The Woman Behind the Glass Wall Read online

  Sydney cocked her head. “You heard me talking on the phone, didn’t you?”

  “I may have heard the word, Teddy. How’s he doing?”

  “He’s fine. As a matter of fact, he’s coming to visit this weekend.”

  “Oh, that’s great. I’ll fix up the guest room.”

  “Seriously, Anna?”

  “What?”

  “You heard every word I said to him, didn’t you?”

  “Miss Parker, you are so suspicious. You need to eat. You’re getting cranky.” Anna left the room and headed for the kitchen.

  Sydney followed her. “I know you have a crush on my brother.”

  “Now, I know you need to eat.”

  “Anna, you’ve liked him since we were in grammar school. There’s no denying it. Every time Teddy visits you light up. And don’t tell me that the last time he was here you didn’t put on makeup.”

  “Sydney Parker, I do not, nor did I because he was coming. I just like to look nice once in awhile. Lord knows we don’t have that much company or outside conversation. Your brother has always taken an interest in what I have to say, unlike someone else I know in his family.” Anna flung open the cabinet and placed a plate down hard on the counter.

  “Well, if you didn’t care so much, I doubt you’d get so rattled. Your secret is safe with me.”

  Anna tightened her lips. “You’d better not say anything.”

  “I didn’t mean to upset you. I was just kidding with you. Besides, I think it’s Teddy who has a crush on you.”

  Anna flung around. “Now, you are kidding, aren’t you?”

  Sydney raised her brow and gave a half grin. “Just sayin’. My brother has inquired about you from time to time. And it wasn’t just how’s Anna.”

  Anna leaned over the counter. “What did he want to know?”

  Sydney smiled, closed her mouth and made a gesture of locking her lips. “I don’t tell secrets.”

  “I hate you, Sydney Parker.”

  “Yeah, yeah.”

  Sydney went back to her room and pulled out the old photo album of her childhood. White corner tabs held the photos in place against a black paper background. She carefully turned each page. There were pictures of her grandparents, her aunts and uncles, cousins and of course, Teddy and sister Rosa. As she relived those times through the pictures, suddenly, there were no more pictures of her, only Teddy and Rosa. “Why aren’t they any more pictures of me? I’m going to ask Teddy. I’m sure I was still around. I vaguely remember our home after that, yet not one single picture of me in a wheelchair.”

  She closed the album and placed it on the side table next to her bed, just as Anna knocked on the door.

  “I’ve got you something to eat.”

  “The door’s open.”

  Anna came in with some toast and a bowl of fruit. She glanced at the old album. “Been taking a trip through your past?”

  “Sort of. Anna, do you remember me after the accident?”

  “Sure. Why?”

  “There are no pictures of me in a wheelchair. I just didn’t stay in bed all the time, did I?”

  “Of course not. Are you sure there aren’t any in those books?”

  “Not one. Were Momma and Daddy ashamed of me?”

  “Sydney Parker! Never!”

  “Then why aren’t there any of me after that day?”

  Anna pulled up a chair next to Sydney. “No one loved you more than your parents. It broke their hearts when the doctor said you would be confined to this chair. I know either one of them would have given their life to change what happened or at least find you the best doctors in the world to fix you.”

  “That brings up another question that has me curious.”

  “What’s that?”

  “I make a good living with my books and work, but it seems that this place would cost a lot more than I make. Daddy worked so hard to provide for us, but he wasn’t a wealthy man. Is my brother or sister paying for all this?”

  “That’s something you’ll have to ask them. All I can tell you is that we want for nothing when it comes to your comfort. I never questioned it since Teddy handled it all. You know he has made a name for himself and probably could easily afford this place for us, but honestly, I don’t know, and it’s none of my business.”

  “Well, I’m going to ask him about the money. Maybe, I’m doing better than I thought, but that wouldn’t account for the years before working, and we’ve always lived well.”

  “I just never thought about it, but now you’ve got me curious. I wouldn’t worry about it right now, eat your food.” Anna turned and left the room.

  Sydney took a few bites of fruit and toast, but couldn’t stop thinking about the lack of photos or the money. “I suppose there could have been a big insurance settlement from the person who ran over me. That would account for the money, and knowing how tight Daddy was, he could have put it all in savings for me. That’s another question I want to ask my brother.”

  Jacob again spread Sydney’s files out on the table in the den. However, couldn’t stop thinking about his conversation with his dad. “Maybe I should go up and talk to him. I don’t want him to stew over this.”

  Just as he was about to go upstairs, there was a knock on the door.

  “Come in, Dad.”

  His father slowly opened the door and stood in the threshold. “Am I interrupting your work?”

  “Not at all. This case has me curious, not to mention my patient is a challenge.”

  “Anything you want to share with your old dad?”

  “If you’ve got a minute.”

  “Sure. Tell me what your dilemma is.”

  “Doctor Casey asked me to look into one of his patients. At first, I was hesitant because of my case load, but something drew me to it. Now I’m wondering.”

  “About what?”

  “My patient doesn’t seem to want my help. Dad, I think Doctor Casey misdiagnosed this case.”

  “In what way, Son?”

  “Without revealing too much about her, I can tell you this much. After reviewing the x-rays and working with this woman a few times, I believe there might be a chance to reverse her paralysis. Do you mind looking at the x-ray and give me your opinion?”

  “I’m not a neurosurgeon.”

  “No, but you’ve seen many x-rays in your practice and could give me an unbiased opinion. I’m not trying to negate Doctor Casey’s prognosis of this patient, but…”

  “I understand. Let me have a look.” Jacob’s father held up the x-ray to the light. “I don’t see a clear severance in the spinal cord, but this is an old film. Maybe you’d have better luck with an MRI.”

  “That’s what I was thinking. My challenge is to convince my patient to leave her home to have one.”

  “Does she realize this could change her life if there is a chance to repair the damage?”

  Jacob tightened his lips and rubbed his chin. “This woman has been through so many disappointments in her past and doesn’t trust that there could be a cure. But that’s not the only problem.”

  “What else?”

  “She won’t leave her residence. I was told that the only time she left her home was on a stretcher, and it was not of her own free will. I tried to encourage her outside, but she refused. I’ve got to tell you, Dad, this is a challenging case.”

  “I have confidence in you, Son. If anyone can do this, it’s you, but if there is anything I can help you with, don’t hesitate to ask.”

  “Thank you. Will you join me for a drink?”

  “Let me pour.” Senior, pulled out the scotch and poured them each a small glass. “I owe you an apology, Son.”

  Jacob reached for the drink. “I think it’s me that owes you one.”

  He handed Jacob the glass. “No, I shouldn’t have jumped to the worst. To tell you the truth, I have been feeling a little less spry than I used to and the stairs are getting to this bad hip of mind. If the offer is still on the table, I’d like to discuss it
again.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. I just wasn’t ready to hear it from anyone else, especially my son.”

  “I’m sorry, Dad. I just want you to be comfortable. I hope you didn’t think I thought you were getting too old. Heck, you’ve got a lot of years left in you, and I’d like to share them with you here in our home.”

  His dad sat down in one of the leather chairs, took a sip of his scotch and smiled up a Jacob. “Thank you, that means a lot. Now, tell me what you had in mind.”

  Jacob smiled, sat down across from his father, leaned back in the leather recliner and took a sip of his drink.

  CHAPTER 5

  Anna raced around the house making sure everything was just right for Teddy’s visit. When she finished the house, she washed her hair, put on makeup and polished her nails, then calmly strolled out to the living room.

  “Holy cow girl, you look great.”

  Anna ran her hands down her side. “Too much?”

  “Not at all. If that brother of mine doesn’t notice you, he’s a blind fool.”

  “I didn’t do this for him..”

  Sydney interrupted. “My mistake. Are you going out?”

  Anna crinkled her nose and curled her lip. “You sure can be a smart ass sometimes Sydney Parker.”

  Sydney laughed. “Yeah, I suppose I can. Seriously, Anna, you look great. Maybe you should get out more. You don’t want to grow old couped up with me the rest of your life, do you?”

  “Enough of that. I get out as much as I want to. Look who’s preaching about getting out. I don’t see you getting dolled-up and wanting to take a ride in the park or any place else for that matter. It might do you good. I’m just saying.”

  “Was that the doorbell?” Sydney quickly changed the subject and rolled her chair to the front door.

  “Anybody going to open the door for this weary traveler?”

  Sydney swung open the door as her brother reached down and hugged her. “I’m so glad you could come.”

  “When my favorite oldest sister calls, I come running.”

  “Teddy, I’m your only oldest sister.”

  “Hmm, so you are.” He dragged his bag in behind him. “Should I put this in the guest room?”

  Anna stepped up. “Hi Teddy, I’ll take that for you.”

  “Thank you, Anna. I’ve got it,” he said with a big smile on his face. “It’s good to see you again. You look wonderful as always.”

  Anna blushed and smiled back. “Thank you. You don’t look too bad yourself. Can I get you something to drink?”

  Teddy quickly turned as Anna nearly bumped into him. “That would be nice. Let me get this to my room, and I’ll join you both in the living room.”

  Anna bit her lower lip as she looked over at Sydney who was shaking her head.

  “What?” Anna mouthed.

  “Nothing,” Sydney mumbled as she swung her chair around and started for the living room.

  “Do you want something to drink too, Syd, like a tall glass of arsenic?”

  “I didn’t say a word.”

  “You said a lot with your expression.”

  “Why don’t you ask Teddy out?”

  “Are you crazy?”

  “Why not?” Sydney whispered.

  “He’s not interested in me.”

  “You won’t know unless you give it a try.”

  “I would be devastated if he rejected me.”

  “Whatever.”

  “Hey, what are you two ladies talking about?” Teddy asked as he strolled into the room.

  Anna blurted out, “Nothing.”

  Sydney handed Teddy one of the sodas as he sat down on the overstuffed red leather chair. “Oh, Anna was trying to get me to go with her to the park tomorrow. They’re having a food festival, but I have too much work to do.”

  “You are such a liar Sydney Parker. You know you never leave your place.” He turned to Anna. “Hey, mind if I tag along?”

  “Oh, I’m sure you have more important things to do,” Anna replied as she sipped her Diet Coke.

  “I could use a distraction. I’ve been couped up in my office all week and need some fresh air. It would be fun.”

  Anna looked down and away to keep from making eye contact with Teddy. “Well, okay.” She bit her lower lip to hold back the scream of excitement that was trying to escape from her lips. “I’ll leave you two alone now. I’ve got a ton of things I need to do. We’re glad you’re here, Teddy.”

  As Anna stood to leave the room, Sydney smiled and winked at her, then waited until Anna closed the door.

  Teddy leaned in from his seat. “Okay, what’s this all about? And don’t tell me that you just wanted to see me. I can see it written all over your face.”

  Sydney took another sip then set the Diet Coke on the coffee table. “Teddy, I’ve been having dreams lately. I’m not sure if they are glimpses of what happened or just dreams. All I can remember is seeing bright lights and then the next thing I was looking up at Momma and Daddy from my hospital bed. I remember seeing you sitting in a chair in the corner of the room crying.”

  “Oh, I remember it, too. I’ll never forget the day you came out of your coma. I thought you were dead, but I was young and didn’t understand.”

  “I never asked what happened until years later and then Momma would skirt the question and tell me to just forget about it. She’d just say that we can’t change what happened and that we should move on and put that part of my life behind me. How can I put something that altered my future behind me? Why wouldn’t they ever talk about it? What can you tell me? I need to know all you do, even if it’s fragmented. Please. Teddy, I need you to help me fill in the blanks.”

  Teddy tilted his head back and inhaled a big cleansing breath. “I’m not sure I have the answers you’re looking for, but I’ll share what I can remember.”

  Sydney leaned back in her wheelchair, folded her hands across her lap and patiently waited for Teddy to begin.

  “Let me just start on the day we snuck out of the house.”

  “Okay.”

  “I remember that the darker it got, the more frightened I became. The rain started coming down harder. I was more scared about what Momma and Dad would do if we got caught. That’s why I left you. I should never have left you there.”

  “Teddy, it wasn’t your fault. I hope you haven’t blamed yourself all these years?”

  “Maybe a part of me feels responsible. I realize I was just a little kid, but after what happened to you, and the chewing out I got from Momma when I came sneaking up the back steps from the cellar, made me carry some weight for some time.”

  “I didn’t know that she caught you.”

  “Oh, yes. All she had to do was to say, ‘When your father gets home, you and your sister will have to answer to him.”

  “So she was aware I was still out there?”

  “She was, but I could hear her talking to Dad when he got home. She was very worried that you were still out in the rain and dark. I could hear her weeping.”

  Sydney let out a slight whine. “I never knew that. When did they know what happened to me? Did someone call them from the hospital?”

  Teddy looked into her blue eyes. A tear trickled down his cheek. “Dad was the one that found you.”

  “Oh, my Lord.”

  “Momma sent him out looking for you. The next thing we saw was him carrying your tattered body through the kitchen door. He just stood in the doorway dripping wet holding you and crying. He hollered out to Momma to get the car. I had never seen him that torn up before. I’m not sure that I had ever seen Dad cry, but he was devastated. I think he thought you were dead. I don’t know how they held it together enough to drive you to the hospital.”

  “That must be why Daddy’s face was so red when I woke up at the hospital. I must have frightened them to death.”

  Teddy scooted to the edge of his seat. “Syd, they never left your side the entire time you were in that bed.”

  Te
ars flooded Sydney’s eyes. “How horrible. I had no idea that Daddy found me. He never said a word to me about that night.”

  “There’s more, Syd.”

  “What do you mean?” She asked as she wiped her face with the back her hand.

  “When you woke and saw Dad’s red face, it was not the night he found you.” Teddy closed his eyes for a moment and reached for her hands. “You didn’t wake up for nearly a month.”

  “What? You mean…”

  “Yes, you were in a coma. Momma and Dad took turns sitting with you while you were in the hospital. One of them was always with you. They prayed so hard that you would be okay and that you would awake. In spite of what the doctors feared. The doctors did not give us much hope that you would come out of the coma. Those tears you saw that day were tears of joy that you were going to make it.”

  Sydney slumped in her chair and wept.

  Teddy knelt down beside her, put his arm around her shoulder as she leaned into his chest and cried. “I wish I had known.”

  “They didn’t want you to. Momma and Dad wanted you to focus on your healing and learning to live with your injuries.”

  “How long was I in the hospital?”

  “Three months.”

  She gasped for breath. “How did they pay for all that?”

  Teddy handed her a napkin to wipe her tears then sat down again. He folded his hands across his knees. “All we knew was that someone offered to cover all the expenses.”

  “Thank goodness. I’d hate to think our parents had to pay a bill that I can only imagine what it added up to. This is too much, but I’m glad you’re telling me now.”

  “I couldn’t before because I promised Momma that I wouldn’t, but now they are gone, and you still need answers. I don’t see how it can hurt. I realize this is a lot and you need some time to digest it all. Why don’t you rest for awhile? We can talk again later.”

  “Yeah, you’re probably right. My head is spinning. If you need anything, I’m sure Anna will be happy to help you.” She turned her wheelchair around and slowly headed to her room. She closed her door and hoisted herself back into bed, closed her eyes and tried to take in all that Teddy had just shared.