Page 38 of Echoes of Eternity
He paused, then left.
Uneasiness filled Ryan as he felt Bill might be close to discovering the truth. He started to think of the accident more.
A piece of his memory surfaced.
He could faintly see in his mind’s eyes the young girl answering Linda’s apartment door.
Tiffany.
Thoughts shifting, he recalled handing Linda an envelope of cash. Linda’s words in that moment came to his mind. “Thank you. Now we can pay for rent. We will figure something out so we don’t need more. I promise to try.”
Covering his mouth, Ryan’s eyes watered as he realized what he had done. He thought of Emily, how upset she would be. How could he tell her?
A while later, Emily knocked lightly on the door frame and walked into the hospital room.
Tilting her head as she approached, she smiled at him with love in her eyes and care in her tone. “How are you feeling, Ryan?”
“I’m okay. Where’s my mom?”
“She said she couldn’t come up here. After your dad died here, she just couldn’t do it.”
“Oh.” The reminder of being in the place where his father passed away filled him with uneasiness.
“You look like you saw an apparition or something. You sure you’re okay? Hey. Do you remember anything more today?”
He panicked, not wanting to upset his wife. He lied to the woman he had vowed to love and to cherish. “No. And I’m fine, just shaken by the realization that I’m in the place where my dad passed. How are the kids?”
“Good. They’re down the hallway getting a treat from the nurses’ station. Ryan, I need to tell you something.”
Sitting up more in the bed, he lifted his eyebrows and held out his hands.
“You struggled coming out of anesthesia.”
“Wow. Really?”
She nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks. “It was the worst moment ever, but I couldn’t keep it from you. I barely slept last night. It’s the truth, and I’m so happy you’re alive!”
He thought of his nurse’s words. God’s second chance . . .
As his kids came into the room, he thought about the fact that they could’ve been without a dad. His heart swelled with joy at God’s grace in his life. Motioning the boys over to get on the bed, Ryan welcomed them with an open arm even though their hugs and touches hurt.
“Careful, hun.” Emily smiled at him. “You’re injured.”
“I’m okay.” His eyes locked on Elizabeth as she hung near the door of the hospital room. Sharing a moment of eye contact, he frowned and tilted his head. “Hey, Princess.”
Tears were running down her cheeks as she came over to him. “I love you, Daddy! I’m sorry for what I did at school. It was wrong and I know that, and I promise never to do it again.”
“Whoa. Where’s this coming from?” Ryan shook his head as he looked into her eyes.
“You almost . . .” She glanced at Jack and Conner, then back at her father. “Died. And I just hated the thought of you going without a goodbye and with the thought of being upset with me.”
Frowning, he shook his head. “I love you and I could never stay upset with you. Even when you make some bone-headed decisions, it never changes my love for you.”
She hugged him and kissed his cheek.
After everyone went home around lunch, Ryan lay on his back in the hospital bed and stared at the ceiling tiles. His lie felt dirty, especially after the fact that she had told him about the near-death experience. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he directed his heart and mind toward God. Forgive me, Lord. Make this second chance count. Teach my heart what to do . . .
CHAPTER 10