Lean on Me (Stories from hope haven) Read online

  Lean on Me

  Stories from Hope Haven is a registered trademark of Guideposts.

  Copyright © 2011 by Guideposts. All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher. Inquiries should be addressed to Guideposts, ATTN: Rights & Permissions Department, 16 E. 34th St., New York, NY 10016.

  The characters, events and medical situations in this book are fictional, and any resemblance to actual persons or occurrences is coincidental.

  Scripture are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.

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  Cover design and illustration by Lookout Design, Inc.

  Interior design by Lorie Pagnozzi

  Typeset by Aptara

  Printed and bound in the United States of America

  10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

  For Peter, Godspeed.

  The Best Medicine by Anne Marie Rodgers

  Chasing the Wind by Patricia H. Rushford

  Hope for Tomorrow by Patti Berg

  Strength in Numbers by Charlotte Carter

  A Simple Act of Kindness by Pam Hanson & Barbara Andrews

  The Heart of the Matter by Leslie Gould

  Well Wishes by Anne Marie Rodgers

  Measure of Faith by Patricia H. Rushford

  Cherished Memories by Patti Berg

  Christmas Miracles by Charlotte Carter

  The Healing Touch by Pam Hanson & Barbara Andrews

  Lean on Me by Leslie Gould

  Special Blessings by Anne Marie Rodgers

  With Open Arms by Patricia H. Rushford

  In This Together by Patti Berg

  New Beginnings by Charlotte Carter

  Chapter One

  JAMES BELL PUSHED THE ARM OF THE OVERHEAD light away from the operating table as Dr. DrewHamilton stepped away from their sixty-eight-year-old patient. They’d just completed a stent placement.

  “She’ll be playing with her grandkids in no time.” Dr. Hamilton’s voice was muffled by his mask, and his eyes twinkled under his blue cap.

  James nodded. There was nothing more rewarding than changing the course of a person’s life, and he hoped that working as the lead nurse in the new Holistic Cardiac Program with Dr. Hamilton would turn out to be a change in the course of his life too. The doctor had requested James specifically, which meant James had to resign his old position and sign on with the new program, which had come together in record time. Although Hope Haven had been offering heart surgeries for several years, Dr. Hamilton felt this new program would enhance treatment, education, and rehabilitation at the hospital. James was only one week into his new job, but he hadn’t regretted the move for one nanosecond.

  “I’ll wheel her down to recovery,” James said as his pager went off. He squinted in the dim light to read the message. The CEO of Hope Haven, Albert Varner, wanted James to stop by.

  Dr. Hamilton pulled his pager from the waistband of his scrubs at the same time. He glanced down, pushed a button, and then lifted his head toward James. “Albert Varner.”

  James’s pulse quickened. “Does he want to see you too?”

  Dr. Hamilton nodded. “I’ll head down in a few minutes.”

  “What do you think he wants?” James gripped the end of the gurney.

  “Probably to tell us what a great job we’re doing.” He patted James on the back. “See you soon.”

  James tried to smile, but an uneasy feeling settled in his gut. The chief executive officer of Hope Haven wouldn’t ask to see them to tell them that.

  Twenty minutes later, after having delivered his patient to recovery, James headed down the staircase to the administrative offices. Penny Risser sat at her desk flanked by pots of two-feet-high plants, thick with leaves. Her lacquered fingernails clacked out a rhythm on her computer keyboard as she talked on the phone. James stopped a few feet from her tidy desk and waited. Photos of Hope Haven through the years lined the wall. The first one had been taken in 1907 soon after the hospital was built. Founder and doctor, Winthrop Jeffries, stood on the front steps of the hospital, wearing a top hat. With him were four nurses, all dressed in dark dresses, white aprons, and white head coverings. The last photo had been taken a few years ago. Staff members, including James, stood in front of the main entrance–a sea of white lab coats, blue scrubs, and casual wear.

  “What can I do for you?” Penny asked as she hung up the phone.

  “Mr. Varner paged me.”

  She looked down at a sheet of paper on her desk.

  “About twenty minutes ago,” James added as Varner’s door swung open.

  “There you are. Where’s Drew?” The CEO stepped forward, scanning the waiting area. His dark hair needed to be combed, his tie was loose, and the sleeves of his white dress shirt were rolled to his elbows.

  “He’s on his way,” James said, hoping the good doctor would show up, not wanting to face Albert Varner by himself. It wasn’t that the man was intimidating; it was that he could be scattered and sometimes seemed to have a bad memory.

  “Come on in,” Varner said.

  Penny cleared her throat as James headed toward the door.

  Varner turned toward her. “Yes?”

  “The meeting isn’t on the schedule until Monday,” she stated.

  He rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, I wanted to deal with it as soon as possible.”

  Penny rose and stepped around the side of her desk, her face more serious than usual.

  Varner put up his hand as if to stop her. “I have this under control.”

  Penny’s face fell, but Varner didn’t notice. He’d already spun around and was stepping into his office. James followed and passed through the door into a virtual jungle of plants, all thanks to Penny’s green thumb. Bamboo grew in pots under the window. A hanging basket filled the far corner and three smaller plants—a fern, a zebra plant, and a tropical lily—graced the front of Varner’s desk, partially hiding the mess of papers and files.

  “James,” Varner said, running his fingers through his thick hair as he sat down, “how are you doing?” The man was usually outgoing and gregarious, though disorganized, but today he seemed more out of sorts than usual. He settled into his stately office chair behind the desk and rolled forward.

  “Just fine, thank you,” James said. He wanted to tell the CEO how much he liked working in the new Holistic Cardiac Program, but James—who usually could carry on a conversation with anyone whether it was professional, personal, or casual—felt ill at ease.

  Just then Dr. Hamilton stepped through the doorway, saving James from having to say anything more. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”

  Varner stood and extended his hand, saying, “Drew, welcome.”

  Dr. Hamilton shook it enthusiastically and then settled into the chair beside James. “I have to tell you, Albert,” he said, “it was genius of you to approve the new program. We’ve been busy all week, and next week is already booked. Patients who would have gone to Peoria are now staying in town for their procedures. And the health of the whole town will improve with more consistent treatment and education.”

  Varner ran his fingers through his hair again. “Actually Drew—and James—that’s why I called you in. It turns out”—he cleared his throat—“that we made the decision prematurely.”

  Dr. Hamilton scooted forward on his chair. “Say again
?”

  “You know,” Varner said, pulling his chair closer to his desk. “Zane should really be here to explain the ins and outs of all of this.” He picked up his phone and punched a couple of buttons. Seconds later he said, “I need you in my office to go over some numbers.” He glanced from James to Dr. Hamilton as he spoke but didn’t smile. “On the Holistic Cardiac Program. Why it’s not sustainable.” Then he hung up the phone.

  “He’ll be right in,” he said.

  James’s heart began to race.

  “Albert,”—Dr. Hamilton moved to the edge of his chair—“we went over the numbers. There’s the government money to help fund it.”

  “It turns out there are other standards that are being required of us sooner than we had thought.”

  “April Fool’s Day was last week.” Dr. Hamilton sat on the edge of his chair, glancing at his watch as if double-checking. “But this is still a joke, right?”

  Varner shook his head solemnly.

  Before Dr. Hamilton could say any more, there was a quick rap on the door as it swung open; Zane McGarry, chief financial officer of Hope Haven, strode into the office with a file in his hand.

  “Drew. James,” he said, shaking both of their hands as the men stood. “Albert.” He faced his boss and then sat in the chair closest to the door. He was an intelligent man, which was evident in his clear brown eyes. He sat tall and waited.

  “Zane,” Varner said, “I was just telling Drew and James that we’re going to have to cut the new program.” The CEO was usually charismatic. James was surprised at his bluntness.

  McGarry nodded, a look of empathy on his face. “The timing is most unfortunate,” he said. “We’ve just been notified of new national electronic-charting standards we need to meet, and our budget can’t weather both the new requirements and the new program.”

  “But we’ll lose business,” Dr. Hamilton said, leaning forward.

  “Yes, I’m aware of that.” McGarry looked the doctor in the eye.

  “How can Hope Haven survive if patients are going to Peoria for procedures and surgeries?”

  “Frankly,” McGarry said, “the hospital won’t survive the way things are. At this point, we’re just trying to keep afloat and last as long as we can.”

  Varner’s head jerked forward. “Wait a minute, Zane. That’s strictly your opinion.” He shot a stern look at McGarry. “And I’ve already told you, it’s an opinion I don’t share.”

  McGarry met the CEO’s gaze but didn’t say anything.

  “How can surviving as long as possible be a goal of yours?” James asked, addressing McGarry. “Deerford needs Hope Haven. Without it, the entire community is at risk.”

  McGarry nodded. “I couldn’t agree more. Listen, I’m just trying to be realistic and stay on budget.”

  “What happened to the numbers you presented when the program was approved?” Dr. Hamilton asked.

  McGarry opened his file. “First of all, the government grant for the program turned out to be a quarter of what we expected. They had to readjust because of the new standards that have taken priority.”

  Dr. Hamilton whistled.

  “Those new standards we’re required to meet are expensive.”

  “And they are…?” James asked.

  “Updated electronic charting that meets national expectations.”

  “Surely there’s funding for that,” James said.

  “We don’t qualify.” McGarry looked straight at Varner.

  The CEO grimaced. “That’s out of my hands,” he said. “But I do want to reiterate this: Zane was just sharing his opinion. I’m certain Hope Haven will survive.” He shot McGarry a steely look and then continued. “There’s no reason to be pessimistic. We’re closing one program—not the entire hospital.”

  “What’s the timeline on the Holistic Cardiac Program?” Dr. Hamilton asked.

  Varner shook his head. “There isn’t one. We had to pull the plug, no pun intended, today. Right now.”

  “What about the patients who are scheduled for next week?”

  “The regular surgery team will incorporate what they can. The others will have to go to Princeton or Peoria.” Varner stood. “Drew, you’ll go back to your previous position.”

  James stood. He’d be going back to the floor, and that would be fine. He was just happy to still have a job.

  “And you, James.” Varner’s face reddened as he spoke. “According to human resources…I’m sorry, James. You’ve been terminated.”

  “Pardon?” James knew there had to be a mistake.

  “I’m sorry,” Varner repeated.

  “But…” James felt completely blindsided. “I’ve worked at Hope Haven for twenty-one years.”

  Varner rubbed the back of his neck and turned his head toward McGarry. “Do you remember exactly what HR said?”

  McGarry stood. “I wasn’t at that meeting.”

  Varner motioned to the door. “Drew, would you ask Penny to come in here for a moment?”

  To James, it felt like an eternity before Penny joined them. She lingered at the doorway, barely entering the room.

  Varner’s face was beet red now. “Penny, what were the details on James’s new job?”

  Penny’s face was full of compassion, but she sounded like a robot. “This was all in the Holistic Cardiac Program paperwork. Because of the federal funding, it was a contractual job.”

  James nodded. He knew that. With the new job had come a higher salary—all of which went to cover his family’s medical insurance that he had to purchase through the hospital.

  “So,” Penny said, “you gave up your seniority at the hospital. And since your previous job has already been filled, the hospital regrettably has to let you go since the contract is being terminated.”

  James stumbled and then sat down in his chair.

  Varner sank back into his. “It has nothing to do with your job performance—”

  “This is outrageous!” Dr. Hamilton’s voice was loud and firm. “Hope Haven has never treated a loyal employee this way.”

  Varner shrugged. “He can apply for the next available job.”

  McGarry was obviously distressed. Beads of sweat had gathered around the hairline of his closely cropped hair. He stood as he spoke. “Albert, if you don’t need me any longer, I have work to finish up.” He slipped past Penny before Varner responded.

  Penny pulled a dead leaf from the plant near the door. “Check in with HR—with Leila—first thing Monday morning, James. She’ll discuss with you the settlement for the early termination of your contract and your benefits.” She dropped the dead leaf in the wastebasket by the desk and then, with her back to Varner, made eye contact with James and mouthed, “Sorry.”

  He nodded. Leila was the nursing administrator. Surely she could see a mistake had been made.

  “Albert,” Dr. Hamilton said, “what’s going on?”

  Varner rubbed his forehead. “This has nothing to do with you and James. It has to do with keeping Hope Haven open.” He pushed back toward the window. “Even so, James, I have to ask you to gather all of your things and refrain from discussing this with any of the staff as you leave. I don’t want a mutiny on my hands before I can address this in a civil way. That will happen Monday.”

  Dr. Hamilton shook his head. “If you think I’m not going to talk with anyone about this, you’re mistaken. I’m not going to let this go,” he said. “I’m not convinced we can’t find a solution that could save the Holistic Cardiac Program and, if Zane’s correct—which I suspect he is—the hospital, as well.” He turned to James. “Don’t you agree?”

  James did agree and he nodded, indicating he did, but all he could think about was telling Fern that he’d lost his job, unless Leila could secure a position for him ASAP.

  Upstairs in the staff lounge, James didn’t have much to gather from his locker—just his coffee cup, the jeans and sweater he’d worn to work that morning, and his stethoscope, penlight, and clamps. He changed out of the hospita
l’s scrubs and back into his street clothes, took the stairs to the first floor and then hustled down the hall by the ER and out the back door to the staff parking lot into the chill of the afternoon, hoping he wouldn’t see anyone. But of course that wasn’t possible.

  “James!” Anabelle was standing beside her car. “How are you?”

  His minivan was parked a couple of spaces away. He willed himself not to tell her what was going on. He had never understood the power a company had over someone who had been terminated, until now. He wanted—he needed—to work at Hope Haven. He would comply with Albert Varner’s instructions to a tee and hope Leila Hargrave could save the day come Monday.

  “I’m good,” James called out to his friend. “How are you?”

  “Glad it’s Friday,” she answered. “What a week. You and Dr. Hamilton kept the floor hopping with all of your surgeries. I might have to hire some nurses just to keep up.”

  James grimaced at the irony of her statement.

  Anabelle smiled. “What do you have planned for the weekend?”

  “Oh, you know, the usual.” Praying. “Catching up on laundry. Cleaning.” Updating my résumé. “Playing basketball with Gideon and Nelson. Hanging out with Fern.” Fern. His heart skipped a beat. “How about you?”

  “I get to spend time with Lindsay Belle tomorrow.” Anabelle beamed. The woman was crazy about her one-year-old granddaughter.

  They said good-bye, and as James climbed into his van, he thought about the layoff scare Hope Haven had experienced just over two years ago. Then, everyone was in the same boat. Now, he felt like a lone, isolated target. He took a deep breath and came to his senses. Thank goodness it was just him. He hoped McGarry was wrong and there wouldn’t be a ripple effect.

  Frustrated, James pressed his forehead against the steering wheel. It had been less than two years ago that it looked like the hospital was going to close, and he’d considered moving his family to Peoria. And not long after that, the staff took a 10 percent pay cut to keep the hospital in the black. Surely Varner was right that the hospital wasn’t facing such dire straits again. Closing the Holistic Cardiac Program would be bearable as long as Leila could put him back to work on Monday. If not, he could look into home health care, he supposed, but he knew that was about it as far as options in Deerford. He could look for a job in Princeton and commute, but they’d decided two years ago that relocating the family wasn’t an option. As far as he was concerned, that still stood. Not to mention that they’d just moved into a new house in Deerford—Fern’s dream home. No. Moving was definitely not an option.