Part Two

"I guess today was not so lucky for Delaney Scott after all. Reports say the newly made millionaire hit her head on the sidewalk as she was leaving Esta Storm's house. They both won the lottery with one ticket earlier today and plan on splitting the winnings between them." The reporter said as he fidgeted with the papers in front of him. "I wonder if Delaney will sue Esta and try to get more of the winnings?"

"Can you believe that crap?" Esta mumbled as she points to the TV hooked up in the waiting room of the hospital. "How in the hell did they even know what happened?"

Sharki shrugged her shoulders. "No clue Grandma."

Esta looked over at her sullen Granddaughter and went to sit next to her. "Would you stop beating yourself up. You had no clue who she was. You thought you were protecting me."

"I should have given her time to explain, before I tossed her out on her head." Sharki stated as she looked to the older woman with sad eyes. "I've have always reacted without thought and look what it has caused. Your friend is in one of those rooms back there." She points to the door that says 'Emergency Personnel Only' in bright red letters. "And she's hurt because I tossed her out the door without asking questions first."

"Well, the next time you'll stop and think before you react." Esta gripped Sharki's forearm. "Everything will be fine."

"Anyone here for a Delaney Scott?" A nurse yelled out as soon as she stepped out from behind the doors.

"Over here," yelled Esta as she waved her hand to catch the nurses attention.

Sharki and Esta watched the nurse walk over and sit down across from them.

"How is she?" Esta asked nervously.

"She has a mild concussion and we will be keeping her overnight." The nurse replied as she looked at her chart. "Other than that she is fine. Would you like me to escort you to where she is?"

Before Sharki could say no Esta grabbed her hand and said yes.

"I don't think it's a good idea that I go back. I should stay out here and wait for you." Sharki tried to stop walking but her Grandma had a firm hold on her hand.

"Sorry honey, you need to come back with me and tell her you're sorry for what happened." Esta smiled at the nurse who held the door open for the two.

"She's behind curtain three." The nurse pointed at the light blue curtain that hung from the ceiling. "You can only stay a few minutes and then she will be taken to her room for the night."

"Thank you," Esta headed towards the curtain still holding Sharki's hand still grasped in hers.

"Grandma," Sharki mumbled under her breath.

Esta stopped short of pulling back the curtain. "Suck it up and apologize."

"Yes, ma'am." The taller woman replied with her head down.

Esta nodded her head and pulled the curtain back so she could look in. She saw Delaney laying down with a thin blanket wrapped around her body. She had an IV drip attached to the back of her wrist and a white bandage around her head. Seeing that the injured woman had her eyes closed, she stepped up to the bed quietly.

"She's asleep. We should go." Sharki whispered as she took a step to walk out.

"No I'm not, just have my eyes closed." Delaney replied as she opened her eyes and looked at the two women standing there.

"How do you feel?" Esta let go of Sharki's hand and grasped Delaney's. "They told us you would be staying the night. Is there anyone you need us to call for you?"

Delaney smiled and tightened her fingers around the soft hand that held hers. "No, no one to call. Thanks for staying and checking up on me."

"Well since it was our fault you got hurt it is the least we can do." Esta looked over at Sharki and glared at her. "Something you want to say to her?"

"Umm, yes." She stepped around her Grandma and looked straight into Delaney's eyes. "I'm sorry for treating you the way I did, but mainly for tossing you down the steps and hurting you."

Delaney looked up into the clear blue eyes of the woman who was the reason for her injuries. She could see regret and knew that Sharki was just thinking she had to protect her Grandma and she knew if she was in the same situation she would have done the same. Well, not exactly the same, but close to it.

"Don't worry about it." Delaney smiled. "You were just doing what you thought was best. Though it was kind of extreme."

"I agree, it was." Sharki held out her hand and waited for Delaney to shake her hand. "How about we start over?"

"Sounds good to me." Delaney shook the hand that was offered. "I'm Delaney Scott."

"I'm Sharki Storm," Sharki grinned back and then looked to her Grandma. "See, I made nice."

"Yes you did." Esta patted Sharki's back. "I'm very proud of you and since Delaney will be staying at my house for a few days after she gets out of here, you will be helping me."

"I can't let you do that. I can go home." As soon as she said that her eyes went wide. "Oh, crap Wheels has been alone without anyone to feed him all day."

"What's 'Wheels'?" Sharki glanced from Delaney to her Grandma.

Esta rubbed Delaney's leg through the thin hospital blanket. "It's her cat." She answered. "Do you want us to go over and take care of him?"

"Would you? I bet she is pissed at me." The upset woman tried to sit up a little. "All you would have to do is feed her and change her water."

"Sure we could. Just tell us your address and we'll need your key." The older Storm woman said.

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"I think you should grab the cat and bring it back to my place. That way we won't have to come back over." Esta stated as they pulled in front of Delaney's apartment building. "Grab some clothes too."

"I'll grab the cat, but I won't grab any of her clothes." Sharki replied. "We can stop after we pick her up at the hospital and she can get some of her things."

"Oh, come on honey. Just grab her a couple of shirts and other things." Esta knew her Granddaughter was feeling uncomfortable, but continued anyway. "Like underwear and socks and bras."

"Stop, please, you know I won't get those things. If you want, you can, but I won't touch her things." Sharki opened her door and stepped out of the car. She looked into the car at her Grandma. "You coming?"

Esta giggled at the way Sharki acted before she slowly got out of the car into the cold night. "You embarrass so easily."

Sharki didn't reply as she helped her Grandma walk across the snow-covered road and up the steps to Delaney's apartment.

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As soon as they opened the door, Sharki and Esta heard a loud noise.

"Dear lord what is that?" Esta asked as she peered inside the small apartment.

Sharki shrugged her shoulders and entered first. "Sounds like something is dying."

They carefully walked down the small hallway towards the living room. The source of the noise was soon seen as Wheels jumped up onto the back of a chair. "Meowwwwww."

"Guess this is Wheels and my bet is she's hungry." Esta laughed at the bright orange cat. "Why don't you go get the cat food and get her things ready to go over to my house? I'll go get Delaney's things ready."

Sharki nodded and headed towards the kitchen in search of the cat food and water dish.

It took the woman several minutes to makes sure they had everything they thought they needed. With cat and her essentials in hand, they left for Esta's house where they put everything in the guest room where Delaney would be staying.

"Well, Grandma. I'll be heading home." Sharki said as she hugged the older woman she loved. "I'll be by tomorrow morning to pick you up so we can get Delaney."

"Okay," She hugged her beloved Granddaughter back. "Love you."

"I love you too," Sharki replied before kissing Esta on the cheek and leaving.

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The next morning Delaney sat in her bed looking out the window. The sky was clear and she could see several birds flying around.

"Are you Ms. Delaney Scott?" A woman asked softly.

Delaney turned her head and nodded, "yes, I'm Delaney Scott. What can I do for you?"

The woman looked behind her and then back to Delaney before walking into the room shyly. "Hi, my name is Sara Becker, and ummm." The woman stopped talking and appeared too frightened to continue.

When it looked like the woman wasn't going continue speaking Delaney shifted in her bed. "Did you need something, Ms. Becker?"

Ms. Becker glanced at her feet then back to Delaney. "I know who you are and I wouldn't normally do something like this but I am desperate." She moved to the bed and held out a picture. "This is my son. He is up in the ICU and is need of a heart transplant, but I don't have insurance and I'm unable to come up with the funds to pay for it."

"Oh, he is cute, but what can I do about that?" Delaney already knew what the woman was after. She could tell that being here and asking her for what she needed was very hard on the young woman.

"I will understand if you toss me out of here and call security but I'm at my wits end. The people of my community and church have done what they could, but it is not even close and I'm so lost as to what to do." Ms. Becker started to cry. "I'll do what I can to pay you back when I can, but I need money and well…" She was unable to continue as she sobbed harder and harder.

Delaney felt her heart break. She knew what it was like to not be able to do anything for a loved one who needed health care. "Why don't you grab that chair over there and tell me about your son."

For the next hour the woman told Delaney all about how her son Peter loved to play outside and do all the things little boys do at eight years old. Then she went on to tell her about how suddenly the young boy became sick and how they found out that his heart was enlarged and slowly killing her son.

"Can your son have visitors?" Delaney asked softly.

Ms. Becker nodded her head, "yes."

"How about after I get checked out we go visit with him? Then if it is okay with you I would like to speak to his doctor?" The caring blond asked.

"You believe me? You don't think I'm some freak looking for easy money?" The shocked woman replied as she stood up. She watched Delaney shake her head. "I swear I'll pay you back, I'll sign any papers you want."

"That won't be necessary." Delaney reached for the other woman's hand. "If this was a scam I doubt you would come to my room. I could easily find out if what you told me is true."

"Thank you so much," The grateful mother cried. "I'll go talk to his doctor and make sure he is available to meet with you." She quickly stood up and walked to the door but before she stepped out she turned and held her hand over her heart. "You've given me hope and you will forever be in my prayers."

Delaney watched the woman leave before she leaned back against her pillow. She closed her eyes and thought of her Grandma. "Wish I could have done the same for you Grandma, but maybe I can ease someone else's suffering."

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"You ready to blow this pop stand?" Esta asked as soon as she stepped into her friend's room. She sat a small bag down on the floor next to the bed. "Here are some clothes for you."

Delaney laughed, "You bet. I just have one stop to make before we head out if that's okay?" She pointed to the bag. "Thanks."

"Your welcome and that's fine with me." Esta smiled. "How do you feel today?"

"Pretty good." The blonde replied casually. "Where's Sharki?"

"Looking for a parking space." Esta grinned. "She dropped me off at the door so I could head up here."

"So, Ms. Scott you all ready to leave out fine establishment?" The Doctor strolled in with her chart in his hand.

"You bet," Delaney answered with a smile. "Just let me sign what I need so I can go."

"Yes, ma'am." The doctor laughed. "I hear that Ms. Becker stopped in to talk with you."

"You know her?" Delaney inquired as she signed her discharge papers.

"Sure do. Her son is one of my patients." The doctor sighed. "Poor kid so full of life and I'm unable to do anything 'cause of hospital regulations."

"Who's Ms. Becker?" Esta leaned forward in her chair.

Delaney went on to tell Esta all that she knew.

"All of us here at the hospital have done what we could, but the head honchos here wouldn't budge and let us perform the surgery without a major suit filed against us." The doctor shook his head. "I tried to get him into another hospital, but that wouldn't work out since Ms. Becker cannot afford to move Peter."

After several second of silence Delaney spoke. "I want you to do whatever he needs done." She scooted off the bed and reached for her bag. "And you can tell your head honchos that I'm going to pay for whatever he needs."