Charlie murmured. “I’ll bring him down when Mischa’s ready for some peace and quiet.”
Sara glanced at Charlie, but he wasn’t looking at her, nor was he looking at Joel.
No, Charlie’s eyes were glued to Lara, who, if her blush and the way she was studiously trying to avoid Charlie’s gaze was anything to go by, was entirely aware that he was showing an interest.
Oh, jeez! Sara groaned inwardly. Like life wasn’t already complicated enough!