Gwynne Forster - What Matters Most

What Matters Most

GWYNNE FORSTER

What Matters Most

Dear Reader,

You are about to enjoy some of our most extraordinary romantic fiction in a new series called Novels of Love & Hope, written by two of Arabesques best-loved authors. In this serieswhich includes For All We Know by Sandra Kitt and What Matters Most by Gwynne Forstergreat romance combines with heartwarming, compelling story lines that help raise awareness about health issues that affect our community. In partnering with St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital for this series, we hope to enlighten as well as provide some insight into the research and medicine practiced at this preeminent research facility.

The first book in the series, For All We Know, tells the heartfelt story of two people whose love is tested as they care for an HIV-infected teen. The next novel, What Matters Most, is a story of romance that defies family pressure and reveals what it truly means to be committed to improving health care for the poor. Both books offer messages of love and hope in the face of tremendous struggles. Indeed, Arabesque is proud to be a part of this campaign launched by St. Jude, and we trust that it will spark interest and awareness among our readers.

All the best,

Evette Porter

Editor

Arabesque/Kimani Press

To the staff of St. Jude Childrens Research
Hospital, whose kindness, love, tenderness and
caring for the children they serve I observed, and
who impressed me with their professionalism
and their pride in the hospital and its work.

Contents

Chapter 1

M elanie Sparks opened her bedroom window wide and breathed. The crisp April night air couldnt banish her problems, but she needed the psychological effect of clearing her head it seemed to give. If her father thought that challenging her every time she came home could break her, shed show him. Nearly exhausted from typing students term papers, studying during the day and attending evening classes at Towson University in Baltimorea two-hour trip by bus between her home and the universityMelanie just wanted to go to bed and stay there. But challenges were merely invitations to hang tough.

Melanie had wanted to be a nurse since she was seven years old. Now, at age thirty-one, the coveted degree was finally within reachprovided she could pay her tuition. And with the prize so close, she was not going to allow anything to get between her and her bachelors degree and certification as a registered nurse. She had been tired, but the thought was as calming as a warm bubble bath.

She arose early and prepared breakfast for her father and herself. Her father hated to eat alone, but he was not by anyones measure pleasant company, so she finished as quickly as possible and went to her room to work on the student papers. It wasnt fun, but it was plentiful, and the money supported her, and allowed her to attend nursing school. And best of all, she didnt have a boss. Unfortunately, she didnt make enough to pay for her tuition.

She dashed out of the apartment en route to school that evening and ran down the stairs to avoid seeing her father, who stepped off the elevator just as she reached the staircase. She knew that, if he saw her, she would be late for school. He always found a way to delay her with questions that didnt require an answer, or he nagged her to get a full-time job and forget about school.

At the university, she ran into Greta, one of the few students with whom she maintained a friendly relationship, a young woman whose situation appeared to be as desperate as her own. She didnt make friends since she dared not bring them home. That evening, Gretas face bloomed with a rare smile.

Guess what, Melanie? I got a job, a real one. And I only work four hours a day. Now, Ill be able to pay my tuition. Girl, I feel like dancing.

Im happy for you. At least one of us is sure to graduate. I dont even want to think about how much I owe.

In her enthusiasm, Greta grabbed Melanies arm a little too tightly. Im going to work at a clinic in a senior center. They didnt need a registered nurse, and since Im a licensed practical nurse I got the job.

We have to talk, Melanie said. Im an LPN, too. But if I dont get to class, old lady Harkness is going to have my head.

Good luck, Greta called after her.

Melanie stopped. Dont worry. Even if I have to work two jobs seven days a week, Ill be in that line when the dean starts passing out sheepskins.

Wait a minute. Check the bulletin board. Thats how I found my job.

Melanie thanked Greta and headed for her class.

After the lecture, she went to the student lounge, looked on the bulletin board and made a note of the ads that interested her. She was so busy, she missed the nine-thirty bus and got home an hour later than usual. As shed expected, her father was on the warpath.

You comin in here later and later. I wanna know whats goin on besides this school you claim you goin to.

I was checking out jobs, Daddy. She figured that would calm him, but rather than take a chance, she grabbed a banana from the kitchen counter and went to her room. Peace and quiet meant more to her right then than a full stomach. Two of the ads were good prospects, and she put the listings on her night table.

As soon as her father left for work the next morning, she telephoned a Dr. Ferguson, whose answering machine said to leave a message or to call him after two oclock in the afternoon. She left a message asking him to call her before four oclock. The other ad seemed less appealing. Although she didnt have a class that evening, she wanted to speak with the doctor before her father came home. She had never made so many mistakes typing papers as she did that day. Suppose he didnt call.

When she answered the phone at a quarter of three, she could barely catch her voice. Hello.

This is Jack Ferguson. Who am I speaking to?

Oh! Thank you for returning my call, Dr. Ferguson. Im Melanie Sparks, and Im answering your ad. Im a licensed practical nurse, but I dont have much experience. Im studying at Towson University three evenings a week, and I should have my degree by the end of the school year. But right now, I need a job.

Thank you for responding to my ad, Ms. Sparks. I must say I like your honesty. What days are you in school?

Here we go, she thought and worked hard at hiding her nervousness when she told him, Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. In the day, I work at home typing term papers and theses, but it doesnt pay enough.

I imagine it doesnt. The more he talked, the more interested she became in knowing if the man was anything like the warm and comforting voice. I have an office in the Bolton Hill area, he said, but Im opening one in Southwest Baltimore, and I need a nurse in that office.

And you cant get a registered nurse to go there because its not the greatest neighborhood. Her hopes began to rise. If youre willing to take a chance on me, she told him, I certainly dont mind working there. And after I graduate in June, youll have a registered nurse.

I like what Im hearing, Ms. Sparks. But before we firm this up, I think we ought to meet. Can you come to my office at ten tomorrow morning? He gave her the address.

Thats quite a distance from where I live, but I can make it by ten.

Good. Take a taxi, and Ill reimburse you.

She thanked him, hung up and leaned back in the old chair. Such a kind and reassuring voice, and such a deep, velvet voice. She wondered how old he would be and what he looked like. The voice that she heard most oftenher fatherswas neither kind nor velvetlike, but cruel and harsh from guzzling beer.

Ms. Sparks, Dr. Ferguson will see you now. A glance at her watch told Melanie that it was exactly ten oclock. She had expected a long wait, and the doctor won points for punctuality.