But when the nurse rolled Henry out to the patient pickup area, it wasn’t Whit waiting for us. A man I’d never seen before stood next to a sleek, black sedan, dressed in a black suit and chauffeur’s cap.
“Now, that’s a nice ride,” the nurse said as we approached the car. “Look at you going home in style, little man.”
Henry grinned up at him and bumped the fist the nurse held out. “Bye, Darnell! Thank you for taking care of me!”
“I’d say ‘anytime’,” Darnell told him, locking the chair’s wheels in place, then pointing a finger at Henry, “but I don’t want to see you back here anytime soon, you got it?”
Henry’s smile broadened. “Yes, sir!”
“I’m sorry,” I said to the driver, “there must be some kind of mistake.”
“Are you Zellie and Henry Dupont?” he asked. When I nodded, he opened the back door. “Then there’s no mistake, ma’am. Mr. Proffitt instructed me to pick you up and deliver you to Dawes House.”
I could only stare at him in disbelief, but Henry had already climbed into the car and was buckling into the booster on the seat behind the driver. “C’mon, Mama!”
I slid into the backseat, uncomfortable with the extravagance. “I’m surprised Mr. Proffitt didn’t pick us up himself,” I told the driver. “I didn’t even know hehad…” I paused, not sure what the correct term was for the man driving the car, so I finished with “this car.”
The driver smiled at me in the rearview mirror. “Yes, ma’am. He typically only uses the driving service for business, but he was called away to New England this morning and wasn’t able to come for you himself.”
“New England?” I repeated, wondering what business he had that far north.
“Yes, ma’am,” the driver replied. “He’ll be using the service up there for his needs. Little out of my territory.”
The car was silent for the rest of the drive to Dawes House. As the driver pulled up to the front of the house, a new wave of panic hit. What was the protocol after getting dropped off by a driving service? Did I tip? Say something? I’d never even taken an Uber. How was I supposed to know how to deal withthis?
“I’m sorry,” I said quietly as soon as Henry started up the sidewalk to the front steps. “I don’t know how this works. Am I supposed to tip you? I don’t have any cash…”
He smiled reassuringly. “No, ma’am. No need. Mr. Proffitt has already taken care of that.”
We were barely inside the building when Pearlie and Iris rushed toward us, offering hugs to both Henry and me, gushing about how glad they were that Henry was okay and that we were back home, safe and sound.
“Iris,” Pearlie said, taking Henry’s hand, “I’m going to go up with Zellie and Henry to make sure they’re settled. Could you please let June know that I’ll be a little late to our afternoon tea?”
“Of course, Ms. Pearlie,” Iris agreed. She gave me a sympathetic smile. “Just let me know if there’s anything you need, Zellie.”
I nodded and allowed Pearlie to take the lead as we made our way to the elevator. When we reached the apartment, she opened the door and ushered us in.
I frowned, surprised that the door was unlocked. I must not have locked it in my haste to get Henry to the hospital. Or someone had unlocked it while we were gone. Either way, it made for a stunning homecoming.
The house was filled with vases of flowers that looked like they were cut from June’s garden. And several bouquets of balloons in bright colors and themes that reflected the TV shows Henry had discussed with Whit at dinner the other night filled in some of the remaining empty space.
“Look, Mama!” Henry cried, his face beaming. “Look at all the balloons!”
“You’d best go look in your room, Henry,” Pearlie told him with a wink.
His eyes went wide, and he hurried off down the hall as fast as his still-healing body would allow. “Oh, my gosh!” he shouted from his bedroom.
I glanced at Pearlie who just smiled knowingly and gestured toward the hall. “Go on.”
When I stepped into Henry’s room, I gasped. The cracks in the walls and ceiling had been repaired, the entire room repainted. And on Henry’s bed was a new teddy bear and a stack of books tied with a ribbon.
I shook my head in disbelief. “How…? Who did all this?”
“Well, now,” Pearlie said from just behind me. “Who do you think? But I believe the books are a get-well present from Dottie Shay.”
My heart swelled with such emotion I thought it might burst. Words failed me. But apparently that was okay. Pearlie just slipped her arm around my shoulders and gave me a hug.
“Thank you so much, Ms. Pearlie,” I finally managed, wiping tears from my cheeks. “I don’t know how I can thank all of you for this.”
